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

Cissi

Kimberley wrote: »

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.

Kimberley, am I your mum??? Oh wait, my eldest is only 5 and unlikely to be posting on here Otherwise someone in my family could have written every word of your post! Except that ours doesn't even really bark when people knock at the door - he just comes running, wanting to say hello (and doesn't even try to escape out of the front door). He gets 2 (sometimes 3) 20-30 min walks a day (getting a bit longer now as he's getting older) and also lots of attention at home, but mainly after school as I work before that (although I normally take him for one walk by myself during the day). He has adapted his rythm to ours and sleeps most of the morning, even on weekends when there is usually mayhem in the kitchen. As for prey instinct, he has fantastic recall and always comes straight back when I call him - something my parents really struggled with with their springer spaniel who'd go after anything.

I know ours is still a puppy, but his mum doesn't do any of the above either - and BTW she gets left for much of the day as her owners both work (they got her as a puppy and now she also have one of her daughters for company). My DH grew up with JRs, that's why we chose the breed - he always says that he'd never experienced the negative things people say about them either. To me it's a great family dog, very affectionate, alert and intelligent and also manageable for small children. Our friends have a cocker spaniel who is wild (reminds me of my parents' springer who was incredibly hard work) and far too strong for a 6-year-old to control.

Of course I agree that it isn't ideal to get any dog when you're working full time but I don't think it has to be impossible either, not if you really want it. It goes without saying that it shouldn't be on a whim, and definitely has to be because YOU want one, not your daughter - but if you do, then I think you could do much worse than getting a JR. And personally I would get a puppy, so that you can train it from the start. Dogs are adaptable, and it will slot into your family just fine.

Cissi

Just to clarify: OP I'm going on the assumption that you really would be able to walk the dog in the morning (quick 10 min maybe) and properly in the afternoon, as well as organise for someone to pop in and feed it (puppies do need 3 feeds a day) and let it out in the middle of the day (even better, take it for a walk). If all this happens, and the dog has company from 4 pm onwards and on weekends, then I honestly think it would do as well as most dogs and would be just fine!

I'd aim to get it home sometime like the summer holidays when you'd be around much more though - the first month is really important and you do need to be there for house training.

hethmar

Its a dreadful idea. As already said, imagine locking yourself or a kiddie in a room all day with no one to talk to, no friendship, dying for a wee or a poo but frightened you will be shouted out when someone does come back - oh poor little sod, please please get your daughter to go to a local rescue and offer to do some dog walking - if she doesnt want to put that effort in, then she isnt that bothered about a pet, she wants a toy.

ninky_2

absolutely do NOT get a dog. you are talking about leaving him/her from around 9am (is that when you leave for work) to 4pm. that is six hours every weekday. what is it supposed to do all day? it's not like it can even watch jeremy kyle. what about going to toilet? it's beyond cruel. i know there are people who claim to love their dog and do this but i think they are deluded about the abuse they are inflicting on their animal. and it's certainly no example to be setting children. dogs are not toys or amusements, they are living beings.

moneysavermum_2

Thankyou to you all for posting. I am still inclined towards a small dog but will wait till the children are alot older or I am at home more.

sandy71

ninky wrote: »

absolutely do NOT get a dog. you are talking about leaving him/her from around 9am (is that when you leave for work) to 4pm. that is six hours every weekday. what is it supposed to do all day? it's not like it can even watch jeremy kyle. what about going to toilet? it's beyond cruel. i know there are people who claim to love their dog and do this but i think they are deluded about the abuse they are inflicting on their animal. and it's certainly no example to be setting children. dogs are not toys or amusements, they are living beings.

Making it watch Jeremy Kyle is cruelty:D

It will depend on what time you leave the house. If it's 11am then it should be fine. Not a puppy though, as suggested a greyhound would be great (I am biased though;))
Most puppies chew, I have a friend with a lab and I recommended she got him crate trained but she said he would be fine in the kitchen. She went out for 2 hours and he ate the kitchen:eek:

As said don't get one just because your daughter wants one. My kids wanted a rabbit but now I am the only one that cares for it. I was expecting it though, she is lovely so I don't mind.

Fire_Fox

Why does it matter what time you leave the house?? The dog would still be left for the same amount of time.

hethmar

nje, in the mean time, it would be a good idea to encourage the daughter to volunteer at a rescue so she can see what work is involved with a dog and that they dont stay puppies for very long.

sandy71

Fire_Fox wrote: »

Why does it matter what time you leave the house?? The dog would still be left for the same amount of time.

How do you figure that If they left at 8 and returned at 4 the dog would be left for 8 hours, if they leave at 11 and return at 4 the dog would be left for 5 hours.

Kimberley

foreign_correspondent wrote: »

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.

You will get that from any breed of dog including cross breeds