dog but work full time

mikeandrach_2

i am definitely going to look at the dog walker option, does anyone know what typical prices are? we are in yorks so not expecting london high prices!

there are no fumes in the garage, the only thing in there is our chest freezer and some tools (which are all way out of reach of any dog and would be moved even higher). we have never put any of our cars in the garage and never will, so thats no issue.

gettingready

London - between £12 and 20 per 1 hour walk. Yorks - no idea.

I am really sorry but the conditions you describe are just simply not suitable for a dog, any dog.

mikeandrach_2

i do hear your point, but how come so many dogs all over the country are left outside in runs/kennels etc? is every single one of them unhappy, frustrated and bored 100% of the time? if so why haven't the rspca seized them all?

Soubrette

gettingready wrote: »

London - between £12 and 20 per 1 hour walk. Yorks - no idea.

I am really sorry but the conditions you describe are just simply not suitable for a dog, any dog.

Mybe Rowdy (from Scrubs)

Soubrette

mikeandrach wrote: »

i do hear your point, but how come so many dogs all over the country are left outside in runs/kennels etc? is every single one of them unhappy, frustrated and bored 100% of the time? if so why haven't the rspca seized them all?

Many people try what you are doing and then give the dog to a rescue because they can't cope with the dogs behaviour (can be antisocial or just extremely naughty like my boy), others give them to the rescue because neighbours complain about the barking or howling while the dog is left alone.

Have a chat with a rescue centre and find out why people give up the dogs to them - because the owners had a baby is a big issue.

I can't really describe what having a baby is like - just that you fall totally in love with this little thing and there's not much left over for a dog. A dog on the other hand is like a toddler, most of them crave company and attention.

With the benefit of hindsight, I would not do it again (and I had given up work so had no intention of going back so was there all day with the dog - couldn't even walk him with the pushchair because he was so excited about the walk because he didn't get enough of them).

Mrs_Arcanum

If either of you could get home at lunchtime especially on the long days it might be a better option. A friend does this for her Jack Russell who has the run of the house whilst she is out.

A similar system to that you are proposing is in place for a neighbours Yorkie. She can get out into the back garden during the day but has the shelter of indoor space at the side of the house (we have odd sheds with a passage leading to the back garden). Never hear her barking but the group of Staffies left in similar circumstances are often barking.

Provided a dog has safe indoor shelter and food with a place to roam and something to occupy them, there is no need for company all day every day.

catkins

andthethreebears wrote: »

Do you really believe this is the optimal lifestyle to bring a dog into?
I can't believe you are considering letting the animal sPend the majority of it's time in the place most people keep mowers and half empty tins of paint.

If a rescue (who, let's face it, are crying out to rehome their dogs) won't accept you, doesnt that speak volumes?

Why not wait until you have the time / space?
Why not volunteer to pet sit / walk rescue dogs / walk friends dogs and get all the niceties in the mean time

I know you asked for 'no emotional responses' but I can't believe you have 100% pOsitive responses so far, sorry.

I normally would be one of the first to say if you are both working full time do not get a dog BUT have you read the first post? The dog would not be left all day every day in a garage. I am sure also they would make the garage a comfortable place for the dog with a bed, toys etc.

I agree rescue places probably would not accept them but, to be honest, most rescue places put such strict rules into place I am surprised they ever rehome any animal. I wanted to get a rescue cat - I worked 4 afternoons a week, road is reasonably quiet, already have 2 cats and dog. Was told by various rescue places that I could not have a cat because:

(a) I worked - yes 4 afternoons a week and my cats are normally either out or asleep most of the time!

(b) The road was too busy - it's not.

(c) I have a dog and they don't home cats to people with dogs!!! That's ridiculous because my dog ignores the cats.

I did get a cat in the end and it is fine with the dog!

Also is it better for a dog to go to a home and be loved and cared for and given walks morning and evening and, probably long walks on owners' days off, then live in a kennel with very little attention, very few walks (certainly not long ones) and no loving family?

