So this is a share (with permission) of a facebook conversation I have had with Rachel, who thinks she may want to add a dog into her family life. There’s no grammar. There’s no structure. There’s no nothing – because, well, you’ll see why soon. Anyway, here’s the conversation…
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Hi – wanted to pick your brain. We are thinking about getting a dog but I am nervous about the commitment. I think you did borrow my doggy first ? If so how did that work? Any advice appreciated. Thx. Rachel
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Oh My Days.
TodY is not the day to ask me
Bloody dog
TodY is not the day to ask me
Bloody dog
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Oh no – what’s happened?!!!
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Right. Truth.
I have not had a night of unbroken sleep since JULY
He is now 8 months old.
EVERY FUCKING NIGHT
We got the dog that doesn’t sleep
and a husband who has no balls to leave him to cry so we’ve been bad parents and bad at trianing.
you have to agree on training.
that is so so important.
what is your policy. how will it work.
who will get up in the night. for months on end.
even a rescue dog, who is older, will be awake in the night.
and then there’s the POO
what size is your garden
I have not had a night of unbroken sleep since JULY
He is now 8 months old.
EVERY FUCKING NIGHT
We got the dog that doesn’t sleep
and a husband who has no balls to leave him to cry so we’ve been bad parents and bad at trianing.
you have to agree on training.
that is so so important.
what is your policy. how will it work.
who will get up in the night. for months on end.
even a rescue dog, who is older, will be awake in the night.
and then there’s the POO
what size is your garden
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Oh my word!!! DH doesn’t want to get involved so this is important
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will you section part of it off?
so the kids have a poo free space to play in
we have ltierally sectionned off the garden
will do a video later
and the costs.
30 a month for insurance.
400 easily in first two months on kit. and we have been tight in that regard
dog food. 25 a month at least for cheap ish.
if you go raw dog food that’s 2.50 a day
dog training. puppy school 40 a month
and who is walking the dog?
so the kids have a poo free space to play in
we have ltierally sectionned off the garden
will do a video later
and the costs.
30 a month for insurance.
400 easily in first two months on kit. and we have been tight in that regard
dog food. 25 a month at least for cheap ish.
if you go raw dog food that’s 2.50 a day
dog training. puppy school 40 a month
and who is walking the dog?
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We have big garden so can section some off if needed. Good to know re costs too as already have 2 cats so paying insurance £22 per math.
We have big garden so can section some off if needed. Good to know re costs too as already have 2 cats so paying insurance £22 per math.
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who is doing it rain or shine.
dog is so interesting. everyone cheap for first year but we went for lifetime cover
so he can have x more than once in his life.
if he’s had a broken leg will they treat another under policy.
lifetime cover.
even though the yera has ended, many do not re treat something. even if different leg@
!!!!
dog is so interesting. everyone cheap for first year but we went for lifetime cover
so he can have x more than once in his life.
if he’s had a broken leg will they treat another under policy.
lifetime cover.
even though the yera has ended, many do not re treat something. even if different leg@
!!!!
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OK, so costs of sectionning off garden.
130 for the wires and stakes. will DH do the work?
poo bags. are you poo monitor.
dog treats.
and ALL THE CLOTHES> ALL THE SOCKS
he is eating a sock right now. i have been up since 5am with him so fuck it. he can eat the sock.
we have a lovely, lovely puppy. we have trained him to be nice, family, playful. but we ballsed up the sleep.
richard does not like to hear him cry. i do not give a shit.
but it wakes the boys.
130 for the wires and stakes. will DH do the work?
poo bags. are you poo monitor.
dog treats.
and ALL THE CLOTHES> ALL THE SOCKS
he is eating a sock right now. i have been up since 5am with him so fuck it. he can eat the sock.
we have a lovely, lovely puppy. we have trained him to be nice, family, playful. but we ballsed up the sleep.
richard does not like to hear him cry. i do not give a shit.
but it wakes the boys.
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Ok this is really helpful – you should do a blog post on it . Seriously I’ve been trying to uncover the truth for ages but just get sidelined by dog walks on the beach pics etc and we don’t live anywhere near a beach – lol!!
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every couple of months richard is so tired. he says lets do the sleep training. but he doesn’t follow through. confused dog. arguing here.
i may well do. but people will just come and tell us we are shite dog owners ?
anyway. elliott here. watching me write ALL THE RUDE WORDS
BUT. After all taht.
best thing ever. ever. is the cuddles.
the emotional connection for our boys.
they love their dog and he loves them.
not my dog. he’s the boys.
and if you’re the leader of the pack, be ready to be followed. everywhere. to have your bum sniffed constantly.
licked.
when you bend over, your dog will try to lick the crack of your bum.
I MEAN REALLY????
And when I have a period, it’s even worse.
which is nice ?
fucking dog.
but the emotional connection. the cuddles when mum and dad are not wanted.
they love Scout.
fucking dog.
where will you walk him?
and… and this is hilarious
choose your breed so carefully.
i may well do. but people will just come and tell us we are shite dog owners ?
anyway. elliott here. watching me write ALL THE RUDE WORDS
BUT. After all taht.
best thing ever. ever. is the cuddles.
the emotional connection for our boys.
they love their dog and he loves them.
not my dog. he’s the boys.
and if you’re the leader of the pack, be ready to be followed. everywhere. to have your bum sniffed constantly.
licked.
when you bend over, your dog will try to lick the crack of your bum.
