Anonymous wrote:I agree with many. Don’t get a puppy. I was talked into getting one as COVID drags on indefinitely. Now we are stuck with one (even though she is adorable). To me there is almost no joy but only mountains of work. I will be happy to give her away if the rest of my family are on board.

We are going through the same. Today he peed three times in the house within one hour. The vet told us at his age, he can hold three hours. We take him out 9 times a day and he still has accidents. Everything is about making him happy.

Some scenarios to consider:

Your kids turn out to be terrible at remembering to do their share of the pet care and act put upon when you remind them. How does that feel? You up for a decade of that?

Your kids lose interest in the dog, who wanders around looking for someone to give it attention. Is that appealing to you?

The dog needs special medical care or grooming (baths for a skin condition, special expensive food, medicine or injections, surgery costing thousands of dollars). Is that how you want to spend your time and money?

Your dog has behavioral problems. It destroys stuff or is reactive to the leash, other dogs, etc. How much property do you want to replace? How much time and money are you willing to spend on trainers?

You or your spouse needs to be out of town for extended periods (for work or a sick family member), so all the adult responsibility for the dog falls on you or a hired dog-walker. Is that OK?

I agree with many. Don’t get a puppy. I was talked into getting one as COVID drags on indefinitely. Now we are stuck with one (even though she is adorable). To me there is almost no joy but only mountains of work. I will be happy to give her away if the rest of my family are on board.

I was in your position, minus the cats. My husband and teens promised I'd do nothing, that they'd do it all, and so I finally relented. We're now 3 months post-adopting our rescue mutt.

My family are lying liars. Within weeks I was doing 90% of the walking/feeding/dealing with the dog. I've given up demanding they step up because they just don't and then things are even worse (accidents, etc.). So now I have a dog that I am the primary caregiver for. She's sweet and she is happiest on top of me showing me her appreciation, but I didn't want this and now I'm stuck.

Anonymous wrote:Definitely dog sit. I’m sure you have many friends who would happily off load their dog for a weekend or a week. Then, imagine doing what you just did except all the time, even when it’s not fun, when you’re sick, when you went to go out of town, etc., for 15 years.

+1. Such a great idea. There are so many pandemic puppies that are out there, do you have any friends that recently adopted one? I am sure they would love a good home to dog sit for them this spring or summer while they get away for a week or more. It will not replicate the challenges of a newborn puppy but it will give you an idea of what is involved and it would help a friend know their dog is well taken care of.

We had dog experienced friends watch our puppy when we went away last summer and it was an enormous help. This is the kind of thing most people will not ask of friends because it is a a lot of work, but my friend volunteered when we first brought the puppy home. Our puppy made friends for life with the family he stayed with.

Please do not get a puppy. Your situation was exactly our situation. Puppies are SOOOOOO much work. The biting phase kept my kids in their rooms. Kids couldn't play with the dog because of the craziness and biting. You have to train it to do EVERYTHING. That left all the work up to us. The fact that you don't want one, you will end up resenting everything. Get a 2 year old dog that fits your criteria.

Anonymous wrote:Best timing is when oldest is 10 years old and youngest is 5-6. That way, the dog is elderly when they are busy teens and ready for the rainbow bridge when you hit empty nester stage.

I would write out all the expectations and make the kids sign it. You have the most negotiating power now. Once you get the dog, you have no negotiating power left. Be clear about feeding, grooming, walks and who is expected to do it the .

I ageee that a small inside dog is probably the least works. Some big dogs like goldens or Great Danes are calm and friendly and easy to train though, so could also be a good choice in a different way.

Yes but what if kids don't follow through? Are you not going to care for dog to teach your kids responsibility? If op gets one she has to think of dog as her dog otherwise dont get one.

Anonymous wrote:Get a cat instead.

Op says they already have cats.

Definitely dog sit. I’m sure you have many friends who would happily off load their dog for a weekend or a week. Then, imagine doing what you just did except all the time, even when it’s not fun, when you’re sick, when you went to go out of town, etc., for 15 years.

^cat!

A friend’s car stopped using the litter box from the stress of a new dog in the house. Are your cats pretty chill, OP?

If you have a friend with a dog (who is used to cats, ideally) I’d “borrow” it from time to time to see how your cats do.

Anonymous wrote:The husband wants the dog too, OP will be very unpopular in her home if she alone opposes the idea of a new dog.

Being unpopular is nothing compared to being the primary caregiver to the dog you didn’t want. Trust me.

Chihuahua. Mine is lap dog and he is very sweet. He needs small walks. He will go on a piddle pad if needed.

Best timing is when oldest is 10 years old and youngest is 5-6. That way, the dog is elderly when they are busy teens and ready for the rainbow bridge when you hit empty nester stage.

I would write out all the expectations and make the kids sign it. You have the most negotiating power now. Once you get the dog, you have no negotiating power left. Be clear about feeding, grooming, walks and who is expected to do it the .

I ageee that a small inside dog is probably the least works. Some big dogs like goldens or Great Danes are calm and friendly and easy to train though, so could also be a good choice in a different way.

Boston Terrier