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PennyCat
Just call me mommy :)
Member since 7/08 19084 total posts
Name:
Jib
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Convincing DH to get a dog................
I need help convincing DH to get a puppy! I decided I REALLY want one!!! 
His argument against getting a dog now is that we have cats and he's convinced it would ruin their lives........ That's not necessarily true though. There are plenty of cats and dogs that live together.
He also doesn't want to have to worry about always being home to walk the dog. How does that work, actually? Would we still be able to go out for the entire day? Is that a legitimate concern?
Thanks ladies....... My FIL just got a puppy and she's ADORABLE!!!!!!!!!!!! Lets just say it gave me puppy fever 
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Posted 1/31/10 9:53 PM  |
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Long Island Weddings
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bbanana7
LIF Toddler
Member since 4/09 404 total posts
Name:
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Re: Convincing DH to get a dog................
Well you could get a dog walker for like 3 days a week so he just needs to make sure he fills in the other days...
I also am in the works of convincing DH, he wants one.. just wants to finish our construction in the house first... good luck!
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| Posted 1/31/10 10:20 PM |
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Diana712
RIP my beloved Brother Richard
Member since 5/07 6710 total posts
Name:
Diana
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Re: Convincing DH to get a dog................
Honestly....... I think its always a very bad decision to get any pet if everyone in the household is not on the same page.. I feel this way for many reasons..
Off the top of my head I will give you some
Someone will resent the dog and not want to care for it. The dog most likely will not recieve the love and care he or she is entitled to..
It take very hard work and commitment to train the dog.. if everyone in the household is not on the same page then that is a major problem..
Its expensive if the dog needs medical treatment.. just vet visits alone that are necessary in the beginning are a fortune.. If one is not into it then they may feel its not necessary to take it to the vet for shots check ups etc..
I also have to admit having a dog is somewhat a burden.. You are always worried if you are out too long.. You have to get back to the house to let them out and feed them.. But when you love them its not a problem.. just a pain in the butt sometimes..
This is a life long commitment.. Be really sure about this.. If you are and you really think it through and decide to get one.. There are many many good points also that out way all of this.. Thats why I and many others have dogs. Good luck with your decision.. 
eta: Mys sister has 2 cats and just got a dog 3 mos ago.. her cats are traumatized.. They wouldnt come out of the basement for 2 mos.. They are not your friendly cats though.. they are somewhat ferral like with strangers.. But they are just now starting to come up but they hiss at the dog and my sister has to constantly be on op of the dog because she ALWAYS wants to play with them!!
Please dont take this wrong.. I dont want to offend you.. This is just my opinion.. There is also a chance once you get the dog DH falls in love and your are one big happy family.. I just get nervous when its not a mutual decision.. I have heard some bad stories 
Message edited 1/31/2010 11:56:43 PM.
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| Posted 1/31/10 11:48 PM |
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greenfreak
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Member since 9/06 11483 total posts
Name:
greenfreak
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Re: Convincing DH to get a dog................
Posted by dilb712
Honestly....... I think its always a very bad decision to get any pet if everyone in the household is not on the same page
Thank you Diana, very well said. My rescue required all members of the household be there for our home visit just for that reason. You need to get past the infatuation stage and into the responsible, coordinated, prepared stage before you make a family decision. I would never do something my husband wasn't comfortable with. It's not fair to anyone, most of all the animal.
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| Posted 2/1/10 8:29 AM |
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RadioLau
LIF Adult
Member since 4/07 2179 total posts
Name:
Laura
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Re: Convincing DH to get a dog................
I had the exact conversation with my DH about a year ago. (Minus the cats.) We got the pup in August and from time to time we do argue about having to figure out what to do when we go out for long periods of time, who is getting home first for work, and what to do when we go on vacation. But for the most part he loves him very much. It is definitely harder though when your DH doesn't actually WANT the dog. I mean, I do absolutely EVERYTHING for my puppy unless I really really can't for some reason. But I do every feeding, poop duty, walking, cleaning, bathing, grooming, everything. Not complaining about it but something to consider for you if you are willing do to that if he's not on board. I would never ask my husband to "take a turn". This is my thing.
