Help me live with this: I hate having a dog

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Kids are 11 and 15 by the way.

At 11 and 15 they should be doing all of the dogs walks/exercises. A long walk before and after school. They can rotate days. They can also do the before bed bathroom break and the feeding.

You should just be doing quick pee breaks during the day. I would also get the dog engaged in food puzzles or toys to have it spend more time keeping busy and less time watching you work.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Typo. Soul mate is 10 not 19!

+1 ❤️

[Anonymous]

Send the dog to doggie daycare on days when you have a lot going on. I found a couple who does daycare in their home and some days I drop my dog off there. She loves it because they also have a dog. They wear each other out while I am busy.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I feel the same way as you. My husband wanted a dog and does the bulk of the work but dog is worse than a newborn.

We adopted a 1yo dog a few years ago. She definitely has never been as much work as a newborn. Not even close.

My 3 year old dog still wakes me up in the middle of the night.

Our dog wakes up 1-2 times to potty. We don't feed after 6, watch liquids. Far more work. Walk 2-3 times a day. Freaks out being home alone. Has to be in a room with one of us despite small house. It probably depends on the breed and dog. Picky eater.

Also depends how difficult/easy the newborn you’re comparing it to is.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Your dog will slow down a it ages. It' still young and energetic and demanding. After about 5 it will settle down in the house but still need exercise (tired = good, as I'm sure you've heard). After 7 or so its exercise needs will start to decline. My 15 year old dog basically sleeps all day, although having a very old dog comes with other challenges and we really can't board her anymore at this age.

Anyway, you are approaching the sweet spot of a mature dog that is fun but not as needy.

I’m guessing OP shudders at the thought of the dog reaching 15 years old. We have a 16 year old dog and are in the same boat - can’t board him. But OP, it’s pretty uncommon to have a dog that reaches such an old age, so don’t think about that now. Outsource care, find a dog sitter that can come on short notice, and feel good about all benefits to your kids. Usually, familiarity breeds contempt, but with a dog, familiarity leads to affection, so I bet one day you will realize that you love the dog. You are a good egg for taking care of the dog and being a good dog mom.

[Anonymous]

I feel exactly the same way about our dog. The kids love him, and well, I don’t hate him but I just don’t want him to live here. Sigh. I take good care of him and he is indeed spoiled, but I really, really hate the impact he’s had on my life. The constant ‘dog work’ and how he makes it so difficult to go anywhere.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I feel the same way as you. My husband wanted a dog and does the bulk of the work but dog is worse than a newborn.

We adopted a 1yo dog a few years ago. She definitely has never been as much work as a newborn. Not even close.

My 3 year old dog still wakes me up in the middle of the night.

Our dog wakes up 1-2 times to potty. We don't feed after 6, watch liquids. Far more work. Walk 2-3 times a day. Freaks out being home alone. Has to be in a room with one of us despite small house. It probably depends on the breed and dog. Picky eater.

Also depends how difficult/easy the newborn you’re comparing it to is.

I had a newborn with medical and feeding issues who had many developmental delays until late elementary school who needed daily therapies. Still far easier.

[Anonymous]

We had this dog for 5 years and rehomed her before a major move. It sounds like you need to do the same or get your kids to do WAY more with the dog.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:We had this dog for 5 years and rehomed her before a major move. It sounds like you need to do the same or get your kids to do WAY more with the dog.

There may be long-term bitterness from the dog-obsessed kid if you re-home.

[Anonymous]

If I ever get a dog, its going to be a cute cavapoo. I cannot imagine taking care of a pitbull. Especially if you have a baby or kids in the house.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:If I ever get a dog, its going to be a cute cavapoo. I cannot imagine taking care of a pitbull. Especially if you have a baby or kids in the house.

I got a really cute dog. So high maintenance.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:We got our first dog as a puppy a year ago--I thought I had ruined my life and still think that on some occasions, OP. It's certainly a lot more work and attention than I realized. When I'm out walking the dog and don't feel like it (most walks!), I try to be positive and say going out for a walk is definitely better for my health than sitting on the sofa, which is what I would be doing right now if I didn't have this d*mn dog! We also find ourselves on a ridiculous dog "bed time" schedule and I'm not sure why--he's just a dog, can't he go to bed whenever?!

I'm not sure I have many words of wisdom, but I do think a mindset shift is necessary or you are just going to continue to be miserable. Unless you get rid of the dog, that's not a great way to spend your time. Having a dog definitely has it's (many) negatives, but I do really enjoy the snuggles and such, so keep thinking of those moments that bring you and your family joy.

I see a lot of these dog bedtime routines posted here on DCUM with people struggling with puppies. I am 6 puppies in (my own; have had many fosters) and think it's the most ridiculous thing. I especially think about this when I see things like 6pm "bedtimes" and then having to go out at 4, 5, 6am. I've kept mine on the schedule of the latest in the house to sleep (me and DH around midnight) and they wake at a normal time (7am) for a pee and then go to sleep again, none of this 3am nonsense. The dog should accommodate your lifestyle, and they will! Just start how you want to end.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I feel the same way as you. My husband wanted a dog and does the bulk of the work but dog is worse than a newborn.

We adopted a 1yo dog a few years ago. She definitely has never been as much work as a newborn. Not even close.

My 3 year old dog still wakes me up in the middle of the night.

That's a you problem. Train your dog.

[Anonymous]

Same. I actually love my dog, he’s the absolute sweetest, such a lover but I don’t think I’ll ever have another one.

[Anonymous]

I hope every person who's on the verge of caving into demands by the rest of the family for a dog reads this.

I have a dog, I love my dog, and he is very easy but the best imaginable dog is still a ton of work