Help me live with this: I hate having a dog

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:When my kids were young we resisted getting a dog. I knew it would just be too overwhelming for us with two full-time careers and all of the kids' activities. But right after my kids started college, we adopted a Cavapoo puppy and she's an absolute delight! She loves every member of our family, is incredibly smart and affectionate, and is very easy overall. Although she loves playing, she's actually pretty chill. She sleeps really well at night and spends hours looking out the window or doing her puzzle toys. We walk her just once a day because she's trained to go in a litter box, which works really for us, especially on bad weather days. She follows me around all day but I love that. We're all very attached to her.

You can train a dog to use a litter box? Really? This would be a game changer

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:When my kids were young we resisted getting a dog. I knew it would just be too overwhelming for us with two full-time careers and all of the kids' activities. But right after my kids started college, we adopted a Cavapoo puppy and she's an absolute delight! She loves every member of our family, is incredibly smart and affectionate, and is very easy overall. Although she loves playing, she's actually pretty chill. She sleeps really well at night and spends hours looking out the window or doing her puzzle toys. We walk her just once a day because she's trained to go in a litter box, which works really for us, especially on bad weather days. She follows me around all day but I love that. We're all very attached to her.

You can train a dog to use a litter box? Really? This would be a game changer

Not that poster but our dog pees on a grass mat (off Amazon) which we have a pee pad under it. Will not poop in the house though. It makes life easier as she has to pee a lot.

[Anonymous]

I definitely understand you OP!!
We have a 16 year old elderly Yorkie that we adore and sadly I know I will not get another dog NO MATTER WHAT. This makes me sad for our young daughters, they adore him and care for him so wonderfully but the bulk of the work will always fall in who is at home, and it’s me!!! He’s elderly and in continent now and has to wear a belly band all the time so there’s just a lot going on. Even when he was you her it’s work, energy spent, lots of money and time. I LOVE dogs but never again!!!!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I definitely understand you OP!!
We have a 16 year old elderly Yorkie that we adore and sadly I know I will not get another dog NO MATTER WHAT. This makes me sad for our young daughters, they adore him and care for him so wonderfully but the bulk of the work will always fall in who is at home, and it’s me!!! He’s elderly and in continent now and has to wear a belly band all the time so there’s just a lot going on. Even when he was you her it’s work, energy spent, lots of money and time. I LOVE dogs but never again!!!!

To the OP….you described me. My family conspired against me. I too am the primary dog care giver. I resent it because I know what it takes to take proper care of our dog. She needs A LOT of exercise (60 minutes), water, food, vet visits and I can’t NOt take care of her. We have to travel a lot due to all our family living on opposite coast, kids travel soccer all over, husband’s job …argh. Our dog is the sweetest…love her but I now have plantar fasciitis from walking her non stop (never had it)…ugh….I can’t run now as I try to rest if for now 5 months. Can’t imagine her not in my house but so frustrating.

[Anonymous]

Sounds like you need a dog walker PP. or doggie daycare once or twice a week.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:When my kids were young we resisted getting a dog. I knew it would just be too overwhelming for us with two full-time careers and all of the kids' activities. But right after my kids started college, we adopted a Cavapoo puppy and she's an absolute delight! She loves every member of our family, is incredibly smart and affectionate, and is very easy overall. Although she loves playing, she's actually pretty chill. She sleeps really well at night and spends hours looking out the window or doing her puzzle toys. We walk her just once a day because she's trained to go in a litter box, which works really for us, especially on bad weather days. She follows me around all day but I love that. We're all very attached to her.

You can train a dog to use a litter box? Really? This would be a game changer

Where did you get this amazing dog?!?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:When my kids were young we resisted getting a dog. I knew it would just be too overwhelming for us with two full-time careers and all of the kids' activities. But right after my kids started college, we adopted a Cavapoo puppy and she's an absolute delight! She loves every member of our family, is incredibly smart and affectionate, and is very easy overall. Although she loves playing, she's actually pretty chill. She sleeps really well at night and spends hours looking out the window or doing her puzzle toys. We walk her just once a day because she's trained to go in a litter box, which works really for us, especially on bad weather days. She follows me around all day but I love that. We're all very attached to her.

