Seriously considering getting a dog, have a pro and con list, advice on the cons please

[Mercythompson]

Dh has wanted a dog for a long time, the boys (4 and 6) would love one, I have been the holdout.

We went on holiday and met a lovely west highland terrier and are now seriously considering it. I have a con list and I was wondering if you could tell me if those cons are deal breakers and what I haven't thought of.

Pros first:
We have a big house (relatively)
100ft garden, totally enclosed
I am a SAHM who has a small business that I run from home, that takes 2/3 hours a day.
I walk the boys to school and back, so about 2 hours walk a day.
The boys would absolutely love it
DS1 has high functioning ASD and it might help him socialize, with his emotions etc, I think, (I do know that its a MIGHT)

Cons

I have never had a dog before - DH had one as a child, and I don't really know what I am getting myself into.
Its a HUGE commitment, and its not like we can change our minds later - this is seriously long term
I would have the dog at home with me all day - so it would be mostly on me
Impact on days out and places we can't take the dog - i,e, (rare days out to a theme park - no idea if you can take a dog) - or me taking rare days out on my own, when the kids are in school
holidays - we usually just get a holiday cottage, how easy is that with a dog
cost - both of getting one (ouch) and upkeep - food, vets, insurance
Mess in the house - how much extra cleaning?
I am seriously looking at starting a second business teaching nannies how to cook basic meals - could I do that if I owned a dog?

[Mercythompson]

The rescue just phoned. It's all on for tomorrow.!!!!!

[Molotov]

Cons: What you've already said
Constant poo patrols around the garden
Fireworks and thunderstorms (SereneUms are your friend)
Dog breath (the dog, not you).

Pros:
A dog is your loyal companion for the duration of it's life: you are the entire world to that little pup.

Life is better with a dog

[Molotov]

Bless you, hope it all works ouy for you and your pup

[Viviennemary]

If you really really want a dog then get a dog. If you want long walks and a dog bounding around the house then get a dog. If every time somebody rings your doorbell you don't mind deafening barking get a dog. I do mind all these things and would never have a dog. But lots of people do like having a dog and are lost without one. If you're one of those get a dog. If not don't.

[Logarhythm]

Mercy has your dog been delivered yet?

[Mercythompson]

We got her this morning! Already had our first puddle! boys had a brilliant time throwing balls for her and ds1 has already gone to her for comfort.

So glad we didn't get a puppy. She is only 18 months and I can only imagine how much more hyper she would be if she was younger.

She is currently asleep on my lap. Warn out by the boys, and they are fast asleep in bed, warn out by her. .

[Mercythompson]

Sorry worn out.

[mistlethrush]

Mercy, you might need to do a bit of revision on the housetraining - I would be taking her outside very regularly, being very boring and asking her to do what ever (cue word) and lots of praise if she does anything. Just ignore inside puddles and make sure you have a good washing product that get rid of the smell to her properly!

[Mercythompson]

Thanks mistlethrush. We are ignoring (apart from the one time I caught her in the act, just said "no " and took her outside) and taking her outside as much as we can. Practically lived outside today.

Agree about revision, it's her second move in two weeks as the woman who originally adopted her refused to keep her after one visit to her adult daughter's house who has cats!

She has now woken up, peed just before she got out the door and is now chasing her own tail,