Pros & Cons of owning a Dog.....

[hertsnessex]

I have owned dogs, and my parents did when i was a child - we are seriously contemplating another - someone please remind me of the pros and cons.........

thnks

cx

We I got a dog in April this year... It really pissed me off when people said-
"you have to walk it in all weathers"
"you'll have to pick up its poo"
"you can't have holidays"
"it'll be a tie"

I now hear myself saying the same thing to others who mention they are going to get a dog
This was our first dog, but as you've had dogs before you'll know what to expect..

I'm up at 6:15 every morning walking her before work, She gets another long walk in the afternoon and a quick walk round the block before bed... she is a rescue dog, and has come with no issues IYKWIM, the kids love her, she loves the kids, she isn't distructive in anyway, doesn't bark, doesn't crap on the carpet, and I wouldn't be without her....

Pros ...
*fab company
*unconditional love
*always a reason to go for a walk

Cons ...
*picking up its poo
*dog hair on the furniture
*always a reason to go for a walk

pros-lovely company for all the family

nice walks

fun

teaches children responsibility

cons-

when it's raining your house will get muddy

dog towels and beds clutter up the place.

my dog spits her food all over the place

you need to arrange care for them when you go away,even for a day.

this goes on for yrs and yrs

then they get ill and you are heartbroken when they die.

cons:
-they stink
-they make your house stink
-they eat shite
-they then lick you
-they lick you
-they get dirt and mud on their feet and mess up your house and car
-they have to be walked - that can be like a millstone round your neck
-their pooo stinks

pros:
none

...don't like dogs then Expat?

pros: they're not judgmental

, CS

Pros - you can confide all your problems in them & they won't answer you back(!)

• great when you've got children - especially when they don't savage their friends
• keep you on your toes - thinking of new ways to stop them stealing the cat's food/chewing the new stair carpet/ eating the butter & then bringing it up
• give unconditional love and affection
• give your shoulder muscles a great work-out when they pull on the choke chain

Cons - make the house look like an earthquake zone

• you get through a lot of disinfectant and Pet Accident Sanitary Cleaner
• the cat leaves home

-you have to throw everything away 3x as the dog keeps rooting in the bin

Aargh!!! Why did we do it???

A little like some children I've met KerryMum!

poo
poo
poo
poo
poo
poo
poo

and you have to pick it up!

you forgot dig, Kerry

A lot like some children I've met ggirl!

except my dc's poo into the loo and I don't have to handle it anymore

You didn't know you have to train dogs to do it in a certain place ggirl?

They are lot like children, respond to kindness and persuasion and sometimes you can eve bribe them

except for that licking you, stinky, eat their own and other dogs' shite thing .

she is trained to go in a certain place but unfortunately it is not a flushing toilet and I still have to pick it up.

No thanks KerryMum, my children have grown up enough to think they know as much as me!(they probably know more!)

The dogs still think I'm the bees knees.

Can't say I've ever trained any of my dogs to use a standard toilet with flush ggirl, but did have a cat who thought the bath was her personal space! No I'm not going down that route.

I think it would be fab though,a little step ,and they could even flush after.

Think we'll just have to agree that there are dog lovers and non dog lovers.

I love them and have to say, I've met more nasty miserable humans than nasty miserable dogs!

Pro's
-Unconditional love
-company
-always a reason to go for a walk
-Good for kids to learn about responsibility and life and death.
-Never come home to an empty house.
-Keep the kids in my family entertained.
-Gives you lots and lots of laughter when they do such odd and amazing things.
-Always good for a cuddle.
-Makes you feel loved and wanted.

Con's
-Mess the house up (But I dont care, I would ratehr have a messy house than not have a dog)
-They poo (But dont we all )
-They eventually die and leave you heartbroken (But I would still rather have the dog)

Pro's
Good guard dog
Company
Warm, loving & affectionate
Funny
Teaches children about responsibility
Training your dog can be fun and rewarding

Con's
Barks at everyone through the window and when you enter or leave the house
Jumps up at guests
Forgets where it should wee and poo outside
Muddy wet dog prints everywhere
Vets bills
Need to find somewhere for it to stay if you go on holiday
Scavenges food and roots through the bin

I love our dog and wouldn't be without him, although he's a pita!

He's had / we've gone to training classes but still has his bad traits.

thanks everyone. well, on top of even thinking about a dog - we also will need to chage our car (have a saab saloon - need a boot for dog now!)- dh is pleased about this part, so we looked today and changing it next week - dog to follow in the new yr (puppies now only 2wks old!)

thanks for all your thoughts and opinions.

Cx