dog owners- and those who wouldn't consider it

I'm torn and need advice.

I really want a dog but not sure if it would be too much work.

Thoughts?

Re: dog owners- and those who wouldn't consider it

Some dogs are more work than others.

I have a pomeranian. She's extremely HIGH maintenance. She has a very full and thick coat that takes forever to take care of. I finally had to bring her to the groomer for a buzz cut!

Smaller dogs are generally less work, unless they have huge coats or long hair. But sometimes they're more prone to health problems. You'd have to get it from a good breeder. My pom is paper trained, so I don't even have to walk her! So tiny dogs are good that way.

Bigger dogs need more in terms of exercise, food and training, walking.

I suppose all dogs are work, but you can minimize it if you get a short-haired breed, train it well, and get it from a reputable breeder.

You have to REALLY want a dog to not get tired of it once the novelty wears off.

Re: dog owners- and those who wouldn't consider it

I am a dog owner, and I wouldn't trade in one minute of my life with Arnold. He is such a funny, interesting, sweet, loving companion.
When I was on vacation last week I missed him so much! Patrick had to ask me to PLEASE stop talking about the dog!

Re: dog owners- and those who wouldn't consider it

Jenn, Im the same way about my cat. I will talk about him when we are away. He thinks I love the cat more than I do him

Re: dog owners- and those who wouldn't consider it

I have 4 dogs 3 of them are my husbands from when he was growing up and we got a puppy together. They are Boston Bull terriors. the 3 of them are older now and don't really do much but sleep but the puppy he needs alot of attention still and he's 2 years old. I love dogs, I like bigger dogs better though, I grew up with Golden retrievers. They are my favorite dog. It is alot of work and they need alot of attention from you. If you can't give them the attention they need right now you should wait. My friend got a dog from the shelter and leaves it in a cage all day. I hate that, I feel so bad for him. Then when she takes him out he's so crazy because he's been locked up all day. I'm crazy about my dogs though I feel like there my kids. When we decide to have kids in a couple of years the 3 might be gone but hte puppy will be around and probably be very jealous

Re: dog owners- and those who wouldn't consider it

I got a beautiful black lab that is actually DH's dog since she was a little puppy 13 years ago. I can't imagine my life without a dog now, and I never had one before. We share the responsabilities of having her, and taking care of her. You got a love dogs in order to be with them, they are like children that don't grow up, but they fill your life with joy and companion.

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Re: dog owners- and those who wouldn't consider it

they are worth it!

Re: dog owners- and those who wouldn't consider it

Jbella - I have two Bostons and my 'puppy' is now two and is still a total handful! I don't think they calm down until they get much older, but even then they tend to be high strung. It really depends on the breed of dogs. Personally, I don't feel life would be the same without my pets (I have a few cats besides the dogs). They bring such entertainment and love into your life but I have concerns about if a child came into my life and how I would deal with them.

Re: dog owners- and those who wouldn't consider it

Shamee- You are so right about being High Strung. the 3 of them are still high strung, but have calm down quite abit in the past year. Sammy (puppy) is always full of energy. I love them so much, I don't have kids yet but I feel like I do because my husband and I talk about them like they're our kids. When we were on our honeymoon we missed them like we would miss our children

Re: dog owners- and those who wouldn't consider it

I mean, just look at this face! lol
DOESNT it make you want a lil dog

Re: dog owners- and those who wouldn't consider it

Dogs are a lot of work in the beginning but after awhile it just become part of your routine.

But you have to think about how often you are away from home -- if you go away and you need to board them it costs money.

I never liked animals b/c I never had any growing up. My DH found our dog on Christmas Eve 1999 in the middle of the street in the cold. She was about 6 weeks old.

Once I saw her I turned into a huge animal fan and she is a part of our family.

Training them well in the beginning is the first important step.

So yes they are work -- but the rewards make it so worth it.