Help my family want a dog , I don't

[helloeveryone]

Hi just wanted people's views on this ,
my partner and all my children want to get a dog this year, but I am not sure about the idea, I have told everyone that I think it is a bad idea, but everyone still wants one..

A little bit about our family, we have 6 children from 16 down to 2 years old ..
I don't work so I feel all the care and dog walking will be left to me during the day,,I don't hate dogs but I have never been a dog lover.

Anyway my question is are dogs hard work?
And are dogs a pain on holidays as we go camping a lot ?
We are thinking about getting a small dog,

Anyone's views would be lovely, as I don't know a lot about dogs, do they sleep
a lot during the day ?
do they always hang by the door to get walked. ?
how mant times do they need to be let out to go to the toilet ?
how many times do they need walking ?
how long can they be left for in the day ?
Here's just a few of some questions I have been thinking about

THANKS FOR ANY HELP...

 

[lindseymw]

My mam & dad have a dog. They have a Greyhound, had her since she was a puppy.

She does sleep a lot, she's pretty lazy. You get a dirty look off her if you dare try & wake her up.

My mam works 8am-1pm, the dog's perfectly happy to be left for this time.

Holidays, if they are going to the UK, they will take her with them. Abroad, either she goes to the Kennels or me & my sister sort it out between us.

Walks, this depends on the dog. Missy has alway been happy with a walk to the field & let off to have a 10min run about. She HATED long walks & would sulk for most it. Other dogs, however, need long walks i.e sheepdogs.

 

[Scoobys mummy]

I hated dogs,crossed the street to avoid big ones, nearly had a panic attack one day when faced with an Akita (my fear,no fault of the breed). My 2 aunts both had miniature schnauzers and the more I saw of them the more they grew on me. I now have 2 and wouldn't ever change them for the world.

Yes dogs are hard work but can fit easily into family life.
Our two love long walks but are just as happy with a good run in the garden with Emily.
The fact you have lots of family is a plus, they love company,I never realised how much until I stopped work on mat leave. As I was home all day they were much happier.
If mine aren't exercised for 2 days (by this I mean completely housebound) they start to get a bit antsy and need a run out but in summer this never happens.

Ours bark when they need out for a wee. If you are getting a pup you need to take it out every few hours for the first few weeks until it clicks. Give lots of praise when they poo or wee and never punish a mess in the house. Use a special cleaner too as household cleaners contain ingredients that smell like wee to a dog so encourage more inside mess.

Pick a good food. We started ours on bakers....never again.it's like McDonald's for dogs. We feed James well beloved. Yes it's a tiny bit more expensive but lasts ages and they are in great condition.

Buy a puppy crate (although we didn't we wish we had). It's a safe haven for your dog to go to when It all gets too much. Never put them in as punishment though as they will resent it. (Google for more info)

Our boys need clipped every 8 weeks,but this is because they don't cast so no hairs all over the place,they don't smell either.

Holidays are great with dogs! We go to a place not far from us and rent a cottage which allows the boys inside and has an enclosed yard. They get to go on long forest walks and really enjoy it.

The most surprising thing I've found though is how close they are with Emily. Their bond is so strong. They are so protective yet so gentle with her.

Honestly I would never ever look back now.
Sorry it's a bit long!!!

 

[ttc_lolly]

My mum is a dog breeder, as is my gran, and she also rescues cares for and rehomes dogs in need.

Honestly, if you don't want one and you say yourself that you aren't particularly a dog lover then I don't think you should get one. You're right when you say the majority of it's care will be left up to you as you are home full time and you can't expect kids to walk dogs alone or pick up poo. A dog needs a loving, stable home and it's main carer to give it lots of love and attention and it doesn't sound like it would really get that iykwim? Not saying you're cruel but if you don't really want him then having and caring for him will be rather like a chore than a pleasure, which is what it should be.

As for all your questions, it totally depends on what type of breed you are going for. Some dogs are more energetic than others and require a lot more exercise and physical/mental stimulation. Some breeds are more prone to getting lonely/depressed without another playmate, and some are better as an only pet. Again, it's down to the breed and personality of the dog with how long it can be left alone. Whilst it's a puppy it's better to not leave it for too long at all, but giving it it's own space/room for quiet time (like a crate).

