Reserved a rescue dog, now the doubts are creeping in...

[MyGastIsFlabbered]

Met with a dog today, she's lovely, got on well with the boys (4 and 2) so we reserved her. However, now I'm worrying if we're doing the right thing-it's so much responsibility. Is this normal when thinking of adopting a first (since I was a child) dog?

Yes it is. We did it anyway (a giant greyhound!) and it's like he's always been here. We love him

Lucky you, we'd love a greyhound, but have cats & cat-friendly greyhounds are rare as hen's teeth.

I think its normal - its a big change and a lot of responsibility.
We have lurchers and cats

Perfectly normal. I'd say if there were no doubts or worries then there would be something wrong.

Yep, normal! I worried if she'd be upset at the change, if she'd like us, if she'd be a dick, plus the whole being solely responsible for another living being for its whole life aspect-keeping Her happy, safe, healthy and protected. Since you have children this aspect might not be so scary to you!

You just have to adapt to not being able to go to certain places, can't leave her alone, etc. within a day you'll wonder how yous ever got by without her!

We got our first puppy three weeks ago. For the first week, I kept having the odd panic that it was the wrong thing - but already the doubts have disappeared. He's amazing and just about the best decision we've made as a family. DH in particular is besotted with him.

We never go far anyway so no worries there

My biggest worry is how she & the boys will get on, but the boys are used to dogs but you still worry don't you?

She's a lovely girl though, am sure it will be fine.

What breed?

Crossbreed, she was a stray from Portugal so not much is really known about her.

Bless. She will be fine and love being in a family.

Crossbreed, she was a stray from Portugal so not much is really known about her.

You're bringing an imported stray no-one knows much about into your home with small children?

No wonder you're worrying!

What ruby said. Sorry OP. Do you know how she is around children, any history at all? How old she is?

I'm with Ruby on this one.

Has the dog been through all the rigorous checks needed if you have 2 very young boys.

2 and 4 year olds can be very noisy and unpredictable which some dogs wont bat an eyelid at but others can become very stressed and react badly especially if they have had a bad experience previously.

I would do some more research on the dog and spend a lot of time together before committing.

She sounds lovely so i hope it works out

I'd be stressed too about bringing an unknown dog into a household with very young children! My dcs are similar ages and I find it stressful just visiting my parents because of the dog - the kids have to be constantly supervised and the dog gets really stressed with all the noise. I don't personally think dogs and very young children are a good mix.

She's currently with the RSPCA who have vetted her suitability re children. We've met her twice & she's been absolutely fine with them. My boys are used to dogs as my mum has one (she had 2 but one was put to sleep).

We'll make sure the dog has a 'safe place' where she can get away from the boys.

If you are having doubts I would back out now and think again when your DC's are older. Rather than have the dog with you for a few weeks and then decide you can't cope. I wouldn't even consider bringing a dog into a house with two such small children. But only you can make this decision.

When we see her I have absolutely no doubts whatsoever, it's when I come home again I panic.

It's quite normal to feel apprehensive. Having a dog is a huge responsibility :)
I've always had rescue dogs with my children and although they have been difficult in some respects, I have never had a negative experience wrt my children, you just have to be sensible. I'm sure the rspca will be supportive if you need advice too

I think if the RSPCA have said she's OK with children it will be fine. Your mum has dogs so you know what you're getting yourself into. I am just considering getting a dog and am scared by the commitment too. But I'm sure that when we get one I won;t be able to imagine life pre-dog.

I think is normal to have a 'what have i done' moment.

I find it kick in about 3 weeks after getting a new pet too.
The honeymoon is over and you realise you are going to spend years telling the dog not to lick the kids after its spent 5mins licking its arse and telling the kids stop licking it back.

Breeds aside, yes it's totally normal. It's a big bloomin deal!

Thanks everyone, I was feeling a bit deflated after reading some of the comments on here, but we'll see how it goes.

I was the same before picking up my first dog. To be honest there were times the first week or two of having her I still thought "oh my god should I have done this".

I've gone on and had two more dogs since so obviously got ver the slight panic!

I think its normal to feel like that, especially with a rescue. You don't know their history (we don't even know for sure what breed ours is!) and then you have all the usual worries, will they get on with the kids, will the kids behave properly around her, will she run away as soon as she gets an opportunity, will I bond with her.... So many other things! I was even worried about bonding with her knowing she's only gonna live 10-12 years (large dog!) and then break my heart!

I was the same when we brought our first rescue dog home. She's a collie and I thought I could never deal with A COLLIE. It helped us a lot to first find a vet, and to look into training classes, Depending on her history, you may need the help of a behaviourist at some point. Children need a lot of training. We have just had some help with crate training as one of our dogs is afraid of children. Most things that crop up can be dealt with!