Talk to me about dog owning

[chocolatesaltyballs22]

We're thinking about getting a dog but I'd like someone to give me the warts & all pitfalls so that I go into it with my eyes open. Haven't had a dog since I was a child, now in early 50's. But I've always loved dogs. WFH permanently gives me a great opportunity to get one. Am thinking small terrier type. Something which doesn't shed too much. I am a bit of a neat freak, I have to admit. Think I have a case of empty nest syndrome as daughter has just left for university. (Yes, I'm aware I'm a walking cliché).

I'd love some advice from you expert dog owners.

Yes even a British holiday is impacted as I want to look at shops go to museums swim in the sea when I'm on holiday even in uk

You need another person to hold dog and shopping alone on holiday is no fun while dh waits outside. Even beaches are a pain as you can't swim together.

A lot of holiday let's won't allow dog to be left alone stand you worry they might panic in a strange home.

I really found it a bind when we went in our first holiday alone without kids. It's was actually easier with kids as they are old enough to wait outside with the dog

I have realised since getting dog that I am 100% a cat person Dh and dd wanted a dog and once he has lived his life I will NOT be talked into getting another one.

I have two cats too. They take about 2% of my time but come and cuddle me at evening time but my dog creates a ton of work and hassle and expense I love him but he is my only !!!

@chocolatesaltyballs22

So this is our lifestyle. Go out maybe once a month for a full evening. Other times we pop to the pub for a couple. Pub is dog friendly. Both WFH. Go on holiday a couple of times a year. The holiday impact is the worry for me.

Holidays are a big consideration. If you want to go abroad, you'll need to pay for kennels, home boarding or a house/dog sitter. None of those options will be cheap and you will need to book them months in advance.

I'm a dog-sitter and I am already taking bookings for next summer. My price is £35 a night for one dog, but that's only if the dog can be left alone for upto 4 hours at a time during the day so I can continue to do my dog walking. If that's not possible, I won't take the job as I can't cancel my regular clients for a one-off job.

If you holiday in the UK and plan to take the dog, many holiday places don't allow you to leave the dog unattended, so you have to take them with you wherever you go. So you need to plan activities, restaurants etc. around the dog - you can't just pop into an indoor museum or NT place as most of them aren't dog friendly.

I love our dog and he's worth the sacrifice but I agree with a PP who said that if you're really not a dog person, you will soon resent it.

We absolutely loved our dog to bits, had him from a pup till he was PTS at 13, he was such a lovely, sweet boy. We had him before our children arrived, and he was so kind & gentle with them, never displayed any jealousy, we all adored him. Would we have another dog? No, puppy days are really tough, especially once you are used to an old dog, you forget, being in the garden in the early hours, the destruction, the tie etc. Everywhere our dog laid, marked the wall, oily double coated breed. No way could we go through the heartbreak of losing another dog. If you are a neat freak and love a clean, tidy home dog ownership might not be ideal for you. Good luck with whatever decision you make.

Working from home might be useful but be warned puppies don't understand when you're unavailable. Even our 18 month old doesn't get it and I know a lot of people at my work place at home that have to throw balls etc during meetings. Puppies/ young dogs need interaction and they won't sleep all day or occupy themselves with something else unless they're taught.
Being a clean freak - yea the floors will be easy to clean but when you hve a puppy that won't leave your side and will also bite anything that moves you might find mopping rather difficult!

Be prepared to still get a dog Walker or arrange daycare at the very earliest stages so that they're used to being with other people AND you get a break.

We got our first dog when my son was 4 and caring for a dog has definitely been beneficial to him especially as he is an only child. We are now onto second dog, a spaniel who is now 4. I’ve never left her more than 4 hours alone in the house, she is walked 3 times a day off lead and I take care with her diet. She needs her ears cleaned daily and I give her a haircut every 4 months. When we go away she either comes with us or she’ll stay with a dog loving family rather than kennels (£20 per night). She is insured and I pay for vaccinations every year. She the best dog and is part of our family so there’s never any question in her taking up too much time or money. We have 3 cats too but dogs are so much more reliant on humans for everything. My son has such a magical bond with her which is a joy to see.

My partner and I have a golden retriever who we love more than anything! I’m the one who wanted her more, but if I’m honest he does most of the looking after, so be very practical about that. I was adamant I’d do her evening walks after work, but as I go to the gym also, I don’t get home until gone seven which is a bit late.

Also, pathetic as it sounds, I’m scared of taking her for a walk in the dark by myself so if that’s something that could impact, bare it in mind! She’s certainly not a guard dog and if I was attacked or similar she would just politely sit and ask the attacker for a cuddle!