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Original poster

Just how much of a commitment is a dog?

51 replies

googgly · 19/10/2008 21:48

I want a dog. I love dogs. The dcs want a dog. DH is just starting to come around.

We live in a big apartment right next to a huge park. We have a live-in housekeeper who likes dogs and is willing to walk it. There is almost always someone in the house. I don't mind getting up a bit earlier and taking it out first thing. I have friends lined up for dogsitting.

So is there a reason not to get one? Is there something I'm missing? It will need 3 walks per day, feeding, a bit of grooming, company. Can be left alone for a couple of hours if necessary. Is it OK if the late night walk is just a short toilet opportunity?

Wisdom please from dog owners. Especially those who find it a pita.

OP posts:
chequersandchess · 19/10/2008 21:50

Yes, that's sounds fine. Walking needs depends to some extent on the breed but we have a springer spaniel and they are very energetic and she is fine with the walking you suggest (or less at times).

Have you thought about holidays? Would you put them in kennels? This is what we thought we would do but in reality hate leaving her there so tend to bring her with us (not really a problem as can't afford foreign holidays at the mo.)

If you love dogs, it's always worth the hassle, IMO. I don't personally find it a hassle anyway, it's great to have to go walking every day.

LadyOfRoffle · 19/10/2008 21:52

Holidays? Nights out? When my mum goes away we have to find places for 3 dogs!

chequersandchess · 19/10/2008 21:54

Oh, something we never thought about - do you have family with dogs that you stay with? Our old springer took an instant dislike to my Mum's dog and ended up biting her one day so they always had to be kept separate. Was a right PITA at xmas.

Milliways · 19/10/2008 21:54

Puppy accidents are not fun...

Puppies WILL chew your furniture/clothes/phone lines etc

You can't lie in forever.

You can't just go away for the odd night/weekend without advance planning.

Kennels cost a fortune for your 2 week break.

They cost a fortune in food, worm/flea tablets, jabs, insurance etc etc

Wet dog smell........

They grow old, creaky, cranky, incontinent?

But, they love you, welcome you home, make you feel better and we still have them

WinkyWinkola · 19/10/2008 21:54

Having a dog is like having another child. But you sound pretty well set up for having a dog. Maybe get two so they can keep each other company if they have to be left alone?

SnoopDog · 19/10/2008 21:56

a doggy life time...

Original poster
googgly · 19/10/2008 21:57

Chequers - thanks for saying it's not a hassle! I can't really picture it being annoying having to go out for a walk. And I really want dcs to have a dog to love like I loved my childhood pet dog. It's such a special relationship.

We usually go on holidays in the car as can't be fagged flying with 3 dcs, and it's expensive, so dog would usually come too. I have many willing dogsitters amongst my colleagues though, so should be able to find someone if we were going somewhere. Kennels in extremis.

When we have nights out, the kids are home with a babysitter.

OP posts:
SnoopDog · 19/10/2008 21:57

first 2 years nightmare

the rest are brilliant,

bit like kids i guess

LadyOfRoffle · 19/10/2008 21:57

O and they chew expensive prams

SnoopDog · 19/10/2008 21:58

i had my snoop in a flat in london for 5 years,

we managed,

is easier in a house with a garden,

Original poster
googgly · 19/10/2008 21:58

What is dog insurance for?

OP posts:
chequersandchess · 19/10/2008 22:01

Dog insurance covers illness/treatment for accidents for the dog. Ours covers if the dog causes damage to other people's property, also covers cost of things like lost/found posters.

Doesn't cover pre-existing conditions or things like neutering.

Ours is about £11 per month, excess is £50.

Original poster
googgly · 19/10/2008 22:01

We are planning to adopt a year-old mongrel. Is that more or less trouble?

OP posts:
chequersandchess · 19/10/2008 22:01

Oh, ours covers kennels if you have to go into hospital (although not to give birth ).

ahundredtimes · 19/10/2008 22:02

Best thing is that you walk every day imo, though dh does second walk, I'd find doing both a bore. Also you all get out and walk at the weekends, and that is good too.

I find the hair a drag tbh.

I think you need to find the right breed, which will best fit in with your life. We have a cocker spaniel - he's the right size, not too energetic or intelligent, likes walking, likes children, likes company.

