9 Things You'll Only Understand If You're A Dog Owner

Some things only come to light when you let a hyperactive bundle of joy with a weaponised tailbone and insatiable appetite enter your life. We're talking about dogs, not kids. Definitely not kids.

1. You have membership to an elite walking club in your local area

Via lakedistrict.gov.uk

Forget Soho House, this is the real markings of making it in the world. Belonging to a group of dog owners from your neighbourhood who partake in regular canine accompanied outings shows that you have social clout. Like the T-Birds, the Plastics and the Beliebers, you are a member of an elite society that everybody wants to be part of, even those who don't actually like dogs.

2. Your dating prospects will soar

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We've all seen a RomCom or two. It's proven fact that dog owners are drawn towards each other, like a chemical reaction. And it's very likely that the dates that follow will involve your four legged friends.

3. You will gain an infinite supply of dog-poo bags

Via dogpoopbags.co.uk

In all of your pockets, in all of your clothes, you will find a small supply of these bags. The only time you will ever run out of these bags is when your pooch has explosive diarrhoea.

4. You will be tempted to taste your dogs food

Via petfinder.com

It's ok. It's perfectly normal. We have all caught a whiff of dog food and wondered what it actually tastes like. The real test is whether you give in to your unhygienic curiosity or not.

5. You will gain an irrational fear over every noise

Via sunnylol.com

Contrary to popular opinion, not all pups are born to be guard dogs. They will bark at anything and everything they hear, real or imagined. Especially late at night. During a thunderstorm. And a power cut.

6. You will learn the true meaning "my side of the bed"

Via flickr.com

Just as you get your head around how much of the bed is your side, a dog is added to the equation and any organisation is thrown in to complete chaos. No matter what breed of dog you have, they will take up an inexplicable amount of room that in no way relates to their size. And there is nothing you can do about it.

7. You will learn more at training classes than your dog

Via barkpost.com

Whether it is your level of patience or your ability as a teacher, the lessons that you learn will be a lot more valuable than sit, heel and roll over. And if you can survive being continually mortified by your four-legged friend in front of twenty other dogs and their owners, then it was all worth it.

8. You will be equally impressed and disgusted by the canine grooming process

Via blog.thedogtrainingsecret.com

The less said about this one the better. But you have to admit, there is something admirable about that level of flexibility all in the name of keeping clean.

9. You will never be lonely

Via barnorama.com

They near-bankrupt you with monstrous vet bills, take complete ownership of your house & home and dictate every spare minute of your daily life. And you wouldn't have it any other way, because dogs are the most loving and loyal friends we can ever have.