Discussion
But not enough to risk it having an unhappy life.
Basically myself and the missus wouldn't mind something small (thinking jack russell - not necessarily a puppy though). We have a 2 bed house with a garden so no problem with living space etc.
Only thing is we both work full time (8am-5pm away from the house) and are just wondering on peoples opinions on if it is possible to leave a dog for that long to wander round the house all day? We wouldn't like to have it in a cage but free to have the house. Also we would however considering getting two so they could keep each other company?
I think personally it's probably too long to leave a dog despite the fact we would walk in the morning and evening and probably get a walker in during the day (either every day or alternate days).
Is it possible to have a dog whilst working? Surely working people can have them and we don't have to wait (40 odd years!) until retirement?
Basically myself and the missus wouldn't mind something small (thinking jack russell - not necessarily a puppy though). We have a 2 bed house with a garden so no problem with living space etc.
Only thing is we both work full time (8am-5pm away from the house) and are just wondering on peoples opinions on if it is possible to leave a dog for that long to wander round the house all day? We wouldn't like to have it in a cage but free to have the house. Also we would however considering getting two so they could keep each other company?
I think personally it's probably too long to leave a dog despite the fact we would walk in the morning and evening and probably get a walker in during the day (either every day or alternate days).
Is it possible to have a dog whilst working? Surely working people can have them and we don't have to wait (40 odd years!) until retirement?
I am currently forcibly in this situation thanks to separation from my wife. My daily routine now consists of:
Up at 6am
Walk dogs
Leave them at 7 to go to work
Have a dog walker come at midday and take them out for two hours
Get home at 5
Another walk in the evening
It is hard and expensive (£2-300 per month or so in walking costs) but so far so good and I've not seen any behavioural changes from when they had pretty constant company. The dogs have been with us/me for three years up to this point and I know that as long as they get enough exercise they are content on their own at home and do not have separation anxiety. However I still worry about whether they make noise etc which neighbours may not like
In short, I wouldnt deliberately put myself in this situation with a new dog. Also consider the impact they will have on your weekend. After leving them alone so much during the week you'll feel like spending lots if time with them at the weekend with long walks etc which eats into time you probably currently spend socialising etc. if you are prepared to be dedicated to them it can work. But think long and hard.
Up at 6am
Walk dogs
Leave them at 7 to go to work
Have a dog walker come at midday and take them out for two hours
Get home at 5
Another walk in the evening
It is hard and expensive (£2-300 per month or so in walking costs) but so far so good and I've not seen any behavioural changes from when they had pretty constant company. The dogs have been with us/me for three years up to this point and I know that as long as they get enough exercise they are content on their own at home and do not have separation anxiety. However I still worry about whether they make noise etc which neighbours may not like
In short, I wouldnt deliberately put myself in this situation with a new dog. Also consider the impact they will have on your weekend. After leving them alone so much during the week you'll feel like spending lots if time with them at the weekend with long walks etc which eats into time you probably currently spend socialising etc. if you are prepared to be dedicated to them it can work. But think long and hard.
Just because a dog is small does not mean it is necessarily easier to look after, more easy going or requiring less exercise. A Jack Russell can be a highly strung dog, prone to barking and can be quite stressy dogs. You might not like the idea of a cage but it can often calm the dog (its own secure, comfortable lair) rather than pacing around the house wondering if every little noise is you coming home and probably barking in anticipation too.
Our Lab is very calm and can be left (crated) for extended periods, I wouldn't leave her all day though - probably 4-5hrs is the max. If you can get a walker every lunchtime I think the dog would be happy, however it's unlikely you'll do this due to cost despite best intentions.
Can neither you or the OH get back at lunchtime?
Our Lab is very calm and can be left (crated) for extended periods, I wouldn't leave her all day though - probably 4-5hrs is the max. If you can get a walker every lunchtime I think the dog would be happy, however it's unlikely you'll do this due to cost despite best intentions.
Can neither you or the OH get back at lunchtime?
I would never bring a new dog into this situation, no 
Dogs need to be exercised, trained and to bond with you. It would be very difficult to do this in your situation and likely to lead to all sorts of undesirable (to you) things happening.
It CAN be done, but it is very hard work and usually only works once the dog has become settled for a while.
Dogs need to be exercised, trained and to bond with you. It would be very difficult to do this in your situation and likely to lead to all sorts of undesirable (to you) things happening.
It CAN be done, but it is very hard work and usually only works once the dog has become settled for a while.
Retired greyhound is what you require, or maybe two.
Quite happy as used to being kenneled for long periods. Very little exercise required.
Good with kids and generally anything. Ours get left for this sort of period depending on shifts / getting stuck at work. Perfectly happy dogs. (Unless you dare try and exercise them, out the door end of the drive and want to go home, though they do love going for a drive).
Jack Russel, mentalist working dog. Crave attention 24/7, need huge amounts of exercise and need constant mental stimulation. A terrible idea, only thing worse would be a springer.
Quite happy as used to being kenneled for long periods. Very little exercise required.
Good with kids and generally anything. Ours get left for this sort of period depending on shifts / getting stuck at work. Perfectly happy dogs. (Unless you dare try and exercise them, out the door end of the drive and want to go home, though they do love going for a drive).
Jack Russel, mentalist working dog. Crave attention 24/7, need huge amounts of exercise and need constant mental stimulation. A terrible idea, only thing worse would be a springer.
Depends entirely on the dog. Nobody is going to pretend it is ideal but certainly some will cope with this very well, whereas others will not. Jack Russells are typically very high energy so might not be the best. We've got two rescues, a mastiff and shar pei x, and they are perfectly fine being left 7 hours a day mon-fri.
