What type of dog?
Discussion
Me and the wife have been toying with the idea of getting a dog for a while and now we are about to move from a flat to a house the timing seems right BUT we have a few reservations. Our main one is that we both work full time. Are there any dog breeds that can handle being left alone from half 7am until 6pm (ish) or would that just be selfish?
If it helps, both me and my wife grew up with dogs so we are experienced, we are more than willing to exercise it but in reality a long morning walk would be tough due to the time we have to leave for work. In addition, my job role may be changing in that I'll be able to work from home more but this would be intermittent and would not be every day.
Breed wise we both love Bulldogs but I was wondering if we went to somewhere like Battersea Dogs home, can they match a dog to your lifestyle and would they even consider this type of situation?
All comments appreciated
If it helps, both me and my wife grew up with dogs so we are experienced, we are more than willing to exercise it but in reality a long morning walk would be tough due to the time we have to leave for work. In addition, my job role may be changing in that I'll be able to work from home more but this would be intermittent and would not be every day.
Breed wise we both love Bulldogs but I was wondering if we went to somewhere like Battersea Dogs home, can they match a dog to your lifestyle and would they even consider this type of situation?
All comments appreciated
if you really do want a dog and are going out for those hours then you could employ a dog walker......take you dog for a long walk every morning before work 07:00 (up to an hour depending on size) go to work, get a dog walker in late morning say 11:00 and then again mid afternoon say 15:00 for you to then walk again at 18:00...might cost you a penny or two but it would be the only fair way!
Marcellus said:
if you really do want a dog and are going out for those hours then you could employ a dog walker......take you dog for a long walk every morning before work 07:00 (up to an hour depending on size) go to work, get a dog walker in late morning say 11:00 and then again mid afternoon say 15:00 for you to then walk again at 18:00...might cost you a penny or two but it would be the only fair way!
That's a damn fine idea. Anyone have any idea how much this kind of service costs?Ungarsee said:
Are there any dog breeds that can handle being left alone from half 7am until 6pm (ish) or would that just be selfish?
If it helps, both me and my wife grew up with dogs so we are experienced, we are more than willing to exercise it but in reality a long morning walk would be tough due to the time we have to leave for work.
If you're a dog person, the answer lies within your q.If it helps, both me and my wife grew up with dogs so we are experienced, we are more than willing to exercise it but in reality a long morning walk would be tough due to the time we have to leave for work.
Tbh I don't think it's fair to leave a dog for such long lengths of time. We put off getting a dog for a few years for just this reason, but are now fortunate that someone's at home most of the time.
A dog walker would cost at least £8/hour so that would be pretty expensive every week. Plus your dog might end up bonding more with them than you!
If you're thinking of getting a pup you really need to be around to help house-train too.
A dog walker would cost at least £8/hour so that would be pretty expensive every week. Plus your dog might end up bonding more with them than you!
If you're thinking of getting a pup you really need to be around to help house-train too.
Ungarsee said:
Marcellus said:
if you really do want a dog and are going out for those hours then you could employ a dog walker......take you dog for a long walk every morning before work 07:00 (up to an hour depending on size) go to work, get a dog walker in late morning say 11:00 and then again mid afternoon say 15:00 for you to then walk again at 18:00...might cost you a penny or two but it would be the only fair way!
That's a damn fine idea. Anyone have any idea how much this kind of service costs?What do you want a dog for??
Obviously some people are taking this the wrong way but I understand this is a passionate subject so just to clarify, we are not looking for a fashion accessory, we just both miss having a dog around and miss the joy owning a dog can bring. Also we want to be fair to the dog hence me asking the question in the first place!!
If it's not going to be fair then we will not get one until our situation changes BUT I do not know everything about dogs and wanted to know if there were any particular breeds that do not mind being left alone for longer periods of time. With regards to having a dog walker, why not? I know it's not ideal but if it means a dog can get a loving home then what is the problem?
If it's not going to be fair then we will not get one until our situation changes BUT I do not know everything about dogs and wanted to know if there were any particular breeds that do not mind being left alone for longer periods of time. With regards to having a dog walker, why not? I know it's not ideal but if it means a dog can get a loving home then what is the problem?
We lost a cat about 4 years ago, and the wife persuaded us to get a dog. I work full time, and she works part time nights. We both liked the idea of a golden retriever, and bought a beautiful 12 week old b
h, and life started well.
Then reality hit home. Contrary to her promises, the wife never walked the dog, so i had to when I got home. Get home at 6, cup of tea, walk the dog, home for 7.30. Children have by now gone to bed. Dog generates more st than the house of commons, I get to go round the garden sorting it all out. Dog hair everywhere, sofa stinks.
In the end, I confronted the wife the the argument that I was getting to know the dog really well, but the kids have forgotten what I look like. We ended up selling her to a lady who had a horse riding stables business, so dog will be running around fields all day.
Dog ownership is great, but its ideal for someone with time on their hands. If you both work full time, you might end up with problems.
h, and life started well. Then reality hit home. Contrary to her promises, the wife never walked the dog, so i had to when I got home. Get home at 6, cup of tea, walk the dog, home for 7.30. Children have by now gone to bed. Dog generates more s
t than the house of commons, I get to go round the garden sorting it all out. Dog hair everywhere, sofa stinks. In the end, I confronted the wife the the argument that I was getting to know the dog really well, but the kids have forgotten what I look like. We ended up selling her to a lady who had a horse riding stables business, so dog will be running around fields all day.
Dog ownership is great, but its ideal for someone with time on their hands. If you both work full time, you might end up with problems.
Ungarsee said:
Glassman said:
Ungarsee said:
BUT I do not know everything about dogs
you don't
You obviously have some knowledge which you are more than welcome to share with me
A bored dog will very quickly eat your sofa, doorframes, carpets, doors, plaster walls...
I leave my hound about 8 hours a day tops, but he was brought up from a puppy at work with me all day for 4 years. He's mature enough to handle it now, but there's no way he would have dealt with that from an early age.
How can you possibly expect the dog to do what you tell it when you're not around to train it or exert the pack leader authority over it? You'll end up with an out of control dog and a wrecked house and end up regretting everything.
I leave my hound about 8 hours a day tops, but he was brought up from a puppy at work with me all day for 4 years. He's mature enough to handle it now, but there's no way he would have dealt with that from an early age.
How can you possibly expect the dog to do what you tell it when you're not around to train it or exert the pack leader authority over it? You'll end up with an out of control dog and a wrecked house and end up regretting everything.
While I was married we always had at least one dog. OH didn't (wouldn't) go to work so she was always with the dog. As time went on and we got children, and I worked away from home for up to 2 weeks at a time, the dogs became companions and guardians for the family and house.
Now I am living alone (for much of the time) I would dearly love to have a dog again, but as I am out all day, and work away some weeks, it is neither practical, or fair on the dog.
If you really want a pet, why not try a cat? They are far less dependabt on the owner and are quite happy to spend all day outside alone (or get2?)
I am quite lucky at the moment in that I have a soul-mate who comes to stay for weeks at a time and brings her Rottwieller (sp?) with her. he's great company!
Now I am living alone (for much of the time) I would dearly love to have a dog again, but as I am out all day, and work away some weeks, it is neither practical, or fair on the dog.
If you really want a pet, why not try a cat? They are far less dependabt on the owner and are quite happy to spend all day outside alone (or get2?)
I am quite lucky at the moment in that I have a soul-mate who comes to stay for weeks at a time and brings her Rottwieller (sp?) with her. he's great company!
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