MegaSack DRAW - This year's winner is user - rgwb
We will be in touch
Presumably quite a few people will have had the same dilemma. I am keen to get a small dog, the Mrs is absolutely delighted at the prospect and so are the kids naturally (9 and 11). But I am concerned that as we all have busy lives and I am someone who will only consider a pet if it is to have the fullest life possible, that it would have to be a team effort to give the time and exercise and stimulation that a dog needs. On paper with all the rushing around currently we do, its hard to fathom where another commitment could possibly fit in, and in that way I have put a blocker on the idea. But naturally I am getting a lot of, we'd change, we'd help, it would be only down to you Dad.
My question to anyone is whether in the same situation as I had, did the kids and dare I say even the Mrs) re-prioritise their whole lives to accommodate dog walking / exercise / training etc ? Or did it inevitably come back to your and yours only responsibility ? Am I expecting too much of young kids ?
Don't believe a word your kids say, but get a dog anyway..
Unless you plan to send the kids out on their own walking the dog, then think of that as your job! Also will your wife want to walk the dog on her own in the dark wet winter months?
Only get one if you and the wife want one - it will be around long after the kids have left home.
That said, dogs are ace and well worth the effort.
What khani said.
Have you a big enough garden that if need be you can let them out on a night to do their business, or will they have to be walked.
If the latter...
Dogs are brilliant and become a fully fledged member of the family but..
Company - No dog should be left alone for more than 3 hours a day if you can avoid it.
Exercise - Dogs need a good hour a day minimum oddly little dogs often need more.
A strong stomach - You have to pick up poo, clean up sick etc etc
Not be too house proud - Dogs moult and leave hair, mud and stuff around the place.
Kids lie. Mine promised the earth and I can't remember either of them ever walking him.
Get a dog anyway though. Best friend you'll ever have.
You will end up talking it for walkies (especially when it's cold/dark/wet). If you're OK with that then go fer it.
My kid, I'm sure had the best intentions to help out with our dog, but realistically, there isn't much he can do.. maybe he could've picked up crap in the garden, but nah, kids aren't much help. It's good to get them to come out with you and the dog, but for their benefit really.
The wife did definitely change and re-prioritise - she gets up early every single weekday morning and walks the dog.
(Now I've left home she has to walk the dog nearly every evening too, but thats another story!)
As khani says - get one anyway, the excuse to get out on your bike everyday, no matter what the weather is worth it!
We're planning on getting a dog eventually, but we're taking the approach that we'd be getting it for ourselves. If the kids muck in and take responsibility then great, but assume it's going to be you at 6am getting up for the morning walk.
I begged my parents for a dog for years when I was younger and they always said no. I finally got my dog as soon as I left home at 20/21 and Im so glad they said no, I knew then that I would never of been able to commit to my fair share or look after it as much as i said. If you and your wife dont have time then just wait until your life is suitable. I have a dog now and we only got her as my schedule was so flexible and open, I could do with more money atm and therefore more work etc but I made a commitment to have the spare time I do to spend with my dog so I'll just struggle on for now.
Sort of the same boat as you, but without causing a sh*T storm on here i my opinion if the dog is being left at home on it's own for a considerable amount of time it is totally unfair and should not be done.
hence why im waiting until our circumstances change.
(*just my opinion)
i don't think you'd find any responsible dog owner disagreeing with that statement. it is certainly not ideal and i would not take a dog on if that was the arrangement from the outset.
I guess that's all good advice. I am not a selfish person, I am very much an animal lover and the wish to get a one is as much for the ] of the happiness of the dog as it is a family play thing. My dilemma is that I always had dogs growing up, and absolutely cherished the memory of that time with a faithful pal. And now I am the one in the family putting a blocker on the idea, because of the commitment issue and for whether its responsible to own one when life is so busy. I feel like I am doing the right thing, but also the feeling of depriving my kids of the same great memories I had as growing and having an amazing friend in my dog.