Anonymous wrote:I am a cat person. I do not like dogs. Kids and husband want one. I'm not going to let the dog pee herself so I know I'll have to help with the dog. I don't see the appeal with them. They get into everything, eat mulch and grass, and are generally gross animals I don't want.

If you weren't a "dog person" and got a dog for your family, did you learn to love the dog?

It becomes a source of daily arguments in most divides families. Unless you can hold your husband and kids accountable to do what they are promising, you'll end up becoming default caregiver doubling your daily burden.

Just say no. They can get a dog when they’re adults. I got one in college!

Would they consider a doglike cat? Like a Maine Coon or Ragdoll?

I can't tell you what to do, but my main advice is that if you do decide to acquiesce and get a dog, make it a condition that you get an older dog.

Puppies are insanely work-intensive, and even people who desperately want dogs get overwhelmed with puppies. You will 100% get dragged into doing a lot for the dog if you get a puppy, and if you are not enthusiastic about that, you will resent it. I've seen people kind of broken by even adorable, affectionate puppies, because they can take so much effort to train. Sometimes I think the people most excited about dogs are often the ones least suited to actually raising a puppy because they idealize what life with a dog is like and are so intensely disappointed when they get woken up by their puppy at 2am for the 10th night in a row and then discover he destroyed another couch cushion overnight.

If you get a dog, tell your family it needs to be an older dog who is already crate trained and house trained. I'd look for a sweet but lower-energy dog who is at least 3 or 4 years old. Plus you'd have the added motivation of rescuing an adult dog who needs a home.

Anonymous wrote:I am a cat person. I do not like dogs. Kids and husband want one. I'm not going to let the dog pee herself so I know I'll have to help with the dog. I don't see the appeal with them. They get into everything, eat mulch and grass, and are generally gross animals I don't want.

If you weren't a "dog person" and got a dog for your family, did you learn to love the dog?

I love some dogs, am ambivalent about others, dislike some, despise others. And I consider myself a dog person so it's based on breed plus nature/nurture [trainng]. Since it's your household you have input into breed , choice of puppy, training.

Are there any dogs your family has met that they liked or is this just a general interest? You ever meet any you liked?

Do you have an equal partner spouse who is willing to take care of the dog? Then I MIGHT consider it (knowing that you'll still end up doing, let's say, 10% of the work because marriages are like that). But even then I'd be very, very skeptical, and may say no. If I did agree to the dog, quite frankly, I'd be trying to push the kids towards a dog who was at least 7/8 years old, so your commitment isn't stretching long beyond your parenting commitment. I would not under any circumstances get a puppy. No no no no no.

If you do not have an equal partner spouse who is willing to take care of the dog, and your own confidences from your history with this person that they will do 90% of the work, then that's a HELL NO from me.

I'm a cat person too but I also love dogs. Would have a dog but my husband is dead set against it. Kids want one too. But, we have cats - they have had smaller pets like gerbils, fish, reptiles - so I don't feel like I'm depriving them. Dogs take more work. You can leave cats alone for a week and they will be fine. Dogs are expensive when it comes to travel - boarding, house-sitting or lots of walks. Plus, they eat things they shouldn't and require costly vet visits. Cats? You don't even know they are sick until they keel over. Which is not necessarily a good thing at all because it can cause lots of anguish and why didn't I catch this. But, still - less vet visits

Don’t get one! They’ll put all the responsibility of caring for it on you.

I got one for my husband. He does the bulk of the work as promised. She's kinda cute and sweet at times. I don't regret getting her but I wouldn't do it again.

Actually, cats are disgusting based on what they eat when outdoors (which is why cats can survive on their own, but dogs do not fare well in nature as wild creatures).

Obviously you will need to be thoughtful about choosing the right dog (and maybe a very demanding young puppy may not be the right fit right now?) but dogs are such intelligent, sensitive, reciprocal creatures. I think that once you are spending the day-to-day you will build a relationship that will surprise you. I know I did. I consider our dog my right-hand-man and came to rely on him as a steady, reliable adult in my house who is loyal as hell, eager to please and sweet. Did not expect that and appreciate it so much. Can't say that about most people!

If nothing else, it will force you out into your neighborhood and you'll get some exercise!

If you do cave in, try to get a dog that is more cat-like, like a shiba inu or basenji.

I've seen it both ways. I have a friend who didn't like dogs fall in love and become the dog's favorite and I have a friend who felt like all her concerns were right and regretted it.

If you really don't think they can/will handle the dog without you being a major part of it, I'd keep saying no because you are probably right about that and it will just make you resentful.

Not only was my coworker not a dog person, but she was also afraid of dogs and wouldn't even touch the family dog without wearing gloves. Eventually, she grew to love her dog, and all was fine. It was a while ago so I can't remember how long it took her to grow to love the dog.

I am a cat person. I do not like dogs. Kids and husband want one. I'm not going to let the dog pee herself so I know I'll have to help with the dog. I don't see the appeal with them. They get into everything, eat mulch and grass, and are generally gross animals I don't want.

If you weren't a "dog person" and got a dog for your family, did you learn to love the dog?