Why Having A Dog Is More Effort Than It’s Worth

1. They are a huge time commitment

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Dogs are massive time commitments. When you get a pet dog, you need to be aware that they will take up a LOT of your ties, and this commitment is constant. It's not something that you can commit to on and off. So are you really prepared to put aside all of your time when you get a dog? You definitely won't have all of that time for yourself anymore.

2. They cost a lot

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It's easy to underestimate how much dogs really cost because there are costs you would never have even thought about. Regardless of the equipment you need like beds and bowls, there's also the general upkeep of your dog such as food. But then there are also costs such as the kennels if you go away on vacation! And vets bills for dogs really are HUGE.

3. You can't be spontaneous

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If you are a super spontaneous person then having a dog may be more effort than it's worth for you because you can't just up and leave whenever you want to. You can't just randomly book a trip or go somewhere overnight because it either has to be a place where you can bring your dog, or you have to make arrangements to have someone look after your dog and this takes time!

4. They cause a lot of mess

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Dogs are messy there's no two ways about it. Even if you think they won't be too much mess, they probably will. Even the most well-behaved dogs who don't have accidents inside still bring in a lot of dirt on their coats. And many dogs shed fur which gets ALL over the sofas and your clothes. So be prepared to spend some extra time cleaning your house because it will not look the same anymore.

5. You get no personal space

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Having a dog in your personal space constantly is just a part and parcel of having a dog. They want to be with you all of the time and they would never lead your side if it was possible. Some people love this, but for other people who like their own time and space, this sounds like a lot of effort. Do you think you can get some alone time when you have a pet dog? Think again.

6. They rely solely on you

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What some people don't realize about having a dog is that in many ways it's like having a child in the way that your dog will rely solely on you. They aren't independent in any way shape or form, so essentially it's like having a child who never grows up! You are responsible for your dog always and they will always rely on you, which of course, can be a lot of effort.

7. You have to walk them in all kinds of weather

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So dogs can really encourage you to get up, move, and out of the house. This can be a brilliant thing because you really do have no choice but to walk them. But this is some serious effort. And when it's freezing, rainy, or icy outside and all you want to do is curl up on the couch...you have to get out and walk your dog - rain or shine you still have to do it!

8. They can trigger allergies

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Some people are allergic to fur or dogs even when they don't realize it. In fact. when some people get a dog they realize that their skin or their body doesn't agree with the fur type of their dog. This puts them in a horrible position of either having to rehome the dog or live with their allergy symptoms every single day. And, people you're close to may also have allergies too!

9. They sometimes cause damage

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Dogs love to chew things or dig things up, it's in their nature. Say goodbye to your leather couch which will have claw marks all over it. Say goodbye to your favorite pair of high heels which look just like a STICK! And as for your garden, the green grass may turn into a muddy patch of mess. And don't get us started on the puppy stage, that is totally destructive.

10. You can't go where you want, when you want

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When you go out to a restaurant or you book a hotel or even go and see your friend, you have to check whether the place is dog friendly. Sometimes you can leave them at home, but you can only leave them at home for a certain amount of time otherwise it's cruel. So having a dog can be a lot of effort because you might not be able to go where you want.

11. You'll end up with hair all over your clothes

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There are very few dogs who don't have hair that malts. And some dogs get hair absolutely everywhere. This means that you can't go and put on your best outfit without being covered in a thick layer of dog hair. It's not exactly a good look but dog owners will understand. It's a lot of effort to de-hair yourself. Especially when you're late and trying to rush to work in the morning.

12. Dogs can be super naughty

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Some dogs are super well-behaved and others can be a little (or a LOT) naughty! No matter how much you try and train some unruly pups they will just continue to run rings around you. And if you think it's just while they are a pup, you're wrong. It can last for years - some dogs are just barkers or jumpers and just really don't like to be told what to do!

13. They may have separation anxiety

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Some dogs get separation anxiety when they are away from their owners meaning they get really distressed so that you cannot leave them for periods of time without them being extremely upset. It can be really hard to deal with whilst you try and tackle the problem and it can mean that you never feel that you can go anywhere because you know your dog will be so distraught.

14. Fleas can be a massive problem

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Fleas are so common and dogs can catch them so easily. And whilst catching them may be way too easy...getting rid of them is another thing entirely. Not only do you have to apply flea treatment to your dog, but you also have to spray your entire house to try and kill the fleas, and wash all of your soft furnishings at a high temperature! And even after you've done all those sometimes they STILL don't go for a while.

15. You don't know how your dog will respond to people

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Dogs don't always like humans, aside from their owners. This usually comes out of a place of fear rather than aggression. So it can be a huge amount of effort to try and control your dog's reactions every time you interact with someone. It's also not a great way to start an interaction, with your dog growling or barking at somebody. It can scare people away because they don't know the temperament of your dog like you do.