Thanks for all the advice guys. A jack Russell is not necessarily the only option it was just one we always liked due to grandparents having them etc. If they are mental then perhaps it's not the best idea then. I would have assumed a greyhound would need to run marathons every day?! Are they infact quite lazy?
I think an older dog who may be already used to it could be something worth looking in to.
Not a decision to be taken lightly - lots more thought needed!
I think an older dog who may be already used to it could be something worth looking in to.
Not a decision to be taken lightly - lots more thought needed!
Hmmm I echo everything that has been said so far, I would never get a dog in your situation, but plenty of people with dogs later end up having to work 9-5 away from their dogs.
I have a Jack Rus cross (rescue) and my olds have 2 greyhounds, they are all great dogs and completely opposite. Ironically my olds never leave their dogs on their own for more than 2 hours, where as our terrier gets left up to 8 hours (occasionally!) and is fine, but each dog is different and we are lucky that we have a lazy bugger!
I have a Jack Rus cross (rescue) and my olds have 2 greyhounds, they are all great dogs and completely opposite. Ironically my olds never leave their dogs on their own for more than 2 hours, where as our terrier gets left up to 8 hours (occasionally!) and is fine, but each dog is different and we are lucky that we have a lazy bugger!
vescaegg said:
I would have assumed a greyhound would need to run marathons every day?! Are they infact quite lazy?
The laziest dogs ever, they are sprint dogs. Short distance then sleep for a day. Canine drag racers.You are warned on rehoming not to walk them to far, not chance with either of ours. 10 minutes and they really do want to go home. If they actually do run, (had our first 6 years and haven't seen him actually run more than 10 time, the newer but older one has yet to get above a canter), they will not move for 12 hours after! Incredible when they do run though, 40mph ish, but acceleration is 0 - 40 instantly.
They are generally dumped / shot / re-homed around 3 years old, can be older if used for breeding. Life expectancy is early teens generally.
TwistingMyMelon said:
Hmmm I echo everything that has been said so far, I would never get a dog in your situation, but plenty of people with dogs later end up having to work 9-5 away from their dogs.
I have a Jack Rus cross (rescue) and my olds have 2 greyhounds, they are all great dogs and completely opposite. Ironically my olds never leave their dogs on their own for more than 2 hours, where as our terrier gets left up to 8 hours (occasionally!) and is fine, but each dog is different and we are lucky that we have a lazy bugger!
What are 'Olds'?I have a Jack Rus cross (rescue) and my olds have 2 greyhounds, they are all great dogs and completely opposite. Ironically my olds never leave their dogs on their own for more than 2 hours, where as our terrier gets left up to 8 hours (occasionally!) and is fine, but each dog is different and we are lucky that we have a lazy bugger!
I don't see a problem if you choose the right temprement, however i feel the best solution is to fit a dog flap.
This is what we have done, so our dog has freedom to do what he likes all day. The neighbours often report back that he has been sunbathing in the garden on hot days, and he gets to pee etc whenever he needs. the garden is obviously fully fenced etc.
we leave him from 8am to 5pm, and he gets 2 walks a day - he is older now, but when younger also had agility and other activities.
the only issue some dogs may have with a dog flap is the chance for them to bark outside and become a nuisance - again, the temperement is a key issue.
I am satisfied that my dog is chilled out, as i have been on maternity leave for a while - he seems to sleep most of the day anyway and go out once or twice if the weather is good. i dont think he suffers at all for being at home all day.
This is what we have done, so our dog has freedom to do what he likes all day. The neighbours often report back that he has been sunbathing in the garden on hot days, and he gets to pee etc whenever he needs. the garden is obviously fully fenced etc.
we leave him from 8am to 5pm, and he gets 2 walks a day - he is older now, but when younger also had agility and other activities.
the only issue some dogs may have with a dog flap is the chance for them to bark outside and become a nuisance - again, the temperement is a key issue.
I am satisfied that my dog is chilled out, as i have been on maternity leave for a while - he seems to sleep most of the day anyway and go out once or twice if the weather is good. i dont think he suffers at all for being at home all day.
Right - google Cairn Terrier Relief Fund. Time there's lots of dogs , some from puppies to eight year old dogs .One thing to remember is that an eight year old dog can be a handfull - I took on an eight year old dog - he's now 11 an more of a handfull than a two year old pup . Thet can live to be 18 years old.
Temperament = once they get a home ,they love - they're adoring dogs . Mine ,once was a problem with kids , is now a dog doting on kids ,he's grown in our house with my grandson -whom he adores . His biggest problem is that he's a very posessive dog - guarding cars/ his kids etc . But with strange kids - always trying to look for a friend .
Temperament = once they get a home ,they love - they're adoring dogs . Mine ,once was a problem with kids , is now a dog doting on kids ,he's grown in our house with my grandson -whom he adores . His biggest problem is that he's a very posessive dog - guarding cars/ his kids etc . But with strange kids - always trying to look for a friend .
We (Mother & I) currently have a 13ish Year Old Lab called Woody who was a rescue from Oldies Club, which looks for homes for older dogs.
He has a skin condition, and doesn't get on well with other dogs, but was clearly loved & well trained. Never makes any noise, save for when you tread on him (he can be a bit anxious and hover round you) but loves long walks. When not walking or eating, he sleeps!
He has a skin condition, and doesn't get on well with other dogs, but was clearly loved & well trained. Never makes any noise, save for when you tread on him (he can be a bit anxious and hover round you) but loves long walks. When not walking or eating, he sleeps!
Gassing Station | All Creatures Great & Small | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff