single people w/o kids rasing a doodle ?

[Tammy and Violet]

I would love to compare and share the good , bad and ugly of what works and does not work with our baby.I could sure use thge support !

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

And it gets even worse in some ways when the kids are older; at least when they are little, they' don't have so much going on outside the home. Once they start school, there's dance class, music class, all kinds of sports practices and games, religious school, after school clubs and activities, and the moms are usually the ones chaffeuring, helping, etc. That's why you see so many dogs being rehomed because of "no time" for the dog. It's usually families, not single people. 

[Sally S Miles]

Nice summations

[Allyson, Peri & Taquito]

Ditto to what Adina says.  For what it's worth, I had my Chihuahua when I was single, then got married, then added doodle, then almost 4 years later, added a human child.  I am a planner so for me this was ideal - and gave me enough time to concentrate on training my dogs.  Now that we have Charlotte, life is just really busy.  But as A says, I still have to think about feeding them, training them, boarding them, etc... it's just harder now because I am busier.  You are in a perfect situation so take time to train, bond, etc...with your dog - while you do happen to have more time to devote 100% to your puppy!

 

[Kathryn digregorio]

Hi Tamara, yes, there are challenges to be alone raising a puppy. I know exactly what you are saying. I have the most trouble when going out with Breezy. Like to take her as many places as possible, breakfast, parks, and soon to stores. It would be easier to have another set of hands many times. My children and grandchildren live out of town, and am retired. Do you have any dog loving friends to help??

[Sarah Bennett]

Tamara,  I too am single, no kids and have an almost 7 month old puppy...and I won't lie, there have been times that I wish there was someone else in my "family" to help out!  I'm lucky to have my BFF's family right next door and there have been multiple times that I have called on them to help out.  It is hard when I think, while I'm still out at work, I should stop at the store (because I live out in the country and to go home first means that I then have to go back to town), but then I start calculating all the time that Salvador has been home alone and then I'm torn...  whereas if there was another person in my family, they could stop at the store, or be home to take him out...

I've never been a dog owner in a larger than a 1 person family, so I'm not sure that those with multiple people in their homes have it any easier, but sometimes I do think having one more person to help care for him would be nice! But I do adore him :)

[Lynda Kamrath]

It is tough in a single parent home, or a single person home, when you are away from the home for a work schedule.  We are very lucky that we are retired and usually at least one person at home.  Our dogs have seldom been left alone (maybe for a few hours), never been groomed or boarded.  We do everything ourselves and all of us love it.  Yes, our dogs are spoiled but then so are we.  What a great family we have!

[Breanna]

I envy that. I work for Head Start preschool so I get summers off. I love my job but I am SO not looking forward to leaving my baby during the day when I go back to work :(

[Joanne ~ Spud*]

I've been:

• Married with one dog
• Married with two kids and one dog
• Married with two kids and two dogs
• Married with two kids and two dogs and an extra Lab now and then
• Divorced with kids and two dogs
• Divorced with kids and one dog
• Dating a man who had a dog who hated other dogs - we actually put off our wedding until our dogs were of age. Of course the kids too
• Married again with one dog
• Married again with two dogs
• Married Still with one dog and an extra doodle now and then

It is all the same.  It is Your dog. In a home with children, the dog does not belong to them. It is not their toy and it is not their work. In my house, the dogs were MINE.  Really twe were family, but I made sure they were never the responsibility of my children.  My dogs were just more children, really. Part of the pack.  The younger part.  They loved their dog.  Enjoy your dog, exercise with your dog, become best friends.

Dogs don't cuddle until they are older. Spud is just now the cuddle age. He  was too busy.   And he wont cuddle now unless he is exercised. As others have said, get out and enjoy the dog. Exercise the dog, go to parks, hike, Pet Expo events. 

As a puppy, wear that dog down.  Fetch and run it on the hour. Every hour.  Enjoy. 

I cant think of a better reason to be busy.  To work with a dog and achieve that fantastic companionship you get with bonding with your dog. Train.   Love each stage, no matter how challenging. They pass so fast.  Dogs are only with us a very short time in life.  I wish, many days, I was ' Your Busy'  

My girlfriend swears she will never date again but she will never be without her dogs again. 

[F, Calla & Luca]

If I didn't know better I'd think you were married about 10 times : )

[Pat and Traveler]

Well, drat!  I was thinking Joanne had been married 7 times and only divorced twice.  I could see a great TV episode and was already planning my directorial debut!  ;)

[F, Calla & Luca]

Kind of like Sister Wives : )

[Joanne ~ Spud*]

LOL! 

And I had an obsession of saying dog.  Geesh, How many times did I say dog in that response?  Good grief.

Sorry, got carried away with dog and married