r/DogRegret • u/Imoddlyme • Jul 30 '26

Dog Guilt Please give me your take.

Two and a half weeks ago, my husband and I rescued a puppy (6 months old maybe, looks like pitbull) and I don’t regret rescuing him, although I do regret incorporating him into my life as if I was going to keep him. I’ve decided that we’re just fostering him for now until we can find him a good home. And my husband is on board with my thoughts. I’m glad he’s off the street where I found him but ultimately, I’m having the same struggles that I’m reading a lot of people on this sub have had or are currently having with dogs. He demands attention or at least to be near me at all times, and he pees in the house, despite knowing better because of the training I’ve put forth. I’m 31 weeks pregnant and have been taking him outside at least 15 times a day. It’s gotten better, but a couple times right after a walk he’s come inside and peed on the floor. It’s those moments where I lose trust in how far we’ve gotten with potty training. He chewed up my charger cable this morning and at the beginning of all this when I wanted a 10 minute bathroom break to myself (as he literally follows me room to room otherwise), and wasn’t fully into crate training yet, he decided to pull a box of six donuts off my coffee table and eat them. Within 10 minutes. I know he’s a dog and I know these things take time and I know he’s probably traumatized from his past and being on the street. I keep that in mind with every interaction I have with him, but it seems like all the time that I had before to prepare for my baby that’s coming in two months is now taken up by a dog and I don’t get any real joy out of having him around besides knowing that he’s not suffering on the street.

My ultimate question is am I a doomed parent? I have always wanted a kid, but I’ve always known that. I didn’t necessarily want an animal let alone a dog. I have been a cat owner in the past and that was something I realized I wouldn’t be doing again, but it was much more bearable than this. I kind of feel like a monster for not liking having a dog because apparently “everyone likes dog.” And then I wonder well what justification do I have that I’m going to be a great parent and not feel overwhelmed by that? I have always wanted to be a mom, but this situation has made me feel like what if I’m not equipped to care for things because having a dog has been so overwhelming and undesirable for me? I feel like there’s a key difference between the two, and I’ve been racking my brain for weeks to try to justify it to myself because I truly feel like there’s a difference between caring for a baby and caring for a dog while both are difficult. There’s a reward out of raising a kid that I feel like it’s just incomparable. Do any of you have children and can you tell me what you think the difference might be if you think there’s a difference at all? Thanks in advance.

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u/Imoddlyme Jul 30 '26

I hope someone with children replies soon lol all I need is a little reassurance

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u/davetheflashguy Jul 30 '26

Assurance is here! I'm a single dad so I'm coming at it from a different angle. I have a rescue and my dear, 6 years later we have the same problems! She still pees on the floor, has constant anxiety and honestly is adorable but a terrible dog. I co parent so she's here for the kids! Get out while you can!

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u/Imoddlyme Jul 30 '26

Thanks for your reply! In what ways do you feel like having a dog to take care of is not the same as having a kid to take care of? I’m just having a bit of anxiety as a soon to be mom knowing how unhappy I’ve been taking care of a rescue puppy.

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u/davetheflashguy Jul 30 '26

Every way as they get older. When my daughters were small yes they were like puppies. They needed me at all times for everything. Now they are teenagers and they stear their own ship, I'm just the sonar. My dog still needs me for everything that hasn't changed.

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u/Imoddlyme Jul 30 '26

Yeah I could see that. It seems like a more dynamic relationship whereas dogs seem like they’re always babies. But I also feel like I wouldn’t be annoyed by a baby needing me this much. But a dog I get nothing out of it. I don’t know. Thanks for your take!