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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

What do you wish people knew about dogs before getting one?

128 replies

JamSandle · 12/08/2024 21:30

Mine would probably be...they need a lot more love and exercise than most people can realistically give.

OP posts:
BasiliskStare · 13/08/2024 19:57

I have 2 border terriers - they do not smell in the way that my PIL's Labrador did - they smell of biscuits but yes we end up cleaning our floors cushions etc more because we don't want the house to smell of dog.

Unless you get a rescue I cannot emphasise enough going to a reputable & responsible breeder. & fro make sure you get a dog which suits you and your family - not just a fashionable one - because there are fashions in dog breeds.

A puppy will take a great deal of time and attention. And until they grow a little their teeth are sharp and they like chewing things - a lovely pair of sunglasses I had went the way of all flesh.. In our experience ours have always grown out of that phase.

We didn't get a dog until between us one of us was at home all day and also for regular walks

Do not underestimate costs - insurance regular checks at the vet worming etc treatments - it all adds up

But if you like dogs the joy they bring is lovely. I had to have one PTS sleep earlier this year & I sobbed and sobbed. Eldest is 16.

Pippatpip · 13/08/2024 20:31

The overwhelming responsibility which can impact your mental health/anxiety. Having a dog that is perfect in so many ways but reactive to certain people and doesn't forget! Having the dog who is super noise sensitive so fireworks and bangs are no nos plus bottles being thrown into bottle bins as they do in pubs. And no, playing noise to desensitise doesn't work. She sleeps through gunfire and fireworks on the radio or tv.

junebirthdaygirl · 13/08/2024 20:36

That everyone else doesn't love your dog as much as you do so keep it on a lead and don't expect me to be thrilled when he jumps up on me. Don't ever say; oh he wouldn't harm you ..he's very friendly. I don't care!!

BasiliskStare · 13/08/2024 21:06

@junebirthdaygirl - I absolutely see your point and as a dog owner it is your job to remove your dog if it causing a problem. That said I took my dog on a lead and sat in an outdoor cafe an young boy thought it was amusing to poke a stick into my dog's eye. I asked him to stop , I asked his mother to ask him to stop and neither did - so I moved.

MagentaRocks · 13/08/2024 21:11

How much I would love them. We have 2 and if the oldest goes first the youngest will be inconsolable. We can’t just decide to go out. They are not used to being left for more than an hour now and then. They cost a lot, one is always wanting to play catch even after a few hours in the woods.

But I wouldn’t change it. The way they snuggle into me making contented sighs, how excited they are when I get home. The look in their eyes when they just want to look at you.

lorisparkle · 13/08/2024 21:16

I wish I had known more about the importance of socialisation when ours was a puppy - I mean experiencing different places, people, and learning to not be overly interested in every dog he sees.

hiredandsqueak · 13/08/2024 21:24

That they add an extra layer of planning in everything you do.So it's always could the dog come? How will we manage that?If not are we going to be away from home and for how long? Who can have the dog for us?
Also didn't realise how big a part of our lives she would be and as she gets older worrying about the gaping hole she will leave behind her.

toomanydiets · 13/08/2024 21:39

There was so much I didn't know when I got my dog. He was backyard bred- well done and socialised but I wouldn't do that again. He was a Covid puppy and spent a lot of time in our local park playing with the other covid puppies- I thought that's what socialisation was and didn't focus on teaching him to be calm around dogs and people. The extent to which he would change my life and how much I would have to plan around him. He's a lovely dog and I wouldn't be without him but I've spent a lot of time trying to reverse the mistakes I made with him! They are a huge commitment and even when you do everything right things can go wrong, or you can plan a lovely day and they just get completely overexcited and it's really hard. It's not a thing to do casually

PullUpTheDrawbridge · 13/08/2024 21:46

Dogs don't slot in. And we shouldn't expect them to. Being a dog owner is a lifestyle. If it's the right lifestyle for you, it won't feel like a burden. But be realistic about the sort of life you want.

QueenBitch666 · 13/08/2024 22:18

That they're not toys for children

OraettaMayflower · 13/08/2024 22:25

You’re judged more for not letting them up on your bed and the furniture than if you do let them on it.

ineedtogwtoutbeforeitatoohot · 13/08/2024 23:02

They need to have a good run off of their lead EVERY day or they won't be happy indoors.

