full time worker wanting dog

MortgageMamma

I have two miniature schnauzers and work full time, but I work from home. Still some days despite this I struggle to give them as much time as I would like. I think if you are going to be away all day the kindest thing to do, not to mention the best thing for your house is to buy a kennel and a dog run and just bring them in the evenings.

Some people will say this is cruel but it is not. From day one of getting my dogs they have slept both indoors and occassionally outdoors in a 4ft by 4ft dog cage. They like it and don't object to going in as it is their personal space. I am also considering buying an outside run for them, as sometimes I have to go away for the best part of a full day on appointments - luckily I have a good neighbour and we dog sit for eachother but I think they are better outside all day than in if you are not there (except of course the extremes of winter)

Have a look at this site its very useful http://www.countrywidekennels.co.uk/

catkins

I am in two minds as to whether it is a good idea for someone who works full time to have a dog. On the one hand dogs need a lot of walking, if it's wet they may need drying, grooming, playing and attention. How long a walk would you be able to give before you go to work? Ideally a dog would get an hour (best if it could run off lead) and then at least it would be reasonably tired and sleep for a few hours. But the truth is any dog is going to get very very bored left alone all day. Dogs like company. Of course you could provide a kong which would keep the dog amused for a while. Also, as others have said, a dog walker would be a good idea.

Ideally people who are out at work all day would not have dogs BUT there is also the argument that if you took a rescue dog at least you would be giving an unwanted dog a home and love. Is it better for a dog to get your love and attention before and after work then be stuck in a kennel all day? Also you could make weekends a fun time taking the dog out to the park, the beach, woods etc.

In my opinion (and it is only my opinion) you would be better off with an older rescue dog, particularly something like a greyhound. An older dog would, hopefully, be calmer and maybe not need quite so much exercise (having said that my dog is 6 and needs a good 3 hours running off lead a day minimum!!). Greyhounds are meant to only need about 20 minutes twice a day and then (I have been told) are one of the laziest breeds going liking nothing better than sleeping for hours.

When I first got my dog I did not work at all. When he got to 4 I had no choice but to get a job because I needed the money. I work 4 hours a day in the afternoon and feel quite guilty about leaving him. I always give him 2 hours running in the park in the morning and then get him home and dry/groom him. He likes to be with me and follows me around but does not seem particularly bothered when I go to work. He knows when I start putting my uniform on and goes and lays on the settee.

Because I feel guilty about leaving him me and OH rarely go out in the evenings and, if we do, we usually get a dog sitter for him. Also Sunday is always "his" day and we take him out to the beach (his favourite place) or the woods.

I know people will think I am "over the top" with my attitude to my dog but it was mine and OH's decision to get a dog and we want him to be happy and healthy. As the saying goes "a dog is for life" and, as such, is a big responsibility.

Anyway enough of my ramblings. If you do decide to get a dog good luck and I hope you both have many happy years together.

scheming_gypsy

catkins wrote: »

Is it better for a dog to get your love and attention before and after work then be stuck in a kennel all day?

why does a dog need to be in a kennel all day if you work?

catkins

scheming_gypsy wrote: »

why does a dog need to be in a kennel all day if you work?

I meant a rescue dog in kennels waiting to be rehomed

chrisewey76

i think it would be irresponsible to do this to a poor dog!
i would love a dog but with 2 kids in the house all the time (6 year old autistic boy and 13 year old boy) and 4 kids in the house at the weekends and school holidays (12 year old girl and 13 year old boy) i simply have no time! i havent gotten a dog because it would be unfair to bring another member into the family without having the time to give them the time needed!

JennyW_2

catkins wrote: »

I am in two minds as to whether it is a good idea for someone who works full time to have a dog. On the one hand dogs need a lot of walking, if it's wet they may need drying, grooming, playing and attention. How long a walk would you be able to give before you go to work? Ideally a dog would get an hour (best if it could run off lead) and then at least it would be reasonably tired and sleep for a few hours. But the truth is any dog is going to get very very bored left alone all day. Dogs like company. Of course you could provide a kong which would keep the dog amused for a while. Also, as others have said, a dog walker would be a good idea.

Ideally people who are out at work all day would not have dogs BUT there is also the argument that if you took a rescue dog at least you would be giving an unwanted dog a home and love. Is it better for a dog to get your love and attention before and after work then be stuck in a kennel all day? Also you could make weekends a fun time taking the dog out to the park, the beach, woods etc.

In my opinion (and it is only my opinion) you would be better off with an older rescue dog, particularly something like a greyhound. An older dog would, hopefully, be calmer and maybe not need quite so much exercise (having said that my dog is 6 and needs a good 3 hours running off lead a day minimum!!). Greyhounds are meant to only need about 20 minutes twice a day and then (I have been told) are one of the laziest breeds going liking nothing better than sleeping for hours.

