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F-O tistic
@f_o_tistic@autistics.life  ·  activity timestamp 4 days ago

For someone who never had a dog before, is it a good idea for emotional support or one more demand in my life?

I'm equally tempted and scared it'll empty my already low energy tank.
#ActuallyAutistic

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Jess Mahler
@JessMahler@indiepocalypse.social replied  ·  activity timestamp 4 days ago

@f_o_tistic
It's honestly both.

A lot depends on the dog -- I definitely wouldn't get a puppy if you are that low energy, for instance -- but dogs are, in general amazing emotional support with the 'bonus' of forcing you to get up and move and spend some time outside every day. (whether it's actually a bonus depends on your situation)

The demands of a dog tend to be physical and financial, rather than emotional. You need to get up to feed them, to take them out, etc. You need to train them, if they aren't already trained (again, don't get a puppy -- a shelter will be able to tell you which dogs are already trained and which need more training). And you need to pay for everything.

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F-O tistic
@f_o_tistic@autistics.life replied  ·  activity timestamp 3 days ago

@JessMahler are there downsides to not train the dog myself? I thought it'd be easier to learn basics of training so the dog "learns once", rather than risking confusing him with my style of "authority" (for lack of a better word) which will be different from the first owner.

I love how you frame the demands. I want the physical demand. I will carefully evaluate the financial demand (might become fragile for a few months, for sure I'm not rushing this decision).

Thanks for the advice!

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