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The doghouse

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

Original poster

Can you get non licky dogs?

44 replies

TeenPlusTwenties · 09/03/2020 20:02

DD, 15, really wants a dog. Really, really wants one.
I am a SAHP. In theory we could get one. We live in an area with good places to walk dogs.
But:
I don't want a dog. I especially don't like licky dogs.
But:
Having a dog might well be very good for DD's mental well being, and she wants to do animal care at college so it would probably help that too.

If I wanted it to work, then could it, even if I am not a 'dog' person?

OP posts:
Geometricprince · 09/03/2020 20:05

My dog doesn't lick, well he licks himself but not people. He's a retired racing greyhound. Saying that, if you don't like dogs, don't get one! I adore my dog but sometimes I do find myself resenting him because he is a tie and a 15 year old is unlikely to do all of the work (and pay all of the expenses!) associated with having a dog!

RB68 · 09/03/2020 20:05

no its how they show love. You can however train to not lick you in particular - I don't like lickiness either and our dog will for the most part leave me alone but will liturally clean my DH when he comes back from trips elsewhere. I just push the muzzle away and say "No, no licking" and she is now used to it

Bienentrinkwasser · 09/03/2020 20:06

Before getting a dog, I wasn’t really a doggy person and couldn’t stand dog slobber. It’s different when it’s your own dog! I still don’t particularly like drooly dogs (avoid very jowly breeds) but cope a lot better than I would have done previously - it used to make me gag. I have to say our family dog (cockerpoo) doesn’t really lick much at all. Some people are going to say you can train them not to but I don’t really know how realistic that is.

Have you thought about what you will do when DD wants to move out and have her own life? Presumably she won’t want to take a dog with her?

ellelikespizza · 09/03/2020 20:07

Not sure if it could work if you're not a dog person OP. Dogs take up a lot of time and if you don't love the dog you may end up resenting it. Will you be happy to walk it everyday, even if you're ill or it's raining? Who will look after it when you go away? Who will look after it if you want to go out for the whole day?

FizzAfterSix · 09/03/2020 20:08

Don’t get a dog if you don’t like dogs.

mumsiedarlingrevolta · 09/03/2020 20:08

I don't know about "non licky dogs" but I think you'll probably find once it is your dog you will feel differently about it-

And dogs are very good support for mental health-my DD used to do a little agility course in the garden as a study break-really helped with the exam stress.

I think it could work-especially if DD gets involved. DD went to all the puppy training sessions and loved training ddog.

Good luck!

FizzAfterSix · 09/03/2020 20:17

Perhaps worth joining Borrow My Doggy so your daughter can get to know some local dogs and see how it goes.

weaselwords · 09/03/2020 20:23

I’ve got one licky and one non licky dog. So yes, they come in different types Grin. The non licker does like poking me with her cold, wet nose, however.

Windyatthebeach · 09/03/2020 20:25

Do not get a HUSKY op....
I have managed to teach our other ddogs to give a kiss then they really don't lick unless requested!
Not a stealth boast as they do naff all else they should!

HollyBollyBooBoo · 09/03/2020 20:50

Please don't get a dog if you don't like them. They're sometimes hard work and can cost a lot, if you won't love it it's not worth it.

johnwayneisbigleggy · 09/03/2020 20:54

If you aren't a dog person and you don't want one then for heaven sake don't get one because no matter how much your dd wants one you will end up walking it, picking up poo, vomit and every dog licks to some degree or other.
It's these situations where dogs end up being rehomed and in rescue so please don't.

Original poster
TeenPlusTwenties · 09/03/2020 20:56

I don't exactly dislike them. But I dislike being licked. Otherwise I can take or leave them really.

But I can see how it could be positive for DD in so many ways.

However my life would be the most impacted.

(She's been doing a good hard sell and tugging on my heartstrings. I am holding firm but feeling guilty).

OP posts:
MamaDane · 09/03/2020 20:57

Don't get one if you don't want one because you will be the one stuck with it. Teenagers are not known for their reliability.
Imagine the loss of freedom you get when planning holidays or anything spontaneous. Just don't do it.

Butterer · 09/03/2020 20:58

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

OnTheEdgeOfTheNight · 09/03/2020 21:26

If your daughter is a teenager then while she may be happy to look after the dog now, it's highly likely that at some point during the dog's life that her priorities change (work, study commitments, socialising) so I'd recommend not getting a dog unless you really want one. For example walking the dog in horizontal rain and hailstones, coming home early because the dog is home alone...)

Regarding the licking, it's a natural behaviour so some dogs will be really upset if they're not allowed to do it, much like a person being told "don't cuddle me" - they may be able to comply but probably won't be very happy.

OnTheEdgeOfTheNight · 09/03/2020 21:28

I would recommend that your daughter joins something like "borrow my doggy" or volunteers at an animal shelter, or takes on pet sitting work instead.

Fannia · 09/03/2020 21:31

I don't think you should get a dog for your dd if you aren't keen on them, just in case you ended up having to keep it if she moved out.

pumpkinpie01 · 09/03/2020 21:32

You have got to want a dog yourself , not your daughter begging for one. My friends daughter pleaded for a dog, her bf had finished with her and she was very low . My friend gave in , her dd had a new bf within a month and you can count on one hand the amount of times she has walked that dog!

Elouera · 09/03/2020 21:36

I don't think there is a specific breed that does/doesn't lick, I would think it more about training. There are obviously breeds that drool a great deal more than others though.

My MIL lets her dogs lick her mouth/nose, along with lick between her toes Confused I have to look away as I find it the most revolting thing to see.

OnTheEdgeOfTheNight · 09/03/2020 21:41

There's also the other stuff - dealing with pee and poo (not just puppies - ill or older dogs can have accidents), teeth brushing, removing ticks and fleas, grooming and bathing... And of course any behavioral problems or inherent phytoplankton problems with the breed.

OnTheEdgeOfTheNight · 09/03/2020 21:41

Phytoplankton = problems

Fannia · 09/03/2020 21:43

inherent phytoplankton problems with the breed
This is something I hadn't considered 😂

Girlwhowearsglasses · 09/03/2020 21:46

Whippets don’t drool, smell, shed loads of hair, or bark.
They do lie on the sofa all day, run for about 20 mins, and have so little hair that they dry in about five minutes if you have to bath them.

I’ve told mine not to lick me, he just about respects that - the kids let him though.
He’s really ++++++ in our lives

fastliving · 09/03/2020 21:55

You could get an older rescue.
A) you will know a lot more about the dog, like if it licks, already house-trained etc
B) limited life-span, which might be a positive in your case
C) wonderful thing to take on a slightly older rescue that might kit get a chance of a home

GrumpyMiddleAgedWoman · 09/03/2020 21:58

Our dogs don't lick us, because we don't let them. You can train dogs not to lick.

But as PP have said, don't get a dog if you don't like them. What will you do with the dog when your DD goes to uni or moves out?