I MEAN REALLY????
And when I have a period, it’s even worse.
which is nice ?
fucking dog.
but the emotional connection. the cuddles when mum and dad are not wanted.
they love Scout.
fucking dog.
where will you walk him?
and… and this is hilarious
choose your breed so carefully.
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Honestly that is the best advice. I know it will all be on me and once I’m committed it will all be on me so need to think very carefully. What do you do when you go on holiday or do you always take dog?
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god. scout looked as a puppy like a rabbit. he was attacked whilst we were walking by a rescue grey hound.
elliott was with me. how i did not actually wet myself i do not know.
i was screaming. so was elliott. peopel came to help. but oh my god.
so BIG dog means other dogs want to have a go against them.
small dogs = vulnerable.
elliott was with me. how i did not actually wet myself i do not know.
i was screaming. so was elliott. peopel came to help. but oh my god.
so BIG dog means other dogs want to have a go against them.
small dogs = vulnerable.
Oh no! What breed is scout? We are thinking about border or highland terriers but not sure they will go w. Cats?!!
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our last dog was bigger. she was ‘well hard’ so we had no issue.
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exactly. i have no knowledge of waht goes with cats.
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i think it’s on how you train and integrate as much as anything else.
do cats moult?
if not.
find a dog that does not moult. the hair from bramble. sheesh. everywhere. every time we left the house, dog hair patrol.
so scout is a blessing. no moulting ?
do cats moult?
if not.
find a dog that does not moult. the hair from bramble. sheesh. everywhere. every time we left the house, dog hair patrol.
so scout is a blessing. no moulting ?
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Very good point. What do you do when you leave house or is there always someone with dog?
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and of course. from week
was just starting on that ?
so. we have a problem.
scout was with richard int he office from july to dec
was just starting on that ?
so. we have a problem.
scout was with richard int he office from july to dec
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Ok just got to sort boys will be back shortly and thx so much for advice Really appreciated. Xxx
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day and night. longest alone was an hour for a school play and that panicked us. and the dog. he would howl whilst we were out – neighbours told us.
i’ll keep tying and you can read later ) x
so from day one – you’re settling in, but also training to leave at home. and when small, you have to – or most peopel – leave in a crate as dangerous alone at home.
so teaching to love the crate. teaching to love his bed in his crate.
and happy to be home alone. lots online about how to do this. lots of good stuff.
we are now starting over as we have to leave him 8.30am to 3pm two days a week. about to fix it, but we hate leavning him. we feel so bad.
but our work life has changed.
and that’s somethig to consider.
if you were to have a life change and go out at 8am and home at 4pm, you really need a dog walker. here it’s 15 an hour. and you sign a six month contract.
so that’s ££ to think about.
i think we should have a walk twice a day for the human company.
but can’t get it as we only needed it for six weeks. richard is soft and gets upset. me, i throw him extra treats ?
xx
i think that’s everything. talk later xxx
i’ll keep tying and you can read later ) x
so from day one – you’re settling in, but also training to leave at home. and when small, you have to – or most peopel – leave in a crate as dangerous alone at home.
so teaching to love the crate. teaching to love his bed in his crate.
and happy to be home alone. lots online about how to do this. lots of good stuff.
we are now starting over as we have to leave him 8.30am to 3pm two days a week. about to fix it, but we hate leavning him. we feel so bad.
but our work life has changed.
and that’s somethig to consider.
if you were to have a life change and go out at 8am and home at 4pm, you really need a dog walker. here it’s 15 an hour. and you sign a six month contract.
so that’s ££ to think about.
i think we should have a walk twice a day for the human company.
but can’t get it as we only needed it for six weeks. richard is soft and gets upset. me, i throw him extra treats ?
xx
i think that’s everything. talk later xxx
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Lots to think about. DH still in the no camp and I know it will be hard but in many ways just sounds like having a baby ? and I’ve done that twice!!! Really helpful having idea on costs – thinking maybe I should become a dog walker myself!!!
Did you do the borrow my doggy thing or on reality is that no correlation for dog ownership? X
Did you do the borrow my doggy thing or on reality is that no correlation for dog ownership? X
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No correlation. But do it now. Whilst the weather is so cold. Commit to a time. And see how life fits I.in around it
We can no longer go on day trips to Norfolk. Dog can’t go in chippys. Or on beaches in good weather in summer.
We miss that.
It’s hard to make it work. But also good. Huge life change.
We can no longer go on day trips to Norfolk. Dog can’t go in chippys. Or on beaches in good weather in summer.
We miss that.
It’s hard to make it work. But also good. Huge life change.
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Hmm didn’t know about dog – beach thing but now you say that – it makes sense
Hmm didn’t know about dog – beach thing but now you say that – it makes sense
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