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Old 05-02-2013, 01:29 PM   #13
Russic
Dances with Wolves
 
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Good for you for asking the question, and I'd agree with people here that you don't sound like a dog is for you. It's important to realize there's nothing wrong with that and it's impressive you're thinking about it now rather than 2 months after you get the dog and realize you aren't enjoying it, and it isn't enjoying you.

Dogs are a huge responsibility and too much to put on kids imo. They should certainly help, but to expect much more than accompaniment on a walk is probably unfair. If you think you'll be the only one walking the dog, then you *will* be the only one walking the dog.

I'll be perfectly honest with you: I don't like walking my dog. He has aggression issues towards other dogs and after burning through a couple trainers and several hundred dollars we've been unsuccessful in curving the behaviour. I view walking my dog as a job, and while I do it every day, it certainly isn't something I look forward to. It's a frustrating experience on the best of days.

Don't make the classic mistake of recognizing that you only walk once a week but telling yourself that a dog will somehow encourage you to suddenly become an avid walker.

I'll echo what has been said by a couple other posters: I like my dog, the kids adore him, and it'll be a sad day when he goes, but he will definitely be our last dog.
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