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Original poster

What are the biggest differences to family life after getting a dog?

48 replies

MindySimmons · 28/05/2010 16:08

Thinking about getting a dog (most likely to rehome rather than a puppy) and would like to know from all you dog owners what changes does a dog bring to the general rhythm of family life? I want to go into this with my eyes open and want to ensure we are properly prepared and able to give the dog a home it deserves.

P.S. really like schnauzers and airedales so any more specific breed advice or alternatives very welcome!

OP posts:
Doodlez · 28/05/2010 16:11

Walks HAVE to be fitted in come rain or shine and regardless of how busy your day is and how much you could live without tramping over the park for an hour.

Holidays - if your putting in to kennels, you need to book your holidays well in advance because GOOD kennels get booked up months and months in advance.

Doodlez · 28/05/2010 16:12

"you're"

JaxTellersOldLady · 28/05/2010 16:17

agree with Doodles, the dog doesnt care if it is minus 8 outside and pissing down. It still wants a walk and needs a walk, mental and physical exercise is a must.

Also be prepared for dog hair everywhere, no matter how much you clean it still magics it's way on places it shouldnt be!

Some dogs will chew, some wont, some will wee inside, some wont. It all depends on the individual dog.

Our lives are much more outdoors now that we have another dog, I am fitter, healthier and love taking him out and enjoy it.

Earlybird · 28/05/2010 16:19

We're considering a dog too.

I'm told one of the biggest changes is that you can't be away from home all day as you must go walk the dog/let it outside for 'bathroom breaks'.

stripeyknickersspottysocks · 28/05/2010 16:23

I've found the not been able to out all day thing the biggest pain. It really causes problems if you want to go somwhere like Alton Towers or the like where a dog can't go.

Saying that we've just found a nice lady in the next village who for £5 will come and let your dog out/feed it if you're out all day.

ihavenewsockson · 28/05/2010 16:27

The smell.
The mess.
The having to come home every 4 hours.

Isaidheyhoney · 28/05/2010 16:31

I'm finding it very very very very very hard, and very expensive paying for doggy day care when I've just had enough or we can't get it together. A rehomed dog is IMO a MUCH better option than a puppy because training is an endless nightmare. Believe what they say about terriers being untrainable, and go for a different breed.

Earlybird, being away from home all day - LOLOLOLOL - did you want to have a home left when you get back? And the admin of setting up daycare is, well, tedious admin.

Earlybird · 28/05/2010 16:33

Isaidheyhoney - what sort of terrier have you got?

We're considering a Lakeland.......

liath · 28/05/2010 20:34

The biggest thing is the way it ties us down, I can't just spontaneously take the kids out to the local farm park for the day because it would leave the dog too long on his own. I think that is one of the hardest things for DH (that and the yapping and general mess ).

However, the kids are besotted and he has brought joy and fun into their lives. They walk him with me every morning whatever the weather without any complaining. We have been exploring some really beautiful parks and wild areas that have been on my doorstep for years and I never knew they existed. And I have lost half a stone without even trying .

The pluses outweight the negatives for me, I'm not so sure for poor DH who I rather talked into the whole dog-owning thing - oops .

Isaidheyhoney · 28/05/2010 21:29

Jeeez, Liath, how'd you get the kids to walk him?

Earlybird, I namechange a lot these days and attempt some degree of mystery and anonymity, but my dear dog is not a million miles away from a Lakeland. My experience is perhaps more negative than many people's, but honestly, I spend a fortune recovering from the effect of having a dog. I do think our main mistake was getting a puppy, when none of us had attempted to train a dog, ever. Apart from everything else, they are unbelievably demanding. If you must have one, be a real mean, Gina Ford type owner from the word go. They are not children, and they never learn to listen to reason. If you give in to their little pleading eyes, you are lost, because they know that if they keep on at you, you will crumble.

ditavonteesed · 29/05/2010 07:58

well I have only had my border terrier for about a month but she she has brought so much fun to us, we can only take her out for about 15 mins but it does get me out. training needds staying on top of constantly, I have been really ill this week and in hospitsl overnight, training seems to have gone back to square one, although I am sure it will soon come back.
The kids didn't love her as much as i thought they would to start with but are now besotted, she is quite nippy and drives dh a bit bonkers.
Someone is always happy to see me, she already feels like my best friend.
It is like having anothrer baby, not in how much work involved, but in how they make you feel, and you get the guilt if you go outfor more than a couple of hours.
Everyone seems to have enjoyed fighting over who will look after her while I have been ill though and I have found a friend who is going to look after her when I am on holiday which seems better than kennels to me.
Mind you we have a lot of aniamls and love to be surrounded b y them so maybe not the most balanced view.

