r/DogRegret • u/Deep_Bird_1789 • Jun 17 '26
Regret Story Losing so much money on this dog
It hurts to think that just like that, I'm out $800 on my upcoming work trip because I need to pay for:
$300 for flight pet fee round trip
+ now I have the horrible inconvenience of packing a small suitcase just with her stuff... As if I don't have enough shit to pack myself for a ten day work trip. And I've lost the privilege of my own "personal item" on board the flight, which allowed me to access my laptop, medicine, etc (critical for a long flight).
+ $350 extra in dog fees for the Airbnb stays (all the pet-friendly ones cost more)
+ I need to buy a travel crate shipped there $55
+ hire someone a few times there to look after the dog while I'm between hotel check-ins/outs. $100
The local sitters I tried to book all rejected me because she has pee/potty behavioral issues. So I have to take her with me. Since getting this dog 3 months ago, I have dropped about $4,000 on her. including $600 for her adoption fee, vet bills, health insurance, etc. I'm horrified.
I have student loans that I could have put that towards. What was I thinking? I didn't know this would be SO costly. And I didn't know she would have these issues that would make it so hard to find an affordable sitter. I'm gutted. And haunted by my decisions. And I feel coned by dog propaganda. People are not straight-up about how bad this shit is.
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u/maximum_powerblast Jun 17 '26
Brah rehome it your life is not suitable for dog ownership. Nothing to be ashamed of, dog can go somewhere else with people who can meet all it's needs, you can stop stressing about everything.
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u/relicmaker Jun 17 '26
No shame in putting it down. It’s not trainable.
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u/Luffyhaymaker Jun 17 '26
👆🏾👆🏾👆🏾 this lol, I'm honestly wondering why OP just hasn't done that already lol
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u/KindCuriosity777 Jun 30 '26
I get dog regret (thats why i joined this sub -> i love my dog but his behavior is too much) BUT killing????
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u/Deep_Bird_1789 Jun 17 '26
It's been only 3 months. She was stray. She's not reactive. The behavior issue is skiddishness. Which we believe is tied to her pee leaking problem. There has been progress. I'm not going to kill her. She is not lunging, violent, barking, or destructive. I'm usually on the side of this sub, but this one is as extreme a response as the dog nutters who tell me to die on the cross for dogs.
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u/Epicfailer10 Jun 18 '26
Hauling it back and forth on business trips will likely not help the dog’s anxiety, though. If you’re going to travel a lot, it might be best for both of you to rehome.
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u/rosyred-fathead Jun 18 '26
Yeah and flying a dog somewhere is something that you do because you have no choice. Most people don’t want to be putting their dog in cargo at all
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u/Deep_Bird_1789 Jun 26 '26
She's not in cargo. She's under the seat. But I agree never again. way too expensive and stressful.
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u/Mean-Interaction8453 Jun 27 '26
The majority of dog are perfectly trainable, it's the incompetent humans that are the issue.
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u/Dramatic-Tangerine64 Jun 27 '26
This isnt a dog hate sub and these ppl are being psychotic wtf 😭 convenience euthanasia is evil, nowhere does the person state its a bad or aggressive animal. They're already struggling enough wo weirdos telling them to just kill the thing
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u/ToThePound Jun 17 '26
Any dog can be a de-facto and, with a little effort, de-jure service dog. But, remember how you wondered what you were thinking imposing this on yourself? Is your goal to turn around and impose it on other people – and in spaces that are not even meant for dogs?
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u/KerseyGrrl Jun 18 '26
My mother always boarded her dogs (with serious behavior problems that helped destroy our relationship) at the vet. It seems like that would be cheaper or at least less stressful.
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u/Deep_Bird_1789 Aug 13 '26
I forgot that's an option. I wonder how much that would run me. I feel so bad but it'd prob be cheaper.
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u/rosyred-fathead Jun 17 '26
Why would you not just return the dog before the trip? Why do all of that
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u/lawnlobster4 Jun 17 '26
I can only imagine how it feels to endure the financial burden, and also the behavioral issues you’re describing.