16. They'll take over your life

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If you want a dog, there's something you should know. They're not just a lot of effort. They essentially take over your life. For dog lovers, this is perfect. But for the people out there considering getting a dog and not actually wanting to put that much time or effort into them, then for you it will be way more effort than it's worth. Dogs are companions, and definitely not just an accessory!

17. Visitors may be put off coming around

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If you were the party house, the house that always had people around and always hosted dinner parties and then you get a dog and suddenly nobody wants to come around anymore, it's not you, it's the dig. Not everybody will be a dog fan (even if you think your dog is the best thing ever) so it's kinda inevitable that SOME people will be put off from visiting you so much anymore.

18. They may not fit in

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Sometimes people have a lifestyle that doesn't work well with having a dog because they realize that dogs are a lot of effort and sometimes people just find that they don't fit in with their lifestyle. And, other times people just find that the dog they get isn't a good fit for their family. Just because you get a dog doesn't mean that they'll automatically slot right into the family. In some cases. it's a LOT of effort.

19. You may worry about them when you're not with them

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Once you get a dog you realize that the bond between you is so strong and when you're not around them you'll be worrying about them! They become a part of your family and you think about them and if they're okay, are they missing me, or are they behaving okay? It's all a part of being a dog owner. But it could really be more effort than it's worth if you don't want MORE stress in your day-to-day life.

20. You'll have to pick up a LOT of dog waste

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Okay so we had to get to it at some point, it really is a big consideration. In your time as a dog owner, you will pick up a helluva lot of poo. There's nothing you can do about it. And dogs do always poop in public spaces, it's like they wait on purpose until you're in the middle of a busy area so that you have to pick it up right there in front of lots of people and carry around a bag full of waste.

21. Dogs can take an emotional toll on you

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When you're a pet owner, things don't always go smoothly. It's a part of life that we're all exposed to at some point. Accidents happen and so does ill health. When you're a dog owner at some point you will have to cope with the inevitable. And the toll that it takes on you is something that you can't prepare for because your fur baby will be like your best friend.

22. You get no peace and quiet

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As soon as you get a dog, peace and quiet fly right out the window. If you're used to a calm home then do be prepared for the fact that that will all totally change. When you have a dog you can guarantee that they will go crazy every time the mail is delivered. You can also guarantee that they will wake you up from that glorious afternoon nap with a loud bark.

23. Training takes a lot of time

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If you are intending on having a well-behaved pup and one that doesn't cause chaos in your home, then they'll require training. Training isn't just a couple of hours here and there, it's the consistent and constant time commitment that is necessary to actually train your dog because the behavior is learned from repetition over time. It's never a quick fix!

24. You may become SUPER attached

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No, scratch that, you WILL become super attached to your dog. There's no way to avoid it. They'll become your fur baby, you'll adore them and soon you'll be THAT person at parties showing people pictures of your dog. So what's wrong with this? Nothing, but it's a lot of effort when you love something so much that they become the center of your world...not you!

25. You can't have a lie in!

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Long gone are the days you could snooze till 10 am. Oh no, your dog will wake you up. Maybe by nuzzling your face or licking you to get your attention or maybe just a series of loud barks from downstairs. They want to go out for a pee, and they want their breakfast! So hurry up and get out of bed because your dog will NOT wait patiently for you to get up at your own leisure.

26. They can get in the way of relationships

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It probably sounds dramatic to say that dogs have really gotten in the way of some relationships, in fact, some even break up as a result. Because dogs are such a huge commitment, if you get a particularly emotionally reliant dog or a very disobedient dog it can cause a lot of strain on the relationship to the point where it can cause a massive rift.

27. They may have health problems

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Some dog owners are so lucky and their dog lives a long and happy life, which is pretty much problem free. But some dogs have serious health conditions. You can never know, as is the way of life. But some dogs can have continuous problems throughout their life which can require them to have a certain kind of life or have to follow certain guidelines which could totally take over your freedom.

28. You can't predict them

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One thing you learn when you have dogs is that you just can't predict them. You can't read their mind, and so you never truly know how they will behave. Even if they've been in a similar environment or situation before you cannot assume that they'll behave the same as last time. For example, one day they may love cats and be super friendly, the next they're chasing them and drooling at the mouth!

29. Dogs sometimes have problems with other dogs

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For some reason, a lot of dogs HATE other dogs. It doesn't seem quite right to be so terrified of your own species or to raise your hackles and growl every time you see a fellow dog, but a lot of them do. In fact, there's no in-between. They either chase other dogs and love to play with them by spinning in circles or they're scared and quite aggressive.

30. They want your constant attention

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Dogs want CONSTANT attention. If you don't like being constantly mithered for attention then a dog isn't for you. As soon as you put your hand down they'll be nudging you to carry on petting them. Or, you'll be trying to watch tv and they'll be throwing the ball at your feet begging you to play catch with them. We could only dream of having this kind of never-ending energy.