Kids begging for a dog

[Anonymous]

I'm the GR poster. Has anyone here not given in to this? I feel like the worst mom. I can't think of a single friend of my kids without a dog. I worry because they have been begging for so long and they're now in HS. DD begging for a puppy. We have said maybe for years now and never pulled trigger. Is this really bad or mean? I do think it will make my kids bond together more and be an awesome shared experience and teach them responsibility but not sure me or DH are cut out for a puppy or an unknown rescue. I'm losing sleep.

[Anonymous]

me.. I don't want another single living thing in my house. I would end up having to take care of it, and I don't want to. I have enough to do. It's not mean. I had two dogs when I was younger, and they are a lot of work, and $$$. You can always volunteer to dog sit for your friends.

Also, we just got back from visit with family over Thanksgiving, and turns out my DC is very allergic.

[Anonymous]

Our dog has been a godsend to our family. She has raised the happiness quotient in our home exponentially. The downside is that you will likely be the primary caregiver.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Our dog has been a godsend to our family. She has raised the happiness quotient in our home exponentially. The downside is that you will likely be the primary caregiver.

Did you want it? What breed? Did DH want it? Puppy? Thanks for more info

[Anonymous]

You will be the primary and only caregiver. Plus the 2 years of chewing, pooping, bad behavior is horrible.

Pet hair everywhere. Ewww. Do you have a weekly or twice a week cleaning service?

[Anonymous]

Just say no.

[Anonymous]

OP if your kids are now in high school and you get a puppy, it'll be your dog alone for the last ten years of its life.

Get an adult rescue.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Our dog has been a godsend to our family. She has raised the happiness quotient in our home exponentially. The downside is that you will likely be the primary caregiver.

And how old are your kids?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP if your kids are now in high school and you get a puppy, it'll be your dog alone for the last ten years of its life.

Get an adult rescue.

We have never had a dog I don't want to worry about what it's like. We aren't experienced

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:You will be the primary and only caregiver. Plus the 2 years of chewing, pooping, bad behavior is horrible.

Pet hair everywhere. Ewww. Do you have a weekly or twice a week cleaning service?

Then why did you get a dog? Lol

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP if your kids are now in high school and you get a puppy, it'll be your dog alone for the last ten years of its life.

Get an adult rescue.

We have never had a dog I don't want to worry about what it's like. We aren't experienced

Then tell your kids to suck it up and don't get anything -- especially a puppy. Not only should people who never had a dog not go out and get a puppy, nobody should be getting a puppy -- period. There are too many dogs out there.

Chances are that you'll get a puppy, decide when he's an adult and the kids are gone that you don't like dogs -- and you'll get rid of it. One more unwanted dog. Please, spare the world.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I'm the GR poster. Has anyone here not given in to this? I feel like the worst mom. I can't think of a single friend of my kids without a dog. I worry because they have been begging for so long and they're now in HS. DD begging for a puppy. We have said maybe for years now and never pulled trigger. Is this really bad or mean? I do think it will make my kids bond together more and be an awesome shared experience and teach them responsibility but not sure me or DH are cut out for a puppy or an unknown rescue. I'm losing sleep.

Don’t do it. A dog is a 15 year commitment and they will be out of the house soon, so it’s too late.

Tell them no. Firmly so they know the decision is made. Ignore all whining. (And why do they think continuing to ask will work - has it before? Why do you feel bad for saying no to a huge request like this?!)

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Our dog has been a godsend to our family. She has raised the happiness quotient in our home exponentially. The downside is that you will likely be the primary caregiver.

Us too. We got a 1 year old rescue. I didn't want a puppy and we all love, love, love this dog. In retrospect a puppy may have been a wiser move because our rescue came with some trauma/anxiety.

[Anonymous]

We got a rescue puppy, got super lucky with temperament, size and energy level. I was reluctant, but have totally fallen in love with him. That said, I'm very much the default dog parent as well as the default everything else (including a more than full time job) so I do have some resentment -- but would still do it again.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Our dog has been a godsend to our family. She has raised the happiness quotient in our home exponentially. The downside is that you will likely be the primary caregiver.

Us too. We got a 1 year old rescue. I didn't want a puppy and we all love, love, love this dog. In retrospect a puppy may have been a wiser move because our rescue came with some trauma/anxiety.

Np. I got a puppy and thought I did everything right. He got bitten at the doogy park and now has some anxiety. So sometimes you can't avoid mishaps.