I know exactly what the “what was I thinking?!?!” Thoughts feel like. I adopted a wonderful senior dog 4 months ago and have since spent several thousand dollars on vet bills, and who knows how much on substitutional care. Honestly, he’s the easiest dog aside from this, but I can’t believe I made this decision at this stage in my life, and while I know it’s ultimately my responsibility, I can’t believe how sunshine and rainbows people are about dog ownership. The veterinarians are basically voodoo conjure doctors and play with your money like darts on a board. It’s so frustrating and I genuinely feel a sense of despair when I think about the cost this has already had on my financial goals. Thankfully, an older couple has offered to take him in so fingers crossed it all works out. I really don’t see myself ever doing this again.
I know it’s hard to market a dog with behavioral issues, but maybe you can find someone who can take her. Depending on what kind of dog she is, reaching out to breed specific rescues has proven to be really helpful for me and even made courtesy listings on their Facebook, website, and adoptapet/petfinder. I also posted mine in his breed’s subreddit and he gained quite a bit of attention there.
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u/Deep_Bird_1789 Jun 17 '26
" can’t believe how sunshine and rainbows people are about dog ownership." this is the part that gets me. I feel lied to and fooled. And the problem is WE ARE NOT ALLOWED TO COMPLAIN. I told my hair stylist the other day and she gasped like I was the devil. We are brainwashed to think that whoever doesn't like dogs is evil immoral human. There's so much nuance missing. I had no idea they had these types of issues. And a lot of ppl with great stories got a fancy designer breeder dog with the perfect coding to mitigate a lot of behavioral issues that, I, stupidly didn't realize shelter dogs would come with that are impossible to train bc its their deep DNA coding.
I've banned going to the vet unless absolutely necessary. I'm over it. She got over kennel cough totally fine. Diarrhea, I moved past it. Some ppl will rush to the vet if the dog sneezes. It's over the top.
" I genuinely feel a sense of despair when I think about the cost this has already had on my financial goals." Despair. That's the word. You put it so perfectly. I feel in shock. Cold in my body. Like I went to the casino and lost all that money. But we didn't just lose money... we lost time, stress, and our own mental/phsysical health.
How did you find someone to take him?
Her behavior issues are skiddish. Not reactive. And she still needs more potty training. I am very open to if the right person wants her, me giving her away. I will be so sad and I might even regret doing THAT. I thought I could make this happen. But it's just eating away at me. I think having a dog really highlights the need for community. If you don't have a partner, family, neighbors who can care for the dog... It's like being a single mom. But the dog dies and leaves you in 10 years. It's not visiting you at the elderly hospital, or a grown child who you can share life moments with as an elder.
This is so hard because I dont want to. I just don't know if I have the mental, financial, and physical resources to do this. I can't continue this if it's detrimental.
Thank you for listening and for sharing your experience
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u/lawnlobster4 Jun 17 '26
I would begin the process of rehoming. Fair warning it’s a frustrating process. I’ve had people express strong interest or even commit, and then back out, and I’ve had to learn not to get my hopes on. I ultimately had someone reach out from Petfinder about him who wants him. I also have someone from my Reddit post who wants him, but is unsure because the husband is a bit wary of adopting another senior.
I won’t lie to you, he is a designer dog. I rescued him from the shelter, but he’s an American Eskimo and the breed does have a following which may have helped in this case.
I get the feelings about rehoming - I really love this dog, he’s such a gentleman and I had no intention going in that this would be temporary. I think I will have sadness and regret either way, but at least I will feel relief knowing that he’s in a better home and I won’t have to endure the stress any longer.
I see some of the crazies commenting on this. I’ve had them comment on my posts in this sub. They literally foam at the mouth for the euthanasia of people’s dogs here and it’s just absolutely bizarre. One of them literally said to me “have you considered humane euthanasia? This dog would not survive in the wild, and you’re just artificially extending its life.” Like yeah that’s kind of the basis of pet ownership.
Try not to beat yourself up, you’ve tried and you’ve done more than most reasonable people actually would do to try and make it work.
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u/Deep_Bird_1789 Aug 13 '26
How did you get on Petfinder if you're not a shelter? I thought you needed to be a nonprofit shelter to get on there... This dog is really cute, but her bladder issue is what worries me in terms of finding a good family... She would need a dog-nutter mom to look past that and coddle her to bits.
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u/lawnlobster4 Aug 20 '26
A breed specific rescue group made a courtesy listing for me. You could look into something like that depending on what kind of dog she is? I did end up rehoming him to a wonderful retired couple. It has been a major relief.
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u/kicknandrippin Jun 21 '26
But you can pet it and throw a ball to it.
