Hi Gemma,
I struggled with this post too as my first reaction was one of annoyance and I didn't want to reply at first as I wasn't sure what you wanted to hear.. In my honest opinion, you've taken on too much, you're not enjoying it and your dogs are suffering.. you've got the responsibility of house/finances and dogs on your own at the moment - you're only young and it's all become too much and having an impact on your social life, freedom and ultimately.... your happiness.
I'm not good at advising people that don't actually address problems in a positive way and do something about them, it's not in my make-up I'm afraid! However, if I try reeeeeeeeeeeally hard and put my biggest sympathetic hat on
, I would agree with some of the others that even if you're not actually depressed, your situation is getting you down. IMO it is ok for dogs to miss out on a walk occasionally as long as on the whole, their lives are of good quality. It sounds like your dogs are locked into a small room together from maybe 8am to 6pm everyday and not getting let out on walks around this.. you know this isn't fair on them and I suspect you're feeling really bad about it but addressing it by getting angry at them rather than standing back and saying 'ok this situation isn't working for me or the dogs, it needs to change how am I going to do this'.
I think you need to decide what you want at the moment from life and seriously consider if dogs fit into that or not. If not... it's no great shame to address that and do what's right for them and you and look at re-homing them. Maybe you'd be better off selling your house and moving into shared rented accommodation too for a while so you are not on your own so much right now and get properly away from all the memories and bad taste of the last few years and a proper fresh start.
You've posted on a forum for dogs so please don't get upset about a lot of people's reactions (including my own) on here. We're here, on the whole, to chat about our dogs and learn from each other and help where we can.. so of course you were going to get a ruffled reaction from what you posted. If it is a cry for help, then you are probably better going to people who are qualified to help with those sorts of issues.
Jan and Feb are my least favorite time of year. My house is disgusting, I'm a single parent and I have two dogs and a small muddy child trashing it every day, but that's the life I've chosen because I know that the rest of the year is much better and I also get SO much from living with my dogs and love the sense of achievement possible by putting hard work and training in and making it work for all of us.
If you decide to continue with your dogs then you must change what happens every day - if that means a dog walker or day care then organise that. Take some time off work to go back to basics with your dogs and train them both - toilet, lead walking and recall - you may actually really enjoy it and I suspect you'll be amazed at the difference in them and how much they want to please you if given the right opportunity. It also might have a really positive affect on you and get you out of the hole/vicious circle you are in at the moment.
As I've said before, ignoring this or not addressing it will not improve anything and is not fair on you.... or the dogs.
I hope you are able to make some positive decisions soon..
Take care
Hannah x