This couple have thought about their situation and are not rushing out to get a dog. They are asking for advice.

I feel that if the dog is only going to be left for maybe 2 days a week as long as it is a dog that is ok with being left and does not want or need tons of exercise most of the day it will be fine.

To the OP - maybe you could get a dog walker if you can afford it? Or, as you have already said, a neighbour or friend could pop round and walk the dog or just spend time with it making a fuss of it and/or playing with it?

An older quiet dog that does not need to much exercise but can take the exercise when you have the time would be ideal. A rescue place will probably refuse you but it may be worth trying. Gumtree always have ads for dogs to be rehomed but you would have to be careful that the owner did not lie about the reason for rehome i.e. destructive, vicious etc.

It might be worth looking at a greyhound. They do not need anywhere near the exercise people think they do. A good 15/20 minute walk or run in the morning and they sleep all day! Not all greyhounds chase cats or other small animals and most greyhound rescues will have checked this. As far as I know, they are one of the dogs that need the least exercise!

missmontana

I think just the amount of consideration you are putting into this shows that the dog would be very well cared for, more than alot I know that live inside family homes.

My friend has a collie who is nearly 8 now, he is the most laid back thing I know, he really enjoys a good run around the park playing fetch once a day, but apart from that he's quite content at home lazing about.

It is very dependent on the dog, but you have alot of time to find the right one. I would suggest waiting till after having the baby as you never know how well the both of you are going to cope especially mum, I suffered from severe post natal depression, so the last thing she'd want is a dog to be looking after aswell!

There are so many pro's and cons! even more so with a child involved, ie, allergies...

I really hope you come to a happy conclusion and best of luck with the baby x

Soubrette

catkins wrote: »

It might be worth looking at a greyhound. They do not need anywhere near the exercise people think they do. A good 15/20 minute walk or run in the morning and they sleep all day! Not all greyhounds chase cats or other small animals and most greyhound rescues will have checked this. As far as I know, they are one of the dogs that need the least exercise!

Definitely not if it's going in a garage for any length of time - they don't cope with the cold at all - low body fat and thin fur.

I even put the heating on just for my grey in the winter (overnight too )

kitten

You have thought this out reasonably well, but I would offer a couple of suggestions as your circumstances are similar to mine and we have a very succesful dog/owner relationship.

Through flexible and part-time working, we minimise the time the dog is left alone, but there are two days per week when she is alone from 8 am until 4.30 pm. On these days, we pay a retired neighbour to call in every three hours to walk her, toilet her, feed her, talk to her and give her half an hours companionship. We also leave the radio on and have a cat who passes through from time to time! When alone, she is in the kitchen in a comfortable crate. You should really look into the benefits of crating. Far from being a cage, their crate is a warm, comfortable den where they are safe and happy - the ideal environment to snooze away the hours until you're home. And they are ideal for toilet-training as a dog won't soil its own bed unless you leave it until it has no option (which I know you won't do). I think this is far more suitable than using the garage.

To further add her to our 'pack' and minimise time alone, at night she sleeps in our bedroom, but on her own bed on the floor.

You need to be certain you can commit to lots of exercise in the early morning (tired dogs sleep the day away) as well as evening - not just walks but ball-play, training spells etc.

My dog is a GSD which I know you like. As someone else has said, they are people-dogs and like to be with you most of the time. But they can most certainly cope with periods alone PROVIDED you pick the right one! You need to look for show lines, NOT working lines!! A working line GSD could not cope with your life-style - a laid back show line GSD, I think, can. I would actually recommend getting a puppy as although they are hard work initially, they can 'grown into' your routine. Make sure you have a few weeks when it arrives where it isn't left alone for more than an hour or so to allow it to settle in, then gradually increase the amount of time it is left crated (with a safe toy or chew) until it is happy to be left alone for a couple of hours - this will take some time, but will pay dividends. Be prepared to put your hand in your pocket though! A good dog with health-checked parents of proven excellent temperament will cost!!
I look forward to hearing your decision x