Ever regret adding a new dog?

[dgray]

Bella is almost one, and I've gone back and forth on whether we should get another puppy in the next year or so. Things really are perfect right now and I don't want to break off more than I can chew. I also don't want to ruin a good thing.

The reason I ask, is because after I went from two cats to three, I kind of regretted the decision. Three is a bit too much for my liking.

Anyone ever ruin a good thing by getting another puppy? Or regret the decision?

I'd love to have another one but not sure if it's a good idea.


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[llombardo]

Never regretted adding the dogs, but cats are a whole different ball game. They give me more headaches then my dogs ever will.

[GusGus]

Originally Posted by llombardo

Never regretted adding the dogs, but cats are a whole different ball game. They give me more headaches then my dogs ever will.

I think this is a first i've heard this. Any cat I have had has been super easy. They just go off by themselves and I never had to worry. My dogs...I'm constantly having to watch them and worry about them and train them. haha

[blehmannwa]

I'm not sure that I regret it. Two dogs is different. I guess the only real problem that I have is that Hav's was just able to be left at home at large if we went out to dinner or something. Two dogs requires crating or supervision as I don't trust the two of them alone yet. I'm fortunate to have a friend who is willing to dogsit for me in the evenings but we cant be as spontaneous as we once were.
(I prefer to have a dogsitter rather than crate for management and this choice works for me. Havs is crate trained but Temps is not--she broke her crate when left with the neighbors and I haven't bothered to replace it.)

[dgray]

Originally Posted by GusGus

I think this is a first i've heard this. Any cat I have had has been super easy. They just go off by themselves and I never had to worry. My dogs...I'm constantly having to watch them and worry about them and train them. haha

Lol well my cats are good but one is older and grumpy. She's always attacking the others and it's really chaos. She really should be the only cat with how she is.


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[Carriesue]

Originally Posted by GusGus

I think this is a first i've heard this. Any cat I have had has been super easy. They just go off by themselves and I never had to worry. My dogs...I'm constantly having to watch them and worry about them and train them. haha

Not necessarily true! I have three cats and they are just as demanding for attention as my dogs. Granted I don't have to take them for walks or to obedience class but that whole mentality that cats are get it and forget it pets irks me. They need interaction and stimulation too.

To the op YES I have regretted getting a dog... I've got four right now and it's A LOT of work. My golden has had a ton of issues that's caused my husband and I a lot of stress and there were days when I wished I hadn't gotten him, thought about how much easier life would be without him. But I didn't throw him away, I worked on his behavioral issues, things are manageable now and I'm bonding more with him.

If you want a puppy just remember they are exhausting and a lot of work... I've felt with each of the puppies I've raised, what the heck have I done, lol?! That feeling eventually passed though... Maybe think about adopting an older mellow dog? Does your dog like other dogs, will they get jealous?

Not saying its a bad idea, I mean I do have four dogs myself! But we can't take vacations as often, higher vet bills, higher kenneling costs... If you take them places like parks or hiking can you take both?

They can enrich your life quite a bit though, I was worried about how my new GSD puppy would get along with my golden but they are BEST buddies and have so much fun together. It's been so wonderful that my golden can have a playmate now(my other two dogs are small breeds and they don't like to rough play) since he cannot go the dog parks or be around other dogs off leash.

Sorry I rambled a bit there, hope I made some sense!

[GusGus]

Originally Posted by Carriesue

Not necessarily true! I have three cats and they are just as demanding for attention as my dogs. Granted I don't have to take them for walks or to obedience class but that whole mentality that cats are get it and forget it pets irks me. They need interaction and stimulation too.

As a kitten, my current cat loved to play but was VERY low maintenance. I played with him all the time, but as a cat he doesn't want much attention. He'll lay on the couch occasionally but he doesn't play or demand any attention. He'd rather be outside hunting stuff.

I'd NEVER "get and forget" a pet. It's just all of my cats personalities I guess. Maybe because they've been inside/outside cats and they've preferred to run my parents 77 acres and not be inside..

[llombardo]

Originally Posted by GusGus

As a kitten, my current cat loved to play but was VERY low maintenance. I played with him all the time, but as a cat he doesn't want much attention. He'll lay on the couch occasionally but he doesn't play or demand any attention. He'd rather be outside hunting stuff.

I'd NEVER "get and forget" a pet. It's just all of my cats personalities I guess. Maybe because they've been inside/outside cats and they've preferred to run my parents 77 acres and not be inside..

My cats are strictly indoor cats. Don't get me wrong I love them all, but my one cat is a terror and always has been. He gets into everything..cabinets, drawers, top of the desk, etc. Each of my cats have a differently personality and all do better when I give them attention, well except the one, it doesn't matter, he will always be who he is and I have learned to accept him and love him no matter what

[shepherdmom]

I've had 5 dogs, and 5 cats. (Not at the same time) I would take 5 dogs any day over the cats. That is just too much litter boxes. I've never regretted any of my animals. You just need to take your time and pick a personality that gets along with your current dog. Cause crate and rotate is no fun!

[dgray]

Originally Posted by shepherdmom

I've had 5 dogs, and 5 cats. (Not at the same time) I would take 5 dogs any day over the cats. That is just too much litter boxes. I've never regretted any of my animals. You just need to take your time and pick a personality that gets along with your current dog. Cause crate and rotate is no fun!

I think as long as I get a male, Bella will be fine. She absolutely adores my friends Aussie puppy. Seeing them play makes me want to bring her home a buddy. Lol


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