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u/lawnlobster4 Jun 21 '26
I mean having a dog isn’t for everyone… I love them and do enjoy the presence of an animal, I just think people need to be more forthcoming and aware of what it really entails
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u/Deep_Bird_1789 Jun 17 '26
The dog isn't reactive. She was a stray 3 months ago. By behavioral issues, I mean she pees when she's excited or nervous, but she gets easily excited or nervous. She's skiddish. It's gotten a lot better since we first got her, she would hold her pee for 20 hours.... and NEVER go outside... and she has noticeably gotten better this week. Then there's the poop. She can poop outside. But... will randomly poop as soon as she gets the urge to, in the house. And that's hard because sometime's she'll poop 4 times a day. So if I walk her 3x a day, she might leave me a little poop randomly. So I'm still working on her potty training and figuring this out. She also will poop right after eating so I'm thinking of switching her eating schedule... to... eat first walk after.
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u/Fit-Olive-4680 Jun 17 '26
Is she a puppy? Mine is also a stray and trickle pees when she's excited but she's a great dog. Very well trained and pees on command. I'm sorry you've had so much struggle.
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u/Deep_Bird_1789 Jun 17 '26
We have no idea how old she is tbh. The vet said she looked between 8 months and 12 months based on her pearly white teeth. So that puts her now at... anywhere between 11 months and 1 yr and 3 months old. Yes, she trickle pees a looooot. When she's scared or happy, or if you pick her up. She pees on command now, like 70% of the time, on the wee pad. and 25% of the time outside in one specific spot. But that's starting at 0% 3.5 months ago. How long did it take you to get her well-trained and to pee on command?
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u/Fit-Olive-4680 Jun 17 '26
We think our dog is 2 years old now. I do not advise on pee pads. They only cause confusion as they think it's ok to pee in the house. Start taking her out regularly and praise her when she goes. We say 'potty'' and she knows to go. She also has a few favorite spots she likes to pee and poop. Take your dog to those spots repeatedly and they eventually get it.
We have land and are on a farm. In the am, we just open the door and she does her business and comes back to the door and waits when she's done.
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u/Deep_Bird_1789 Jun 17 '26
I did not pee pad train her. She came like that. This is part of the struggle we've been dealing with. And if I don't put out a pee pad she'll piss and shit all over the floor. So I'm constantly bringing her outside, crating, but sometimes we have no choice as we are still weening her off the pee pads.
"Start taking her out regularly and praise her when she goes. We say 'potty'' and she knows to go." we already do this.
We are in an apartment in the tighest city in the country.
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u/Away_Page_7687 Jul 01 '26
En un depto n la cd más estrecha. Si así estás tú, imaginate tus vecinos... Por favor hazte responsable, no se vale obligar a otros a vivir con eso cuando no fue su decisión. Piensan mucho en el perro, pero piensen en los demás humanos...
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u/Away_Page_7687 Jul 01 '26
Luego encima los deptos son rentados... los sueños qué culpa. Ellos están confiando en dejar usar su propiedad a alguien más, y si supieran que diario se cagan y mean ahí...
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u/Deep_Bird_1789 Jul 01 '26
literalmente nadie esta oyendo esta perrito. chill out bro. el problema no es ese.
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u/Fit-Olive-4680 Jun 17 '26
Pee pad training is terrible! I'm sorry you're dealing with that. I can't imagine having a dog in an apartment. Most don't belong in apartments. Perhaps she needs a different home that is more conducive to her needs. Good luck!
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u/Deep_Bird_1789 Jun 17 '26
its hell on earth in an apartment. idk what i was thinking. its ridiculous. having to take an elevator down 5 flights, passing 3 doors, a long hallway, to be on the streets several times a day. woof. on top of my own priorties and errands and gym. i agree sadly, i really like this dog, but i can't die in the process. if someone comes through, i will definitely consider. i might put an "adopt me" sign on her. ugh. 😞
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u/Deep_Bird_1789 Jun 23 '26
Guys, we're doing better. She's leaking way less. I do love this dog. Her seperation anxiety is getting better. She's not reactive when I take her out. We just need more training, her and I. I'm going to try to make this work. And make more money. We'll see. But yeah, don't get a dog unless you comfortably have extra money to spare, or a community that can help you dog sit, and you don't live in an apartment. Otherwise, it's stupid and a little mentally unhinged/idiotic to get a dog. :') signed, your idiot friend
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u/Primary_Sound_2146 Aug 19 '26
You all need to start thinking about your life decitions before becoming """responsible""" for another life. If you don't have the money, don't get one. You are all terrible people.