Where did you get this amazing dog?! So hard to figure it out and there's a lot of flack around everything except going to the shelter. Considering driving for many hours and/or maybe Crockett Doodle? There's a lot about them online, too.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:When my kids were young we resisted getting a dog. I knew it would just be too overwhelming for us with two full-time careers and all of the kids' activities. But right after my kids started college, we adopted a Cavapoo puppy and she's an absolute delight! She loves every member of our family, is incredibly smart and affectionate, and is very easy overall. Although she loves playing, she's actually pretty chill. She sleeps really well at night and spends hours looking out the window or doing her puzzle toys. We walk her just once a day because she's trained to go in a litter box, which works really for us, especially on bad weather days. She follows me around all day but I love that. We're all very attached to her.

Where did you get this amazing dog?! So hard to figure it out and there's a lot of flack around everything except going to the shelter. Considering driving for many hours and/or maybe Crockett Doodle? There's a lot about them online, too.

Based on PP’s description, her dog got the Cavalier temperament. They are the best dogs. We have a Cavalier puppy and she is similar. We got ours from a reputable breeder and she was not cheap. I could not care less about what other people think about this. Temperament is a huge deal and I like knowing what I’m getting if I’m going to take care of a dog for a decade or more.

[Anonymous]

I have a 2 year old dog. I’m beginning to feel some resentment. He’s terrible on a leash and has become reactive to most other dogs, some people, and all squirrels. I’m working on it. Every walk is stressful and I’m mortified when he lunges and barks at a dog that is just nicely walking down the street and paying him no mind. I have to constantly scan for squirrels so I can try to treat treat treat so he won’t react. I’ve fallen twice because of his reactivity (my legs got wrapped up in his leash).

He also is an excessive barker. Out the window he sees the woman who lives behind us, on the other side of the alley entering her home, he starts loudly barking. He’s sleeping on the floor and hears a a car door close. He jumps up, sprints to the window, and starts loudly barking. He’s downstairs and he hears my son get out of bed upstairs and walk to the bathroom; he jumps up, runs to the steps and starts loudly barking. These are just a few examples. He barks at every nearly every noise. He can’t even be in the yard because as soon as he hears anything he starts barking as if there is an intruder on the other side of the fence. Playtime in the yard usually lasts a few minutes or so before he has to be brought in because he’s loudly barking. Yes, someone is always with him in the yard. I’m trying to work on this but it’s such a pain. Last night while cooking dinner he barked (for minor outside noises) 5 times. Each time I ran to him , gave the quiet command, and quickly treated when he was quiet. Happened a few more times while I was eating dinner. This is exhausting. And it makes me sad.

There is also the issue that I am his person. I’ve heard the term Velcro dog but this is excessive. He can be playing with my kids in the living room or just sleeping on the floor, and as soon as I stand up he runs to my side. If I head toward the stairs he bolts up the stairs and goes to my room. If I sit back down he’ll go back to what he’s doing. If I decide to get into bed at 7pm he will spend the rest of the evening laying on the floor next to my bed. My kids will try to engage him and get him to go downstairs and play but he won’t leave my side. If I go downstairs he will follow and he will then play and go in the backyard with them. If I close my bedroom door because I need a minute to myself , he sits outside my door and waits for me instead of joining everyone else downstairs. He’ll also scratch my door, but not excessively. He never leaves my side unless I go in my bedroom or the bathroom and close the door. I trained “out of the kitchen” because he will stay right next to me touching my leg as I move around the kitchen. My kitchen is small and I was constantly almost stepping on his foot or accidentally kneeing him in the head. When I send him out of the kitchen he stands right at the threshold and watches me.

I’ve had him for a year. He was not like this initially and I keep wondering what I did to cause this. Although, he was always a Velcro dog, but this feels more intense than that. According to his previous owner, when her daughter would take him for a walk he would whine because he didn’t want to go without her (owner). So I think he’s been extra clingy to one person always. He doesn't necessarily do that here, but there are times where one of my kids is at the door to walk him and he stops and looks back at me and I have to say “go boy, go on a walk”.