Not a huge commitment, given that having dcs already means you don't suddenly fly off to Paris or whatever, are here to feed children/ dog etc.

Has definitely been a bonus to our family life.

yogabird · 19/10/2008 22:02

wish i hadn't got one (mostly) cos it's a real hassle. Dog sitters aplently easy to find when it's still a virtual dog but they disappear!! Although the kids wouldn't be without him now, so maybe i am pleased? They talk to him when they are sad/happy/when no-one else is around.
I get up to walk him in the dark every morning, rain or shine, fog etc. and sometimes it's a pain. DH did say that he was ok with having him but doesn't really have much to do.
Just think long and hard would be my advice. I couldn't get rid of him now but i wish i'd not got him

SnoopDog · 19/10/2008 22:03

lolol,

be very prepared to have you life turned upside down...

in a good way

chequersandchess · 19/10/2008 22:04

Both our dogs were rescues and not little pups when we had them.

I have to warn you, if dogs haven't been socialised very well when they are small puppies they could have big problems in later life. The springer who bit my Mum's dog was 2 when we got her - she went bonkers around some other dogs (no rhyme or reason to it), small animals etc etc. We had two behaviourists for her but decided we had no choice but to re-home her when we saw her reaction to our newborn DD. It was heart-breaking to let her go but we did not trust her.

If you have DC I would get a puppy that you can socialise safely with kids.

That said, our other dog was 7 months when we got her and she is great with the baby and other kids.

Original poster
googgly · 19/10/2008 22:07

If I didn't have dcs I wouldn't even think of getting one, as would be such a bind. But with dcs, life is pretty routine for the most part.

I have always liked the idea of a cocker spaniel. We do spend a lot of time in the country though - does the long coat pick up everything?

Still thinking of adopting. We live near a rehoming centre for abandoned dogs.

OP posts:
1wish · 19/10/2008 22:07

You sound like it wouldn't be too difficult for you, especially having somebody in who can watch the dog.

My puppy on the other hand is a huge PITA, I can't go anywhere, I even have to take her round to my friends house when i go, because if she's left alone for more than an hour she gets depressed and destructive (I think she's spoilt to be honest)Then when she's at other peoples houses she poos even though she's completely house trained at home.

They are also incredibly needy, get under your feet and despite swearing that my house wouldn't smell of dog, it does, it stinks

But if you can put up with all that, they really are quite lovely

Original poster
googgly · 19/10/2008 22:08

Chequers - can you tell straight away that the dog's OK with kids. I mean, if it seems completely fine do you think that's reliable?

OP posts:
chequersandchess · 19/10/2008 22:11

No googgly, I don't think you can tell.

The dog we had to give up was such an affectionate girl, she was great with older kids, really fabulous, but with our DD she didn't understand that she was a human baby and she wanted to kill her, I swear she did.

It was desperately sad because she had come from another family and was passed on by the rescue as good with kids as she's lived with them, and they did not know about her issues. It took a good few months for us to realise the extent of her problems

ahundredtimes · 19/10/2008 22:15

A cocker spaniel will be good with dcs

But yes, coat a pain, his is quite long and shaggy too. Working spaniels have shorter coats I think. I get it hacked off every so often as picking off all the grass seeds etc a pain.

Yes, agree re smell.

Are you in a city? Do you have a garden? I wonder if you need a smaller dog?

hatwoman · 19/10/2008 22:16

we've got a 6-month lab and - if you're prepared for it, like you sound - there really aren't many downsides. The only kind of downside is when you go out and you feel bad and want to get home. but that's also kind of nice, if that makes sense. the house feels right with a dog.

the other thing is the length of commitment - none of us have crystal balls so we can;t say for definite what jobs/hours we'll be doing, whether we'll still have a housekeeper (which we don;t but you do!) or even where we'll live in 5 years'time, but you have to ask yourself - am I prepared to have my decision-making bounded by the existence of this dog? and if you're a doggy person the answer's generally yes.

I think having had a dog as a child is a definite plus - as long as you realise (and you sound like you do) that having a childhood pet is very different from being the responsible adult.

I've said it many times on mn (tehre seem to be lots of doggy conversations at the moment) but I really recommend this book - for chosing a dog, training one, looking after them. it's great.

ahundredtimes · 19/10/2008 22:16

Also they do like company. DH and I both work here, so he doesn't really get left a lot . . .