I finally got a dog for the family. It is the worse decision of my life.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I do say I feel like I bought a toddler. But the kids and my dh are very helpful with him, so the work is spread out. And I was very intentional about researching what dog would be good for us and he’s very much what we wanted - small companion animal, doesn’t shed, not too barky.

He’s very sweet and I’m glad we got him. I’m also glad we didn’t get him any earlier, because the kids are old enough to be helpful now.

Is the dog a boy or girl? YOu've used male and female pronouns.

Pp you’re quoting here. I am an NP, not the op.

Thanks for clarifying!

[Anonymous]

The dog is still a puppy! It will be much different and easier as it gets older. I wanted to return my puppy so badly but the kids were attached. I stuck it out and totally fell in love with her over time.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Why did you want a dog? Dogs are pack animals. You are part of her pack. Of course she wants to be with you!

You do not have the right temperament for a dog. Hopefully your family members are nicer and dog people.

OP here. Fair enough, I may not have the right temperament for one. I am very much an introvert and thought it would actually be a great idea! However, I get no break from her. I am very nice to her. I do not know why people assume I am not? Do we never find our kids annoying or needing a break from our kids? No one even answered my questions, what helps? We put our kids in aftercare and summer camps…. Would doggy daycare help?

Yes. Daycare/nannies/someone to care for your dog so that you can do your own thing, just like you did with your kids.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Why did you want a dog? Dogs are pack animals. You are part of her pack. Of course she wants to be with you!

You do not have the right temperament for a dog. Hopefully your family members are nicer and dog people.

OP here. Fair enough, I may not have the right temperament for one. I am very much an introvert and thought it would actually be a great idea! However, I get no break from her. I am very nice to her. I do not know why people assume I am not? Do we never find our kids annoying or needing a break from our kids? No one even answered my questions, what helps? We put our kids in aftercare and summer camps…. Would doggy daycare help?

OP - the puppy years are hard- but you might not be a dog person.

One of the things I love about my dog is that she's affectionate and basically glued to me. I find it restful and companionable. I'm also an introvert.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Why did you want a dog? Dogs are pack animals. You are part of her pack. Of course she wants to be with you!

You do not have the right temperament for a dog. Hopefully your family members are nicer and dog people.

OP here. Fair enough, I may not have the right temperament for one. I am very much an introvert and thought it would actually be a great idea! However, I get no break from her. I am very nice to her. I do not know why people assume I am not? Do we never find our kids annoying or needing a break from our kids? No one even answered my questions, what helps? We put our kids in aftercare and summer camps…. Would doggy daycare help?

Yes. Daycare/nannies/someone to care for your dog so that you can do your own thing, just like you did with your kids.

These (daycare, specifically) are a recipe for behavioral issues that will make poor behaviors even worse but I'm never surprised to see them recommended here.

[Anonymous]

Things get better past the puppy stage which can be up to 1.5 years. It's totally worth it.

[Anonymous]

So some advice here…dogs will latch onto to the person who feeds them. Get your husband or kids to always feed the dog not you. Get them to play with the dog and give them treats, The dog will view you as a less desirable member of the pack. If the others are around it will follow them.

The dog should grow out of peeing on guests in a few weeks or months. It’s a thing with some young dogs when they get really excited. If you are expecting guests take them potty right before the guests come over.

[Anonymous]

You sound like a cat person, OP.

I am also a cat person. Cats are clean, independent, and have dignity.

[Anonymous]

Puppies are more work, but you can ignore a dog in a way you can’t ignore a kid, so I don’t totally get it. Just do your thing. The dog is just there, usually sleeping.

[Anonymous]

What did you think a dog was, OP? Had you ever had much experience with dogs before?

Why would you get a dog without experience taking care of and living with dogs?

[Anonymous]

Have you had a dog before? Did you like dog prior to getting one?
I have a very high energy 4yo lab mix. He gets 2+ hours of exercise ( off leash) per day and still wants to be wherever I am. I enjoy it, I love having him with me.
I’m not sure what you can do to find yours less annoying. He’s just being a dog.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:You sound like a cat person, OP.

I am also a cat person. Cats are clean, independent, and have dignity.

You haven't met my cat, then. She's a clingy goofball.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This is how my husband talks about the dog and we’ve had him for five years.

I feel this way about small dogs… our dog is large and intimidating and I feel he is a superb security system and so he is worth it to me personally. I don’t get having a dog whose only purpose is to be cute.

OP here. This dog is not scary looking, or big. She pisses on the floor when she meets new people because she is scared. 😳

Google "submissive urination" and train this behavior away.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Give it back.

OP here. She has a good life. We are doing everything we need to do for her. I just find her annoying. Not sure that is a good enough reason to return her is it? She doesn’t know I find her annoying, I assume. She is very excited every time she sees me be it I am gone for work, get off the toilet, etc.

She 100% knows. If you don't enjoy having the dog, rehome the dog. Someone out there would be really happy to have your dog.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Yes, this is life with a dog, which is why I don't have one. I grew up with outdoor pets who earned their keep. They killed rodents and scared off snakes and were good for security. We fed them once or twice a day, took them to the vet once a year, and brushed the dog's coat every once in a while. That was about it. If the dog developed an expensive health issue that lowered their quality of you, you put the dog down.

Now people walk their dogs multiple times a day, pick up their sh*t, let them lives in their houses, pay for expensive doggy day care when they go out of town, pay absurd vet bills set by hedge funds, etc. It's insane.

It does sound like dog might benefit from training. But yeah they are a lot of work.

This shift goes along with the whole bs "gentle training" movement, wherein you're supposed to ask your dog nicely and bribe them instead of demanding they comply because their feelings are more important than the results.

The good ol' days, when only people who knew what they were doing owned dogs and the dogs served a purpose beyond "living stuffed animal for emotionally-stunted adults" were better. Make Dog-Ownership Great Again, or something.