Do you regret getting your dog?

[mildlysweaty]

NC

I can't comment as don't have my own experience (yet?), but interested in anecdotes as feel it could help our decisions. There are some doubts lingering.

Thanks!

At 8 weeks I loved him. House trained before he was 9 weeks. Perfect.

9-16 weeks I hated the bastard. He was a mouthy little turd (sadly a trait of his breed) and shredded every item of clothing I wore around him. I fantasised daily about returning him. Only got a bit better once he was fully vaccinated.

That being said, I wouldn’t change him for the world now. He’s currently cuddled up in bed with me watching Jurassic Park

Short answer: no.
Long answer: sometimes, especially one of them who has been a very difficult dog. I've put the hours in and she's now a lovely pet, but I was tearing my hair out at times.

Most days!!
But we knew what we were getting ourselves in to and hadn't chosen an easy breed.

But the only times I'd ever have given him away with bells on was during the first year.
He's now twenty months and would rather trade DH for him if we were in a hostage swap situation.

Still very much a work in progress but far better days than bad.

But there is not a day goes by when I don't think 'WTF have we done?'

Pretty much like having children

None whatsoever. I can't imagine life without her.

I do. We did everything right but ended up with a fear reactive dog. No amount of working with the behaviouralist could fix it. It was incredibly isolating because we literally couldn't take him anywhere or have anyone to the house. I know we were just unlucky but the fact that you never know what your dog will be like has put me off for life.

I adopted a senior dog from a rescue when I was going through a tough time in my personal life and I can't describe how much I'm grateful for him.

No, I'd have a dozen if I could afford it

If you’ve any reservations at all I’d recommend not getting a dog.

I have dm's dog, dm had stage 4 cancer, dm was worried about what would happen to ddog, I promised to take ddog in.
So after dm passed I inherited ddog.
I love her but she a lot, it's hard work.
I work full time, hybrid luckily, on the days I'm in the office ddog has to stay alone, she has a dog flap and a secure garden.
I leave the office earlier than I should to get home.
I love to travel but finding someone who I can trust to look after her is near impossible so that's curbed my gallop!
She couldn't go to kennels as she's old and set in her ways.
Everything I do ddog is my first thought, its a commitment for sure.
However, I love her to death, she's the last link to my dm.
I definitely wouldn't have chosen to have a dog and wouldn't ever have another one.

@drivinmecrazy

“He's now twenty months and would rather trade DH for him if we were in a hostage swap situation.”

That made me chortle out loud.

We’ve got a high energy working breed who is very highly strung. (Border collie) she is not keen on other people or dogs she doesn’t know. BUT she is an absolute joy at home, can be left for 6 hours at a time, loves her dog Walker, and her doggy daycare. Took her to France with us this year and she was fab, we have chickens and they go some way to calm her herding instincts, she sits outside in all weathers and keeps an eye on them. I sometimes regret not having a nice friendly lab who loves everyone, but actually it’s ok. I don’t love everyone either 🤣🤣🤣 it’s a pain at Christmas because she can’t cope with big get togethers, but everything else we can manage fine 👍🥰

Yes. I have never liked dogs. DH convinced me I would if I got one as a puppy. We did. He’s objectively a great dog with good temperament especially around our small DC. He is obedient, well socialized and has never snapped or nipped anyone. The dog walker loves him and so do strangers and other dogs. He only pooped 3 times on the carpet and twice he was very sick, once he was still a puppy. He never chews anything. Despite this I hate the drool, the farts, the licking, the smell, the loud breathing, the neediness, the restrictions it places on our ability to go out or on holiday without planning. And the expenses involved with properly looking after a dog are higher than I expected. Worrying about his safety is another thing. I never mistreat or neglect him but that’s only because I know he is my responsibility, and I can’t tolerate animal abuse. I don’t hate him but I don’t love him the way a lot of other dog owners seem to. The experience only convinced me more how much I dislike them. Getting a dog made me dislike them even more because now I know what a big responsibility dog ownership is. It is not for me at all. When he passes on I am not going to allow another in my home.

Can't answer it properly without knowing the background. as to what type of dog you are considering and what your lifestyle is.

Taking on a rescue dog with problems is hugely different from getting a tiny 8 week old puppy that you've waited months for.

All dogs are difficult at certain times but if there are any doubts at all then I would say you are not ready. The level of commitment you need and the amount of bloody exhausting work there is in training and exercising cannot be over emphasised.

