the reality of pet ownership please

[nuttymoo]

Have to disagree with Tish on a couple of points. Females can stop and sniff and wee as much as males. While it's true poodles do not shed you have the cost of having them trimmed every eight weeks or so. Also keeping a dog on a lead is often a necessity with a rescue dog as they often come to you with a host of behavioural problems. A puppy needs socialising from an early age but if their previous owners didn't give them this then you have to make sure your dog is no threat to other dogs and people. I've taken my dog to training classes since I got her but on the advice of my trainers, I have to keep her on a lead as she will bite, hold and rag another dog if they get into a fight. She has improved so much though and I know that in time she will be able to socialise more with other dogs. The challenge of her behaviour is one of the things that has helped me the most. Seeing her slowly changing from a very scared aggressive little dog has been one of the most rewarding things I've ever done.
As for money the insurance costs me £20 a month but that will definitely go up at the end of the first year and I have to pay the first £90 of each claim. I get a good food which is £8 for 2kg but I can usually find it on offer somewhere, either buy one get one half price or 3 for 2. Dog training has cost me £65 for five group lessons or £45 for an hours one to one. Also £9 for a monthly recall class. Owning a dog is certainly not cheap but I think it's worth every penny.

[lesleya]

Ive got 2 little dogs and theres just nothing i can say other than....like you I was a little aprehensive when we got our first little dog (cross minature jack russell with a yorkie) as i used to be agorophobic years ago and was always worried if it reared its ugly head again how would i cope ? but i think it helped more than anything else because they need me to look after them, and taking a dog out on a lead does give you something to focus on and distracts you from your anxiety.
Even if i've an off day and my dogs know that its come to that time to go out even just for 5 minutes gives me that little push i need.
The love, loyalty, companionship and fun they bring into your life is something you just cant measure.
Im not saying its a bed of roses either youve got to think of the cost of food, toys, bed, vets bills if they become ill (im lucky ive only had to take mine twice in 4 years)
If you dont want your good shoes/slippers/scarves chewed, mucky wet paw marks on the floor/carpet, or a wet dog shaking itself all over you, or dog hairs in your home (unless youve got a dog that doesnt shed) or a cold nose nudging you to go out in the cold, the wet and the dark then please dont buy a dog.
A dog is for life!!...and they need you to look after them!..they rely on you to feed them, water them, keep them safe and most of all love them.
If you do buy a dog i dont think youll ever regret it.
Good luck xxx

[Stormsky]

Any size dog is a big responsibility... I have 2 large dogs... and for me they help anxiety... people with pets are supposed to be less stressed! Having responsibility for them keeps me going some days... there are so many things to consider with a pet... vet costs, food bill, exercising them...
A small dog would make sense, depends on what experience you have with dogs? have you had dogs before? I prefer male dogs, but thats just me... i find them easier than girls, i currently have a boy and girl... larger breeds will need more exercise, more room , bigger garden, bigger house, more food cost, larger vet bills...
Perhaps a rescue dog would be good? you could visit some rescues for a look and most of all research whatever breed you decide on...

[haz]

Hi Little Wren,

Owning a dog can be very therapeautic, they truly are your best friend but they are also quite a big responsibility.

I used to have a greyhound (rescued female) and 3 cats, sadly down to two cats. The two remaining cats I have are getting older and I can't take them to the vet on my own. They also don't get on which can be quite stressful, they are very "clingy", especially the female (who has her arse in my face as I'm typing!!). It was a lot easier when I had all four, as they all knew they're place in the "pack".

They can be very "tying" if you are unwell, have to go into hospital, going on holiday etc. and for me they were (are) another thing to worry about. Also, you have to "watch your time" when you're out. Dogs really shouldn't be left for longer than 4 hours, ideally.

Also, I couldn't believe how bad I felt when my dog died, I never expected it to hit me so badly, it's proper bereavement and my health suffered quite badly after she died.

I would love another dog my I just don't think it would be fair to get one at the moment. I did try to foster another greyhound for a local resuce charity but had to give it back shortly afterwards through no fault of the dog.

I live alone and my support network is not as strong as it used to be either. Elderly parents health failing. Sister now married with kids, so don't have anyone to look after a dog for me should I need it.

I spent a total of 5 months in hospital in 2010/11 and a kind neighbour looked after my two cats for me but I worried about them all the time and this just added to my anxiety.

There is also the cost, food, vets bills etc.

However, they are very rewarding and if you have "support" then can be very therapeuatic. Sometimes I used to dread taking the dog out for a walk, I would think "Oh, I hope we don't meet anyone we know, I can't face talking to anyone", inevitably we would, I would sometimes chat and have a laugh for a good 15 mins, so that is a good thing.

Can I also add that although greyhound are "big" dogs, they are very gentle, placid creatures that need very little exercise as they have no stamina, just short bursts of speed. They are honestly the laziest dog you could possibly imagine!

Hope this helps.

Best Wishes.

Haz.

---------- Post added at 22:15 ---------- Previous post was at 22:09 ----------

Oh and as others have said. Being houseproud and having pets don't really go hand in hand!

[little wren]

Hi all, thanks so much for your responses I enjoyed hearing about the variety of experiences with dogs.

Firstly, nic yeh being able to afford one is essential. Just to reassure everyone I have a longterm partner who works full time and we have factored in the costs.

My biggest worry was coping with a new furry pal and anxiety disorders (you know the rough days and that) as I would be his main care-giver, trainer, feeder and friend for the next 15 years or so (I'm not saying it will always be like this but for his sake I have to consider how I can cope on my worst days).

Hi snow... and thanks your post was lovely I enjoyed reading it. My worry was when I get bad days with agoraphobia etc (I know not everyday will be a good one). My partner refuses to walk a small dog without me there which may actually be a good thing as I will have to go out and socialise him (dog that is not partner!). Made me lol about the sunglasses - but with summer coming great excuse to don the sunglasses.

Lee - I am so happy your dog helps with anxiety. It is this psychological support that a pet can give and coping on bad days that my post was about - thanks for sharing your experiences it helps.

Tish, its funny but a miniature poodle would have been my first choice of dog because after researching dog breeds the poodle nature seemed the most suitable (and he can jog with you). However, the grooming cost is too high. Which breeds have you got?

Thanks again Jackie and I hope your little jack russel is doing well x

Lesley - thanks for your response I found this immensely helpful as my fear was the 'bad days' when anxiety is really bad. I'm hoping a pet will help me to focus on someone else rather than how I feel. As animals have a more grounded perspective on the world by seeing how he lives I am hoping he will teach me a thing or two about just 'being' rather than always anxious.

Stormsky - yeh they say there's a connection between pet ownership and stress relief I just wondered if it applied to anxiety disorders or if it exacerbates them. Most of the responses are similar to your own in that having responsibility for another creature does help - thanks for sharing x (is that your dog - husky?)

Haz I know what you mean about bereavement when a pet dies. I had a cat for 15 years who died of cancer 5 years ago and it really knocked me - she was my soulmate. Although I adore cats and will always stop to stroke when one crosses my path I haven't got the heart to get a new cat. We had toyed with getting a greyhound (or whippet) as their nature is lovely, but Ive heard you cannot let sighthounds off the lead (dunno if thats true for them all though) x

pipkin - I look forward to hearing about your dog making decision - and I hope some of these comments helped you too x

[Stormsky]

Caring for an animal, and the unconditional love you get back can only help anxiety, thats how it is for me... the repetitive stroking of a pet can calm you, lower blood pressure etc...
Yes that is one of my dogs STORM, he is an alaskan malamute, i also have a husky girl though as well !!! (i must be mad!, having such energetic dogs!)

[Jamesk]

Caring for an animal, and the unconditional love you get back can only help anxiety, thats how it is for me... the repetitive stroking of a pet can calm you, lower blood pressure etc...
Yes that is one of my dogs STORM, he is an alaskan malamute, i also have a husky girl though as well !!! (i must be mad!, having such energetic dogs!)

Agree totally with this. I was much much calmer and more relaxed when we had animals around the house. We just can't anymore for a variety of practical reasons but I miss them, and know I am so much less happy/balanced as a result.

[haz]

You do have to be careful when letting greyhounds off the lead. I let mine off in "safe" areas as she had no road sense and if she saw a rabbit, instinct would kick in and she would bolt after it. Never caught anything though (a failed racer at the age of two!). She was also muzzled anyway just to be on the safe side, most greyhound charities recommend this. They are plastic muzzles with cushioned bits on them, not the wire ones they wear for racing. This does put some people off ex-racing greyhounds. Breeds of dog are just down to personal choice really. A mongrel is a good choice too.

[mikewales]

If this is your first dog, I would suggest not getting a rescue unless you can get a very young puppy. Rescue dogs often come with a host of problems from their previous treatment, which are easier to deal with if you are used to dogs.

One important thing with a puppy is socialisation with other dogs from a young age, normally this can be done in puppy training classes, which will also teach you about looking after their welfare, basic commands, litter training, sorting out small problems etc... This allows the dog to get used to playing and being around other dogs of various sizes and breeds, and they are a lot less likely to have problems with either being scared or aggressive when they meet them on walks later on.

It is also worth doing further training, the kennel club do a scheme called Good Citizens, and there are classes all over the country, and as they are group ones they are a lot cheaper than individual training. You learn a lot more advanced things in these, and handy stuff like recall, road manners, walking off the lead, walking to heel, long stays etc... which are good for any dog and owner to know.

Remember also the cost if you are looking for buying a full breed or pedigree dog ( rather than a mongrel ) as they are expensive, and if you are looking for certain traits from a breed, then you would really need a pedigree one.

If you dont have much of a garden, a small dog is much better, even though bigger dogs do need lots of walking, they also need outdoors space to play and run around in when not walking, so the smaller the dog, the bigger the garden seems to them.

I have a male collie, and he does like lots of walking ( normally 5 and 10 miles ones, 4 or 5 days a week ) but I also have quite a big garden, so on days when he isnt walked, he doesnt get bored and can still exercise chasing things around.

They are 100% worth it though, and the unconditional love you get back from them is a real help with anxiety. They will normally learn and pick up on your moods as well, so if you are having a bad day will often just cuddle up quietly with you and look after you.

To be a bit contentious, nearly all dogs don't actually need walking every day, they may well want to go out, but as long as they get enough exercise during a week, and are kept mentally occupied as well, then missing odd days doesn't really matter if you aren't up to it. Although having the dog is a good reason to get yourself up and out, and I find walking in the early morning is very good for reducing your stress for the day.

[snowgoose]

Hi Haz
can you recommend the muzzle you used ?
We have problem with the dog we babysit .........very much a scent hound and could if off leash go into hunt mode .
Iwant to let him off leash but with wildlife around and his basic instincts ........think kind muzzle would be the way to go . thank you
and sorry little wren for going off topic here .
Go get that furry companion !!!
maybe somedays you wont get out and that is ok . I bet you will though they make you .
and if on the occasional time you cant do it ? well no harm done . dog will be loved ,fed and warm . Lucky lucky dog xxx

snow