Dog (Doberman) question

[Hoppy2008]

For a while now, I have been thinking of buying a Doberman Puppy.
As a kid, my family owned one from a pup to when he was sadly put to sleep after 14 years.
Lovely dogs, great with people, and as well as my experience in owning and taking care of one, I have done lots of research on the interweb.
I have plenty of fields for excercise near my house, nice size garden, etc..
My only cause for concern at this point is my time spent out of the house during the day.
I leave for work at 5.30am, and get back at 6.30pm 5 days a week.
My girlfriend has just started uni, and we all know that students can do 8 mins or 8 hours a day, so cant guarantee when she will be at home.
Obviously if I bought the Pup, I would take a week off work to help it settle into its new home.
But, once I'm back to work, is it too long for the dog to be at home, alone (possibly)?
Does anyone have any knowledge of this subject, and any ideas, such as paying someone to pop round, etc?
If it's a no-no and unfair on the dog I wont go ahead with it

Any advice appreciated,

Cheers

Hoppy

[neil_bolton]

Do not get a dog if you cannot have someone looking after it during the day - it is simply cruel to expect that.

Never mind the fact that it'll have to cross its legs, its a very active breed that will need lots of attention and exercise to stop it taking to your furniture for fun and chews.

I repeat, it would be irresponsible for you to get the dog knowing that you will be leaving it at home all day.

I say this as someone whose girlfriend is a Vet, and has worked for the RSPCA for 4 years and seen what happens when dogs are left alone all day.

[neil_bolton]

I'll add, its all very well paying somebody to pop round - but you'll be paying a heavy premium for it.

Our personal circumstances changed and we have had to employ someone to walk our dog three times a week, and this costs us £120 a month.

[Gooby]

neil_bolton said:

Do not get a dog if you cannot have someone looking after it during the day - it is simply cruel to expect that.

Never mind the fact that it'll have to cross its legs, its a very active breed that will need lots of attention and exercise to stop it taking to your furniture for fun and chews.

I repeat, it would be irresponsible for you to get the dog knowing that you will be leaving it at home all day.

I say this as someone whose girlfriend is a Vet, and has worked for the RSPCA for 4 years and seen what happens when dogs are left alone all day.

Couldnt agree more.
Please dont.

[Digga]

Hoppy2008 said:

For a while now, I have been thinking of buying a Doberman Puppy.
As a kid, my family owned one from a pup to when he was sadly put to sleep after 14 years.
Lovely dogs, great with people, and as well as my experience in owning and taking care of one, I have done lots of research on the interweb.
I have plenty of fields for excercise near my house, nice size garden, etc..
My only cause for concern at this point is my time spent out of the house during the day.
I leave for work at 5.30am, and get back at 6.30pm 5 days a week.
My girlfriend has just started uni, and we all know that students can do 8 mins or 8 hours a day, so cant guarantee when she will be at home.
Obviously if I bought the Pup, I would take a week off work to help it settle into its new home.
But, once I'm back to work, is it too long for the dog to be at home, alone (possibly)?
Does anyone have any knowledge of this subject, and any ideas, such as paying someone to pop round, etc?
If it's a no-no and unfair on the dog I wont go ahead with it

Any advice appreciated,

Cheers

Hoppy

I'd gues that's probably a little too long to leave a dog indoors, alone.

My dog normally comes to work twith me (in his capaicty as legal attorney ) but on the odd days that my wife works from home, he'll stay with her. She tells me that very often, he'll find somewhere comfortable to bed down (usually our bed - I personally never allow this!) and goes to sleep before 8am, sometimes not surfacing until 5pm, unless the doorbell goes or there's any cooking smeels emanating from the kitchen.

It would be kinder and easier for the dog if he's left outside, but the garden would need to be secure and he'd need some shelter.

[fathomfive]

Would you like to be locked in the house all day with nobody to interact with, nothing else to do and having to either hold your bowels in or take a dump in a box of grit?

It's grossly unfair on the animal, and it's no life to lead.

[Hoppy2008]

neil_bolton said:

Do not get a dog if you cannot have someone looking after it during the day - it is simply cruel to expect that.

Never mind the fact that it'll have to cross its legs, its a very active breed that will need lots of attention and exercise to stop it taking to your furniture for fun and chews.

