Practicalities - Disadvantages of Owning a Dog

The Sweeper

Sorry to lead with such a negative thread title, but I'm looking for really specific input!

Have recently been discussing dog ownership with the OH. I love dogs - always have. I am very much a cat person, but a lot of that has been because OH is very much a cat person and not particularly a dog person.

Anyway, the upshot is am considering getting a dog. Have wanted a dog since I was about... six years old. Think I've waited long enough.

Info about us - I work three days a week and am home four days. We have a big, fully fenced, very secure yard. (The cats can't get out of it, so a dog certainly won't.) My plan would be to get a pup of between 8-12 weeks, mainly because when introducing a new animal into the household, it's easier with a young animal. Additionally I want a young pup because of its size - it'll be easier to get my cats to adjust to a puppy that's a similar size to them as opposed to a juvenile or grown dog.

I'd go through a no-kill rescue, and put all my cards on the table up front. I'll take two weeks off work to stay home with the pup and the cats initially, but the cats are my original pet and they have to come first in any changes. If the introductions are as bad at the end of four weeks as they were on day one, we may have to call it a failed experiment and ask the rescue to take the pup back - but I intend to make that very clear to the rescue, take all of their advice on introductions, and give them regular updates during the trial period. However, once I have exhausted everything I can think of, if it's still not working I won't persist with something that's making the cats and the pup unhappy.

I want a harmonious household of pets that get along and will play together (or at least won't stress each other out).

I want the dog to be an indoor access pet. I would envisage the dog sleeping in the house during the night and spending some time outside and some time inside during the day - similar to the cats.

Exercise wise, I need to find local puppy socialisation classes, but the plan then is a game in the yard in the morning, a game in the yard at lunchtime, and a walk in the evening. Given that you shouldn't be walking a pup miles at a time initially, we can build up to a suitable exercise regime. Also fancy setting up a few agility obstacles in the yard when the time is right and the dog is old enough.

After the first two weeks that I'm off work, I'll change my working day to give me an hour lunchbreak, so I can come home and play with the pup in the yard for 45 minutes to break the day up. He or she won't be on their own (without human companionship) for more than four hours at a time, and that'll be only for three days per week. The rest of the time I'm pretty much home!

One of the questions is how to sort out absent time - I don't want to put the pup outside and keep the cats inside, because while that'll ward off toileting accidents, I can envisage a pup who doesn't understand why he or she is being excluded from the house while the cats aren't. I also won't leave the cats outside all day while I'm out.

So how would I get around that? I was thinking I could install a large dog door - big enough for both pup and cats, and I could put more work into turning the yard into fort knox? (It occurs to me the pup could be a digger. If he or she digs under the fence it won't take much to make a hole big enough that'd mean I come home to zero cats...)

Plans for holidays would be similar to the existing plan - cats stay in the house with a cat sitter, but dog would go to good local kennels. (Want to try and find a local kennel that also runs a puppy socialisation class so dog knows surroundings of kennels.)

Anyway - the purpose of this thread: I'm finding it difficult to think objectively about whether this is the right home for a dog. Am I kidding myself? Will it be torture, subjecting a dog to six (friendly and well socialised, but six) cats? How do I sort out the joint inside/outside access?

(Intend to crate train the pup... But have you seen what happens when you put a cosy, enclosed box on the floor in a room with cats in it? )

Basically, all you dog owners out there - where is this cunning plan going to fail?

suziwalsh

Would you think about adopting a slightly older dog that is good with cats? Some rescues use a foster care programme like Animal Rescue Dublin. Where the dogs live in family homes until they are adopted. There will be many dogs that are already living in cat homes and are socialised, house trained and have some obedience.....might be worth a look for your situation rather than taking on a pup that might not work out??? I am sure you could foster with view to adopt....

Blueprint

Well, you've thought everything out pretty well, but I'd actually go for a slightly older dog who's used to cats. It's unfair to expect a puppy to hold it in for more than a couple of hours at a time as they've not got the bladder control and an older dog will also cope better with being left.

I was working a similar pattern to yourself when I got my guy (except that I was working night shifts and there was someone at home in the evenings, so my dog was never left on his own). He was six months old and coped admirably with the stray cat deciding to move in too and having four kittens in a box under my staircase two weeks later. He now shares his life with 3 cats and they all get on great - the cats are actually fonder of the dog than he is of them!

