Please or to access all these features

Add post

Watch this thread

Save thread

Start a new thread

Flip thread

Hide thread

My feed

Active Unanswered threads

Getting started FAQ's

Unanswered threads Acronyms Talk guidelines

Hide shortcut buttons

Talk

Pets

Join our community on the Pet forum to discuss anything related to pets.

Flip

1 2 3

Original poster

What's it really like owning a dog?

61 replies

RubberDuck · 04/07/2007 10:40

Have been seriously thinking about getting a rehomed greyhound over the last couple of weeks and am at the beginning stages of research. Realistically, we won't get one until ds2 is a little older (he's 3 now, and I'm not sure he would understand about leaving the dog alone while he/she ate or giving the dog space while asleep etc - so not really fair on the dog) but as I've never ever owned a dog before I'm finding it hard to imagine what life is like with one. I really need a place to ask some VERY silly questions

I'm a SAHM and we go camping for our main holidays so the dog won't be "alone" in the house very often, but assume if we go out for the day that a dog could be left safely? Or would I need someone to pop in so it could relieve itself?

If we do go away for a week or so but the dog is used to having me around all the time, would kennels be really unfair for it?

I'm asthmatic, so wouldn't want the dog upstairs, but I understand that greyhounds are really loyal and want to sleep in the same room as their owner. Would it be really cruel to keep it downstairs?

Do you have to "baby" proof everything or are small toys around (like lego) not a problem? I can see a dog having problems stepping around the toys (hell, I quite often do!) should I be thinking even longer term and waiting for a bigger house/kids are teenagers?

We have carpets not hard flooring - is the house going to stink?

How on earth do you transport dogs about in the car? We have a Nissan Almera and 2 kids - are we even going to FIT a dog as well in it?!

I'll probably think of a whole new load of silly questions in a bit

OP posts:

magnolia1 · 04/07/2007 11:48

Oh Rhubarb, Do you wanna look after mine for a bit??

Rubberduck, don't listen to her it's not as bad as it seems but they can be smelly and a dog with a tummy upset is not nice. You will need an iron stomach to clean it up

magnolia1 · 04/07/2007 11:50

Speccy is right though, training will eliminate most annoying habits inc barking and a greyhound does not really shed loads especially if brushed on a regular basis.

Speccy · 04/07/2007 11:52

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Rhubarb · 04/07/2007 11:55

You cannot get rid of the dog smell from your house though. You can always tell whenever you go to someone's house if they have dogs.

We bought our car from a dog owner a year ago and it still smells of dog!

I just think that if you have a dh/dp and a couple of kids, why compound your problems by getting a dog too? Why not just go for self-flagellation?

Speccy · 04/07/2007 12:03

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Rhubarb · 04/07/2007 12:03

Oh no, I like dogs!

Speccy · 04/07/2007 12:04

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

RhubarbGuessWhoIAm · 04/07/2007 12:10

?????????????????????

Rhubarb · 04/07/2007 12:10

No it doesn't. It smells of dog. Which broadly speaking consists of the smell of it's backside which it licks around 50 times a day, dog food, other dog's backsides, dog poo that it has been sniffing and the half eaten pigeon that it's had it's nose in.

That is what 'dog' smells like.

Rhubarb · 04/07/2007 12:11

I am guessing - a dog?

Original poster

RubberDuck · 04/07/2007 12:11

Gawd, I thought this would be a fairly uncontroversial thread ... should have known on mumsnet

I have to say that I do keep oscillating (esp. at the thought of doggy diarrhoea, ugh!), but then get really excited at the thought of having a dog around...

The thought of a puppy frankly scares me. Ds2 still isn't fully toilet trained, the thought of having a puppy needing toilet training as well fills me with horror . From others experiences of rehomed greyhounds, I think I'm on fairly safe footing of getting one kid-friendly (and apparently, greyhounds don't bark much either - yay!)

Either way, I think I am going to put a delay on it, at least for a year. If only to make sure that it's something as a family that we're all serious about - it wouldn't be fair on any of us to do otherwise.

