full time worker wanting dog

bunnydrumming

I am looking 6 months or so in the future but would like eventually to get a norwich terrier however.....I work full time and this is not going to change unless Mr Right walks into my life and treats me in the manner to which i want to become accustomed!

Although I know it is not ideal to work full time and be a dog owner, I work 10 mins away from my home and I would be able to go home most days at some point during the day but of course there will be days i cannot get home

I was bought up with dogs and have tried to fill the gap with a hamster and fish but its not the same!

I have a safe, totally enclosed garden and will look to put in a doggy door so the dog has constant access to outdoors. I suppose i am looking for someone to say this is managable and not too cruel to a new dog but what do you think.

Does anyone else work full time and have a dog at home. I would consider getting two dogs so they could keep each other company but would prefer to start with one.

Any advice welcome

alfiedog_2

Hi! My daughter has her own business looking after dogs for people who are out at work all day. She visits the dogs, walks them and provides a bit of company for them to break up their day. She has lots of enquiries so you are not alone in wanting to own a dog while working full time.

Of course breeds vary, but you may find the dog gets bored on its own all day and starts destroying furniture etc or barking, these are two of the reasons why my daughter's clients have employed her. Not touting for business:D just giving you a bit of info!

Justie

Our dog sitter works full time but goes home every lunchtime so that the dogs get let out and a bit of a play - if you can do that most days and then use a dog walker on the days you can't then that would be just about ok, although I have to say I know nothing of the breed and some take to being left on their own better than others. Bear in mind that this adds to the cost of dog owning though (£5 a day or there abouts) and that it's not fair to be out all day and then out a lot in the evenings - dogs need company! If you're usually in during the evening though then it may be ok. You'd also need to make sure the dog was well exercised if it's being left for a lot of the day as a tired dog will be much less stressed and much less bored than one that's had the minimal amount of exercise. Personally I waited till there were 2 of us as solo dog owning is hard work, cats are much easier if there's only 1 of you.

quidsin

If you do decide to get a dog, i'd advise against getting a doggy door, we have an enclosed garden which we thought would be safe and left our first dog in their once while we popped to my moms for an hour, we got back and he managed to cut his paw somehow blood all over the garden :eek: :eek:
Dog naping is my only other concern with dogs in gardens.

We have a lab/ collie cross ( 2 1/2 ) and a 14 month Vizsla. We kept the lab in our kitchen/ utility room while we were at work when he was younger, he was ok in there, now he has the whole house :A

The vizsla we kept in a crate, I was able to get home for dinner to let him out, so it wasn't so bad. Now he's a bit older he's allowed the kitchen.

I wouldn't get 2 pups together, i'd wait unitll one is around 2 years old.

scheming_gypsy

i got my mutt from the dogs home when he was about 5 / 6 and i work a 35 hour week. He's always fine on his own, mainly because he's a lazy sod and spends all day asleep.

quidsin

scheming_gypsy wrote: »

i got my mutt from the dogs home when he was about 5 / 6 and i work a 35 hour week. He's always fine on his own, mainly because he's a lazy sod and spends all day asleep.

Hey, is that what he wants you to believe?

kr15snw

The only advice I would give is if you do decide to get one, then get him / her at the beginning of a holiday. If you have 2 weeks off with him then he can get used to you before being left. Then at the end of the holiday start leaving him a bit more. This is what we did with our dogs just so they did get used to us before we went back to work.

I wouldnt see a problem with this if you can pop home most days to let him out for a pee / check hes ok. Plus just make sure he gets LOTS of love and walks when you come home

getcarter

Though | usually work part time, this week I'm working all day. I'm getting up early to take him for a walk first thing then again in an evening. He's crated in the day at the moment due to him chewing everything in sight in the kitchen and has lots to keep him occupied in there but to be honest he just sleeps most of the time.

Carter

JennyW_2

It would work if you were able to get home at lunch time so that the dog can have some human interaction, a wee and a bit of attention, however it's not fair to leave a dog all day - this is where problems start. He may bark all day or chew things up and then he'll end up back in a rescue home - not saying that's what would happen with your dog, but this is normally what happens.

If you know the days you cant get home then it would be advisable to arrange for a dog walker to attend. As you say though, 2 dogs would be ideal as they would keep each other company, however they still couldn't be left alone all day (2 dogs or not).

I work mornings and my dogs sleep during this time but then I'm home at lunchtime and with me the rest of the time. They know the routine. The advice about taking some holiday when you get your dog is a good idea as you can get to know each other and slowly introduce your routine. An older dog would be a good option as they would not be as demanding. A puppy is a big no no if your working full time. Greyhounds sleep a lot and make good pets

Justie

the other problem with getting 2 dogs is that they will end up bonding more with each other than with you - ideally you would be the focus of your dogs' attention and that's easier to do if you have time to introduce each dog seperately and to spend at least some time training them individually.

I'd also advise against a dog door - ok for when you're in the house and can keep an eye on them but how would you know if they got over the fence etc?

scubaleopard

We ahd a dog and worked full time--- It was an absolute nightmare both for us the dog and the neighbours. He was so unhappy he ate the house and I mean THE HOUSE -- stairs, furniture, beds, dooors, curtains everything. He howled all day so we decided to take him to work with us in the car and take him out when we had breaks, lunch etc. He ate the car!!!! Seats, seatbelts, steering wheel etc. We kept him and loved him until he was 16 and a half but I would never have another dog unless I was at home FULL TIME.

tO BE FAIR i HAVE HEARD THAT PEOPLE HAVE HAD GREAT SUCCESS WITH VERY BIG CAGES WHERE THE DOG GOES WHEN YOU ARE OUT OR IF THERE ARE LOTS OF CHILDREN AROUND ETC.