Hello and welcome to r/LifeProTips!

Please help us decide if this post is a good fit for the subreddit by up or downvoting this comment.

If you think that this is great advice to improve your life, please upvote. If you think this doesn't help you in any way, please downvote. If you don't care, leave it for the others to decide.

This. Things like a dog or a vacation home are nice, but you can really only find happiness by working on yourself.

Treat a dog right and most problems will evaporate.

If you think dogs are dirty, don’t belong in the house, and leave them outside 24/7.

Don’t get a dog, you heartless fucks.

This is super informed opinion and I appreciate it. While there are some benefits, you’re right it’s certainly more work. In thinking about a couple I know who employs this very mindset to their pack of 3 and it doesn’t work. They need their own stimulation/attention even if sometimes you can get benefits of two. I shouldn’t have made it so simple

Getting a dog could contribute to your financial problems

While they’re not requirements, most dogs require some level of training and grooming whether you enlist the help of a professional or do it yourself and it is 2 times the work with 2 animals.

I think it’s a common assumption that two dogs will “tire each other out” and/or entertain each other, but this depends greatly on their personalities and age gaps and it’s not a cop out from actually playing with your dogs, walking them, and providing mental stimulation. Outside of special cases such as littermate syndrome dogs typically find human interaction more rewarding which is a trait we selectively bred into them over generations.

I mean the first two aren’t necessary requirements. And I agree on some of the cohabit side of things.

That said, they always have someone to play with, which can make care easier/more efficient.

But overall I agree, it’s not as if it’s 2 for 1 or something. It’s another life you’re responsible for

They do if you consider taking them to training classes, groomers, and the vet separately. Some dogs are difficult to walk together for the first year of being together and require separate walks as well. So I would say two dogs definitively take more time than one, especially in the formative years, and then in the latter years as well.

Thats why I got a cat.

But getting a dog could solve my cash flow problem. Provided that I do it multiple times.

But with a dog you will solve problems happily.

I’m not sure they take much more time then one, but yes size and interaction definitely matter

Depends on the people and the dog. My dog has brought nothing but love and joy into my life, and I hope I have done the same for her.

What about a cat?

This!

I usually say in my most redneckish voice "Olright, no more TALKIN. Back to work!"

Then walk away like a movie star from an explosion.

This is completely false - if your problems are too much money and sleep and too much freedom to travel then getting a dog will solve literally every single problem!

“It only shows the world who you really are”

I want to name a dog I have someday Bingo and respond to questions about his name with claps and letters. For some reason my husband calls this “exhausting”.

[removed]

Yup take a look at r/askvet. Mant of the asks are from people who can't or don't want to prioritize a vet visit. They shouldn't have animals, unfair as it is.

Now they come back, but your dog is playing "no take, only throw" with you

Nice one.

A million likes from heart. But technically I can give one.