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| Posted 2/1/10 8:49 AM |
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wo0shply
LIF Adult
Member since 11/08 2702 total posts
Name:
Tass
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Re: Convincing DH to get a dog................
i agree that every member has to want the pet. Its easier when everyone wants to help train the dog and bond with it.
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| Posted 2/1/10 11:17 AM |
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Goobster
:)
Member since 5/07 27557 total posts
Name:
:)
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Re: Convincing DH to get a dog................
Posted by greenfreak
Posted by dilb712
Honestly....... I think its always a very bad decision to get any pet if everyone in the household is not on the same page
Thank you Diana, very well said. My rescue required all members of the household be there for our home visit just for that reason. You need to get past the infatuation stage and into the responsible, coordinated, prepared stage before you make a family decision. I would never do something my husband wasn't comfortable with. It's not fair to anyone, most of all the animal.
I have to say I was thinking the SAME thing. Esp if you plan on having children, the person who wasn't keen on the dog may really decide they don't want a dog then....kwim? The truth will really come out then b/c dogs are a huge responsibility, nothing even close to what a cat entails.
When DH and I were not on the same page, it wasn't an option. And while my heart was broken, I waited over 3 years for the time to be right.
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| Posted 2/1/10 11:35 AM |
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Goobster
:)
Member since 5/07 27557 total posts
Name:
:)
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Re: Convincing DH to get a dog................
Posted by PennyCat
He also doesn't want to have to worry about always being home to walk the dog. How does that work, actually? Would we still be able to go out for the entire day? Is that a legitimate concern?
This is absolutely a legitimate concern. Our lives dramatically changed once we got our dog (dogs now). We cannot go out for extended periods at all. Our dog is very nervous and needy and just cannot be alone for more than 5 hrs (and that is PUSHING it) or he is in a panic state. Also, we base our days around their walks. We take them to families houses on holidays b/c they need to be walked and it's too far and too long of a day to leave them home. Dogs are MUCH MUCH MORE dependent than cats and dogs are much more social and needy than cats. You never know what kind of a dog you are going to get, what their personality and needs will be like...many just cannot be alone for long periods (esp younger energetic dogs) or they will act out, become nervous and jittery, lonely, etc.
I have to be totally honest and tell you your DH is right and doesn't want this responsibilty, you need to listen to what he is saying and go with it. Maybe one day the time will be right but right now it's not for him.
We cannot just go out when we feel like it. Or stay out as long as we feel like. Or take trips as we would wish/used to before them. In a lot of ways, dogs are like having babies, but babies you can't take with you most places and babies that NEVER grow up...kwim????
Sorry to be so blunt but a dog would seriously change the way you live your life. Some days I wish I didn't have to worry about my dogs and factor them into my plans each day but it's the life I committed to and I do love them as they were my children so it is what it is.
BTW< last night I only got 2 hrs sleep b/c my dog heard a noise and barked late last night, woke my 14mth old DD up and she screamed on and off all night bc we could not get her to fall back asleep. Having a dog effects every aspect of your life. I am exhausted right now....thanks to my dogs.:
Your DH is right.
Message edited 2/1/2010 11:46:00 AM.
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| Posted 2/1/10 11:42 AM |
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MRnMRSNurse
LIF Adult
Member since 8/09 1318 total posts
Name:
Jessica
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Re: Convincing DH to get a dog................
my DH was on the fence but once we brought our little guy home he loves him to pieces!
There are lots of breeds that are good with cats or don't care about cats.
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| Posted 2/2/10 12:28 AM |
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PennyCat
Just call me mommy :)
Member since 7/08 19084 total posts
Name:
Jib
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Re: Convincing DH to get a dog................
Thank you everyone!!! I really appreciate everyone's honest and thoughtful advice. I KNOW that DH has to be 100% on board for the dog and if he isn't, we will def NOT be getting one.
When my FIL adopted a dog last weekend and sent us pics I was in LOVE And then .......... FIL said he would give us the dog if we wanted!  and he would get another! That made me want it even more!!
Right now DH and I both agreed to keep an open mind and meet the dog before coming to any decisions. DH knows what it's like having a dog and all the responsibilities that come with it because he had 2 dogs growing up.
Thanks again ladies!
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| Posted 2/2/10 8:58 PM |
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