Were you 100% sure?

[Runningmummm]

When you got your dog/puppy were you 100% sure about it?

We have been waiting for ‘the right time’ for years, our boys are now 14 so we feel at a good age but even though a massive part of me wants to get a dog there is something holding me back too. It’s such a large commitment and there’s no going back.

Is that normal? Is it like having a baby where you can’t wait for lots of it but also aren’t thrilled with the thought of the overnight wake ups etc?

I have been 100% sure every time, except with my current dog. He is a breed I have not owned before and I had a moment of wondering if I was doing the right thing. Never had that with the others.
Puppies are hard work so maybe it was a moment of me remembering how tough it can be, and there were moments during puppyhood for all my dogs I've had real WTF moments, but it soon passes.
I would say as long as everyone wants the dog, is committed to sharing the care then you will be fine. But if you are doubting that will be the case and wondering if you want to be solely in charge of the walks, training, feeding, clearing up etc etc etc.. then maybe your doubts are legit & I would put it off for a while.
Do lots of research into the right breed and make sure everyone will be interested once they are no longer a puppy.

I agree with pp, do your research and get the right breed for you. Puppies are really hard work. There are lots of costs to consider, grooming, food, insurance, vets bills. You have to plan ahead, no spontaneous nights away! And it's a long term commitment, be 100% sure.

I was 100% sure with all mine.
But I think you need to find the right breed for your lifestyle and that, for me, is the main factor.

I don't actually mind the toilet training, lack of sleep, getting them used to the house routine. For me it's all an important part of the bonding. And I don't crate, so it means a lot of work in puppy proofing the house.

As I said though, I'm 100% committed to my chosen breed and that makes a massive difference. I imagine if I tried a different type of dog I might find it more difficult and stressful.

If you have any doubts, perhaps you aren't quite ready and it needs a bit more consideration before you commit.

I was 100% sure when getting mine but this always dropped to "what on earth have I done" within about 2 weeks of them coming home. Puppies are not for the faint of heart.

I knew 100% that I NEVER wanted another dog but I ended up with one via a relationship break down. He is the absolute love of my life but I dearly wish I didn't have him because I know the heartbreak that's waiting round the corner for me. The commitment and the cost are tough but the heartbreak at the end is horrific.

Dc are 14? Hurry up op they have missed out on furry love so long already!!

Oh yes - forgot to say that, my family got our first dog when I was 13! It started a lifelong obsession 😆

So helpful to read these.

I think I’m getting to the point we’ve thought about it and talked about it for so long that we’re looking for problems that maybe won’t even be there. Also maybe read too many puppy threads on here.

Eg thinking what if we get a barker that annoys the neighbours. Things like that.

Having someone else to consider all the time too I suppose.

I had an unexpected day off today so I am lying on my bed MNing and reading. Could I do that if I had a dog?

Tbh I probably shouldn’t anyway.

There are always reasons not to but you can minimise issues with making sure you’ve researched the breed. Visit breeders, make sure they’re good breeders (not puppy farms, not someone who won’t offer a lifetime of support or advice and someone who would have the dog back should your circumstances ever change). Breeders who let you see the adult dogs, and always the mother of the litter.

Make sure take out insurance, and make sure it’s lifetime cover for as much as you can afford.

And finally, find a good positive reinforcement trainer, so important for you and your dog.

I’d recommend reading the book Easy Peezy Puppy Squeezy book to give you an idea of puppies and expectations.

I had my 1st dog when I was very young I can’t imagine not having one - even when I am walking in the wind and rain, then come home and have clean the mud off them, or worst still, fox 💩 🤣

Your dog would probably love that.

You absolutely could 🤣

I remember my job changed which it meant I could work from home a lot more and thinking hmm I reckon we could get a dog now.

Dd was the right age (13yo) and my mum had recently retired and was happy to dog sit if needed.

I still had a few worries but was 99% sure the timing was right.

Ddog is nearly 6yo now and I have absolutely no regrets.

I thought we were 100% sure, but DH and I really regret it.

We love the dog but were unprepared for how it would take over our lives. It also diverts attention away from the DC a bit too.
I miss the spontaneity of life before the dog - we miss just being able to go away for the weekend, or going out on long day trips. My dog has a natural odour that I don’t like and the fur gets everywhere. They also cost a lot with insurance, vets, food, grooming etc. We don’t share this honest opinion irl because we know it would come with lots of judgement.

