I work full time..... is a doggie possible???

ali-t

it can be done. I've got a 4 1/2 year old dog who I have had since 6 weeks old. I have a dog walker who comes in at lunchtime and takes her and her doggy pals to the park. I leave for work at 7.45 and get up at 6.15 so I have time to walk her before I leave.
I also take her out for approx 1 hour at night although she would be happy just to cozy up on the sofa. Although dogs like company they get used to most situations as do humans. When I got her as a pup i worked really locally so could leave home later and get home earlier. I currently work approx 1/2 hour from home and really want another pup but know that this wouldn't be fair on the pup even though it would have my current dog for company - so looking for another job local to me so I can have a pup.

jeannieblue

I'm swaying back and forth.................

I'm such a dog lover, its eating away inside of me.

I drive to work each day - a ten minute drive but more like half an hour when the mums are about ferrying their precious overweight children in people carriers - have you noticed that bigger the car, smaller the child? Anyway, when am on my drive to work, I see all these lovely people walking their lovely dogs and am soooo jealous.

It was on my usual stop off one morning to pick up a paper, that I met the most gorgeous chocolate labradoodle - don't know how I didn't run off with it!

thriftmonster

If it is a small dog ( terrier sized) it is not cruel to leave an adult dog alone in thew house each day. Our first dog was rehomed from Wood Green at 7+ years (and the interviews to get him were comprehensive to say the least). They were happy for us to leave him from 8.30 to 5.30 at that age - he never had an accident. He used to lie on the top of the sofa looking out of the window. If they don't have the run of several rooms or are caged in - maybe not. We walked him first thing and when we came in. In fact he had to make quite an adjustment when I gave up working to have the kids - it seriously upset his sleep routine.

Don't have a puppy obviously - but a small, older dog I wouldn't think would be a problem - and ddog1 lived to 17 so although we adopted at 7, we still had 10 years with him (and his choccie digestive and tea addiction)......

emmahip

Also thinking of expanding our pet family with 2 dogs in the New Year.

We've got 2 cats (mostly lazy house moggies) and 2 rabbits (they have their own enclosed outside area of about 160 sq foot with bunny customised 6x6 shed).

We have never had dogs as didn't have a decent sized garden before but now we have 3/4 of an acre.

OH and I both work full time, between us we'd have to leave doggies for about 6-7 hours at a time.

Thought we'd get 2 so they could keep each other company and make them a decent run outside (with a cosy shed to keep warm and dry) when we are at work. Is this feasible? We are hoping for rescue mutts but they will need to be pups or very used to cats.

Thanks for any comments

jeannieblue

Am thinking that if got a small dog, could perhaps take it to work with me - but it would be in the car.... no thats an even more stupid idea.

Been trying for ages to persuade my bosses to let me have a dog and take it to work..... not giving up just yet. They are animal lovers, but not sure they like humans....:D

thriftmonster

Can depend on the dog - my aunt had her own business so when my grandparents died she used to take the dalmatian into work and leave it in reception. I used to work there in the hols and clients did get a bit freaked by a) the snores emanating from under the reception desk and b) the dog bowl full of milky tea on the office tea tray going round

cazziebo

I leave my old english all day. It wasn't planned and I did think he would have to be rehomed but he's actually settled into things okay.

My place of work was two minutes from the house when I got him, so I would come back at lunchtime. then I worked from home so that was fine. Two years ago I got a job a 45 minute commute away but my children would come back at lunchtime and would be in from three anyway.

They've both now left to study (the youngest one unexpectedly, thought she would be around a few more years yet) which is how I've ended up where I am.

I did look into Dog sitting but at £10 to £16 per day I couldn't afford that. But as it has worked out, he seems quite happy and when I am at home all day he isn't that active (although always pleased to go out!). He's just turned five.

I wouldn't have got him in the first place if I'd thought I wouldn't be at home, but can't bear the thought of parting with him now. He's also great company now I'm on my own.

jeannieblue

I've had a few Old english -they are special. Miss 'em like mad.

Re the 'aunt', i work in reception and the snoring wouldn't bother me! I work in all the offices - as am only one there! Think I should work a tad harder on the 'governors' - as said before, they may not be keen on humans, but they do like animals!

I don't think at this stage, after alot of thought and everyones help/advice, I am prepared to get a another dog unless it can be with me most of the time. Also think that may have come to this conclusion from a very selfish point of view too!

You've all given me a hell of a lot to think about and am very grateful to that:T

Gonna mull things over for awhile and see if can seriously work out a solution that is right for dog and me - oh and son too - he hates being dogless too!

pboae

emmahip wrote: »

OH and I both work full time, between us we'd have to leave doggies for about 6-7 hours at a time.

Thought we'd get 2 so they could keep each other company and make them a decent run outside (with a cosy shed to keep warm and dry) when we are at work. Is this feasible? We are hoping for rescue mutts but they will need to be pups or very used to cats.

Thanks for any comments

It would be cruel to leave puppies that length of time, and also make house training incredibly difficult. Taking on 2 puppies at the same time is frequently a recipe for disaster (they are more than twice the work than one) and that's before you factor in leaving them alone for up to 7 hours a day.

You will also find that many rescues will not rehome when dogs are to be left alone for long periods, or when they are to be left outside. There are security risks with leaving dogs outside nattended, plus sheds are not that warm and comfy unless you are going to provide heating and air-con as well.

Some dogs do prefer to live outside, and they can be hard to rehome as pets, but then the dog would likely want to be outside all the time, not just when you were out. It's much rarer to find a dog that is happy to swap back and forth (although they do exist, but finding one won't be so easy).

[Deleted User]

jeannieblue wrote: »

Am thinking that if got a small dog, could perhaps take it to work with me - but it would be in the car.... no thats an even more stupid idea.

Been trying for ages to persuade my bosses to let me have a dog and take it to work..... not giving up just yet. They are animal lovers, but not sure they like humans....:D

my ex-boss used to bring her dog in to work with her! would be great if you were allowed to bring yours into work - but then i'd doubt you'd get much work done with a cute dog around! :rotfl:

but anyway as thriftmonster said there are older dogs who can be left on their own for long periods of time, my sister has a rescue dog and she can be left at home 9am-5pm, just sleeps on the sofa but gets lots of attention when sister comes home have a look on the rescue sites!

:j