Should we get a dog out at work till 4pm each day

Cissi

Yes, lots of negatives - I was expecting that, but I don't think it has to be clear-cut. We have a Jack Russell puppy (now almost 7 months) and a lot of people warned us about the breed: supposedly not good with young children, too energetic etc. We're absolutely over the moon with him and finding him very biddable and adaptable. We're lucky in that I work mainly from home, so he doesn't get left more than a few hours at a time (up to 4 hours) and only a couple of times a week. Most days he gets 2-3 walks, including at least one good run off the lead - but there are days when all he gets is one long walk on the lead in the evening (plus lots of time in the garden, at my feet while I'm working and playing with the children after school). He isn't destructive and is a lovely companion for us all. The children love him and they have a lot of fun together.

Also, we're in touch with a family who bought one of our boy's siblings: a single mum who works full time, with one teenage daughter in school. Someone always comes home at lunchtime, but their hours sound similar to the OP's. As far as I can tell, their puppy is doing great and just like ours he's turning into a really lovely dog.

To the OP: you'd need to take some time off after bringing a puppy home, and I do think that you need to make provisions for someone to come home in the middle of the day (or a dog walker) but I don't think a Jack Russell puppy would be a completely daft choice, not if you choose carefully (what's the mother like etc). It's a huge commitment though, and do consider that you'll be giving up a lot of whatever spare time you do have to be with the dog. If you're out all day, 5 days a week then I think the dog will be entitled to share a big chunk of your mornings, evenings and weekends - could be difficult if the children have a lot of activities etc.

nitr02007

Please, please don't get a dog just 'cos your daughter wants one. My niece wanted a puppy, and got one, since then she's wanted (and got) a flashy phone, a cat, a guitar, a rabbit, another phone and now she wants a rat!! All these things have been discarded as soon as the novelty wore off. Yes she's spoilt - but my brother now has to look after all the pets..:rotfl:

Try to arrange for your daughter to walk a friends or family members dog everyday and see how long that lasts..
Also leaving a dog alone all day isn't good at all.

Mumof2_2

We have a Jack Russell who we adopted a year ago and we're her third home. She came from the last home as she was being kept in a crate all day long and the poor dog hated it, hence they decided to do the decent thing and rehome her. I was wary of Jack Russells, but she is wonderful - so good with the kids and tolerant and when we're all out in the park she'll be running with the kids and keeping an eye on them; she's never far away!

I'd say definitely not a puppy and I'd be nervous about an older dog to be honest - that is unless you have someone who will go into it or get a dog walker. It's not fair for the dog to be left in the house all day imho. As previous posters have said, why not try a little animal (hamster/guinea pig) and see how they get on with that first?

Kimberley

You'd have no house left to come back to, they are rather lively dogs!

Why do some people say that Jack Russells will chew your house, bark constantly, need constant attention, they will reck havoc etc etc etc etc etc etc etc etc. This gives the dogs a bad name. I know plenty of people who have JR dogs and are very good. I'm thinking about getting one because I work part-time and I agree leaving a dog at home alone full-time is a bit too long for any dog. Jack Russells will only cause havoc or bark constantly through bad training. Train them well and be a good dog owner and a JR would make a great pet.

MrsTinks

Personally I don't like JRTs... that's a personal choice (probably something to do with 4 of the 6 times I've been bitten by a dog it's been JRTs... )
I find them snappy and not generally suited for a young family. A family with older children who don't excite the dog too much - great choice
Maybe I've been unlucky with my encounters of JRTs i don't know... But these dogs were bred to kill (ok rats mainly but still) - they have oodles of energy and need a LOT of stimulation. If you were working from home like a previous poster then I'd say maybe - but a JRT and a puppy? for THAT long every day? NO NO NO!
I have said it before and I'll say it again - if your daughter is that keen on a dog, why not foster an older dog? It will give her a chance to prove that she can be responcible EVERY DAY for walking and caring for the dog but YOU will have the reassurance that you are not necessarily "stuck" with the dog if it doesn't fit in or work out. Even if it gets rehomed as planned you will know you helped it and possibly saved it's life
If you all decide you can't possibly bear to give it up and it is coping well with your routine (get a dog walker BTW!) then you can join the ever growing ranks of failed foster homes That's the ones who fail because they end up adopting their foster dogs...

foreign_correspondent

Personally, I like JRTs - but they are high energy little dogs, they have a big character, can be stubborn and strong willed, and do tend to be quite vocal - they also have a high prey drive.