JudyJudeplusOne · 14/08/2024 00:06

usernother · 13/08/2024 09:10

That they are happier being treated like dogs and knowing where they are in the pack or family. Which should be at the bottom.

Well this is enlightening for all those dog anxiety posts of the last year or so...

Improbablywrong · 14/08/2024 00:13

That not everyone likes them just because you do
Your version of “good recall” will probably not be the same as anyone elses
If your dog does something shitty and other people are annoyed about it, that’s you and your dogs problem, not theirs.
Dont invite children to touch your dog because it’s friendly (your version of friendly not other peoples) as when/if it bites, it’ll be 💯 your fault

Bigcatpaws · 14/08/2024 00:16

That dogs need exercise and should get a decent walk every day at least 45 minutes and not an impatient stroll until they have a shit.

They should not be left unattended all day while you go to work. They are social animals and don’t like being left in solitary confinement.

LiterallyOnFire · 14/08/2024 00:19

That having a puppy is every bit as gruelling as having a newborn.

Gifgaf · 14/08/2024 00:27

It's not just in a moment thing but a commitment for life.

Timetothink54321 · 14/08/2024 00:57

Every prospective dog owner should read the book Calming Signals by Turid Rugaas and learn how people who profess to be experienced with dogs get it wrong; they pat dogs on the head and allow their DC to hug a dog while the dog lips its licks and looks uncomfortable.

Humans can be so arrogant and we persist with our way of communication without taking the time and trouble to learn non verbal dog "language" and dogs tolerate so much and then humans say "one day he bit me out of the blue". Dogs always give warnings but we ignore or misinterpret them until the dog doesn't bother or the warnings are so subtle we don't notice.

The worst misinterpretation of a dog's signals I have ever seen was by someone who assumed that a dog lying on it's back exposing it's belly always means that it is friendly and is keen to be approached and stroked. Unfortunately that is quite wrong and this person was bitten because the dog was in a terrified submissive state and certainly not inviting belly rubs.

en.turid-rugaas.no/calming-signals---the-art-of-survival.html

velvetcoat · 14/08/2024 07:04

Every prospective dog owner should read the book Calming Signals by Turid Rugaas and learn how people who profess to be experienced with dogs get it wrong; they pat dogs on the head and allow their DC to hug a dog while the dog lips its licks and looks uncomfortable

Agree with this. I've been horrified by many social media posts of people posting their dogs having hugs or dressed up in clothes saying "awwww so cute- look at that!" and you can see the dog is nervous and scared out of their wits. Lip licking, ears pinned back, tail between legs etc and they are completely oblivious to the signs. Then they wonder why they snap. They're bloody scared!

sunsetsandboardwalks · 14/08/2024 07:15

100% agree about body language.

There was a video on TikTok not long ago of a grown adult hugging and kissing a dog all over its' face - the poor animal was so uncomfortable - licking his lips, whale eye, moving his head away, avoiding eye contact completely - the woman then stared into the dogs' eyes (which were screaming fear) and kissed him again - the dog (unsurprisingly) snapped and bit her.

By her reaction, she was genuinely shocked that she was bitten and I don't think she realised she was doing anything wrong.

Killingoffmyflowersonebyone · 14/08/2024 07:34

I now have another.

If you have to physically discipline your dog (yanking it, dragging it, tapping it on the nose or worse) then you are the problem. And you shouldn’t have a dog.

FastFood · 14/08/2024 08:40

I'd like people to know I'm very sorry, but I have the best dog in the world, who happens to also be the most beautiful in the world, as well as the cutest in the world.

Sorry guys - it's unfair but what can you do?

ElsaMars · 14/08/2024 09:09

That you might not want them licking your face because they've just been outside eating their own poo!

That your rescue's behaviour for the first few months is not what they are like. Their true personalities take a while.

Girliefriendlikespuppies · 14/08/2024 10:09

I love my dog but people definitely should ask the question what can I give a dog rather than what can a dog give me.

If you can't give a dog lots of walks, training, time then don't get one. Love is not enough.

lovemycbf · 14/08/2024 12:18

That they die one day and it utterly breaks your heart into a million pieces
I so miss my old lady 🐶🥲