No, we absolutely adore her. She got one of my DC through severe MH issues. I suffer with my MH too and she’s such good company for me as I don’t leave the house. She was hard work as a puppy but forms fun too.

@mildlysweaty Are you willing to say what your concerns are, and then people can respond or address them? Give their experiences. Suggest breeds which may be more/less suitable for you as a result etc.

We had moments when we were absolutely tearing our hair out over his boisterous adolescent behavior. Mum threatened to put him on ebay more than once (light hearted)
But he matured and he became our lovely gentle big boy. And I wouldn’t be without him. 🐾

I did wonder what the hell have I done here, when our dog was about 6months old.

Over 3 year on and she is my favourite family member. We've just had a lovely wander this morning and I know she helps my MH and physical health. I have to make time for her and she gives me such love and fun back. She makes us all laugh and feel all warm and loved up.

There's the occasional issue of can't do things altogether/go certain places because of the dog, but it's minor stuff - not worth being fed up about because we have a dog.

Yes I do. My sons and I both wanted a puppy, DH didn't. We ended up with a three month old chocolate lab (now just over two years old). He was house trained when we had him and unlike other labs has never chewed anything inside (outside another matter!)

However all the walking is down to me as DH won't walk him (even when I was ill for a week and couldn't get out of bed). I am sick of dog walks! Sons are too young to walk him and he's very strong too.

He is very reactive if we see another dog and still jumps up if people come to the house, despite training. And yes he's a big tie too.

I know that this makes me sound awful but if I could turn the clock back I would. It's been cathartic to write this post as I would never admit it out loud!

No, never. And I have four rescues, all with their own issues. But you need to be prepared re the time, effort and money they cost. Totally worth it. If you have reservations, keep thinking things through and don’t do it until you are sure. Dogs are sensitive souls and should not be adopted lightly.

Getting my dog is the best decision I've made - I count myself lucky to have him every day. He wasn't an easy dog and had several issues when I first got him, however I work with dogs I enjoy the challenge and the resulting good relationship. My friends are all very doggy as well and a lot of my social life is dog friendly.
That being said - I don't think dog ownership is for everyone and it's a huge commitment if you're not sure. Half the battle is choosing a breed that is right for you - not getting a working breed because they are cute or you like going on walks. Literally all dogs need walks, working dogs need a whole lot more.

We adopted ddog when she was eight she is now nearly fifteen. She is a good dog, she has had a lovely life with us this last 7 years. That we have had periods from when we got her where she doesn't sleep through the night has been pretty tiresome although we are enjoying a good spell again.
I would say my only regret is, now she is getting older, that I didn't really consider just how heartbreaking it will be when we lose her. Dc are autistic and she is adored by them. She is the first one they speak to when they get up and they come downstairs to say goodnight to her every night at bedtime, she is their pal, their confidante, their support, their clown and losing her will be truly devastating to them.

Our dog adds so much time onto everything (rushing out the door to get kids to school, dog will try to get out, in a hurry to get something, he’ll try to get it too, carrying clean washing he’ll jump for it etc), and when we first got him he burrowed under the fence, broke a gate, jumped a wall- to get into the field next to us. He also terrified me by consistently jumping up on then 14 yo trying to ‘mouth’ (cocker spaniel😅). There’s also the thing I don’t get to see my family as much as it’s so hard to bring him. BUT now, as myself and dh are having problems, he’s my source of solace and unwavering love. He’s my dude and is in the family and non negotiable. Saying that I will add that we will never get a dog again after him

Yep, totally agree with @Rainbowstripes about getting the right dog!
If you do that it's bloody amazing but if you get it wrong it just won't work.

Don't ever imagine a dog is a dog is a dog. You need to do a lot of navel gazing and a lot of research beforehand in order to get the right dog for your lifestyle and personality.

I 100% agree with what @Rainbowstripes and @PyreneanAubrie said about doing your research.

I work with dogs and sadly see so many them in inappropriate homes - it's not fair and these dogs inevitably end up with behavioural problems because their owners just aren't able or willing to give them the exercise and training that they require.

I'd also say, if you have children (or want children) you need to think about how the dog will fit into that, especially in terms of weekends and what you'll do with the dog while your kid are at activities, or want to go to the zoo or a theme park. You can't leave the dog all day so you'll need to pay for care and plan it well in advance - you can't just wake up and say "right, it's nice and sunny, let's go to the beach" anymore.

I have 2 and could never regret them! We got a Shih Tzu (Bear) around 10 years ago and then got our Yorkshire Terrier (Coffee) about 5 years ago. My favourite boys over my husband and my son 😁