Have you ever regretted getting your dog?

[Anonymous]

I regret getting my dog, even though he's a sweetheart and I loved him to death. I got him when I had a kid in elementary school. He fit into our life perfectly. We went hiking together on the weekends, he came to soccer practice and he and I did laps around the field while the kids practiced. He motivated us to keep going to the playground a little longer. When my kid started middle school, it made coming home to an empty house a little easier, which was really nice.

Now, I have a high schooler, and it's totally different. Every day making sure the dog is cared for is a pain. The kid simply isn't home enough to do it. So, I'm left to rush home to the suburbs between work and going to watch their game. If my kids are out for late night play practice, I can't run errands or go to happy hour with my colleagues or stay late to finish things, because of the dog. There's a constant negotiation about who is going to mess up their schedule when.

The dog is 8. In a few years the kid will be gone, and I"ll have 100% care for him. I have huge regrets.

[Anonymous]

Yes, I've regretted, and my DH constantly regrets...though he loves him too! Mixed feelings. We can never sleep in now. We can't go anywhere for long stretches of time. 7 hours is the longest we can leave home unless we board him. So much of our extra free time is spent on dog. So, yes, if I'm speaking truthfully there's been regret. He is a wonderful sweet dog too!

[Anonymous]

We're considering getting one and using a chip activated doggie dog to let the dog go out and do his business in the backyard. Has anyone tried this? Does it cut down on the amount of walking you need to do?

[Anonymous]

When I first adopted my latest dog, I did have some regret. Only because I had a toddler at home and I really did not need one more thing. That dog grew in to my greatest friend. She died 2.5 years ago and I miss her every day. She was my constant companion for 14 years. My heart is heavy a lot of the time. She truly was my best friend, and I regret regretting her for a short period. I feel bad about that. It is ok to adopt a dog and miss the carefreeness of not having the responsibility. But dogs are loyal and will always love you and never judge. You will not regret it in the end.

[Anonymous]

Regret our dog who is highly anxious and high energy. It loves all dogs and people, but needs to run for hours everyday. We have walkers but it's never enough . I should have chosen a laid back dog. She has diarrhea due to stress often.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Regret our dog who is highly anxious and high energy. It loves all dogs and people, but needs to run for hours everyday. We have walkers but it's never enough . I should have chosen a laid back dog. She has diarrhea due to stress often.

Dog park time may help - free running

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Yes, I've regretted, and my DH constantly regrets...though he loves him too! Mixed feelings. We can never sleep in now. We can't go anywhere for long stretches of time. 7 hours is the longest we can leave home unless we board him. So much of our extra free time is spent on dog. So, yes, if I'm speaking truthfully there's been regret. He is a wonderful sweet dog too!

This will change, for the much better, as he gets older.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Regret our dog who is highly anxious and high energy. It loves all dogs and people, but needs to run for hours everyday. We have walkers but it's never enough . I should have chosen a laid back dog. She has diarrhea due to stress often.

Same thing as above: This will change, for the much better, as he gets older. My dog was a mess at first, for quite a while. But she grew in to the mellowest dog in the world. I would watch her to make sure she was actually breathing.

[Anonymous]

Yup, I totally regretted it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I regret getting my dog, even though he's a sweetheart and I loved him to death. I got him when I had a kid in elementary school. He fit into our life perfectly. We went hiking together on the weekends, he came to soccer practice and he and I did laps around the field while the kids practiced. He motivated us to keep going to the playground a little longer. When my kid started middle school, it made coming home to an empty house a little easier, which was really nice.

Now, I have a high schooler, and it's totally different. Every day making sure the dog is cared for is a pain. The kid simply isn't home enough to do it. So, I'm left to rush home to the suburbs between work and going to watch their game. If my kids are out for late night play practice, I can't run errands or go to happy hour with my colleagues or stay late to finish things, because of the dog. There's a constant negotiation about who is going to mess up their schedule when.

The dog is 8. In a few years the kid will be gone, and I"ll have 100% care for him. I have huge regrets.

Wow, this makes me so sad for your dog. To go from being included in trips to the park and running laps at soccer practice to being a burden that brings no joy must be really sad...

My own teens (HS and MS) love our dogs and help out with them all the time. They are very much a part of our family and, yes, I still like to walk them.

[Anonymous]

Never regretted it a day in my life. Truly taught me the meaning of "labor of love." Clearly I had a dog before having a baby.

[Anonymous]

Why on earth did so many of you get dogs? Did you know beforehand that they're not just a cute accessory?

I really don't understand how people just jump into getting a dog without knowing and accepting what it entails.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Yes, I've regretted, and my DH constantly regrets...though he loves him too! Mixed feelings. We can never sleep in now. We can't go anywhere for long stretches of time. 7 hours is the longest we can leave home unless we board him. So much of our extra free time is spent on dog. So, yes, if I'm speaking truthfully there's been regret. He is a wonderful sweet dog too!

This. Our dogs are sweet but they make life so much more difficult every day. Two kids is enough work. I won't get rid of the dogs bc the kids love them but I will never be a dog owner again once their days are up.

[Anonymous]

Not for a second, even though we have had to make lifestyle and financial sacrifices.

[Anonymous]

Yes, on the day that I came home and discovered that he had pooped and vomited everywhere. Once I got it cleaned up and he felt better, we were happy again. That was the first and last time that he pooped indoors (I've had him for 8 years).