I repeat, it would be irresponsible for you to get the dog knowing that you will be leaving it at home all day.

I say this as someone whose girlfriend is a Vet, and has worked for the RSPCA for 4 years and seen what happens when dogs are left alone all day.

Neil,
Thanks for your quick reply.
There are people that I can cal upon to pop round at intervals during the day (mainly relatives).
In your experience, would this be OK, or would it confuse the Dog seeing different people - would it get confused as to who is his Master?
Say for example, I left home at 5.30, if the dog is awake I see him, then someone pops in about 10am, then again at 1pm, 3pm then I get home at 6.30?
cheers

hoppy

[BigLepton]

Have to agree with the general consensus - the dog will be alone far too much. Get your GF pregnant so she can stay home to look after the dog - problem solved!

[TommyTT]

We got a Doberman in January. We are in the lucky position that one of us can work from home everyday. Me most days and my other half when I am away. We wouldnt dream of leaving him alone for more than a couple of hours. They are great dogs, great comapnions, but dont buy one and neglect it.

[Wildsea]

I would advise against getting a dog tbh. What about volunteering at a local dog rescue centre until you know what hours uni will be. Then you can think again about getting a dog. Dobermans arte a very active breed,and to keep it shut in the house for this length of time is frankly cruel.

[Hoppy2008]

fathomfive said:

Would you like to be locked in the house all day with nobody to interact with, nothing else to do and having to either hold your bowels in or take a dump in a box of grit?

It's grossly unfair on the animal, and it's no life to lead.

Who said he would be locked inside????????

[neil_bolton]

Hoppy2008 said:

neil_bolton said:

Do not get a dog if you cannot have someone looking after it during the day - it is simply cruel to expect that.

Never mind the fact that it'll have to cross its legs, its a very active breed that will need lots of attention and exercise to stop it taking to your furniture for fun and chews.

I repeat, it would be irresponsible for you to get the dog knowing that you will be leaving it at home all day.

I say this as someone whose girlfriend is a Vet, and has worked for the RSPCA for 4 years and seen what happens when dogs are left alone all day.

Neil,
Thanks for your quick reply.
There are people that I can cal upon to pop round at intervals during the day (mainly relatives).
In your experience, would this be OK, or would it confuse the Dog seeing different people - would it get confused as to who is his Master?
Say for example, I left home at 5.30, if the dog is awake I see him, then someone pops in about 10am, then again at 1pm, 3pm then I get home at 6.30?
cheers

hoppy

You are indeed correct - for a puppy this will be incredibly confusing.

As we all know, children do not like change and confusion, and dogs are very much the same.

Whilst your relatives may well agree to help out, how confident are you that this will be done every day, religiously?

I would very much disuade you from this idea until you have someone at home all the time.

Never mind the fact that it WILL chew its way through your house - ours did - even when my mum was home all the time!!!

[fathomfive]

Hoppy2008 said:

fathomfive said:

Would you like to be locked in the house all day with nobody to interact with, nothing else to do and having to either hold your bowels in or take a dump in a box of grit?

It's grossly unfair on the animal, and it's no life to lead.

Who said he would be locked inside????????

Apologies if you intend on building a run or some other way of not leaving the dog in the house - with it's doors locked for security purposes, as you're out all day. A mate of my OH has a run out the back of the house, a fairly substantial thing - I think it's around 3m square and a good 2m high all round, with a decent kennel in there. Maybe you could think of something like that?

I wasn't having a crack at you - I'm in a similar position myself, I'd love a dog, but being at work all day means I can't justify it, and basically I've asked myself the same question as I posted up in my original reply.

[Hoppy2008]

fathomfive said:

Hoppy2008 said:

fathomfive said:

Would you like to be locked in the house all day with nobody to interact with, nothing else to do and having to either hold your bowels in or take a dump in a box of grit?

It's grossly unfair on the animal, and it's no life to lead.

Who said he would be locked inside????????

Apologies if you intend on building a run or some other way of not leaving the dog in the house - with it's doors locked for security purposes, as you're out all day. A mate of my OH has a run out the back of the house, a fairly substantial thing - I think it's around 3m square and a good 2m high all round, with a decent kennel in there. Maybe you could think of something like that?

I wasn't having a crack at you - I'm in a similar position myself, I'd love a dog, but being at work all day means I can't justify it, and basically I've asked myself the same question as I posted up in my original reply.

