A DOG owner has revealed how their beloved pet’s pickiness is leaving them pinching pennies.
The finicky pup was also causing them to rethink getting another dog in the future.
A Redditor explained their costly canine conundrum in a post.
“I love my dog to death and I would not re-home him, but omg, do I regret owning a dog,” they said.
They explained how they were spending all of their money on the pet.
“He sucks my wallet dry from vet visits and because of his anxiety he only eats certain things,” they said.
“If I try and feed him a different diet to save money, like a food is on sale, he will starve himself and refuse to eat,” they continued.
They explained that they adopted a standard poodle when they were 19 years old and seven years later, they were still shocked by the animal’s bad behavior.
They explained how the pooch has separation anxiety and is “dog-aggressive.”
“Although he is very well-behaved and quiet in some regards, I can’t take him out without being hyper-vigilant that a dog might come up behind us and freak him out, which is super stressful,” they said.
And that wasn’t the only issue with the problematic pooch.
“He also howls all day so I get so stressed that the neighbors might complain,” they said.
They have also had to stick to a “strict routine.”
“I’ve never been able to spontaneously go out or spend the night out drinking because I know it will upset him,” they said.
No matter what they did, including taking advice from a professional, the dog wouldn’t budge.
“Our trainer told me to wait it out because a hungry dog will eat,” they said.
“I waited two weeks and he didn’t eat a full bowl that entire time,” they continued.
The standard poodle is a proud and intelligent breed, according to the American Kennel Club.
While there are three types of poodles, the standard is the biggest athlete of them all.
The original poster admitted that their poodle had them swearing off animals.
“The people I truly envy are the people without any pets at all,” they said.
“My boy is currently seven, almost eight, but honestly, once he is gone, I don’t think I’ll get another pet again. Not even a fish,” not even a fish,” they continued.
Expert advice from Dr. Sara Ochoa, who has been practicing veterinary medicine for over five years.
Ochoa told The U.S. Sun observing a dog’s behavior can provide clues that they might act out.
“A dog that looks tense all over with its fur sticking up or teeth showing is more likely to snap,” she said.
“Staring real hard without blinking could mean trouble too.
“Growling is also a warning the dog is getting mad.”
She said dogs may tuck their tail between their legs when they feel scared or threatened.
“Staying calm and keeping space may help things not to escalate if a dog seems on edge,” she said.
“I am going to be chilling on a yacht on a Dubai,” they joked.
Other Reddit users applauded their efforts.
“Dog ownership is no joke. Impressed that you have been so responsible with it at such a young age,” said one commenter.
“Older people’s lives are more in alignment with the natural rhythm of what a dog requires. You’re doing better than most 26-year-olds would do. Give yourself a ton of credit,” they added.
Another person shared a tip for helping their dog calm down.
“Try playing classical music when he gets stressed out. I have a dog who’s afraid of everything. As soon as I put Mozart on, she chills right out,” said the user.
