Empty nest in 4 years- dog or no dog?

[Anonymous]

Teens are the busiest people on the planet. And you have to drive them around. If YOU want a dog get one big teens don’t care.
Also target your approach. Contact breeders. They retire nice older dogs. Greyhounds are also very low maintenance. But if you want to travel a dog will be extra hassle and expense.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:How old are your kids? I’m getting a lab puppy next month. I have always wanted a dog and kids do too. I have three teenagers 14,15,19. .. I know the dog will fall on me but you are scaring me lol.

This is the big difference, I think. OP isn't into dogs, according to the first post, and it sounds like has no experience taking care of them. I think it's hard to fathom how much time and energy even a normal, healthy dog requires, even once it's trained (and getting a puppy means a fully trained dog is about a year off, even if the bulk of the training is complete before then).

Dogs get sick and injured, and taking care of them then is even harder.

If you want to test-drive dog ownership, spread the word that you're interested in taking care of friends' dogs.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:And, also, consider that by the time they are teenagers, it's already too late to enjoy the dog unless they are actively asking for one now. Most teenagers want to do their own thing, so will they really want a dog now or not?

My DCs were so miserable their first year of HS that I got a rescue, which was three or four years after our first dog died. The dog is a little cranky and not too cuddly, but he does spark their joy when they get home from school, emerge after studying, etc. Most of DCs' friends seem to have dogs or wish their families did. Only a fraction seem to be responsible for the dog, but the parents don't seem to mind.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Please don't get a puppy, OP. Get a shelter dog. And, yes, get a dog!

I have no dog experience and need a dog who is friendly with no issues I need to work on from their past. Seems 99% of shelter dogs are pit bulls.... i need basically guaranteed friendly like a golden retriever

Nope, there are plenty of adult dogs at shelters and with breed-specific rescue organizations. We adopted our 3 year old terrier mix when our kids were in middle and high school and she is a delight, we love her. No issues at all and came to us housetrained and sleeping through the night.

[Anonymous]

We got a puppy when our kids were in high school and finishing middle school. We joke about the fact that this is really our dog, not the kids. We do all the work, it ties us down so much, but we love him. And now our kids have a childhood pet that is sad when they leave for school and so happy when they return home. I take the dog whenever I am driving them somewhere if the timing works, so he sees the world - and he appears to enjoy school pick up, sports practice drop off.

I probably would not have gotten one if I realized the work or expense, but I don't think you will regret it. I love our dog so much.

[Anonymous]

Love my dogs. Can't imagine life without.

[Anonymous]

I think it is cruel to deny your kids a dog for years and then turn around and adopt one when they leave, yes.

Whether you want a dog as empty nesters is an entirely different question, and depends on your lifestyle and also your spouse’s opinion on the matter. We travel often but also have dogs - it hasn’t held us back at all. That being said, it IS expensive to board especially at a place a dog would enjoy like a doggy daycare facility.

Veterinary costs, damage to your home for the puppy phases, grooming costs should all be taken into account.

Spouse and I are dog people and could never envision a life without a dog (or two).

[Anonymous]

Hi OP, I got a dog after my divorce and kids were spending 50% of their time at their father's and/or busy with their own activities. A great decision for me. I chose a very active dog, intentionally.

Shelter or purchase, your decision. You'll get passionate replies on DCUM from both sides, but particularly the pro-shelter crowd.

If you plan to work late hours or travel extensively, have white furniture and rugs, or get grossed out easily, then maybe rethink the idea.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:No dog. I love dogs, but empty nest years are for traveling and freedom, in my book.

+1 The cat and dog will be elderly when DD leaves for college. I don't plan on getting more pets.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Nope, nope, nope.

I got a dog for my kids and regret it so much. A third kids would have been easier and less work. You'll have little freedom for the rest of the dog's life, so another 15 years.

It's seriously like having a toddler again. They're so needy. I can't go poop without the dog following me and staring at me.

You are off your rocker. I have three kids and we are on our fourth dog. Adding a third child was infinitely harder.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Nope, nope, nope.

I got a dog for my kids and regret it so much. A third kids would have been easier and less work. You'll have little freedom for the rest of the dog's life, so another 15 years.

It's seriously like having a toddler again. They're so needy. I can't go poop without the dog following me and staring at me.

You are off your rocker. I have three kids and we are on our fourth dog. Adding a third child was infinitely harder.

Disagree. Kids are much easier than dogs. They grow up and become more independent. I still have to walk the dog for an hour every day. I can't be out of the house for extended periods of time and can't take him with me either. I wanted to take a day trip somewhere and even that's hard because you have to think about who will take care of the dog.

[Anonymous]

Get a smaller one that will fit in the car if you want to travel. Most hotels now accept dogs, although some have size limits. It’s also usually easier to board them.

[Anonymous]

When asked when life begins, Sandra Day O'Connor said when the kids go to college and the dog dies. She's a wise woman!

[Anonymous]

I was in your shoes 2 years ago. I didn't like dogs or cats. I got a puppy when the pandemic started. Kids are happy and I am exhausted, physically and mentally, but I don't regret it. Now that the puppy is older, it gets a little easier now, and I love her more every day.

If I could do it again, I would get a smaller, non-shedding, quieter, low energy dog.

[Anonymous]

What kind of dog is it?