He’s sweet and gentle in all other ways, and he’s incredibly cute. People stop me all the time to comment on how cute he his. But had I known it would be like this I don’t think I would have gotten him.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:When my kids were young we resisted getting a dog. I knew it would just be too overwhelming for us with two full-time careers and all of the kids' activities. But right after my kids started college, we adopted a Cavapoo puppy and she's an absolute delight! She loves every member of our family, is incredibly smart and affectionate, and is very easy overall. Although she loves playing, she's actually pretty chill. She sleeps really well at night and spends hours looking out the window or doing her puzzle toys. We walk her just once a day because she's trained to go in a litter box, which works really for us, especially on bad weather days. She follows me around all day but I love that. We're all very attached to her.

Following up again, here... Seriously looking for recommendations for Cavapoo breeders, within a three hour radius of D.C., that sell puppies that become dogs that have a mild temperament. We have allergies (sneezing, hives, etc.) and not a ton of time to exercise an energetic dog. (Yes, we know puppies are energetic.)

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:When my kids were young we resisted getting a dog. I knew it would just be too overwhelming for us with two full-time careers and all of the kids' activities. But right after my kids started college, we adopted a Cavapoo puppy and she's an absolute delight! She loves every member of our family, is incredibly smart and affectionate, and is very easy overall. Although she loves playing, she's actually pretty chill. She sleeps really well at night and spends hours looking out the window or doing her puzzle toys. We walk her just once a day because she's trained to go in a litter box, which works really for us, especially on bad weather days. She follows me around all day but I love that. We're all very attached to her.

Following up again, here... Seriously looking for recommendations for Cavapoo breeders, within a three hour radius of D.C., that sell puppies that become dogs that have a mild temperament. We have allergies (sneezing, hives, etc.) and not a ton of time to exercise an energetic dog. (Yes, we know puppies are energetic.)

I hesitate to post this bc this board hates breeders, especially Amish breeders. But this family is 2 hours from us in Rockville, we met them and felt very comfortable with them and they have a lovely farm. Our neighbor used them first and now we both have dogs with wonderful temperaments and are very healthy. Neighbors have a maltipoo, we have a cavapoo.
https://www.greenfieldpuppies.com/cavapoo-puppies-for-sale/arnie-4-PUP/

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I have a 2 year old dog. I’m beginning to feel some resentment. He’s terrible on a leash and has become reactive to most other dogs, some people, and all squirrels. I’m working on it. Every walk is stressful and I’m mortified when he lunges and barks at a dog that is just nicely walking down the street and paying him no mind. I have to constantly scan for squirrels so I can try to treat treat treat so he won’t react. I’ve fallen twice because of his reactivity (my legs got wrapped up in his leash).

He also is an excessive barker. Out the window he sees the woman who lives behind us, on the other side of the alley entering her home, he starts loudly barking. He’s sleeping on the floor and hears a a car door close. He jumps up, sprints to the window, and starts loudly barking. He’s downstairs and he hears my son get out of bed upstairs and walk to the bathroom; he jumps up, runs to the steps and starts loudly barking. These are just a few examples. He barks at every nearly every noise. He can’t even be in the yard because as soon as he hears anything he starts barking as if there is an intruder on the other side of the fence. Playtime in the yard usually lasts a few minutes or so before he has to be brought in because he’s loudly barking. Yes, someone is always with him in the yard. I’m trying to work on this but it’s such a pain. Last night while cooking dinner he barked (for minor outside noises) 5 times. Each time I ran to him , gave the quiet command, and quickly treated when he was quiet. Happened a few more times while I was eating dinner. This is exhausting. And it makes me sad.

There is also the issue that I am his person. I’ve heard the term Velcro dog but this is excessive. He can be playing with my kids in the living room or just sleeping on the floor, and as soon as I stand up he runs to my side. If I head toward the stairs he bolts up the stairs and goes to my room. If I sit back down he’ll go back to what he’s doing. If I decide to get into bed at 7pm he will spend the rest of the evening laying on the floor next to my bed. My kids will try to engage him and get him to go downstairs and play but he won’t leave my side. If I go downstairs he will follow and he will then play and go in the backyard with them. If I close my bedroom door because I need a minute to myself , he sits outside my door and waits for me instead of joining everyone else downstairs. He’ll also scratch my door, but not excessively. He never leaves my side unless I go in my bedroom or the bathroom and close the door. I trained “out of the kitchen” because he will stay right next to me touching my leg as I move around the kitchen. My kitchen is small and I was constantly almost stepping on his foot or accidentally kneeing him in the head. When I send him out of the kitchen he stands right at the threshold and watches me.

