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

LizD_2

Guide Dogs have a scheme where you offer 'bed and breakfast' for an in-training dog when it's not at 'school'. They suggest it as being ideal for someone who works.

http://www.guidedogs.org.uk/index.php?id=1758

Phirefly

Jeannie, I know exactly how you feel. When we lost my beloved cocker spaniel 5 years ago, we felt it wouldn't be right to get another dog. not only did we feel he was irreplacable, I'd moved out of the family home, and my Mums shift pattern had changed, meaning she was going to be out of the house for eight hours some days.

It left a GAPING hole though and I longed for a dog literally every day. Like you, I tried to come to some arrangement with work letting me have a dog there without success , I was so desparate. I've even completely rethought my career so that I can work from home, but thats happening slowly and I won't be 100% at home for a good while yet.

Completely out of the blue we were told about a basset hound who was being mistreated and needed rehoming. My Mum, Mr Phirefly and I talked it out in great depth and decided that we'd commit to it.

She's adorable and completely and utterly worth it, but its so much harder than we ever imagined. We aim never to leave her for longer than 4 hours, if we do, theres invariably an accident, she's still only 11 months. Mr. P and I work full time and my mum works 8 hours 3-4 days a week. Its a constant round of juggling who's going to be there to relieve her, we're constantly on the phone arranging her care, in the first month we had her, I had an £80 phone bill (In true MSE style my bills are usually never more than £15). She's settled and happy in my mum's and my house, but if we take her anywhere else, she frets and has accidents. Its completely taken over our lives.

We would never have actively sought to get a dog in our current situation, but under the circumstances, it still feels like the right thing to do as she really is a blessing and would have had a far less happy life otherwise.

I'm sure you'll do the right thing.

Fozz

Just wanted to agree with comment that most people work at least part time nowadays, in fact nearly all the dog owners I know leave their dogs for some of the day.
I'm sure my dog is happier with us than in the RSPCA kennels, there are so many dogs needing homes. Yes they are pack animals, and I'm sure the security of having a pack, ie the family they are with makes up for any periods on their own, they know that they belong somewhere.
Good luck with whatever choice you make!

jeannieblue

First chance I've had to get back on site for a read through and can only say how wonderful you all are! I've been back at work, sadly didn't win lottery so can't retire for a number of years............

What is very clear, is how passionate everyone is about dogs, me too and take on board every single comment. I really hurt being dogless, but would like to reassure those who may think 'i'd be cruel' and leave a dog for any length of time - I wouldn't want to do that. I want a dog cos I love having one around, I love them with a passion and would not, therefore, distress any animal in any way.

Two things have happened, my son gave me a labradoodle calendar, and I've taken that to work! (Boss could weaken!) Also bosses wife popped in today - mentioned she had their lab in car, 'bring him in please' I said, and she did. Aw he was lovely! He's a rescue dog, can be very excitable - which proved to be the case when my boss came in and dog went all wiggly (you know how they go when they're pleased to see you), tail was waggling ten to the dozen and he 'tinkled' a bit on the carpet. Naturally I laughed, well it was funny, boss took him out for a quick run up the road- and his wife just said, well it'll dry! Quite agree!

Never know, I could end up with a new friend in my life - could do with one that is content to kip under my desk..... very quietly.....! Also kip on my bed, ok, you terribly correct people, it could just kip in my room! Although my Old English (Josie) did like to creep onto the bed... wrong maybe, but I didn't mind! Also little Fred ( he was my little poodle) used to like to kip on bed, lap, sofa, visiting relative.......

Fred and Josie were a spoilt team!! But they were company for one another when I wasn't around, which in those days, couple of years ago, wasn't that long.

I've rambled on long enough but I've had a few days to think, and feel that if dog can't come with me, then not have dog! Think the sitter idea is out the window due to cost - I can afford cost of dog and food and vet and all bills associated, but sitter/walker on top would be too much.

Also think I've gotta accept that boss won't shift on this one!

The lovely people who suggested having a dog at night and/or weekend - is a great idea but it would pain me to hand them back etc. I told you I was selfish!!! But not selfish enough to be unkind to animal, please note!