My guy adapted to my odd sleeping and waking patterns etc really well (I took 10 days off work to settle him in and then used up all my spare holidays that summer making sure that I had more time to spend with him).

The Sweeper

Good points - would like to hear all pros and cons of pup versus older dog. My take on it was that my cats would be terribly intimidated by an older dog, because of the size difference, and that an older dog might stress them out more because young animals are naturally more subservient and a confident adult animal might be too much for them... Not sure though. Being able to skip the toilet training phase would be welcome.

Edit to add, looking at medium sized dog, not small dog - hence concern about size difference. Given the ready supply of mutts at the shelters, will probably end up with some kelpie cross Heinz 57 type, that ultimately ends up around springer spaniel sized. That's the plan anyway!

rpmcs

well if its any help, i got a male black lab, he was 6mts old when i got him, first few weeks i just let him smell cats butt, and from then on he passed no attention, apart from some feeding times till he got to know his own bowl,but claw in face once and he learned quick,and in few months they were lying face to face in front of stove!!
but on first encounters keep them short and not face to face as cat will try to scrab, dog just wants to smell the butt!! lol
as for toilet training, once they get used to going outside for it, letting him out straight after feeding and careful eye is needed! but my cat comes in and out cat flap and dog not bothered!! all just my experiences not going to say it works as rule, but good luck with it,
but you seem to be well prepared

Sigma Force

Taking two weeks off can be a good idea and then start as you mean to go on with a good routine. You've thought of all the possibilities I mean people go out to work all the time and can't possibly take months off at a time when they get a new dog although puppies do need wees and can't be left longer than a couple of hours at a time toilet training may take a bit longer.

It all depends on the cats and pups personalities as well you might find some of the cats are terrified and some don't mind at all, energetic bouncy pups can put the frightners on cats but it's only a matter of time it may take a while but no reason why they can't all live together happily.
Some might just tolerate the pup and others over a few months might end up snuggling up with the pup.

Having a small window high up away from the pup that the cats have access to could help that way they can get in and out or away if he's too bouncy.

Small pups can be hurt by grumpy cats though and it can be a big change for them.

Time sorts it out though, my parents dog is well used to cats but she is the boss but my previous cat even in to her old age was boss over the dog so it's just a matter of them finding their place.

I don't think it's ideal for someone to be home 24/7 it can make a dog too clingy esp. if all of a sudden you've to run off in an emergency only to find the place destroyed or the dog distressed afterwards. So it's just a matter of finding a happy balance.

The first couple of months can be testing with a new pup wether you're at home all the time or working, some settle quicker than others.

You sound sensible and really just go with what you feel is right. No decent rescue would expect you to be home 24/7 (although for security reasons might be an idea to leave pup in a tiled part of the house while away rather than having access to outside) after all people have to work to pay for vet care etc.

Plus you're only gone 3 days a week, a dog will soon get used to the routine.

mymo

I think you have thought this through pretty well. Here's my experience...
I had 2 cats for 7 years, the only dog they knew was next doors little dog that was friendly, so had limited experience of dogs. I got a puppy almost 2 years ago, the cats weren't impressed for first few days(hid mostly or gave him withering looks from on high), then one of the cats died(unrelated to the dog arriving) and the remaining cat was left to cope with a mad, hairy, speeding pup tearing around. He was great, very gentle and even put up with being bounced on, even played with the pup occasionally.
Then after 6 months I got another cat, fully grown, very friendly and used to dogs. Oh what a difference....he loved to poke the dog through the crate:rolleyes: and really annoy him, they do get on ok now(the dog does chase him sometimes, and he still annoys the dog when he can, but no serious incidents), but I since got another pup and she gets on great with both cats, think the new dogs size helped, she's smaller(other one is now springer size). I think adding an adult dog to the cats would have been asking for trouble, size is a big thing with cats a large animal always puts them on the defensive, so a pup can be better, maybe one under 6 months would suit you?
But it really depends on the dog, do you know anyone with a cat friendly dog who could maybe visit you and the cats to give an idea of the cats reaction?
One thing I did was leave the dogs in the kitchen and cats in rest of the house, if I wasn't there, for the safety(and sanity) of both. I now let everyone have free reign when I'm out and their fine.
Honestly it took about 6 weeks to settle them with each new addition, but the adult cat arriving was by far the most difficult, for both dog and cat.