FlightyButPolite · 29/05/2010 08:14

At the risk of sounding like a mad woman - if you have children I'd really recommend not going for a terrier. They were bred to chase and catch rats (and other small furries) and that means that their reactions and instincts make them really fast movers.

although having said that schnauzers are hounds!

I come from a very doggy family but would never have considered anything other than labs/golden retrievers/cocker spaniels for while the children are small. These dogs are, by definition, bullet proof!

I got my labs while in early pg with my DD and they have brought unbelievable joy and love. I also have a dog flap (obv. quite a big one!) so that they can sort themselves out for a wee - but my garden is largeish and very secure. My labs tolerate the guinea pigs being laid next to them (playing at puppies apparently) and love games of tig in the garden (no, I don't know how they know how to play either - but they do!)

Alouiseg · 29/05/2010 08:20

The biggest difference for us has been an excuse to walk more. We have a bulldog who has fulfilled lots of my maternal needs now my ds are older. I was a bit of a bored housewife till we got Rupert and I cannot imagine not having a dog around now.

izzybiz · 29/05/2010 08:34

The biggest difference in our house is the Dc's lack of shoes
She will find them and destroy them like a shoe seeking missile!

Isaidheyhoney · 29/05/2010 08:39

Flighty, could you tell a bit more about the big dog flap? I want one but dh says if it's big enough for dear dog, it's big enough for a burglar. Having one would save me a lot of work, though. OUr garden, like yours, is secure.

AmazingBouncingFerret · 29/05/2010 08:42

Having to feed the bloody thing!

Just kidding.

Mainly having to sort out her being looked after when we go out.

Im very lucky, she refuses point blank to go out in the rain!

chimchar · 29/05/2010 08:51

really good thread....i think you've just convinced me that my initial thought that a dog is not for us is true!

its great to be able to read the reality and make a good, well considered decision.

BeenBeta · 29/05/2010 08:59

Its like having a new 5 yr old in your house that never grows up. Hard work. Only do it if you really feel you want and will enjoy that work. Going on holiday becomes more difficult, everything becomes more difficult and more expensive. There ar eof course benefits of getting a dog but it is not like getting a new car. It will not quietly, sit in the garage if you dont fancy going out on a cold wet day in Jnauary.

I love dogs (and horses) but have never owned one in my adult life because I know my lifestyle does not suit having one.

When I was a child, my parents had 40 - 50 dogs at one time. I was brought up much the same way as they were.

Isaidheyhoney · 29/05/2010 12:33

Not a 5 year old, BB, a two year old, and they never learn to express themselves with words.

So they have to try to scratch your doors down if they need a wee or just fancy a bit of hunting.

Blondeshavemorefun · 29/05/2010 15:43

poo checking the garden BEFORE sending toddler out there - or they come back with poo - even if there is one lump in the whole garden my toddler will find it

the fact you cant go out all day, tho as im the nanny there are days im out longer and will try if have lunch out to have tea in, or pop back between

saying that there have been days where been out 9-4/5 in the summer when at beach etc and god been left alone, but in the kitchen so has his bed/water/toys and cant do any damage but thats very rare to be left alone as ether gardener/cleaner there and will leave door on latch and dog loose till they go (and the lock up dog/house)

Blondeshavemorefun · 29/05/2010 15:43

dog tho dog may thinks hes god

Isaidheyhoney · 29/05/2010 15:47

Ours does, Blondes.

Booboobedoo · 29/05/2010 15:51

Rehoming a grown dog sounds like a good plan if it's your first time.

Our puppy (terrier cross) destroyed all our furniture, rotted the joists under the floorboards by weeing on them so often, and wasn't properly trained until she was three.

Honestly, I love her, but she was a frickin' nightmare.

I got her when all my friends were having babies (we couldn't at that point). I used to compare experiences with my new Mum friends, and get pitying glances as I couldn't possibly understand how hard it was for them.

Well, my baby had silent refulx and I slept sitting up with him on me until he was four months, and I STILL found it easier than looking after my puppy.

So there you go.

oxocube · 29/05/2010 16:22

BeenBeta - 40 - 50 dogs at one time . How so?

dinsdale · 29/05/2010 16:37

so, do you let your dogs wee anr crap in garden?

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