Bored with my dog

[whatever17]

Don't shoot me down. I guess we get bored of our kids too and just power through and then love them more.

He is 1 year old and I know I have another winter coming up with muddy paws all over the carpet.

I do like the dog, I do not love him, I think love is reserved for humans.

I like walking him, he's funny and a good dog. TBH, if I could go back in time, I wouldn't have got him.

I don't mind the cost. It's the mess and the nuisance. He is a great dog, I kind of think he would be happier with someone else.

But then, would he? Would they be mean to him, would he be PTS?

I am just moaning aloud really.

Whatever, even the most devoted dog owner will feel fed up at times. We've got three and I love them hugely, but at times I find myself wishing that the bloody house would actually stay looking clean and tidy for more than half an hour after I've finished doing it, especially in the winter months. I'm also paranoid about doggy smells, so we seem to be in an endless cycle of washing duvets, sofa covers etc - probably adds up to nearly as much extra washing as an extra person would. We spend a sodding fortune on Yankee Candles (though they are nice).

I also really miss travelling - pre dogs, we used to travel a lot, and would often go away for weekends at the drop of a hat (no DC, so could do this). I desperately miss just popping up to London for the day to catch an exhibition or take a stroll round Liberty's and dribble over fabric. But even with these (very real) frustrations, I wouldn't give them up and you'd have to wrestle them off me with a small nuclear device.

Oh, and did I mention that they cost a bloody fortune? I'm sure our vet must toast us every Christmas morning as he raises a glass of the finest vintage champagne. And that's without the collar porn and the fancy sodding diet because they've got sensitive tums.

But I'm looking at one of them now, lying snoring in a ladylike sort of way, and I just feel this enormous sense of embarrassingly fierce devotion.

I kind of think I might have had a bit of PND regarding Dog. Since declaring my semi-intention of thinking of getting rid of him I now can't bear the thought of it. I think he might have kind of sensed it too. He has been much more cuddly, foot-warmer with me and has slept in my bed every night too. Which I like, I am divorced/single (permanently and thankfully).

He came to me today to get his hair out of his eyes, I think I need to get his hair chopped. I am in SW London - anyone know a mobile doggy hairdresser?

Also - I don't approve of "clothing" dogs but maybe a "HazMat" type plastic thing as he is so low to the ground and such a filthy type dog?

I don't mind the cost, eats only Ceaser! Or the vet bills, it's the hair, the walking in and out of door, the waking up for a piss/poo, the stink. It's like having a permanent baby.

Could someone just talk me through "getting rid" of Dog - what would happen at Battersea (for instance).

Can't answer your getting rid question, I'm afraid.

However, topsy turvy though it sounds, I think you might cope better if you get in the mindset that whatever happens, rehoming isn't an option.

I think we deal with DCs in their awful moments precisely because there is no other alternative. The minute you start thinking you can get rid of a problem, the worse I think it seems.

About 8 months ago, just after our young dog's first season, our two dogs started fighting - really attacking each other. I was at my wits end and just couldn't see how we could keep going like it. But I've always strongly felt (inground into me as a child, I guess) that once you take responsibility for something, you've taken that on, for good or bad. A couple of friends said to me "well, you'll just have to rehome one of them," like it was a done deal and the easiest thing in the world.

But rehoming was never an option and because of that I had to find other ways to cope. In the event, we got a behaviourist in and it sorted out. I think it's the same with hair/ smell/ dirt etc. As long as you think of rehoming, the problem is there. If you tell yourself that's not an option, you'll work harder to find solutions and find you can, in the main, solve the problems.

Glad you are enjoying the good things about your dog. :)

Oooh, just caught up with this thread! I am so happy that you feel better whatever! I do not have any experience with JRT/BorderT/Cairn but it is worth calling the clubs and get advice on fun things to do with them. Regarding the smell (if he likes rolling in yukky stuff) I can suggest using normal ketchup instead of shampoo. Apply, leave for 10-15 mins if you can and then wash out thoroughly. Works a treat (really rotten things may require several applications, but the worst will go the first time ) and any cheap brand will do.

Interesting - I feel so much better having aired my thoughts.

You know how DCs can be awful - but we can't really do anything about it - we are stuck with them. Unless we want to kill them or get them adopted by SS - which none of us do really, really.

I think I need to accept the Dog is here to stay and just work with his stinks and messes.

He is a real sweetie really. He just looked at me with his little eyebrows and I thought "alright, fine, you can stay, stinker".

He NEEDS to chew and is so happy when he has a new hide toy, it shuts him up. He also wants to sleep with one of us, which we don't mind. I was thinking of employing a dog walker - as well - I know loads of unemployed (nice) chavs on our estate who would walk him for £5 a day.