I’ve had him for a year. He was not like this initially and I keep wondering what I did to cause this. Although, he was always a Velcro dog, but this feels more intense than that. According to his previous owner, when her daughter would take him for a walk he would whine because he didn’t want to go without her (owner). So I think he’s been extra clingy to one person always. He doesn't necessarily do that here, but there are times where one of my kids is at the door to walk him and he stops and looks back at me and I have to say “go boy, go on a walk”.

He’s sweet and gentle in all other ways, and he’s incredibly cute. People stop me all the time to comment on how cute he his. But had I known it would be like this I don’t think I would have gotten him.

It sounds like your dog would benefit from some training. It's not too late to take a class or get a coach.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I have a 2 year old dog. I’m beginning to feel some resentment. He’s terrible on a leash and has become reactive to most other dogs, some people, and all squirrels. I’m working on it. Every walk is stressful and I’m mortified when he lunges and barks at a dog that is just nicely walking down the street and paying him no mind. I have to constantly scan for squirrels so I can try to treat treat treat so he won’t react. I’ve fallen twice because of his reactivity (my legs got wrapped up in his leash).

He also is an excessive barker. Out the window he sees the woman who lives behind us, on the other side of the alley entering her home, he starts loudly barking. He’s sleeping on the floor and hears a a car door close. He jumps up, sprints to the window, and starts loudly barking. He’s downstairs and he hears my son get out of bed upstairs and walk to the bathroom; he jumps up, runs to the steps and starts loudly barking. These are just a few examples. He barks at every nearly every noise. He can’t even be in the yard because as soon as he hears anything he starts barking as if there is an intruder on the other side of the fence. Playtime in the yard usually lasts a few minutes or so before he has to be brought in because he’s loudly barking. Yes, someone is always with him in the yard. I’m trying to work on this but it’s such a pain. Last night while cooking dinner he barked (for minor outside noises) 5 times. Each time I ran to him , gave the quiet command, and quickly treated when he was quiet. Happened a few more times while I was eating dinner. This is exhausting. And it makes me sad.

There is also the issue that I am his person. I’ve heard the term Velcro dog but this is excessive. He can be playing with my kids in the living room or just sleeping on the floor, and as soon as I stand up he runs to my side. If I head toward the stairs he bolts up the stairs and goes to my room. If I sit back down he’ll go back to what he’s doing. If I decide to get into bed at 7pm he will spend the rest of the evening laying on the floor next to my bed. My kids will try to engage him and get him to go downstairs and play but he won’t leave my side. If I go downstairs he will follow and he will then play and go in the backyard with them. If I close my bedroom door because I need a minute to myself , he sits outside my door and waits for me instead of joining everyone else downstairs. He’ll also scratch my door, but not excessively. He never leaves my side unless I go in my bedroom or the bathroom and close the door. I trained “out of the kitchen” because he will stay right next to me touching my leg as I move around the kitchen. My kitchen is small and I was constantly almost stepping on his foot or accidentally kneeing him in the head. When I send him out of the kitchen he stands right at the threshold and watches me.

I’ve had him for a year. He was not like this initially and I keep wondering what I did to cause this. Although, he was always a Velcro dog, but this feels more intense than that. According to his previous owner, when her daughter would take him for a walk he would whine because he didn’t want to go without her (owner). So I think he’s been extra clingy to one person always. He doesn't necessarily do that here, but there are times where one of my kids is at the door to walk him and he stops and looks back at me and I have to say “go boy, go on a walk”.

He’s sweet and gentle in all other ways, and he’s incredibly cute. People stop me all the time to comment on how cute he his. But had I known it would be like this I don’t think I would have gotten him.

It sounds like your dog would benefit from some training. It's not too late to take a class or get a coach.

Thanks for your suggestion. I have been seriously considering this. Would you happen to have any trainer recommendations?