Bless you all for suggestions

MrsTinks

Ok this is how my world works...
We got Kira when she was a year old from the RSPCA - after much talking and discussing with them and between us they decided we could have her. We've had large breeds and difficult dogs whilst growing up and we knew what we were taking on. Her problems were seperation anxiety, dog aggression, food possesive, dominant and totally hyperactive! (GSD/BC cross) - We were her third (and probably final) rehoming from the RSPCA in her 1st year of life... Just to give you an idea
We both work full time - OH works from home usually 2 days a week. We started out with me making a mad dash home every lunch time to walk her and found that she was only really destructive in the afternoons after I had left again. One day I was stuckin a meeting and couldn't make it home for lunch and I rushed home in a panic thinking the house would be a smoking ruin... and there was my OTT destructive dog sleeping on her bed as if to say "What? What do you want? I was sleeping!" After much experimenting we found she was quite happy on her own in the day (from 8-5) so long as I didn't come home and disturb her!
Don't get me wrong this is not the case with every dog - but she's now coming up to 3 and I have a mentally balanced, calm(ish), pack member. I'm in charge of my formerly dominant dog and I work hard at giving her a happy life despite being home 3 days a week on her own some times. Ok at the moment I temp just round the corner and that means I get to come home for lunch and take her for a good run (30 mins) before going back.
The reason she's now no longer destructive is because MY energy is different. I am calmer and not constantly worrying about what she'll do because Iknwo she's not going to and that calmness will rub off Before I left her whilst I was anxious... so she was anxious too!
Personally I think most dogs can cope on their own for a work day, but ideally they should not be left alone for more than 4 hours... I would speak to neighbours and see if anyone would walk the dog at lunch times - maybe an elderly person would like the company during the day but not the expense? Infact maybe a few £ would help them out too
Speak to the rescues - some might have just the dog! Especially if fitting a dog flap to the back (secure!) garden is a possibility for you?

A happy dog is one that poodles about the house... it's not incharge of everyone and doesn't have to worry about you. If it's content to be left alone when you are not asking it to do something then it's a happy dog. If it's asking for your attention 24/7 then you have a dog that doesn't know it's place in your pack or even worse things it's alpha! That is when you get behaviour problems like chewing and aggression etc.
Don't get me wrong I used to pamper the pooch and when ti didn't work I didn't understand why... after all she had everything a dog could want right?
All I can say is try catching the show on Sky called The Dog Whisperer with Cesar Milan... Watch it with an open mind - and I will bet you that you'll look differently at your dogs behaviour afterwards

jeannieblue

Never say no I guess!

Thanks Tine for your input. Think my worry is that I'd get one and it wouldn't be happy at all being left for a few hours and then I'd have to let the poor beggar be rehomed again. I'd have to have major reassurance from rescue centre that 'it' would be ok... and they wouldn't know deep down if 'it' would be ok in my home....

At least I'm not rushing into anything - unlike the stupid p.......ks who did over Christmas - saw on TV how a kennel was struggling with lots of dogs, more than they'd had for years. People are so stupid, well some people, stupid and thoughtless :mad:

At the moment I am avoiding visiting kennels or rescue centres - it would be my downfall! I'll only visit when I have it all clear in my mind what I'm going to do. Do they have sites these places? And pictures and descriptions of the dogs temperaments? I've been on the oldies site.

MrsTinks

Well here's a different line of thought for you... have you thought about short term fostering? I know the oldies are always on the look out for foster homes with no other dogs (and pref no cats or young children) who have doggy experience... They often get "deathrow" cases that need somewhere quick or they will be put down for whatever reason... That means they won't have had time to temper test them and can't just put them in anywhere but need a sanctuary until they have found somewhere more permanent...
It might be a good way to help out and you never know... you might join their "failed fosterers" who end up keeping the dog because they fall in love and the dog just "fits in". Send them a mail and see what they say Could be the perfect way to find a dog that will fit in with you and you will also be helping dogs that might otherwise be put down because of over crowded kennels or (as has happened several times) owners who contact the OC and tell them to take their dogs or they'll put it down as they have got a new pup etc etc (working in rescue will really make you dislike a lot of people...)

jeannieblue

Think you've got me sussed - fostering, yep would probably keep it... I'm gonna go on the oldies site right now. Thanks Tine.

Fingers crossed - still worried I'd not be here enough for the dog but will see what they say.

jeannieblue

I've been 'cruising' the various rescue places over the weekend - sadly although the dogs are beautiful, I don't think I will be getting one, as I work - as if you hadn't noticed! - I can't take on a dog that has alot of problems, most of them seem to be staffy's or terriers or big dogs that need alot of exercise and attention.

I'm not against any of them, and I've not checked my lottery tickets to see if can retire and have one, but I'd not have the time.

The only terrier I've had experience of, is an airedale and he was a right !!!!!!- in the nicest possible way! Brought up with him and used to take him for walks over the park, if there was a !!!!! in heat within, say six miles of 'sniffing' distance, he'd be off... Many a time one of us would come home without him and our Mum would be up to 1am in the morning waiting for the dirty beggar to come home! Apart from his 'randiness' - he was pretty quiet and happy to be left, with a bonio or two.

Loved his quirky ways, but as said, only terrier I really know.

Think I'm more confused than ever.... The oldies were great but couldn't see one that would fit in to present home. I'm so paranoid of making the wrong decision - which probably means I won't make one at all!