What has surprised you most about dog ownership?

[TappingTed]

For me, I have been surprised and shocked (in a good way) by how much I actually love this wee guy. As a child I was obsessed with dogs, like literally obsessed with them. But as a teen mum who then had three more children, it never seemed a good time to have a dog. And tbh I felt it was something that had passed me by and was more for people who didn’t have kids and wanted fur babies or some kind of baby substitute.
But now with our DPup I have been surprised with how much I enjoy having him around and I actually feel like my inner child is so delighted to finally have a dog of my own… 9 year old me would have been just in heaven… I’m actually struggling a little to be firm with boundaries and I didn’t expect that- I wanted a “dog is a pet not a baby” type of dog and yet it’s me wanting to just let him up for a cuddle or to not keep in the crate all night etc.

What has shocked or surprised you?

Definitely the love ❤️ but also the cost of the emergency vet and the amount of conversations I’ve had about anal glands…

Ok I echo a lot of the things said in this thread but something that has surprised me that I havent seen anyone mention :

I actually kinda like her smell? 🙈

She doesnt smell a lot if the time, but sometimes she does... then I bury my nose into her soft curly head and take a deep breath.

I'll get my coat...

Oh and how I love hearing her noisily chew a chew stick or something 🥰

If a human made those noises while chewing I would slap them into next week but my dog does it and it fills my heart

How other (only a few, most are ok) dog owners think it's fine for their dog to attack my dog even when she's walking quietly on her lead with me. If I get upset on these occasions (probably happens 3 or 4 times a year) they claim that their dog is not aggressive and it has never happened before.) Seeming to imply that it's my fault of my dog's fault. This is frightening.

@Steelworks here he is

it’s been such a lovely thread and so many people have said about the love for their dogs and also the dogs joy in life. It definitely gives me such joy to see his simple pleasures. Dogs are naturally mindful aren’t they? But yes the fear of navigating loss is also there.

The love, utter trust and faith they have in you & the joy they get when you walk back into the room - I'm looking at you M dog! (even when I come back from a quick pee!!)
& the absolute awful, horrific, absolute sucker punch of grief when they have to leave us. I had a dog as a child & DH & I always said we would have a family dog when the time was right. When that time eventually came and due to circumstances in our life, he pretty much gave me a reason to keep on living. We lost him days after his first birthday very unexpectedly. I honestly don't know how I put one foot in front of the other back then, the pain was visceral & I thought I might never pick myself up, as selfish as that may sound.
We did go on to eventually have 2 more pups who are both 8 now and bring me (& the rest of the family) inordinate amounts of love and laughter....as well as fairly significant vets bills - one has chronic allergies, pain and is essentially autistic, the other has a penchant for eating unexpected items....(nerf bullets, rulers, lego....)

I just can't explain the sheer, utter, joy every one of my dogs have given me. The friends I've made, the laughs I've had, the 'training' I have undertaken-and the bonding with my Dson who is now the proud owner of his first dog. What I AM surprised at, is that my latest addition - a very challenging young Labrador, is easily the best dog I have ever owned (shouldn't say that and I feel guilty just writing it 🤔), but how, I have not had a Labrador before now, is beyond me. She's super clever, funny, cheeky, cuddles into me like a baby for cuddles, fetches my phone when I've left it upstairs, takes my socks off and lots, lots more... yes, I've put the hours in training her but I'm still blown away by this creature I can almost speak in sentences to, and she understands. It's crazy but I love her so much my heart flips .... (skulks off embarrassed, as a grown woman who should be more in control of her emotions 🤣)... I've even explained to the kids who know I'm a bit dog obsessed, that my heart feels like theirs does when they are going to the airport ... but after I've been apart from my dogs for a couple of hours. We are just one, happy, family unit. No husbands or partners are entering this clique, ever again.

Like others, how much we love her. I am not ashamed to say the house revolves around her. It was me that had been resistant to getting her, and the night before we were due to go and meet her, I got very cold feet for a number of reasons. But I'm so glad I was talked out of it - she is my sidekick and so, so loyal. She is a labrador, so is by nature a very optimistic and easy dog, but every day is genuinely a good day as far as she's concerned. She makes us laugh out loud every day - she is extremely intelligent and will revel in mischief when given the opportunity, but is also a very loving, kind and sweet dog, who instinctively tunes in to our feelings.

In short, we can't imagine life without her.

How much it hurts when they die. Unbelievably painful. Cried buckets.

How much I’ll forgive my arse of a dog. He’s eight, grumpy, snappy at men, barks if someone comes near the house, and yet I love the little guy.

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Thought about another one yet? I miss mine but I know we couldn't cope right now, and also my DH is allergic to dog hair lol.

When the time is right?

As so many others have said, I had no idea how much we could love our boy! We are first time dog owners and he has rocked our world in so many amazing ways. We are obsessed with him! I had no idea of the level of love I would feel.
his personality and ability to learn amazes me. I had no idea that dogs could be so communicative.
Best thing we ever did

Sadly I'm not in the best of health right now. If I get better I'll definitely get another.

Sorry to hear that, hope you feel better soon.

I’m surprised about how happy she makes me. Curls up on my knee. Sleeps next to me. I tell her secrets sometimes.