It's a huge, massive responsibility to take on a dog and you really shouldn't do it just because the rest of the family are pressuring you. Make sure it's something YOU want too and that your heart is in it. The amount of lovely dogs that are dumped or owners have to get rid because of this or that is really high, and there just isn't enough homes for all these unwanted dogs (as people usually want puppies), so a high number of innocent animals are put down and it's just really sad and needless. So please just really think about it and only go ahead if you can offer a dog a forever home. HTH

 

[zanDark]

completely agree with ttc Lolly!

Having a puppy is kind of like having a baby lol in order to train them to pee and poop where you want them to (whether it's on a pad for smaller dogs, or outside for larger ones) you have to get up at 6 am to put them there and wait for them to do their business..then you have to be all happy and congratulate them

you have to do this every couple of hours as puppies tend to pee often since their bladders are tiny and they can't really control it or tell they have to go!

It's hard work, but if you do it properly it's only for a couple of months! Also if you decide to get a dog, you really need to research the different breeds are their characteristics and needs and pick one that will fit in with your family.

Also, you need to watch them like a hawk and chase them around to avoid having pee accidents in the house (which you will have!) and can't really leave them completely alone as they're tiny and scared and need lots of love!

You could always rescue an older dog from a shelter to avoid the puppy stage, but they will also need time to get into a routine with your family

 

[babz1986]

If you wouldn't have another child, then don't get a dog simple.

We had two dogs before my little girl, and seriously it's like having 3 teenagers in the house sometimes lol. We have another baby due in 2 weeks, and people are already asking me if we're having a 3rd. There's no possible way I could have 3 children and try and fit the dogs in my life aswell, but that's just me.

The thing I have found is that, my dogs that were previously well trained-ish, have kind of been pushed out since my little girl 3 years ago.. So I'm having to go back to basics with them with training, just more obedience training than anything else, and have to say its quite hard work doing that with my little girl trying to join in as well, etc

Also.. If you look at days like today and the last month (rainy and cold) and don't particularly like going out in it, or staying in.. Then stick to your guns about not wanting a dog lol... That's when it becomes more of a 'chore' than a pleasant walk, which it is when the weather is nice.

also, if you want to compromise with your family, I'd say get a older dog and not a puppy. As lovely as they are, they're 10 times the work. Our first dog was a rescue dog, got him at approx 4 years old.. And really is the perfect dog.. 2nd dog we got as a puppy, as company for the 1st dog, and thought a puppy would be the best to integrate into the family. I can't explain the work we've had to put into him lol.. The constant training, hyperness, getting past the 'puppy stage', the separation anxiety, night time wakenings, etc

Don't get me ŵrong, I love dogs, am a real dog lover and our dogs are a proper part of our family, I'd be lost without them, but they are hard work and need just as much commitment and attention as children.

And are dogs a pain on holidays as we go camping a lot ? Again it depends how they are trained and what you tend to do whilst camping. We went camping once, and left our dogs at home as we knew we wanted to go shopping in the local areas (so one of us would have to stay outside with them the whole time, whilst the other looked around), also if you were to eat out, you'd need to make sure it's dog friendly, and really rely on the weather to sit and eat outdoors.

do they sleep a lot during the day ? Dogs don't tend to sleep, their always alert, ours just tend to lay about when their at home.

do they always hang by the door to get walked. ? Depends how they're trained, ours know where their leads are and when they are desperate to go, quite often run in and out of the hall looking up at their leads, the rest of the time they don't tend to bother.

how mant times do they need to be let out to go to the toilet ? Ours luckily have really good bladders, and only really need 4 times a day and during my working days would go all day without accidents

how many times do they need walking ? Depends on the dog.. One of ours would be happy with 1 20 min run a day, the other would love 2, 1 hour walks

how long can they be left for in the day ? - when I was working, it would be max 10 hrs a day, 3 days a week.. I actually used to feel guilty leaving them this long!!

 

[helloeveryone]

Thanks so much for all your answers , what ever we decide about getting a dog or not, we won't be getting one until I know for sure I 100 percent want one..
I feel like with 6 children I am busy enough,for now ,but I want to want one...

