To get a dog or not to get a dog?

[kezza1973]

I have been a dog lover since I was a child. I have always wanted a dog but never felt I have been in a fair position to offer a dog a home, i.e. working full time etc. I now work 4 days a week and have 2 kids age 5 and 3. I've been thinking again about getting a dog. I know it takes time and attention to have a dog but I'm a single parent and wonder if I have what it takes to bring a dog in my life right now! It would have to be good with kids, preferably a rescue dog. Gosh, I didn't give it this much thought before I had kids! Dog owners advice please!

[WendyS]

It does rather sound as if you have a pretty full agenda already and I wonder whether it's really fair to any animal to adopt it and then leave it alone most of the day as you would be doing. Will you honestly have time to walk it twice a day, every day with all your other commitments? It will probably be very lonely, suffer from anxiety & separation complex (especially if it has already spent time in a rescue centre) and wreck your home by chewing everything in sight. Then you'll be angry and frustrated at the damage and probably want to send it back to the rescue centre again Poor dog! I'd settle for a hamster or something which doesn't need so much attention if you really want a pet in your life. Or why not offer to walk a neighbour's dog first and see how often you actually have time to do it on a regular basis before commiting to one of your own.

[rosyrussell]

a lot of dog rehoming centres will not let you adopt a dog if you have young children, as there is no guarantee that the kids and dog will get on, and if the dog was stressed and bit one of them, you would feel awful and the dog would have to be rehomed. Having a dog is great, they are great company and fabulous way to teach children the values of having to care for somethign else, but try walking one at 4pm in the dead of winter when its freezing and pouring with rain... you may be able to manage it, but would you really be able to drag the children along too? What happens when you go on holiday? Kennels cost a lot of money. How about getting a cat? They are great characters, and can look after themselves a lot more easily. And it is easier to find a neighbour to look after them and feed them for a day or two if you go away for a weekend.

[Katiek34]

After buying a home with my boyfriend we both decided we wanted a dog as neither of us were allowed one as children.

We have had a dog for just over 2 yrs and both work full time but fortunately my dad lives near and walks him for an hour each day for me.

I never realised how much time they take up, and that's without me doing the everyday exercise bit!!!!

Think carefully before homing a rescue dog as you can never be too sure about their backgrounds and/or previous owners.

[woofgang]

You've had some good advice here. Is there a local rescue service that could do with a volunteer dog walker? You could get to know them and they you and you could get a feel for what a drag the draggy parts of dog ownership can be....(said as a besotted dog owner!!) then you could make a more informed decision. The other thing with having a dog when you have kids is you have to be even more fanatical about clearing up the poo in the garden and keeping your pet parasite free.

[Snappy]

http://www.doggydayscreche.co.uk

[kezza1973]

Thanks for all your comments...I'll give it lots of thought.