No worries, appreciate the answer.
I think I already knew the answer before I posted TBH.
All things considered, I wont be getting one for now.
thanks All for your advice,

Cheers

Hoppy

[neil_bolton]

Hoppy2008 said:

fathomfive said:

Hoppy2008 said:

fathomfive said:

Would you like to be locked in the house all day with nobody to interact with, nothing else to do and having to either hold your bowels in or take a dump in a box of grit?

It's grossly unfair on the animal, and it's no life to lead.

Who said he would be locked inside????????

Apologies if you intend on building a run or some other way of not leaving the dog in the house - with it's doors locked for security purposes, as you're out all day. A mate of my OH has a run out the back of the house, a fairly substantial thing - I think it's around 3m square and a good 2m high all round, with a decent kennel in there. Maybe you could think of something like that?

I wasn't having a crack at you - I'm in a similar position myself, I'd love a dog, but being at work all day means I can't justify it, and basically I've asked myself the same question as I posted up in my original reply.

No worries, appreciate the answer.
I think I already knew the answer before I posted TBH.
All things considered, I wont be getting one for now.
thanks All for your advice,

Cheers

Hoppy

Glad to have helped - you are a responsible person to have asked questions first and shot later - many don't; they are the ones who are responsible for 90% of all the animals dumped sadly at the doors of places like the RSPCA etc.

Thanks for doing the right thing - and good luck in the future for if and when you are in a better position to consider one again

[okgo]

Depending where you live and how big your garden is, why not just leave the dog outside?

We did this,although we use to leave our front door open when we went out, but I don't think the only way you can have a dog is if you are at home 24/7 otherwise half this country wouldn't have them.

But I do think 12 hours is a bit strong.

[neil_bolton]

okgo said:

Depending where you live and how big your garden is, why not just leave the dog outside?

We did this,although we use to leave our front door open when we went out, but I don't think the only way you can have a dog is if you are at home 24/7 otherwise half this country wouldn't have them.

But I do think 12 hours is a bit strong.

I don't think that many people would agree that leaving a dog outside is a fair way to expect it to live - never mind the fact that there is a pretty strong black market for purebreds, and the additional fact that Dobermans have a very inquisitive tendency to go wandering of their own accord - 5 foot fences were no problem for ours to get over.

I'm not saying that people can't leave animals at home for periods of time - everyone has to do it - we do - however we expressly get someone paid to come in and let it out to the loo if we are leaving it for more that 3 or 4 hours.

I think the point here, as the OP has quite sensibly asked, is whether its right to knowingly get a dog knowing you will be out for long periods of time - I wasn't bothered by whether or not it'd have the love or attention it needs any other time - just that it wasn't really a particularly sensible thing: especially it being a Doberman!

[Digga]

As long as the dog is outside, has plenty of fresh water, toys to play with and a good area to run around in, he'll be happier than being cooped-up indoors, but dogs do miss interaction with other dogs and humans.

You'll need a shelter, where he can get out of the wind and rain - provided they have this, most dogs are remarkably hardy and quite happy outdoors in the UK. My dog spends a few hours at a time in a large, fenced-off bit of landscaping next to our yard, where he's also got a decent kennel. But often, even if the weather's pretty miserable, he actaully prefers to dig out a fox-hole beneath the shelter of large laure bushes, rather than the kennel. They're domestic pets, but they do still have very good survival instincts.

[Bruggy]

I used to breed Rotties and if you came to me as a potential owner I wouldn't sell you one because of your circumstances. No responsible dog breeder would sell you a puppy knowing it would left for long periods of time without any human contact. The first few months of a young dogs life will effect it's personality/behavior. Don't do it until you have plenty of time to devote to your dog as they can be more difficult to take care of than children at times. Also Dobermans can be highly strung and an unruly young dog is not a joy to own.

[Digger.]

Slightly off-topic, and not a dog owner! I am a dog-lover but never been in a position to own one for the reasons stated above.

Probably mentioned here before now, but anyone watched The Dog Whisperer currently on Sky3? If any of you have unruly dogs you can learn a fair amount about dog behaiour and how to control it from the host Cesar. Just stick your Sky on Series Link and maybe you might find some similar relevant behaviour and how to deal with it.

. . .as you were