You have to be 100% sure in that way you are if you plan on having a baby I think, because it is a life that you are committing to. Where as we were 100% sure in the sense that we wanted to train him, wanted to take it for walks, and could imagine it snuggled up on our laps and how it would slot into our lives. It was a rose-tinted 100% sure rather than a realistic 100% sure IYSWIM.

I've got a pup and I'm on here, I have knitting and book and she's snoozing away happily.
They need to learn to settle without demanding attention, they need to learn not to bark excessively or resource guard. But if you put all the work in early, it is absolutely worth it in the long run.

Heed the good advice above from @RunningJo about reputable breeders, health checks, insurance etc. and you'll be fine.

I've been 100% sure every time I've adopted a dog. There's been no hesitation. But I've never adopted a puppy, the youngest I've had was about nine months old. I don't think it sounds like you should get a dog. Yes, you will be responsible for it all the time and it will be a big factor to consider in most aspects of your life including when you go on holiday. You'll have to find dog care or take it with you. Bear in mind you can't just leave them all day in self catering either. It's not allowed. Ask yourself why you want a dog and make a sensible, non romanticised list of pros and cons. If the cons win, then you've saved yourself and a poor dog from a terrible mistake.

We got our DDog when the kids were older (14-16) and tbh I do regret it. We’ve just got to the point with the kids where we would have been able to go different places, go out of an evening, be more spontaneous with plans and eventually leave the kids alone for weekends etc, instead I have another creature to care for 24/7 for the next ten years. I love her dearly but wish we’d got her five years ago.

It depends... I was 100% sure I did not want a dog. Got myself persuaded by kids and DH and though dog is lovely I still regret giving in.

The biggest (drag, bind) thing was our life changed overnight. No more quick city weekend trips. No wake up and "let's go to the zoo for the day", no shopping in the morning, nice lunch and cinema after. Someone had to get back for the dog. The good doggy day care and kennels are full (and bloody expensive) and need booking weeks in advance, no spur of the moment trips.

Followed by the breaking of empty promises... "we'll take care of him, feed him, walk him, pick up poop, play with him, train him, bath him, take him to groomers, vet etc etc etc"

Nah... they will for a bit... Until life takes over. 14 is the sort of age where the kids will be doing their own thing, then going off to uni/work etc. The dog could live another 10+ years after they've moved on.

Anyhow, I would say yes, everyone in the household needs to be 100% committed. Even if they will have nothing to do with the dog their life will change.

I wasn’t 100% sure but I had done lots of research and was very realistic. We had plans in place as a family for things like daycare and holidays, funds in place, morning and evening routine in place. I made sure my youngest could walk 5km with me without moaning (this was a big one as he would need to walk the dog with me in all weathers). She still absolutely blew our world to pieces and I don’t think you ever realise until you have dogs/puppies just how incredibly demanding and labour intensive they are.

I was 100% sure I wanted a dog but I did have some anxiety of how it would change things! We got him just after my youngest started secondary so it was a real shock to the system to suddenly have something so dependent again. I definitely had puppy blues for a good 4/6 weeks and found it really hard going at times. I cared about him but if I’m honest I didn’t enjoy him for a while…..

But, it was the best decision we’ve ever made, I cannot describe how much love and joy our dog has brought to our lives. Yes we have to plan more for days out and can’t be as spontaneous and he frequently stinks but the positives he brings make up for that by a million - my teenagers willingly come out for a walk at weekends and the dog is just a great bonding family addition. I love him more than I ever thought I would.

And he loves a good snuggle while I’m on MN, it’s what we’re doing now!

You are about to enjoy the freedom that comes when children grow up. Think carefully about whether you want to sacrifice your freedom in order to look after a dog. Every single day and night of the dog's life you have to make decisions about dog care. My dog is 18 months old and can be left for 4 hours, or has to go to day care. If we go away she has to go in kennels. Those arrangements cost money. There's a lack of spontaneity in our lives because of always having to factor in the dog's needs- can we take her with us? Leave her home alone? Arrange dog care? Kennels?
I love my dog dearly. I've worked very hard to raise a pleasant happy healthy well behaved dog, and that work is ongoing as she's still very young. And it is a lot of hard work! In the early weeks it's relentless! Be very clear that is what you want.