Howitzer

quick reply from me: looks like you've thought it all through. Only drawback we suffer from having a dog is not being able to go out together (me and wife) midweek straight after work. Dog has to get walked, fed first.

If you're near DSPCA at all they have a great puppy class with a first rate dog trainer (Alex). check their site for details. Can't rate it highly enough.

Also, Marlay park dog park is v.good for socialisation. Make sure puppy has his kennel cough shots and all other shots first.

morganafay

I'd definitely get a pup. Like you said, the cats have to come first. I'm guessing they've never met a dog, and knowing cats, they'd freak out if they saw a dog, and could even jump out of the garden if they were scared enough. Mine would run a mile at the sight of a strange adult dog, and I have 4 dogs, but they'd still hate an adult one.

The cats might be scared of a pup because they don't know dogs. When I got my first puppy, the adult cats were annoyed by her, but not scared, she was tiny. The kittens took no notice and loved the dog. So I'd introduce them indoors and maybe if the cats are scared, keep them in for a few days in case they try to run away.

The cats will probably scratch the puppy a few times and the pup will realise that the cats are higher in the pack than he/she is! The cats might always boss the dog around, but they should accept each other after a while and even like each other. Once the cats realise that the puppy makes a comfy pillow to lie on and gives them attention . . .

And the cats will be good company for the pup when you're at work, so I think the puppy will be fine for four hours. After playtime in the morning and at lunchtime, the pup will probably sleep for a few hours anyway.


As for the disadvantages of dogs, I find them much more annoying than cats. I love dogs, but I'm definitely more a cat person. Dogs bark, they get dirty, they poo random places, they get hyper, they can destroy things, they can be too attention seeking . . . cats are just more laid back and less bold! Dogs just need so much supervision to make sure they're not doing something they're not meant to be doing. I probably love my dogs more than my other pets, cos you can't help but love them, but I prefer cats. The poor dogs definitely get put last after the cats, guinea pigs and rabbits though, and are always told off for annoying the other animals and stuff!

i-digress

Kind of off topic, but well done for giving the matter so much thought. It's obviously your pets are a huge priority for you, which is lovely to hear.:D

ABajaninCork

Thought I'd add my own experience too if that's OK?

I originally had only cats. I had dogs since childhood and as a young lady, but given that at the time I lived on my own, couldn't have a dog and hated the thought of a pet-free existance, so I had cats.

I've always taken time off work (2 weeks) to settle them in and get used to my routine, and it's always worked well.

Fast forward to a year ago, when my husband & I got a Shih Tzu puppy. Initially, I was worried as I have a very elderly (and crotchety!) cat who has health issues. He came over from England with me, and is a bit of a Mummy's Boy. Had a chat with the vet who said it was OK, and probably better to introduce a puppy rather than an older dog, but to go slowly with the cat.

To make a long story short. The cat sulked for a couple of days, and we had to feed him in the spare bedroom. But - when he realised this furry thing was here to stay, he changed his tune! I wouldn't say they're best friends - the dog loves the cat, but the cat barely tolerates the poor dog!! But - it's worked out really well. The dog settled well, and the cat makes sure the dog knows who's boss!!

I say - Go for it!! You won't be sorry...

lrushe

For the time you are not at home I would just crate the dog with a kong and let the cats do what they normally do.
Bear in my that you don't have to get a puppy to adjust to your cats or vice versa, my dog was a year old when I got my cat (8 long years ago!!) and he never batted an eyelid at her (they are most likely curled up together right now as I type in the one kennel), no reason why a rescue wouldn't have a similarly laid back kind of dog for adoption. The advantages of a young dog over a puppy is they will adjust better to being left alone and they will most likely be house trained, 2 major pluses in my view.
Speaking as someone who's youngest dog is about to turn 1 in 2 weeks I am so glad the 'puppy stage' is for the most part over! Don't get me wrong, I love my dogs to bits and I've had them all since they were 8 weeks old but damn if puppies are not alot of hard work!! If you get the chance to cheat and fast forward a couple of months and let someone else do the hard stuff I would jump at the chance