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The doghouse

If you're worried about your pet's health, please speak to a vet or qualified professional.

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Original poster

Why does everyone put you off having a dog?

99 replies

sweetkitty · 29/05/2012 22:07

If its that bad then no one would have dogs. We are thinking of getting a dog next year but whenever I mention it to anyone I get a cats bum face then a list of reasons why I shouldnt get a dog it will need walked that's a hassle/sheds hair/holidays/days away/chewing/vets fees/bite the DC etc

Even on here people will ask for advice and be told they shouldn't get a dog.

I know people are being realistic I grew up with 2 dogs I know how much work they are but it seems everyone hates dogs. Everyone is trying to put me off getting one.

OP posts:

amothersplaceisinthewrong · 29/05/2012 22:08

Quite right too.

Vanfurgstan · 29/05/2012 22:11

it is a huge commitment. i lurk here a lot, in fact i haunt the doghouse, but i dnt think i will ever get one of my own as the responsibility is huge.
i never realized that until i went through all the posts on here. do your research and try to read as many threads on here as you can.
there are very heart warming stories here too. you will get a very fair picture.

i am sure some1 with some real experience will be along

whenyouseeitwaveorcheer · 29/05/2012 22:14

I dunno.

I love my dog, wouldn't be without her. She's the only member of my household who doesn't test my patience.

She's not that hard, even though she's a scatty 'hard work' breed (springer spaniel) and deaf on top of that.

Go for it.

I wouldn't be without my dog for all the tea in China

crossedwires · 29/05/2012 22:16

i totally get what ytou mean OP! I am sick of everyone putting a downer on my plans and telling me what a huge commitment/tie/burden etc they are. It makes me almost embarrassed to mention my plans to get one!

crossedwires · 29/05/2012 22:17

i mean, I know they are massively demanding and that life will lhave to change once a dog is put into the equation but it would be lovely if someone could be as excited as I want to be!

whenyouseeitwaveorcheer · 29/05/2012 22:18

As a complete, and total aside, I find that people have exactly the same reaction when if I ever mention that we'd quite like a third child.

I intend to do that too

OP and crosshairs, go for it if you know you have the time and resources. Having a dog is great.

Beamur · 29/05/2012 22:20

It tests your commitment. If after all the nay sayers haven't put you off then you are truly ready!

SheDontUseJelly · 29/05/2012 22:21

I too have been through the same experience. Not many people supported me, but my kids and DH love our dog to bits. But it's not easy. Loads of people hate dogs and you have to be prepared for that. It will restrict where you go and your life will change completely as a result. But hopefully you'll also have a loyal, loving furball, which makes up for all the hassle they cause...

Original poster

sweetkitty · 29/05/2012 22:24

I adored my dogs growing up and would love the DCs to grow up with one.

We are only thinking about it just now will be at least a year before we were to get one. Unsure of breed as well.

OP posts:

oreocrumbs · 29/05/2012 22:26

I think people just want to make sure you have a true idea of what they are like. I love my dogs, and I will never be without several one. I think everyone should know they joy they can bring and I actually think bringing children up with animals is a very good thing.

But unfortunatly there are so many people who just fall for the idea and can't hack the reality and dogs suffer...thats why people try to impress how much work they are.

I throughly recomend dog ownership, they are amazing animals and think you should get one, as long as long as your eyes are open (and yours are by the sound of it)!

hmc · 29/05/2012 22:26

Because if you do it properly then it's time consuming and a big commitment. Lots of people, quite frankly, dont do it properly

carrotsandcelery · 29/05/2012 22:26

I have never once regretted getting our dog. He is the best thing we have done for us as a family.

He is a rescue collie x of some sort and has been badly treated. When we got him he was terrified of us and would we himself if we put a hand out to pat him and flinched if we moved down towards him too fast. He still hates any whipping of laundry or that sort of movement so goodness only knows what he has been through.

He has taught my dcs patience, compassion, love, love and more love. They have had a great time teaching him tricks, teaching him to feel safe, cuddling him, walking him, paddling in rivers with him, learning to feed him etc.

It has been the most rewarding experience watching him gain confidence and learn to play and learn to love life and trust people again.

He has made us healthier, happier and more loving.

I definitely recommend getting a dog.

Beamur · 29/05/2012 22:31

Getting my dog has been a mixed blessing - she has some behavioural issues that are a bit of a challenge, but I'd agree that a nice dog can be a wonderful creature to have in the house and especially for kids to grow up with. You get used to the walks/hair/slobber.

tooearlytobeup · 29/05/2012 22:31

I think for the same reason that people try to put you off having a baby by talking about the pain of childbirth, sleepless nights and dirty nappies. It's a huge commitment, can be hard work and you can't just change your mind afterwards!

