Want dog, need to work.
Discussion
The other half and i both come from families with strong doggy backgrounds - labs, both of us.
We have been living together for a few years now and have recently upgraded to our first proper house together (semi, garden etc).. We have been craving a dog for years but it never would have worked in a flat and we botyh work full time.
My new role sees me away from the house 0600-1700, and her 0800-1800.
We know that these hours would be totally unacceptable for a puppy, but have started recently to think about rehoming a dog. We would ideally be looking for a retriever, gsd, maybe a smaller dog like a cocker. Most rehoming places do not seem to like the idea of leaving a dog for 4 hours+ which i completely understand.
We do have the option of a) hiring a dog walker b) relative stays close by with a young chocolate lab could take for walks c)father in law retires in a few months and could also walk along with another choc lab.
Opinion of the masses?
We have been living together for a few years now and have recently upgraded to our first proper house together (semi, garden etc).. We have been craving a dog for years but it never would have worked in a flat and we botyh work full time.
My new role sees me away from the house 0600-1700, and her 0800-1800.
We know that these hours would be totally unacceptable for a puppy, but have started recently to think about rehoming a dog. We would ideally be looking for a retriever, gsd, maybe a smaller dog like a cocker. Most rehoming places do not seem to like the idea of leaving a dog for 4 hours+ which i completely understand.
We do have the option of a) hiring a dog walker b) relative stays close by with a young chocolate lab could take for walks c)father in law retires in a few months and could also walk along with another choc lab.
Opinion of the masses?
I travel 3 hours to work and obviously 3 hours back so I'm out of the house from 5am to 7pm. My dog though is fine because I did an internet search for "dog walker" in my area and found a lovely lady who does what she calls "doggy day care". At 8 am she goes to my house, picks my dog up and brings her back just before I get home. As a result my dog gets more walks than she would if I were home all day - and all for the princely sum of £7 a day.
Bargain.
Bargain.
before my girlfriend moved in, I left my dogs alone from 7.30am until 5.30 pm Mon-Fri.
I took them for a nice walk before I went to work, I took them out for a quick walk as soon as I got back, and gave them another nice walk at about 9 or 10pm.
I didn't see any signs of stress, neither did they eat eachother or my furniture
some dogs are highly stressed, some just chill out until it is food/walk/play time.
I took them for a nice walk before I went to work, I took them out for a quick walk as soon as I got back, and gave them another nice walk at about 9 or 10pm.
I didn't see any signs of stress, neither did they eat eachother or my furniture
some dogs are highly stressed, some just chill out until it is food/walk/play time.
Chucklehead said:
The other half and i both come from families with strong dogging backgrounds - , both of us.
We have been living together for a few years now and have recently upgraded to our first proper house together (semi, garden etc).. We have been craving dogging for years but it never would have worked in a flat and we botyh work full time.
My new role sees me away from the house 0600-1700, and her 0800-1800.
We know that these hours would be totally unacceptable for most meets, but have started recently to think about rehoming a homeless person. We would ideally be looking for a man,woman, maybe a smaller person like a dwarf.
Opinion of the masses?
fixed your quote We have been living together for a few years now and have recently upgraded to our first proper house together (semi, garden etc).. We have been craving dogging for years but it never would have worked in a flat and we botyh work full time.
My new role sees me away from the house 0600-1700, and her 0800-1800.
We know that these hours would be totally unacceptable for most meets, but have started recently to think about rehoming a homeless person. We would ideally be looking for a man,woman, maybe a smaller person like a dwarf.
Opinion of the masses?
horton said:
before my girlfriend moved in, I left my dogs alone from 7.30am until 5.30 pm Mon-Fri.
I took them for a nice walk before I went to work, I took them out for a quick walk as soon as I got back, and gave them another nice walk at about 9 or 10pm.
I didn't see any signs of stress, neither did they eat eachother or my furniture
some dogs are highly stressed, some just chill out until it is food/walk/play time.