That's fine, if you know what you are taking on and are happy with that, and your lifestyle suits that - not so good if you really want a laid back dog that can cope with being at home alone all day, and will be patient with small children.

It's not about giving the breed a bad name, but it is about being realistic and understanding the character, and the needs of the dog! I would have similar concerns if someone was thinking of getting a pup of any working breed to leave it alone all day - having said that, I dont think a pup of any breed is a suitable choice for full time workers.

I know a few people will come along and say they have had pups in a similar situation, and it has worked out, but in my experience, but I think they are the lucky few - most of the time it does not work out, and it is the dog who suffers, ultimately.

Kimberley

My mums JR is none of the above and my friends JR is none of the above. All young dogs have oodles of energy. My Bengals have oodles of energy. My mum was reluctant to get a JR because of what was said about them like above, that they have oodles of energy and need a LOT of stimulation and bark a lot and are snappy but my mums JR is the sweetest loving dog ever. He only has two 30 min walks a day and plenty of attention at home. He only barks when people knock at the door. Unless you have owned one then you can't really judge them.

foreign_correspondent

I have owned JRTs - but as you say, your mum's dog has lots of attention on top of his regular and basic exercise - if he was left alone all day his behaviour may be very different. Mental stimulation and attention is just as important as exercise.

My dad has a JRT whose previous owners left him alone all day - as a result he barks manically and continuously at the slightest noise (which is why he was rehomed) - we are working on this, but it is clear it is a learnt behaviour from being alone all day, anxiously guarding his home, and lacking stimulation.

crank_girl

Kimberley wrote: »

Why do some people say that Jack Russells will chew your house, bark constantly, need constant attention, they will reck havoc etc etc etc etc etc etc etc etc. This gives the dogs a bad name. I know plenty of people who have JR dogs and are very good. I'm thinking about getting one because I work part-time and I agree leaving a dog at home alone full-time is a bit too long for any dog. Jack Russells will only cause havoc or bark constantly through bad training. Train them well and be a good dog owner and a JR would make a great pet.

Ours has never chewed anything he shouldn't and never destroyed anything. He did go through a bit of a weeing phase but I think that's not out of the ordinary for any rescue dog.

JRTs are not as docile as, say, labs. They do like formal introductions to people and dogs before they will befriend them. A couple of friends have tried to ruffle our dog's head or wrestle with him a minute after meeting him and have been shown teeth (while tail still wagging though). I think it's easy to confuse aggression or snappiness with an expression of dissatisfaction, i.e. I don't like what you are doing - STOPPIT!

Ours is the softest stupidest dog in the world once he's gotten to know someone. He loves cuddles (particularly under blankets) and fuss.

I agree that they are very driven to hunt and need a fair bit of exercise (we walk 30mins twice a day and longer @ weekends) and a very secure back garden. They are exceptionally stubborn and do need a firm hand and good training. He can also be a bit nowty with other dogs but I suspect this has been exacerbated by rehoming.

I think a lot of people think small dogs are less work but they are generally bred for character and not obedience or docility like bigger dogs. So if you want a dog that will love you and entertain you 24/7 and don't mind putting in time to train it then JRTs are a great choice. If you want a dog that will roll over for anyone get a lab!

foreign_correspondent

crank_girl wrote: »

Ours has never chewed anything he shouldn't and never destroyed anything. He did go through a bit of a weeing phase but I think that's not out of the ordinary for any rescue dog.

Chewing is generally more of a problem with pups, however, when pups are left alone all day and not trained out of this, by someone being there and intervening, it can become habitual.

crank_girl wrote: »

I think a lot of people think small dogs are less work but they are generally bred for character and not obedience or docility like bigger dogs. So if you want a dog that will love you and entertain you 24/7 and don't mind putting in time to train it then JRTs are a great choice.

Absolutely agree - for owners who can put in the time and attention - but probably not for the OP here!