I want a puppy, my husband is dead against it.

[Guinnessisgoodforyou]

Basically that really, I am a stay at home mum, 2 older children at school, younger one still at home as is only 1, I am normally alone in the house from 6.30am until 6.30pm, sometimes later and I want a dog to add to our family. My husband says no way. I know that dogs are hard work, I know all that but dont know what to do. I feel like a little girl. What do I do to convince him that it's a good idea??

[ReluctantDogOwner]

We have a dog. I was reluctant but the kids and hubby wanted one so we ended up with a rescue dog. To be fair they do walk her but I'm the only one who has trained her. I wish we had not got her (I wanted a couple of rabbits). I like dogs as such but I'm just not really into being a dog person the whole time. I find it stressful - worrying about her when we leave her home alone, worry about her biting someone, worry about her running off, worry about finding someone to look after her when we go on holiday, having to think about where she is if I need to go upstairs for a bit....

To force a dog onto someone who doesn't want one is unfair on the person and the dog.

[Imsosorryalan]

I could have written your post this time last year op, except my oh seemed ok about getting one. My 2 dds are 5 and 2. We have never owned a dog before.

I picked up our rescue pup last October. I knew it would be hard which I was vaguely ready for. As a SAHM I thought I had the time.

What we didn't know was how fear aggressive and scared of everything she was. She hated ( and still does to some extent) people, children, dogs, cars, travelling, the general outdoors...

Training is still full on and we have spent £100's on behaviourists, courses, socialisation groups etc. the list goes on. All this while trying to sort house stuff, school stuff and dealing with a 2 year olds tantrums etc. come rain, hail or shine. I naively though she'd just slot into our lifestyle.

What I'm trying to say is this would have been a hell of a lot easier if I didn't have young dcs at home. I love her to bits but she still frustrates me every day.

Im not trying to put you off but i wish i had waited until both my kids were at school. BAT would be so much easier If you've never had dogs at home before, I would def. try to foster or help by dog walking etc first. No one could have told us about our dogs personality and we have muddled along best we can.