I agree. and especially choosing a big dog like gsd/retriever, you make it hard for yourself as a big dog needs more exercise, more food, more grooming, bigger turds!I took them for a nice walk before I went to work, I took them out for a quick walk as soon as I got back, and gave them another nice walk at about 9 or 10pm.
I didn't see any signs of stress, neither did they eat eachother or my furniture
some dogs are highly stressed, some just chill out until it is food/walk/play time.
Rescue re homes likely to have issues so prob not good to take on a dog only to leave it alone all day 5 days a week. Rescue centres unlikely to let you have a dog on that basis. Most won't even accept part time hours (ott on their part)
If you still decide to go ahead you will have to do the following to make it even a little bit fair on the dog (otherwise you are being selfish having one)
1.Take a week off work when you first get it but during that time go out and leave it for an hr or two to see how it copes.
2. Take it into work with you if poss (though I know unlikely)
3. Take it for a walk before you start work
4. Employ a dog walker to take it out during the day for at least an hour
5. Possibly take it out for another walk before its tea when you get home, espe if getting a lab type.
6. Spend quality time at weekends with it
The most important thing is too stop the dog getting bored, frustrated. Kongs with treats packed in them useful for occupying them when you are out.
You should only have the dog if you invest in a decent reputable walker who will break up the dogs day by taking it out for an afternoon run, otherwise I would recommend don't do it.
There will be people on here who say they do leave their dogs for long periods every day and these dogs are fine, but this is not the case for all dogs and if it can be avoided it should. Hope that helps
If you still decide to go ahead you will have to do the following to make it even a little bit fair on the dog (otherwise you are being selfish having one)
1.Take a week off work when you first get it but during that time go out and leave it for an hr or two to see how it copes.
2. Take it into work with you if poss (though I know unlikely)
3. Take it for a walk before you start work
4. Employ a dog walker to take it out during the day for at least an hour
5. Possibly take it out for another walk before its tea when you get home, espe if getting a lab type.
6. Spend quality time at weekends with it
The most important thing is too stop the dog getting bored, frustrated. Kongs with treats packed in them useful for occupying them when you are out.
You should only have the dog if you invest in a decent reputable walker who will break up the dogs day by taking it out for an afternoon run, otherwise I would recommend don't do it.
There will be people on here who say they do leave their dogs for long periods every day and these dogs are fine, but this is not the case for all dogs and if it can be avoided it should. Hope that helps
We were in a similar situation.
Didn't fancy re-homing, they generally have problems and need 24/7 care.
Got a lab pup, took some time off work first couple of weeks, had a kennnel built in the garden.
Dog would spend a couple of hours each day in the kennel at first with chews and toys.
Plenty of walks.
She is confined to the kitchen for now, until she gets older.
She had a piss every half hour at first but that gets better very quickly.
It has been my experience that small dogs are more work and having two makes no difference.
Didn't fancy re-homing, they generally have problems and need 24/7 care.
Got a lab pup, took some time off work first couple of weeks, had a kennnel built in the garden.
Dog would spend a couple of hours each day in the kennel at first with chews and toys.
Plenty of walks.
She is confined to the kitchen for now, until she gets older.
She had a piss every half hour at first but that gets better very quickly.
It has been my experience that small dogs are more work and having two makes no difference.
I'd say it would be fine, if you got an older dog.
Get the Mrs to walk it just before she leaves for work, walk it yourself when you get back and give it plenty of attention in the evening.
Give it a bit of love and it will be happier than the 1000s of dogs that are ignored all day, or shut in a back yard 24/7
Get the Mrs to walk it just before she leaves for work, walk it yourself when you get back and give it plenty of attention in the evening.
Give it a bit of love and it will be happier than the 1000s of dogs that are ignored all day, or shut in a back yard 24/7
horton said:
Give it a bit of love and it will be happier than the 1000s of dogs that are ignored all day, or shut in a back yard 24/7
Agreed. Just because someone does not go to work, it does not mean their dog in the back yard is having a better life! I say get some advice on breeds and look for a 'lazy' dog or an older dog and give it a go.Gassing Station | The Lounge | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff