DH wants a dog.HELP !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[mummyof2]

Weve recently moved to a new home 5 wks ago DH wants a dog now.He is set on a staffy bull terrier.Weve got 2 kids a 5 yr old and 16 mths which is hard enough work as it is.The house is no where near finished and dogs cost alot of money.I just dont know if i could cope wiyh a dog right now but he wont take no for an answer

[tiffini]

i am gonna have the same prob as soon as we move.
so waiting to see what advice you get.

[tillykins]

Go for it! Sorry, not what you want to hear, but I love dogs! Ring your local vets and find out about costs of worming and anti-flea drops, these are the ongoing costs. Also ask about one off payment for spaying and annual costs of vaccinations. Food is not so expensive if you get Tesco's own. Then you can see how much it will be and if its too much, then your DH will see that in black and white
Exercise can be built into trips to the park
On the plus side, having a dog is supposed to be healthy, reduce blood pressure etc and it will be good for your children to learn how to treat an animal with respect
Not sure about bull terriers around children though. If you do get one, can't you get one from a home, thats full grown (and spayed already) that you know the history of?

[Freckle]

Staffies are meant to be excellent family dogs, very good with children. However, as with any dog, its character will be largely formed by how it is treated. This is something you have to consider if you get anything other than a puppy, unless you have a full history and confirmation that the dog is OK with children.

Having a dog can be a wonderful thing (we have a rescue dog, but my children are older) but there is a lot of work involved. Has your dh indicated that he will be fully responsible for exercising the dog, clearing up its mess, etc.? If not, then that onus will fall on you and, if you are not 100% happy with that, then the dog is likely to suffer. I would recommend buying dry food, as it makes their "doings" easier to clear up and is, in the long run, cheaper. I buy a brand called Supadog from my local pet shop (not supermarket) and this costs me about £14 every couple of months. He does have additional treats now and again, and is a very useful waste disposal when the children don't eat their food (much better than me eating it!).

You do have to take into account vaccinations and I would advise taking out some form of pet insurance to cover large vets' bills and also in case the dog causes an accident (although you may already be covered for this through your household insurance). I use Tesco pet insurance which costs just under £10 pm.

On the plus side, I exercise more because I have to walk the dog, the children absolutely love him and it's wonderful to come home to an empty (of humans) house and be greeted by someone that loves the bones off you!

[Tessiebear]

Was in the same situation as you 2 years ago and ended up giving in .... did put my foot down over DH's desire for a Staffy though (i know they are supposed to be good with kids etc - but for me personally - i dont like them and didnt want the stigma that is attached to them.)
We got a Labradour in the end (who is great with the kids and a good family dog)
DH walks him every morning, but the down side for me is that:

I am forever hoovering up dog hair
he is always there under my feet
if you are not a dog lover generally they can be a bit of a nuisance (i dont go in for the whole treating animals like children thing)
Basically you have got to really want it because you will be the one who ends up doing most of the work for it and it is an extra work load
p.s - clearing up dog poo from the garden so the kids dont tread in it is another negative point (and there is always that bit you miss

[Goldfish]

I have 2 dss and a dog. The kids love her to bits, she is 7 now and we rescued her wben she was one. I think the world of her but it is definitely extra work having one. I believe if you have a dog you should walk it every day. I know people who keeps dogs in the back yard all day every day and never exercise them, and I don't think it is fair on the dog. If ever we go out for the day to a theme park or whatever one of us gets up really early and gives her a run on the beach and MIL comes and lets her out if we are gone for a long time. I do leave her alone for quite a few hours but she does chew things and she can also open cupboard doors and get out food if I am not careful! It is a tie having a dog. We put her in kennels every year when we go abroad and that is expensive, but overall I am glad we have her. We also have a cat and a hamster. The cat was my idea and the hamster was my sons birthday present. The dog needs the most attention. I am now actually going to take her to the beach as she loves going in the sea, so she is a good calorie burner as well.

[mummyof2]

I would just like to spend some time enjoying my new home before DH brings in a dog.Plus if it takes up so much of his time when is he going to get the decorating done?