Am I barking up the wrong tree?

krlyr

MentalMinnie wrote: »

What about night time though?! My girl will sleep for up to 10 hours and won't need a wee...or is that rare in dogs? She's a bit of a oddball TBH...

But equally I can go all night without needing the loo but I wouldn't like to hold it all day. OK, a dog probably could go that long but I think it's a little unfair two put it through two long stretches of having no access to go to the loo.

Dorisx wrote: »

Do you think it would be worthwile going to talk to someone from the kennels? Surely they'd know which doegs would be best suited to my situation?

Definately, worst they can do is say no. Try not to get disheartened if a few rescues say no, there's no real governing body in rescue so each rescue has its own policies. There are plenty that will rehome to fulltime workers who've made the right arrangements for the dog

In regards to having 6 weeks off, don't fall into the easily-done habit of spending a good chunk of time off work with a new dog and not leaving it alone. It'll be a sudden shock when you return to work and the dog has to cope with being left for hours! It can be a good idea to give the dog some time on its own, even just in a seperate room, so you can judge how well it copes with being left and get it in good habits.

hostertlady

as your other half is in the Forces, will you have to move in a couple of years? or are you settled where you are now...?
i say, get a dog, get it into a routine, get a neighbour to pop in just to let it out for a wee at lunchtime and say hello to it...:)

after all, a lot of dogs stay in quite happily from bedtime to morning without needing to go out for a wee.....
you could leave the radio on for it for a bit of company...

I would be dubious about a puppy!! you might have no house left when you got in from work!

Dorisx

krlyr - I know what you mean about not being with the dog all the time, I was hoping we could use the 6 weeks to try leaving it for an hour the first week, 2/3 the second and try and build up to 8 hours a couple of days a week before he has to go back to camp and see how it copes. Hopefully that way the dog will know that we will ALWAYS be coming back and not leaving it for good!

Hostertlady - Me and the OH dont live in army accomodation, we have our own house in our home town, he's based 250 miles away from me, so there will be no chance of me moving every 3 years like a squaddies wife would. We have talked about it before but I have my own life, friends and family up north so I've never fancied following him around and having to change jobs every 3 years and potentially loosing the friends I have.

rising_from_the_ashes

The rescue may have an adult who's come from a home where they were left all day.

Mine was when I got him - when I first had him I was close enough to be able to pop back at lunchtime ... I've also tried having a neighbour pop in etc but TBH he hates someone coming in & going away again and gets destructive on the "2nd stint".

It's like he's adapted to being left from a very young age and is programmed to a "you can go out and stay out as long as you like - but once you come home ... you stay" mentality.

He's not going to change and I guess it does make it easier for me as I don't worry about him when I'm out but I'd still rather be able to pop back at lunchtime / have someone come in.


Krylr has made a very good point about starting your "normal routine" as soon as possible ...... I've been off work sick for around 2 months and am due back at work next week - I'm a bit worried about the change for him as he has got used to me being here all the time and has got out of his usual habits. Fingers crossed it's OK.

UKTigerlily

Hi Doris! I was in a similar situation back in 2008 & also made a thread to get opinions & advice. I started out thinking a CKCS would be good as the breed seemed to match the home I could offer & then decided a rescue would be best, the RSPCA turned me down due to the communal garden not being enclosed but I then approached a smaller local rescue who were happy to rehome a gorgeous SBT to me!

I didn't look around the rescue as I let the staff match me to a dog & they were spot on; they know their dogs well & want a successful match so I think this could be a good thing for you to do also. When I posted many people were critical as i'm unemployed due to illness, but criticism is good too; it's good to think through all points as you are doing.

Chaya has been with me now for 3yrs on 5th December & is the perfect dog, not a moment's bother. She is now 8 & when/if I return to work I plan to have a dog walker come in halfway through to take her out, she would be happy with this as all she does is sleep. I think you'll find an older chilled out dog will probably be totally content in a warm loving home with walks before &/or after work & someone to look in on him/her & offer a walk & loo break during the day. Greyhounds are said to only need 2x 20 minute walks a day as they are bred for short bursts of speed & then kip on the sofa!

There is most definitely a dog out there for you, Chaya being a middle aged Brindle/White SBT would've probably sat in kennels for months if not a year+, being with me is much better for her & there will be a dog for you that'd love the home you can offer. Tell rescues what you can offer & do or don't want & they will find your a match, make sure to take plenty of pics!

Other than my waffle I totally agree with krlyr's posts, some fab advice there

CFC

I'd suggest you consider approaching a rescue about taking two dogs who need to be rehomed together. They will be company for each other during the day when you are at work. You may find dogwalkers are too expensive, I cannot afford one as they charge £8 per visit round here and my budget cannot sustain a £40 per week outlay on dogwalking.

Welshwoofs

Personally I absolutely would not get a puppy as puppies need a lot of attention and training and they'd develop bad habits and behaviours if left alone for regularly for long periods.

If you get an adult dog I'd suggest getting a dogwalker or friendly neighbour to pop in half way through the day to give him a walk/some company. Eight hours is a long time for a dog to be on its own; they're pack animals and are happiest with others around. The other option is to get 2 dogs so they have company, though you'd need some way for them to get out into the garden if they needed a pee.

I got my dog when I worked entirely from home, but now I have to zip out quite a lot for meetings or go away on business. I'm lucky in that I found a great dog walker/sitter who I get to pop in for an hour if I'm going to be out for more than 5 hours and who sits my dog in his own house for the times I have to be away overnight.

krlyr

OP has sensibly said they wouldn't go for a pup

Tropez

Your best option is to visit the local rehoming centres and speak to the folks there about your situation, circumstances and see if they can give you any options.

Would it be too much of a stretch to take in two dogs which would allow for the dogs to have someone to socialise with while you're at work?