My OH wants another dog

Thank you Sodapop. After my undemanding lurcher this little JRT boy is something else!

Think very carefully about getting another dog unless you both agree on what type and who is going to do the looking after and clearing up. I have a cautionary tale. My ex husband insisted on taking in a 6 year old rescue male GSD with issues some years ago, contrary to my better judgement. He was a very handsome and loyal dog inside the house, but an absolute nightmare to control outside, he had major anxiety issues and was dreadful in the car, and couldn't be let off the lead as he would chase after runners. He used to hurl himself against the front door when the postman came, and absolutely mutilated the door, which husband refuse to do anything about at the time.

In the end I decided to leave my husband. Obviously dog wasn' t the only reason as the marriage was in trouble for a long while before taking in a troublesome dog, but doing so without my agreement was a significant factor and and clear evidence that my feelings on the topic counting for nothing. And I actually like most dogs very much as we had previously had dogs.

I would get a small/medium sized dog when I eventually retire, as I live on my own and a dog would be good company.

Hi - I read that you have got a Lab pup and I am about to see a litter this Sunday? Is there any advice you can give me? I have an eight year old cat that I plan to separate with child gates.
Are there any books you can recommended (I’m a fast reader!), just any information about your experience would be greatly appreciated.
Many thanks, Rosie

Get the books by Pippa Mattinson - the happy puppy handbook and My Labrador

I haven't read all the comments on this thread so excuse me if I'm repeating something. Your husband does sound like a spoilt child.........wants the dog but not at all prepared to take responsibility for its care and welfare.

When I lived alone I had the idea, once I retired, to have a small dog for company. However, before I retired I met a lovely man and we are now a couple. We are community volunteers and we are out of the house for long periods throughout the day; that would be so unfair on any dog. Hence, I have no dog.

I think you need to be very firm with your husband, point out how hard it is cleaning up the moulting dog hair etc and how time consuming and exhausting big dogs can be.

Good luck and I hope you find some agreeable solutions.

Just say No. And that from a dog owning nearly 64 year old. Take the foot and put it firmly down. He will adjust to the freedom.

We had 4 dogs, two working Labradors and two terriers. Sadly both of the Labradors have now GOTRB so now just have small dogs and although I miss having the bigger dogs I find the little ones much easier to manage in every aspect. I yearn to have another Labrador, my heart tells me one thing, my head another. I have to go with my head on this one. I do love the characters of my little dogs and wouldn’t be without them.

Stand your ground. Eventually hopefully his clamour will die down. As another poster wisely said, a dog is a joint responsibility and it sounds like before you were your pets main carer. I owned a GSD in my early twenties and they are a LOT of work. IMO a greyhound would be a good compromise, they are extremely lazy and sweet, but again only if you want one too.

Book - can't help but think that it will be very difficult for your mature cat to adapt to a puppy. Unless your cat is already used to dogs?