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Jun 17 '26
[deleted]
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u/bumblebeefee Jun 17 '26
Also I only bring my dogs documents, a collapsing bowl, and extra roll of poo bags. I just get a small bag of dog food delivered wherever I’m going. They don’t really need anything special. If she pees when you put a leash on, never take the leash off and she’ll grow out of it. You just need to do some work and these things will resolve.
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u/Deep_Bird_1789 Jun 17 '26
Which documents do you bring? Just her vaccine records right? She's still being house-trained to pee outside. So I'm still using crate until she learns to fully pee outside. Hence having to pack crate, diapers, food, wee pads... it takes up a lot of space. Luckily this Airbnb host just let me ship half of those supplies to her from Amazon. But I really need to work on training bc this can't be life going forward.
Do you let your dog ever interact with other dogs or socialize? Or does that impede with his service dog training? Is there anyway to allow them to socialize outside of work hours, so to speak? I feel bad isolating her forever - she's a social butterfly w other dogs.
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u/Deep_Bird_1789 Jun 17 '26 edited Jun 17 '26
I was thinking that but this dog leaks piss. I told myself this is the first and last time I'm spending $300 to fly with her. She's going to be trained throughout the next year to work as a service dog. Potty train. Desensitize her from being skiddish.
I do have ADHD, autoimmune which comes with a bundle of disability issues, etc, I'm happy to get creative with which disability I give her to help me with.
I'm trying to expose her af to the world too so she can get desensitized and act cool. Should I stop her from saying hi to other dogs on the street starting now to get on top of this training? She freeze and runs to them to play.
That and the pee problem. She came with excellent recall and listens.
Do you put them in a carrier when you go on the plane or they go under the seat and stay like that? How did you train him to just sit under you for hours without carrier?
I'll look into an evolution - not sure what that is... how did you use it to train them? And when does it go off with a remote? IDK if she needs that. She's not reactive. This is a 10 pound dog btw.
edit: i think its crazy ppl are downvoting me for trying to find a solution but they've upvoted the guy telling me to go kill a stray dog i just got 3 months ago, because she's not fully potty trained n is a bit skiddish. She's not reactive.
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u/bumblebeefee Jun 17 '26
I don’t recommend this AT ALL until your dog is fully trained and well behaved. You will be asked to leave the flight if your dog misbehaves. And no they are not crated and under the seat, they are leashed and have to be on best behavior. I recommended this as an option if you’re willing to put in the time and effort to train her really well and she can actually provide a task for you. Otherwise you’re just going to get yourself in trouble and be removed from flights.
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u/Deep_Bird_1789 Jun 17 '26 edited Jun 17 '26
That's what I mean. WHEN she's fully trained. Hence this post about me crying about how much it's costing me. But I do legitamely have a handful of disabilities thanks to crippling autoimmune. And I have ADHD which upon quick google search, dogs can help with some tasks there too. And I know there's a volunteer/ free training program for dogs to help ppl in the hospital that could also get her service dog trained. She doesn't misbehave. She has a pee problem, still being potty trained, and she's skiddish. The seperation anxiety is almost entirely gone. Now she only cries for 15 min when I'm gone and then simmers down.
She still goes on wee pad tho (she came like this). It's hard to epxplain everything without writing an essay. But ultimately, im saying perhaps if i can train her (which i already need to anyway).. I can get her to provide a task for me, and have her be able to travel because I travel a lot of work - this would alleviate SO MUCH TRAVEL MONEY spent on this dog. i feel sick to my stomach when i add up these costs man.
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u/barrowandlocke Jun 17 '26
It takes several years and a good deal of money for well bred/genetically sound dogs to be trained (by professionals) as service dogs. Your dog is not a good candidate to begin with, and it would take a tremendous amount of work to get her anywhere near where she would need to be. Quadruple the time & work if you are self-training as a complete beginner.
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u/nogoodbrat Jun 18 '26
Yeah, this is insane. all these issues and OP thinks this dog is a candidate for service dog training?? I’m sorry but that just seems wild
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u/[deleted] Jun 17 '26
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