OP posts:

Rhubarb · 04/07/2007 12:13

Don't forget the dog vomit too, they eat grass and then they vomit it all over your kitchen. Then they eat the vomit so they stink of that too.

Speccy · 04/07/2007 12:14

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Speccy · 04/07/2007 12:18

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Rhubarb · 04/07/2007 12:19

And they chew stuff. Furniture, toys, shoes, whatever. And they scratch at your doors.

But no really, I like dogs!

Speccy · 04/07/2007 12:20

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

magnolia1 · 04/07/2007 12:26

Rhubarb stop it!!! They are not all like that! My 2 dogs eat grass but have never thrown it up at all. They do not eat their own poo or anyone elses! They do not smell, this comes from 2 friends I have who do not have dogs as I was paranoid about it and they are very honest gals

They do chew though but only things left on the kitchen floor by mistake or if they are bored (and that is my fault not theirs!)

Rhubarb · 04/07/2007 12:28

And they shag inappropriate things. Even the girl dogs.

Speccy · 04/07/2007 12:29

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Rhubarb · 04/07/2007 12:30

True. But at least his gopher was safe!

themoon66 · 04/07/2007 12:42

Am with Rhubarb on this one.... I like dogs and have owned dogs. My mum bred labradors when I was growing up.

But they are a nightmare really. I would never have another one. My last lab had to be put down about 4 years ago. After 4 years of freedom, I'm not about to go back to cleaning up poo, cleaning up sick, living in a smelly house, never being able to wear black clothes coz of hairs, apologising to others about hairy car seat, sofa, etc. I could go on.....

Oh and has anyone mentioned the worms yet??

They eat a bit of dead rabbit or summat and then 2 weeks later its tapeworms all the way... mixed with runny poo... nice

wangle99 · 04/07/2007 13:52

Hi Rubberduck, not sure if you've seen my recent posts, we have recently rehomed a greyhound.

First one unfortunately decided after a couple of weeks it didn't like DD and kept growing at her so he had to go - it turns out he had more 'baggage' than we realised.

Second one we have had for a week and he is the most perfect pet ever, totally different temperament from the first one. He does get a couple of 20 min walks on rainy days and longer on nicer days. Rest of time he sleeps on the rug in the lounge!!! (where he is now lol)

He doesn't smell (even when wet). Does moult slightly but doesn't affect DH who is allergic.

Doesn't eat huge amount and generally can get away with cheaper food. We have generic dried food and it costs £5.99 every 3 weeks.

He is very friendly, has attached himself to me and likes to be near me BUT at night he is shut in the dining room and he sleeps on the sofa in there.

He has never whined because he's on his own, he whines when he needs to be let out which is fab. We did have a few days of accidents but now he seems to have sussed it.

Greyhounds are beautiful and fantastic pets, it might take a while to find the right one so please don't rush into it.

Greyhound blog

This is our greyhound's blog! Couple of pics on here...

Original poster

RubberDuck · 04/07/2007 13:54

Oh wangle - I'd seen the threads about murphy but so glad you have a second that's settling well Shall go read your blog now...

OP posts:

Rhubarb · 04/07/2007 13:56

I have a pet pissed-up perverted pixie, much more interesting.

Iklboo · 04/07/2007 14:01

I've got a whippet/greyhound cross.
She's a wee bit highly strung, nervous of thunder & fireworks. She is very, very loving & loyal. Loves DS to bits. She occasionally pinches one of his cuddly toys but doesn't destroy them. Eats toilet paper & tissues though.
She frets if we put her in kennels but we holiday in UK in dog friendly places & she has a whale of a time.
Greyhounds DON'T need lots of exercise. The genuinely sleep most of the day.
In the car we have a "carness" a harness that goes around her body & clips onto the seatbelt - but we only have DS.
Greyhounds are very sweet but usually don't like cats or other small "chasey" creatures too much.
Our dog loves to cuddle

Flip

1 2 3