 

[lozzy21]

If your children were still young i would say everything would be left to you but your older children are old enough to help out. If you do get one i would make it clear that if you get one its every ones responsibility. You could have a rota of whos responsible for the dog on what days, Like on a tuesday its your 16 year olds job to walk the dog and clean up the poo.

 

[Louise88]

I'd look into the different breeds, cavalier King Charles spaniels are loveable dogs very loyal and friendly and highly intelligent! If your not to keen on walking the dog everyday maybe look into dachunds (sausage dogs) they don't need walked and when they are short walks are best for them but really a garden would suit their needs there's a lot of breeds out there it'd just doing the research into each one. When it comes to camping I know a lot of people who take their dogs camping with them and have no problems.

 

[beth_terri]

I was never a dog lover. My oh has always wanted one. Last November I gave in. We got a gorgeous boxer pup. She is a beautiful, loving, playful, dopey, funny PAIN IN THE FRIGGIN ARSE... But I wouldn't be without her

We had a hard time toilet training her, did not use in door paper training, just straight outside. The accidents only stopped happening when we got a cage for her. I say we, I had a hard time training her. Myoh worked away Monday to Friday when we got her and I at the time had a 3 year old and a 4 month old baby lol.

I wouldn't personally get a smaller breed dog as in the yappy snappy types. Whenever we go on walks my dog is so friendly and likes to meet new dogs/people, smaller dogs come running up yapping at her aggresively making my poor doggy cower and cry

We haven't yet gone camping or anything but we will do.

I say go for it but expect life to become a million times harder but more fun

 

[jenny82]

I'm in the midst of re-homing my dog. It kills me but it is my only option. All the care is left to me and his needs are that of a toddler. If it is a choice between him and my children, as much as I love him, he has to go. Luckily I *may* have found the perfect family for him, the next few weeks will tell.

However, if you have doubts, don't do it.

The care will be left to you. You will have to walk him twice a day. You will have to train him. You will be responsible for integrating him into family life, vaccinating him, watching him all the time with the children. It is an extra burden that you will have to pay for.

I love my dog, really and truly I do. But I can't do it anymore and I wish I'd been told that at the start, or I'd listened. It is soooo much harder than you think it will be.

 

[mara16jade]

It all depends on the breed of dog you get. I would absolutely not advice high (fur) maintenance or high energy level dogs for you.

Also, not toooo small of a dog either. 10-20lb dogs I think are great "little" dogs. I have three mini dachshunds (in the hound group) and they are my life. To be perfectly honest....we don't walk them. Well, let me back up. We walk them very occasionally - no set schedule and its certainly not on a everyday/week basis.

We have a doggy door for them that leads to the backyard and they do their "business" out there. We have a water bowl/jug down and that gets filled daily. They sleep IN the bed with us and wake up when we do. My OH gets up after I do, so after my alarm goes off I tell them to go potty outside and I get ready for work. They come back in, I put them on the bed and they go back to sleep. lol When my OH gets up he feeds them and then that's about it.

We have lights on timers so if we're going to be out late/after dark we know they won't be sitting in the dark until we get home. They get fed dinner around 7pm (one scoop of food) and they eat it all in about 30 seconds. haha Some breeds of dogs have a tendency to get fat and particularly with dachshunds, being over weight can be extremely bad on their long backs. So we choose to do breakfast and dinner instead of just leaving a bowl of food out.

Um, lets see... other than that, they play, sleep and chase leaves and butterflies in the backyard. LOL And love on us.

Things to avoid:

Hyper dogs (i.e. most terriers)
High maintenance (i.e. shih-tuz)
Non-family/not good with children dogs (can't think of a small dog...)
High fear of strangers (i.e. chihuahuas)
Dogs who shed a lot (i.e. most coarse short hair dogs)

My examples are simply examples and I know there are plenty of dogs who would prove otherwise.

If you have questions about certain breeds or just about dogs in general, please feel free to PM me or ask here. I grew up with dogs big, medium and small.

 

[greenbeans12]

Some people are and some people aren't dog lovers. My OH is not "fond" of any animal in general due to his allergies and OCD cleanliness. Dog's can be messy, they chew as puppies, and it takes time to potty train them - it's work. What everyone says when they say "a dog/animal is like having a baby" is very much so true. They need constant attention, play time, walks, baths, feeding, watering, toys of their own, physical stimulation (varies based off breed and dog's specific needs, etc). But I believe in my heart animals were put on this Earth to teach us love and be forever friend's.

