What’s difficult to do once you have a dog?

[DragonsAndCakes]

I think we’re about to rescue a greyhound! If all goes well we pick her up in about four weeks.

So, along the lines of going to the cinema lots before a baby is born, is there anything we’ll find hard to do once we get a dog?

So far I’ve thought of eating fish and chips in the car and going out for the whole day.

Anything else we should try and do now?

(I appreciate I may sound clueless. That would be because I am.)

For us at the moment it's more about who we have to the house rather than where we go as Appledog is very excitable - barky, jumping up people and he always wants to be centre of attention. So if we have anybody doing any work in the house one of us has to stay home. Opening the door to deliveries we have to outsmart him to get to the door first. Social gatherings are difficult too - although we've now found kennels where ddog is happy - but it's a 40 mins drive so a bit if a hassle.

At the moment going out isn't really a problem for us due to our working patterns but I think a lot of things will get harder for us in 18 months time when DS either goes to uni or starts full time work.

Holidays very much based around what we can do with our dog. One big thing is that we like to go out for nice meals when we are away whereas now it's pub with beer garden (not such fun in October!) and hope that ddog sits quietly.

Interestingly going to the beach and eating fish and chips on a bench is one thing we can do.

Yes if your children like zoos, farm parks do it now!!

For us, it’s leaving any food unattended. We have dinner at the table most nights but if we have a Friday night treat in front of the TV and need to go to the kitchen for a drink, we take the plate with us or we’d come back to our dog eating the lot. Same goes for leaving a biscuit on the coffee table whilst you answer the door or even chocolates on the Christmas treat. My dog is a poorly trained pig though!

The fact that you just can't be out of the house all day. We have a four hour maximum limit - which often means is a choice between a meal or the cinema, we can't go and do a full day's shopping in another city etc.

I haven't read the full thread so not aware of working arrangements but as DH and I work full time, we have to pay a dog walker to come in at midday and take them out for an hour - which is £15 a day so is a big chunk of money a month.

I absolutely adore my dogs but they really are tying and I don't think many realise just how much. If you're willing to make the commitments though, then you'll never regret it a day in your life.

First it's a great thing we have a rescue greyhound cross they truly are so lovable and affectionate once they get used to you they can be a bit timid at first.
I wouldn't say that having a dog is limiting just a bit of forward thinking. We use borrow my doggy for days away, my husband comes home at lunchtime so she's not left more than 4 hours. Holidays we get a house sitter and we find dog friendly pubs/hotels/self catering accommodation for trips away.
I would suggest finding a dog training group to help with socialisation. Never shout at greyhounds it doesn't work positive praise with high reward treats. Liver cake is smelly stuff but works! Enjoy it they are the most underrated dog type they even have their own happy noise known as chittering which sounds like your teeth when you shiver.

Never shout at greyhounds? Never shout at any dog of any kind surely.

Positive reward training is the way for all dogs.

@pigsdofly ideally yes but many people do tell dogs off either by shouting or using negative reinforcement training. Due to their nature if this approach is taken with any sight hound be it greyhound, saluki, whippet etc it just makes them very withdrawn and wary. More so then most breeds. Understanding the difference between them and other breeds is key. They are incredibly loving dogs but most haven't been exposed to simple everyday things as puppies which makes them wary of the world.

Yes, twiglet I know people shout at their dogs but I wish they wouldn't. It's so unnecessary and counter productive. Hate to hear it.

I think if I shouted at my dog - not a sight hound - she'd be heart broken and, I imagine, terrified by a loud scary voice. I imagine it would make her very wary and nervous too.

I know someone who wont even allow her dog out in the garden on its own, never mind go out for walkies where they might meet another dog, God forbid!!

What’s difficult to do once you have a dog?

Keep the bloody house clean! The springer brought about a kilo of mud into the house every day during winter. I am now looking at replacing the carpet and furniture in the lounge because I cannot stand how tatty and filthy they suddenly all look since he got here (and then banning him from it unless he is sparkling clean!).

Good job he's cute. Otherwise I'd sell him for magic beans