Potential new dog owner

MatyMoo

Hi, first time posting on this board so please be gentle with me

I have been looking after my sister's (Westie) dog for holidays and weekends away for many,many years but have never been able to have a dog of my own as I am usually out the house for 12 hours a day. I have an understanding boss who has let me work from home one day a week and do shorter days when I am dog sitting

I am now being made redundant and aim to work closer to home for 4 days a week (potential job already in the pipe line) so I am looking to get my own dog for the first time. I know that I will need to insure it and attend puppy training classes. I am looking forward to having the company and having a walking buddy.

I have thought long and hard about this, it isn't just a whim and I really want a puppy as I think this will be my only opportunity. 10-15 years down the line I would be looking to offer an older rescue dog a home.

But it still looks as though I would not be able to get home at lunchtime to let him out. I have investigated dog walkers in the area but they seem to be very expensive (£8 per half hour) and I was thinking about putting a kennel and run in the back garden and wondered what people's thoughts are on this. I have no experience of kennelling a dog although my OH has. My sister's dog did have an indoor cage for about the first 8 years and would take herself off there when she got fed up with company :rotfl:

Or am I being mad, and I should give up on this idea?

And for those of you wondering, I would really like a Minature Schnauzer

elsien

I thought about the outside run idea when I got mutt, as I wasn't sure how long I'd need to leave her - she was about 18 months old at the time. In the end I didn't need to, and I'm glad I didn't as it wouldn't have worked for her. With a calmer slightly older dog, as long as it isn't a barker or prone to separation anxiety, I can't see it being a problem. I don't think I'd want to leave a puppy for any length of time though, it just seems really unfair when they need to be around people and having lots of learning experiences.
I know some people do it, but it just doesn't sit right with me.

suki1964

The only trouble I can see is you not being there for the first few weeks of pup coming home - or will you be?

Also leaving a pup for the best part of a day CAN cause problems with anxiety barking, destroying things out of boredom, etc etc. Pups like children do need company and stimulation for a lot of the day

An older dog who has got used to their own company would be better I think. Im not usually one to persuade people not to get pups but you are already ruling out getting a dog walker for part of the day

Have you no neighbours who are home all day who you would trust to take him out for you or sit and play with him for a smaller amount? I used to give the carers of the disabled lass next door to me 20 a week to pop in and out during the day to look in to my first lad till he got up a bit and could go to a dog walker

CFC

Pups are like babies, and if you are work apart from boredom and lack of stimulation you will have a hard job house training. Could your sister be willing to take him during the day while you are at work until he gets a bit older?
An outdoor kennel and run will not mean he gets housetrained or has company, and he may also be stolen, apart from anything else.

nonnatus

Yeah, you really need to spend some serious time at the beginning with a puppy, especially on the house training, or you'll never crack it. Unless you could take a few weeks off work at the start, no little puppy is going to cope well and be able to hold pee and poo for work day hours.

I know it's not what you wanted to hear - sorry

kentyy

As others have said, a puppy is like a baby. You need to put the work and time in at the start so that you don't store up problems for the future.
Please please dont leave a puppy alone for hours at a time.

Could you not consider getting a slightly older dog that doesn't mind being left for a few hours?

Caroline_a

When I got each of my dogs (as pups) I worked half days. I got up at some silly early time in the morning, spent 2 to 3 hours with them before I went to work at 8.30, worked the morning and then spent the afternoon with them. This meant that they slept during the morning and got them used to being alone in short periods. After a week I went back to work full time, but came home every lunchtime - which I still do as luckily I work very close to home, so they are never alone for more than 3.5 hours at a time.

Personally I wouldnt use an outside run, having lived next door to a dog that was confined to one of these - she barked all day, nearly drove us mad (and I like dogs!!) Some dogs will bark at the least tiny stimulus - my big boy who rarely barks isnt keen on pigeons and always has a bark or two if he sees any in his garden.

hethmar

Im sorry, I dont think it would be fair on the puppy and what if someone got into the garden. The pup would lack training and socialisation and could be a real problem dog later on.

Have a look at schnauzer rescue where you may find a young dog already trained and socialised and used to being alone for a few hours

http://www.schnauzer-forum.co.uk/viewforum.php?f=9

MatyMoo

Thanks for all your comments so far :T

You are already picking up on my own concerns so maybe it still isn't time for me to get a puppy or even a dog

The garden is reasonably secure and any kennel would be locked when I am not here. The alternative to a kennel is a cage in the house, it is too open plan to leave a puppy loose - also my experience with my sister's dog is that she liked the security of her cage. This is one of the reasons I thought a kennel and run would be better, I don't like the thought of any animal being kept in a small cage for more than a couple of hours.

My sister wouldn't be able to help out as she is an hour away. I do have neighbours who are here during the day and they do look after another dog occasionally for a family member but I am not sure how they would feel about a long term commitment.

My thoughts would be to get the puppy as I finish work. I would then have a month off before starting my new job and I would not then have to leave home until after 9.30 and would be back around 6 but this is still too long isn't it? Even for 4 days a week? I am up from about 6.30 so would have plenty of time before I leave to walk, play

I have waited 25 years for the opportunity to have a dog of my own, but if the timing isn't right, it isn't right. I wouldn't want any dog to suffer because of my own selfishness.

Or maybe I look for a different job!

suki1964

9-6 is a long time - too long for a pup really

There are those that do it though and dont give a thought about doing it and see no harm

Theres others like us who kind of think its not right and is downright unfair on the pup

The other thing you need to think of - what happens that day when you have to stay late in work? Or your journey home is delayed through an accident or the girls want to go out for a quick drink or even a night out? That extends the time the pup is left alone.

My personal feeling is that you do need support when having a dog so in lieu of no close family member you are going to have to consider a dog walker.

You could put an ad up in a shop window. Where I last lived one of the fellas was on shift work and enlisted the help of a retired gentleman to walk his lad. The retired fella liked an excuse to get out of the house, enjoyed the company of the dog and how it got him talking to others in the neighbourhood and of course a few pound a week for extras.

Dont give up on the idea of getting a dog just yet, just try thinking out of the box a bit more to see what you can come up with

hethmar

I always imagine how would I feel if I was locked up on my own all day and dying for a wee or poo. It really wouldnt be fair. To see the little dog just a few hours a day - nope, I dont think its right for you or the dog. Mine are with me all day constantly and I do feel thats what they deserve. At least you have thought about this and have your own doubts - rather than taking on a dog and then having to rehome him again.

And a puppy needs constantly to be taken out for a wee and poo during the first few months.