Can we try/borrow/rent a dog?

[Anonymous]

Everyone in our house is 100% committed to getting a dog, except me. I would like to have a dog, too, but I have a healthy respect for the work involved, and as a SAHM, it will mostly fall on me (promises from the kids notwithstanding.) I never had a dog growing up so I've never experienced the work first hand. Is it possible to borrow a dog on a trial basis, maybe even just a weekend to start, to see if it's something I feel I could manage? I'm also apprehensive about the possible effects on the house, and one child is allergic to some dogs but not all, so trying out the actual dog we might adopt would be ideal.

If we do get a dog, we would be looking for a miniature or standard poodle, young adult age, house-trained and leash-trained - assuming that's even possible.

Thank you!

[Anonymous]

Do you have any friends/family with the type/age dog you are looking for that you can offer to dog sit for a few days?

[Anonymous]

Put an ad on Craigslist/listserv wherever and offer to dog sit. Our dogsitter is a SAHM of 4 children and we found her on Craigslist. I pay $20/night. It's been great for both of us.

[Anonymous]

You can borrow a friend's dog for the day or weekend.

But trying out the dog you adopt is going to be difficult. Bear in mind that a new dog has to get used to your home and may take several days to get housebreaking down. That means there may be a few accidents and getting used to your commands. You can't expect perfection right away and it sounds like you need perfection, which worries me.

[Anonymous]

Don't get a dog, you sound too anxious or controling. Dogs are wonderful but you have so many requirements.... yes they can come trained but your need for perfection is a concern.

[Anonymous]

Every dog will have effects on your house.

[Anonymous]

I would think very carefully before getting a dog if I were you. We were in the same situation, I'm a SAHM, and just realized that a dog's needs would impact our daily schedule too much. Such a long commitment. We dog-sat for a weekend before deciding. Walks and playing were fun, but not enough to make up for the early morning wake-ups and that I got really sneezy. I would hate for a child to have to suffer with allergies to a family pet. It wasn't as obvious as I thought it would be to care for a dog - when to go out, how much to eat and drink, etc. Then you'll have to find a dog-sitter to go out of town, or even for a day trip. I wasn't worried about the money, but surely the vet bills add up as they age.

[Anonymous]

There is a huge difference between a miniature & standard poddle, not sure you know that, not just size. You'd need to narrow that down before trying out a dog. With kids I'd suggest a standard. A miniature anything is asking for a yapping & nipping dog.

You could try contacting a poddle rescue group and see if you can foster a dog for a week or so. There might be a regular foster "parent" going out of town that needs someone to cover for them.

Please don't add to the puppy mill problem. Get a rescue dog, lots are full-breed. Usually they aren't given up because they are bad dogs, more likely someone died or moved.

[Anonymous]

Maybe you can offer to care for a dog in your home for a few weeks. Many folks go out of town or move temporarily and advertise on Craigslist that they need a home for their dogs for a while. Or why not place an ad describing your circumstances and see what types of responses you receive?

It seems like you are a very responsible person. Many people get pets on a whim w/out planning ahead. Sadly then they cast off these pets when things don't go as planned. Due to no fault of their own, many pets end up on the street, in shelters and in rescue organizations.

I laughed when I read how most of the care taking will fall on you.
You hit the nail on the head OP! LOL.

My kids promised if we ever got a cat, they would take full responsibility and care for him for the rest of "their lives." I am quoting them here. Ha!!

Now...Who is the one who makes sure they have enough food/water, cleans the litter pans and pays for everything kitty related.

Yes. Me.

[Anonymous]

Dogs are awesome! Just dive in and get one. Poodles are a good choice, smart and hypoallergenic. I would get the miniature, if you are trying to be low maintenance. Definitely get an older one so you avoid the difficult puppy phase.

[Anonymous]

We go through rescues and rescue only older dogs - 4+. All dogs have their own quirks and sometimes those don't show for a few weeks. That being said, I do love my dogs like I love my baby and the pooches just 'fit' into our lives. Some days they drive me crazy, and some days I just love them to bits.

For your situation, if you want to go ahead with a dog, definitely try an older dog that has been fostered with a family. I've found that's the best way to know what you are getting. In most cases, the dogs will then be house-trained and somewhat leash-trained. Also, because we have a fenced backyard, they aren't as much as a hassle as if you would have to take them out for every potty break. Ours get one good walk a day, which is my quiet time, but I really would not like to take them out every single time.

[Anonymous]

Thank you all (most) for your very thoughtful and informative responses! As you suggest, we would be looking for a rescue/fostered dog, not from a pet store or even a breeder, and would want an older dog so we would have a better idea of its personality and so I wouldn't have to do the house-training.

I don't expect perfection, but I do need to realistic about my and my family's limitations. As a PP said, it wouldn't be responsible to pretend those didn't exist and then just jettison the dog when suddenly its realities became unmanageable for us.

I appreciate all the practical suggestions - fostering from a rescue organization in particular sounds like the ideal way to "try out" a dog that might potentially become ours. Lots of food for thought, too - I hear you about travelling and even going out during the day, and see the other thread here about it. We do travel a fair amount, and see it isn't as straightforward as dropping the dog off at the babysitter's.

So still thinking . . . thanks for your help!

[Anonymous]

I told DH if he wants to get a dog he needs to move his office someplace he can take the dog to work.

[Anonymous]

You shouldn't get a dog.

First of all, there is no such thing as a hypoallergenic dog. Some people even have problems with poodles.

Not to mention, poodles don't have the best reputation. they're known to be stubborn.

But putting that aside, you sound way to hyper sensitive to have a dog. You never know what individual issues a dog will have. You shouldn't get a dog unless you're fully committed to it. And it sounds like you are not.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Thank you all (most) for your very thoughtful and informative responses! As you suggest, we would be looking for a rescue/fostered dog, not from a pet store or even a breeder, and would want an older dog so we would have a better idea of its personality and so I wouldn't have to do the house-training.

I don't expect perfection, but I do need to realistic about my and my family's limitations. As a PP said, it wouldn't be responsible to pretend those didn't exist and then just jettison the dog when suddenly its realities became unmanageable for us.

I appreciate all the practical suggestions - fostering from a rescue organization in particular sounds like the ideal way to "try out" a dog that might potentially become ours. Lots of food for thought, too - I hear you about travelling and even going out during the day, and see the other thread here about it. We do travel a fair amount, and see it isn't as straightforward as dropping the dog off at the babysitter's.

So still thinking . . . thanks for your help!

Even fostering is a commitment. Understand that you could end up having the foster dog for a LONG time. And that dog might have issues that you have to deal with. It would be unfair to keep moving the dog around.