When I first got my dog I did not work at all. When he got to 4 I had no choice but to get a job because I needed the money. I work 4 hours a day in the afternoon and feel quite guilty about leaving him. I always give him 2 hours running in the park in the morning and then get him home and dry/groom him. He likes to be with me and follows me around but does not seem particularly bothered when I go to work. He knows when I start putting my uniform on and goes and lays on the settee.

Because I feel guilty about leaving him me and OH rarely go out in the evenings and, if we do, we usually get a dog sitter for him. Also Sunday is always "his" day and we take him out to the beach (his favourite place) or the woods.

I know people will think I am "over the top" with my attitude to my dog but it was mine and OH's decision to get a dog and we want him to be happy and healthy. As the saying goes "a dog is for life" and, as such, is a big responsibility.

Anyway enough of my ramblings. If you do decide to get a dog good luck and I hope you both have many happy years together.

Totally agree. I think some people don't appreciate how much time and commitment dogs take.

Dogs will need to be walked WHATEVER the weather, you cant not take them out just because it's raining or it's too cold and you want to stay in. The dogs will still need to be exercised. Mine are walked 3 x days in all weathers and yes, it takes longer in the mornings to sort them out if it's been raining - they need drying off (as well as me)

Catkins - I don't think you're OTT with your dog. When I rehomed my dogs, it was a 100% commitment and my days are based around them. If they cant come with me somewhere then I make sure I'm not too long away from them. They're not toys and cant be ignored. Saying all this though, they are the best company you could ever ask for and my collie is just the most loyal dog ever.

And as for greyhounds - yes they are lazy dogs. If mine isn't on her walks, she's fast asleep on her bed . They are very undemanding dogs and just like a nice warm bed with as little interruption as possible!

JennyW_2

chrisewey76 wrote: »

i think it would be irresponsible to do this to a poor dog!
i would love a dog but with 2 kids in the house all the time (6 year old autistic boy and 13 year old boy) and 4 kids in the house at the weekends and school holidays (12 year old girl and 13 year old boy) i simply have no time! i havent gotten a dog because it would be unfair to bring another member into the family without having the time to give them the time needed!

a very responsible answer. I wish more people could be this honest and then not so many dogs would become unwanted because people didn't realise how much time they need.

MrsTinks

If you work fulltime my advise would be VERY strongly against a puppy... If you can not socialise a puppy lots when it's young you will end up with a very difficult dog I'm afraid. You have to do everything from toilet training, puppy socialisation classes and obedience classes and as a puppy the dog is far more likely to get bored and chew stuff...
I work full time and my partner does as well, but thankfully he works from home 2 days a week and on the other three I pay my dog trainer to come and walk my dog as she's in her dogcage (she's very destructive although getting better... She loves chew toys and if she can't find them she'll chew anything in reach... including walls) and leaving her in there all day would be cruel. Imagine not being able to go to the loo for 8+ hours! I also leave the telly on for her (animal planet ofcourse!) and frankly she just toddles into the cage in the morning now and doesn't even chew her bed anymore as she knows the routine and this has helped her settle alot! She was a 1 year old rescue and she was hard work! In hindsight an older dog probably would have been a lot easier for us but this was the only one I could sneak past OH

MrsTinks

JennyW wrote: »

Dogs will need to be walked WHATEVER the weather, you cant not take them out just because it's raining or it's too cold and you want to stay in.

Unless it's my dog... I have to physically push and pull her to get her out if it's raining - even into the garden for her wee is a battle! Water from a hose is fine... but that stuff from the clouds? NOOOOOO *sigh* I feel dead cruel sometimes when I am dragging her along the road (and I mean dragging!) because she HATES getting wet paws and water on her face... you've never seen quite such a pathetic dog in your life... *sigh*

wickychoo

Hi, like the OP, we (me and OH) work full-time but do have a dog. OH works late shifts so the dog has company in the mornings and I work 10 mins from home and go home for an extended lunch on days when OH is doing a day shift. That will change soon when OH changes jobs, but we will take it in turns to get home for lunch and take him for a walk and give him some attention.
I think that our dog is happy with that situation, he often chooses to take himself off to sleep in our bed if we're both at home anyway! I think this may be because he is a whippet, and like greyhounds, do need daily exercise, but aside from that their main hobby is sleeping.

So in response to the OP, I think it is possible to provide a loving forever home to a dog when you work full-time, but you have to be prepared to pay extra for a dog-walker (unless you have any friendly elderly neighbours who may help you out by popping in to check on the dog in the day, my sister has this luxury!) and I think, IMHO the best option would be to adopt an oldie from a rescue who will need less walking and be generally steadier and get less stressed than a younger dog.