Explore anything that may work for you and your doggie. If it is a dog walker -then why not? If he chews things - do you think some stuffed kongs (I used to mix cream cheese and mashed banana, which my dog absolutely loved!) may tempt him? There are even kong dispensers on the market that roll them out at certain intervals during the daytime.

Please do not underestimate the power and knowledge of good clubs and dog internet forums. There are always enthusiasts of the breed that will give you a good direction for things to do that others may overlook. I have a lab and "www.labradorforums" was a godsend. We have regular gun dog training, something i would never consider if left to my own devices, but now we have regular 1-2/month day sessions on a farm with a group of other dogs and a fantastic trainer doing what labs were bred to do and she loves it! (No guns involved btw, it is all only with dummies, but no less fun...)

bemybebe - that sounds interesting. Dog is all terrier and he is truly desperate to bury things, we "look away" whilst he buries dentastix in the sofa. I also often find them under my pillow.

He gets in "trouble" (barking) with guarding the garden from cats, foxes, squirrels.

One idea that I got from somewhere (yes, I know, really selling it) was to play a game called seek em.

Put the dog somewhere it can't sneak out of (downstairs loo works for us). Go around the house/garden hiding little bits of food under cushions, tables, leaves etc then let the dogs out and shout 'Seek Em' and they then spend 10 minutes racing around the house searching for the treats.

My dogs (labs) love love love this game. Even more than just being given a snack.

When I saw your comment about the HazMat suit it reminded me of one of my DDs friends - she's a farm girl and was given a Lhasa Apso for her birthday, but bought some doggy overalls for her for when they are out and about on the farm to stop her from getting muddy.

I Googled "dog overalls" and it came up with a lot of sites. Haven't tried eBay, but it might be worth looking on there too.

I just wanted to update - I think I have started to properly love Dog. Just airing the "getting rid of" thought helped. I am sure I am certainly not a perfect owner, but I am alright, and he seems to like it here.

I was really sick with a virus this week and called my Dad and sounded really croaky and coughy and said "bleurgh, I am sick, urgh. Dog is lying in bed with me" Dad said "oh poor you, you need to rehome your dog" I said "no way, he's been looking after me".

Good, glad getting it off your chest helped.

There's nothing like a warm dog when you're feeling poorly.

whatever I feel your pain

I love my dogs. Mostly. But what I do not love is the smell. And the noise

have to say, tho, your dog sounds as though he has a wonderful life. Mine would kill for a swim in the tidal Thames

how utterly brilliant

Now that the weather is turning mucky can someone recommend a coat please? Dogsy is about the size of a very sturdy JRT and has the hair of a Cairn, and loves to roll in shit and swim. He rolled in a dead swan today, he is just such an animal! Anyway - I want something Hi-Vis, washable and goes round the underside which is where he gets filthiest. What about "booties" is that a step too far? I have to rinse him every single time he has a walk as he is just such a filthy boy.

He jumped on my bed the other day for a cuddle and I had to push him off as he just smelled of death - swan death probably!

I have only read the OP.

I wonder the same about many of our pets. The guinea pigs have a boring life. The cat is happy. The rabbits are happy.
I think the chickens are really bored and having a medical crisis with one of them this week almost made me want to jack it in, as it was crossing the line in terms of my tolerance of disgusting things,. (won't go into it here)

Do you know what, the chicken I am caring for every day instead of leaving to it at the end of the garden, has started to inspire genuine love in me in the past 2 days.
I hate cleaning her up and trying to cure her, it's hard hard work but I have found I want to do it, because, looking at her and holding her, I have found that i love her,

I think sometimes that is what it's all about. I understand, anyway.

@musicposy, I got something similar which was just a waterproof bed and mat from here: www.petbedsdirect.co.uk/

I can recommend Febreeze candles - our living room was starting to reek of new puppy and his excretions!!! work a treat!

MY dog drives me insane in the winter. Our garden is quite small and he has run a track in it whihc turns into a boggy mess as soon as there is a cloud in the sky. He is only out there at most ten mins each time for an explore and a wee.

I have wood floor downstairs so easily mopped. He has a few towels which I get the thick of the muck off with and dont let him on the settee when wet. Once dry it brushes up easily.

Smell wise - febreeze candles get a second vote here, also open windows for a hour to air house out - really helps. Shake and Vac works well on carpets but apparently does not do much for the carpet. (keep dog out of way when doing as powder irritates pads)

We have sand all summer and mud all winter but as he lays next to me snoring/twitching/farting I wouldnt have it any other way. unless i could close shave him

If you are in London, you could contact Robert Alleyne. He is a fantastic behaviour man, and very kind. Our boys roll in fox poo. We live in a kennel, and our car has been called a compost heap. Oh hell. So much for housekeeping. We do have a hoover, and go racking through hoover bags!