What do you think?

Any

Hi everyone,

I am thinking of getting a puppy. But I would like to know your opinion please.

I used to have a dog when I was little. It was dashhound. She stayed with my mother when I left home (8 yrs later). Then with my first boyfriend I lived with I had another dog - this time bolognese (bichon) http://www.allsmalldogbreeds.com/bolognese.html. It was really great dog and I loved it - but unfortunately my boyfriend and I split up and I got a job in capital city and could no longer keep him - I was working such a long hours and he wasn't happy - and was letting me know (mess, wee, chew everything that got near him). It would have been really unfair to expect him to wait 10 hrs at home by himself and so I gave him away to a new family.

Now many years later I am married and live in a village. My husband has got such a good job that he can work from home when he decides (at least twice a week) and often gets home very early. Sometimes though he also gets home very late or works very late from home.

I have a job 20 mins from home and rarely stay at work more then my contracted 7.5hrs.

We go on holiday twice a year - once separately (and at different times) and once together.

His parents live near by and would have the dog when we are away together unless they are away themselves.

My sister lives 10 mins drive and has 2 children and also swears she would help. She also have 2 children who would adore walking dog.

I really miss a dog company but after having a problem earlier with my bolognese I don't want a dog to be unhappy.
Do you think that in our current situation and with a help of dog walker my dog would be happy? Or do you think I shouldn't have a dog?

mrcol1000

I think it will be unfair on the dog. If you went to a decent rescue they would probably turn you down. You could get a dog from a breeder but then you need to ask yourself would it be fair on the dog to be left alone all day? I think its a max of 4 hours they say dogs should be left on their own. You could come home at lunchtimes or leave the dog with your sister/parents while your at work but I am not sure that would be fair on your dog. You say there are days when someone will be home but not everyday and work patterns change. I don't really think you have the right lifestyle for any dog. You could always offer to foster dogs at the weekends from rescues when you have the time to care for the dog. Give them a break from kennels.

Really though depsite what I say or what anyone else on the board says its up to you to decide but unless your very lucky with the dog being left all day even if its broken up by someone walking it is going to make the dog miserable and cause the previous problems such as chewing/messing/barking etc... I spend a lot of my day dealing with rowing neighbours who have a dog. Stick in the garden, go to work and the dog barks all day annoying everyone in the area. Its not the dogs fault its just miserable and missing its owner.

If you decide not to get a dog I would go to your local rescue centre and see if there is anyway you can be a fosterer or dog walker so you can enjoy the company of dogs when you have the time rather than have one unhappy all alone at home.

zaksmum

Definitely don't get a dog if you're out at work all day.

Dogs are social creatures and need company. If you can't provide that, you shouldn't even consider having a dog.

Fire_Fox

A puppy is the same as a small child, they need a lot more attention than an adult and even an hour is quite a long time for them. An elderly dog might be OK to be left all day some of the time, especially if it has a doggy friend to keep it company. How would you toilet train a puppy if you are out all day at work? If the dog had behavioural problems this time what would you do? Could you give up work or would you have to give up the dog again?

Any

The dog would not be at home alone more then 4 hrs at any one time.

My dog used to be fine while I was at school. The problem was only later when I started working and my boss required me to work 10 hrs a day.

So is it only SAHM and pensioners who can have a dog?

suki1964

Whilst it isnt ideal to have a dog whilst at work full time - it is perfectly possible and doable if you are prepared for some hard work and a bit of extra costs with dog walkers for the times you know you wont be back for him/her.

I bought my first dog up in a flat with no garden and we both worked full time - he was a wonderful dog, well socialised, well trained and just a huge bundle of fun.

If it were only SAHM and pensioners who had dogs it would be a sorry old world we lived in

Unfortunately on this board you are treated like the village idiot for even thinking of getting a pup if you dont meet certain posters criteria.

Google for more dog focused forums or even breed forums to get the more balanced help and advice you are looking for

Humphrey10

My dog is alone for 4 hours a day, but I wouldn't want to leave a dog longer than that (even if it is broken up eg leave it for 4 hours, then be with it for an hour, then leave it again) frequently really. I just think they would get bored.

foreign_correspondent

It is do-able, especially if you are only out for four hours at a time - from the first post i thought you were both working full time... however, a pup is not likely to do as well as an older chilled out dog - if you get a pup and it howls and chews for four hours a day what will you do? Some dogs are not good at being left alone, whilst others are more laid back.

You may be better off with a mature steady dog, (i.e. a rescue dog) who is used to being left alone and happy to snooze for a few hours.

It is not about anyone being treated like the village idiot, as someone suggested, but it is better to have considered all outcomes and likely possibilities before commiting to an animal that may well still be alive, and dependant on you, in fifteen years time.. as you know from experience, if you get a dog and the circumstances are not right, it is problematic, stressful and sad for all concerned...

However, as you have posted on here, I am sure you are looking to consider all the possibilities before you make a commitment!

moomin5

I think its possible to be a working dog owner, my partner and i both worked full-time when we got the dogs. I'd pop home during my lunch hour to take them out and they'd have walks before & after work which was fine with the rehoming group. My dogs were adults ( 2yrs) rather than pups and also greyhounds are a breed thats quite happy to laze about for most of the day rather than an energetic breed which helps.

Some people do get pups and work full-time but personally i'd go with an adult dog as pups really need time being spent with them to avoid problems. There seems to be a myth that if you work full-time then no rescue will rehome to you, but a lot are fine with full time workers as long as they have made arrangements for someone to pop in midday and able to provide a good home for the dog. They'd also select a dog that would be happy with this lifestyle.

I think you need to go into it expecting that you have to pay a dog walker and i wouldn't include the offers by family into the plan, but see them as a bonus as you'll probably have the dog for the next 15yrs and peoples situations change. Have a good think about all the, costs, downsides and how the dog will effect your life and if your still interested go visit a few rescues .

jessbob

I love animals but because I used to work all hours, never considered having a dog. When I came across an adorable unwanted staffie cross pup, I lost my heart to him. Luckily for me, I have a friend who works in farming, and was able to look after him during the day on the farm (and he loves it !!! - quite a celebraty when seen in the tractor !!).

Only problem is, I was made redundant this year, and I think he has got too used to me being around now !!!

If you can find someone to look after him while you are at work, or at least for a few hours I think you would be ok. Wouldn't like to think he was left for more than a couple of hours a day though.

Fire_Fox

Any wrote: »

The dog would not be at home alone more then 4 hrs at any one time.

My dog used to be fine while I was at school. The problem was only later when I started working and my boss required me to work 10 hrs a day.

So is it only SAHM and pensioners who can have a dog?

Some people do think that you shouldn't have a dog unless you are home most of the time and have access to plenty of outside space. I think there is a dog suited to a much broader range of circumstances BUT maybe it isn't your first choice of dog. Some breeds need a lot more attention and companionship, some need a lot more exercise ... puppies definitely need a lot of time. Would you consider two for company?

I live in a two bed flat and yet I am looking to get a cat. I don't think it would be fair to keep one in for my own selfish needs alone, and I'm not convinced I have the space for two. I've chosen not to look for kittens, but to aim for an older/ deaf/ FIV cat that needs to be indoors. I may still get turned down by the Cats Protection (home visit Thursday :eek:) and if so I will probably bow to their better judgement.