With that being said and being an avid pet owner (I have had dog's all my life and grew up in a household with 3 dog's) a dog does not stop being a puppy for about 2 years. My Mother has 3 very popular breeds in the US. A miniature shetland sheepdog, a chocolate labrador retriever, and an Australian Shepherd - they are all well know trainable dog's that are highly intelligent. Her house is a zoo to be quite honest. She has to vacuum and mop daily because they track in dirt and shed like crazy (the labrador sheds the most). She also had to replace her carpet due to them ripping it up, has to keep food in the microwave or oven because they will go to any length to grab food from the counter, she had to replace her cabinets because they chewed them to bits, on every corner edge in the house they chewed the wood lining so they had to replace that, and they also have ripped up expensive things such as an Ipad, Iphone, phone chargers, TV cord, window blinds/sliding glass door blinds, MY digital camera, shoes, socks/undies, and so on. Now they are all about 5 years old and are well behaved but still messy. Water is splashed across the floor from the drinking, they leave bits of dog kibble strung about, and they stink up the furniture/carpets.

Of course, keep in mind my mom has 3 dog's. So my BEST advice to you if you were to get a dog is 1. adopt from a shelter, 2. have several play dates with the dog before brining him/her home, 3. research the best suited breed or ask for guidance from the breeder/humane society worker. My knowledge of dog breeds tells me instinctively the best pet for you would be a small hypoallergenic dog. This insures less messes, smaller poo's to clean up, minimal shedding, and minimal physical stimulation. However, most hypoallergenic dog's have long coats (because they are crossed with poodle/yorkshire terriers) and require special hair maintenance. You can take the easy way out and have the pup groomed 3x monthly with a shave down. It took my poodle/shih tzu's coat 3 months to grow out after a shave down but she did require monthly facial trims from the groomer to prevent eye infections from over grown hair on the face.

With all of that being said, I respect you for not agreeing until you know you're ready and also researching and educating yourself. Every breed has its "pros and cons". Labradors shed, need a lot of walks/exercise, and eat a ton but they are friendly, great with kid's, and are wonderful jogging companions. Australian Shepherds suffer from anxiety, are hyperactive, and need "jobs" to be mentally and physically stimulated but they are loyal, intelligent, gentle, and are motherly with children. Mini Shelties need daily brushings, daily walks, and can be quite timid of strangers but they are sweet, quiet, loving, and great bed warmers.

Take your time and ask a million questions. Factor in the cost. A 15 lbs of holistic dog food (so important to have a healthy diet) is about 45 US dollars, yearly shots range from 50 - 150 dollars, microchips are 35 dollars, spay/neuter ranges from 50 - 400 dollars. But if you adopt the dog is usually UTD on shots and fixed. Then you need supplies such as a sturdy but comfortable collar, leash appropriately sized for the dog, bones/treats to praise good behavior and provide a form of oral hygiene, toys/balls/tug ropes, a cage if you want to incorporate kennel training, and so on.

There is so much that goes into animal ownership if you're a responsible pet owner. It can be costly and time consuming but at the same time it's heart warming and beautiful.

I wish you the best of luck with whatever decision you make. Any questions PM me.

 

[helloeveryone]

Thanks soo much for all your answers, I know know a big more about the care of getting a dog...they sound a lot of work but sound like a lot of fun..so lots to think about before we decide on getting one or not...

 

[little_cookie]

They are hard work. As some people have already said- it is like having another baby. They are a big tie- there are times when you will want to make plans and think "what will I do with the dog? I don't want to leave it home alone all day" I personally think its cruel to leave them alone for more than a couple of hours- and personally, if they are a puppy- I would take them wherever I could with me.

Some dogs need more walking than others- you can easily find out which breeds need less walking than others. You can get dogs like pugs, maltese etc that are perfectly happy with a walk around the block once a day while your labradors, spaniels etc want to be out for hours on end.

Personally I wouldn't get one if you don't like or want one. I would hate to be in a family where at least one member doesn't want me there.

If say your 16 year old so badly wants one- then he/she can get a job and save up for one and take responsibility for it.

But maybe that is just me?