How much does your life change when you get a dog

[swanmills]

My mum always said once she retired she'd get a puppy and she's kept to her word! She's 58, retired last year and is desperate to get a dog Asap.

While I am all for it and think it'll be great for her (especially as she's a keen walker so will be fab for her to have a doggo to walk with) I want to make sure she's considered everything. I've never had a dog myself so am not sure exactly how much her life will change. Could I get a few pros and cons (not negatives exactly but things you just have to consider that you wouldn't necessarily have thought about before)

She could just make sure and get a holiday cottage where the dog would be allowed to stay while she's out or leave her in the car (as long's it's not a hot day) my dog loves coming in the car, she has a bed that stays in the boot all the time and a non-spill water bowl. It sounds like your mum would give a dog a lovely home

Re holiday cottages - we used to stay in dog friendly ones, but there was always a stipulation about not leaving your dog. Well, it depends on the house. Our dogs at the time were mature and settled (and quiet) and we have left them just to walk to a nearby restaurant for a couple of hours, and no one was any the wiser. Usually shut them in the utility. Several pps have mentioned about leaving a dog in the car with the windows down if visiting (e.g.) NT properties. You CANNOT do this in the spring, summer or autumn! Dogs die in hot cars, even if the windows are open, and if they are fully open, your car is not secure (and it would still be too hot). You have to make enquiries about whether dogs are welcome before you visit anywhere with one. Beaches can be a particular sticking point in the summer, so many are dog free.

From these posts you'd assume your mum was ancient, 58 is no age - I'm only a couple of years younger and if anyone tried to say I was too old to get a puppy they'd get short shrift.

I'm plenty "sprightly" enough to get up at night if I have to.

I got my dog when I was 35. Age is irrelevant - it's simply about knowing what you're getting yourself into unlike my stupid colleague who has a dog that's cooped up all day and is an arsehole about leaving it alone for hours as a puppy

If she does decide to leave dog for duration of her holiday, kennels are not the only option. Lots of people do holiday boarding in their own homes for dogs. I promised Battersea Dogs Home never to put my dog in kennels as she becomes very distressed. No problem, because none of the dogs I've ever known can hack kennels. Her local vets might know someone who does this or people in her locality who are walking their own dogs - the dog owners grapevine locally is usually very good and we all know each other. In case no-one has mentioned it, your mother's list of acquaintances will grow as she finds herself having daily chats with the other dogowners walking their dogs.

I also think she should get a (young) adult dog rather than a puppy, unless she is set on a puppy. If it is a rescue too, that would be even better. This year I adopted a (thought to be)4-year old Staffie and she is full of life but doesn't need me paying her attention/playing with her every minute of the time (puppies do). It is still possible to train adult dogs (not all but quite a lot of them). We found a stray young adolescent dog in the forest a couple of weeks back and had to put it up for the night before the dog warden came to get it (it is reunited with its family now, who, sadly, don't seem to be interested in training or walking it, poor thing). It was very exhausting as it never seemed to get tired and hadn't learned any manners. No puppies for me ever again - I think you probably need to be under 45 to contemplate a puppy.

Just be prepared that not all dogs turn out to be super friendly / confident / take anywhere / leave with anyone types! We have a rescue dog who is very reactive and it wasn't obvious for the first few months we had her. She also hates being left alone, is scared of strangers and can't be kennelled. So in a year, DH have been out together precisely 3 times and one short dog friendly holiday. Walks are not always enjoyable and we have to try and avoid places with lots of other dogs.

Our situation is quite extreme but I've met many people in our training classes (some who have had their dogs from little pups) who lead quite restricted lives because their dog has issues. It may or may not get better, it's a bit one step forward 2 steps back, but we've committed to her so we have to deal with it. She is however still the best thing ever and I wouldn't change her for the world!

We are hopefully getting a dog in the summer and I have found a dog walker in the area we go on holiday - there's one restaurant we love to go to for lunch and so will book dog in for a long walk that day so we can go. Could do similar for National Trust houses/restricted gardens