TheCunnyFunt · 29/05/2012 22:52

This is the reason we didn't tell anyone we were getting a dog until he'd actually arrived. Most people only found out when I'd plastered my FB page with pictures of him. The main reason we didn't say anything was because DD was only 7.5mo when we got him so I think everyone would've tried to put us off! She is 11.5mo now and tbh, we hardly notice the dog! It's been fab having him and I have list a lit of baby weight since walking him everyday.

hmc · 29/05/2012 22:57

Mixed blessing for me too Beamur

SheDontUseJelly · 29/05/2012 23:41

Yup me too. I'm still stumped about how you get behavioural advice without being fleeced... No idea how to choose the right person. So many quacks out there. I have the soppiest, most obedient dog in the whole world BUT she's so attached to me, she can't live without me. Mixed blessings indeed.

Scuttlebutter · 30/05/2012 00:24

People will try to put you off often for very good reasons. You only have to look at some of the threads on here tonight to see the dreadful consequences of irresponsible dog ownership.

Dogs are very cheap to buy, but responsible dog ownership comes at a price. Firstly there's the finance, which can be considerable even if you have insurance. Then there's the commitment in terms of time, going away, going out for the day etc. Throw in the effect on housekeeping, the garden, holes dug, plants wee-ed over etc, and the time spent EVERY SINGLE DAY on walking, training, feeding and grooming. I love our dogs and am besotted, but giving them the time and attention they deserve is a big commitment. I also do voluntary work for dog rescue. I see irresponsible idiots who breed casually/dump dogs like a burger wrapper and the taxpayer funded Councils who blithely continue to kill strays in massive numbers. These are the collateral damage from decisions taken lightly or casually or without doing the necessary homework/research. A dog is a commitment for up to 15 years - longer than many marriages or partnerships last. Your dog may well still be around when your DC have left home.

For me the benefits brought by our dogs far, far outweigh any downsides, but realistically I cannot deny that these downsides exist and you should consider them before making a decision.

diddl · 30/05/2012 08:34

Are they really trying to put you off or make sure you´ve thought it through?

It really is a big commitment.

Original poster

sweetkitty · 30/05/2012 09:22

Having grown up with 2 large dogs I'm under no illusions.

Last year a good friend decided the best way for her 3yo DD to get over her dog fear was to get a dog. She went and bought a lovely Lhasa Apso, couldn't cope with the fact the dog needed company during the day and that it dug up the garden, 2 weeks later it was given away to her MIL or my neighbours daughter whose boyfriend bought her an Alaskan Malamute as a present, they live in a flat and both work full time but hey the dogs pretty!

I'm a SAHM have 4 DC youngest is only 2 so want to wait at least a year until he's a bit less well 2.

It will take us a year to decide though we are procrastinators and thinkers and don't rush into anything.

OP posts:

Original poster

sweetkitty · 30/05/2012 09:23

And the people who moan most about dogs are people who have never had one but can always relate a story of so and sos dog and it's bad behaviour.

OP posts:

colditz · 30/05/2012 09:28

It's because you really do need to think about it hard.

But I adore my dog, and wouldn't swap her for the world. Sure, she has nervous incontinence,and regularly widdles on the floor, but she loves me. All she ever asks for is her dinner and a cuddle. Well, lots of cuddles. It's like having a clingy baby without the screaming and nappies.

LeBFG · 30/05/2012 09:34

Love, love, LOVE my dog. Warts n all. There is a very silent majority of dogowners who love having their dogs and would recommend them to others.

As long as you have the attitude 'he'll be part of the family' and you choose a forward, confident dog of the right sort of size I don't see any problem at all. If you're house proud, get a short haired thing and expect to clean after it a bit. You have to really want one though and, a bit like a good marriage, expect to go through life's ups and downs together.

The only times I get nervous is recommending dogs to people who live in flats or similar, or who are always out of the house. Dogs are terribly sociable and love to be part of the family - if the family is absent, it's a real shame.

But you are a SAHM, I'm surprised so many people have counselled you against it. Why so?

LeBFG · 30/05/2012 09:39

I also think some overemphasise the commitment....'time spent EVERY SINGLE DAY on walking, training, feeding and grooming'....ermm, everyone is different.

I walk 20kg dog couple times a week, otherwise he hangs around outside the house.
Training - spent time initally on simple commands, but I don't want a all-singing, all-dancing trained up dog, so do nothing now.
Feeding - ooh, about the 2 seconds to scoop some biscuits into a bowl twice a day.
Grooming - should do more than my once a month attempt, but EVERY DAY?!

midori1999 · 30/05/2012 09:45

Some people will try and put you off because they hate dogs, other will not be trying to put you off, but making sure you have seriously considered it.

Having a dog is a huge commitment and a bit of a lifestyle change for most people, unless they already rarely go out except for long walks...

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