To get a dog?

[LaurenW95]

Hi all,

I’m just after some friendly advice please, or would be keen to hear if anyone has any similar experiences.

Last year I bought my first house on my own, a big achievement but it can get a bit lonely sometimes after becoming single again last year.

As I’m missing the presence of the family dog and I’ve always been a dog-lover, I’m considering getting a puppy (cocker spaniel - I love the breed and will make sure it gets lots of exercise and stimulation!). I feel like this would really boost my wellbeing and isn’t a decision I’ve rushed into, having contemplated it for 12 months.

However, my mum isn’t keen as I spend a night or two round her’s a month where our 15yo family dog lives…he’s not very dog-friendly after being a solo dog for his whole life, so this means I’d struggle to stay round once I get a pup. She also would no longer be able to stay round mine for this reason, which is a sacrifice I’d rather not make.

Does anyone have any suggestions on how I can get around this? Ultimately the positives outweigh the negatives as it will only impact 3-4 days a month, but I am thinking ahead about the problems this could cause at Christmas etc.

Any advice would be greatly appreciated please, thank you in advance xx

You have to make these sacrifices for a dog. Don’t do it.

You wouldn’t be able to stay over with your pup.
Do you work? How would you manage that?

Have already factored in work - I have a hybrid working pattern which means I work from home most of the time and hiring a reputable dog walker would make this manageable. It’s just the family dog situation that I need to work around - he isn’t violent but is grouchy and old, therefore I don’t want to give him the stress of a new boisterous pup.

It's worth remembering that it won't impact just staying over, it's going to impact the ability to visit each other for extended hours in the day, unless you have someone going into your dog at home.

We had the same situation with my parents older dog not tolerating my younger one, we couldn't visit for more than 4/5 hours without paying to have a dog Walker pop in and walk him and break up the time.

I guess that applies to all situations leaving the house for extended time where you can't take the dog.

You can’t subject a 15 year old dog that doesn’t like other dogs to a bouncy puppy in its home.

without meaning to sound heartless, at the age of the family dog, can you not wait for him to pass away?

Hi, thank you and really good point - thankfully I’m only a couple of miles down the road so this wouldn’t be a problem as I can just pop back to mine easily 😊 most of my socialising is usually local, or otherwise walking/hiking which means it’s dog friendly but will be willing to pay for an extra dog walk the odd time if needed x

@Kaylisa I was thinking the same thing. OP it's your life though and seems a bit unfair of your Mum to put her needs/her dogs needs above yours. Do you have to stay over or could you just go for the day?

Hi OP!

I bought my first home a few years ago alone and got a puppy. Hes four now and hes my world. He makes me feel so much happier and safer having him here. I never feel lonely.

I have a dog sitter who stays at my home when im not here. Although they are very pricey. I go on holiday in May and the dog sitter has cost me £350 for the week.

There are sacrifices that need to be made, for instance my dog cant go to my families house with me as they have cats. Christmas day i wake up alone, spend the morning alone, go to my families for dinner and then go back home to be with the dog.

Thanks Kaylisa and Lou - as much as I’d be devastated for him to pass over the rainbow bridge, I’d also had this thought but I genuinely think it could be a couple of years until that’s the case - as the saying goes, there’s definitely life in the old dog yet!

I guess I will just need to do some more thinking and prioritising 😊 my third option is a willing friend/family member has the pup an odd time when needed (once they’re a bit older and settled) if there’s any volunteers in my friendship group! But I’m sure I’ll find a solution whether I go ahead or wait…I’m just itching to go ahead as everything else points to the time being right

Just use doggy day care. Ours always go there if we are away even just for a day.

MN hates dogs.

You would need a sitter or use kennels.

You don’t stay at your mum’s,

As her dog is 15 (I mean this kindly, you could wait til her’s passes).

Thanks so much for your thoughts, I completely relate as I feel like I’d be so much happier and feel more secure with a dog in the house! Plus I’d be able to give them a very happy home in return :)

Good point on the holidays! That’s one I’ll have to factor in going forward, I’m happy to sacrifice trips away this year but it’s something I’ll have to factor in for the future as I’d probably go down the house sitter route too.

Times like Christmas and birthdays are my main worry, albeit only one day in the year it’s still a big sacrifice but I’m thinking the benefits outweigh these - just a hard one to weigh up as I know I can’t have both!

Thanks for your comment though as your situation sounds very similar to mine 😊 what breed did you go for out of interest?

Ah thank you 😊 I’m not too familiar with doggy day care as we’ve always managed to get the family dog looked after somehow! How is this different to kennels? And can it include a couple of nights’ stay too if need be?

@LaurenW95

It really does make such a difference javing a dog with u when u live alone! And ur bond with the dog will be even more special as its just the two of you!

I talk to my dog all the time as if hes a human 😂 usually sleeps in bed with me or at the front door so i always feel safe, sots next the bath when im bathing, snuggles in to me in the evenings. It would be a completely different house without him!

I went for a border collie as we had a collie as a family pet when i was young. He was very easy to train which was a plus! Takes some maneuvering with life at times and holidays etc but so so worth it!!

Also, theres an APP called Rover which is really handy! U can put in all ur info, ur dogs info etc. And theres lots of profiles on there for dog walkers, people who will just pop in to check on ur dog for an hour, dog sitters. U can browse their info and photos etc. They are all certified. I found my dog sitter on here and its been a life saver!

Yes that’s exactly what I’m looking for, I would definitely appreciate the company of a dog again! It’s really good to hear it’s manageable with a bit of a compromise, and I’ll have a look into Rover so thanks for the recommendation 🙏

Glad your collie’s made such a difference, they’re gorgeous dogs! Hopefully I get to work my situation out so I can fill the dog-shaped hole in my life again 😊

It's totally different to kennels, the dog stays in the house as part of the family, they can go in for a day, two nights, three weeks - up to you. Much better than relying on family as it is a business transaction so they're unlikely to let you down at the last minute. They feed, walk and wash your dog if it gets plastered in mud! Take it to the vet if they get ill in their care. Ours is wonderful.

Old dog may start to like your dog.....

Dogs they know are very different from random dogs that they met out and about

That sounds great and a much better option than the kennels, I’ll have a look into it when the time comes 😊 thank you!