Dog ownership...maybe in the future
Discussion
My girlfriend has grown up with dogs and is missing her parents dog's massively!
We aren't in a position at the moment to get one (in a flat), but are hoping to move next year to a house with a flat.
One issue we may have is we both work full time. She does Monday to Friday and I do shift work.
Assuming my shifts don't change which they shouldn't do (only just moved to this pattern), the only issue will be when I do earlies during the week (0700 to 1600 for me, girlfriend does 0900 to 1815).
I can't come home during work and she can't at the moment due to distance, but depends how fair away we move when we do.
My question is...i know all day is way to long and unfair, but how long would be ok to leave them for during the day? I'd look at getting family/friends to come over during those shifts or a dog walker maybe.
Still a long way to go before we can seriously think of getting one, but like to see if it's possible first.
What breeds would people recommend? I don't like small dogs (no Jack Russells and not a fan of Pugs or French Bulldogs).
Nothing too big either. I'm thinking of a Spaniel or similar.
We aren't in a position at the moment to get one (in a flat), but are hoping to move next year to a house with a flat.
One issue we may have is we both work full time. She does Monday to Friday and I do shift work.
Assuming my shifts don't change which they shouldn't do (only just moved to this pattern), the only issue will be when I do earlies during the week (0700 to 1600 for me, girlfriend does 0900 to 1815).
I can't come home during work and she can't at the moment due to distance, but depends how fair away we move when we do.
My question is...i know all day is way to long and unfair, but how long would be ok to leave them for during the day? I'd look at getting family/friends to come over during those shifts or a dog walker maybe.
Still a long way to go before we can seriously think of getting one, but like to see if it's possible first.
What breeds would people recommend? I don't like small dogs (no Jack Russells and not a fan of Pugs or French Bulldogs).
Nothing too big either. I'm thinking of a Spaniel or similar.
I fear when CV19 passes there is going to be tons of unwanted dogs. Loads of people have taken on puppies to fill their days.
Once they go back to work their priorities will change and the dog won't fit in. The other issue is the dog will be brought up with people about all the time.
People are paying silly money at the moment..
Once they go back to work their priorities will change and the dog won't fit in. The other issue is the dog will be brought up with people about all the time.
People are paying silly money at the moment..
Driver101 said:
I fear when CV19 passes there is going to be tons of unwanted dogs. Loads of people have taken on puppies to fill their days.
Once they go back to work their priorities will change and the dog won't fit in. The other issue is the dog will be brought up with people about all the time.
People are paying silly money at the moment..
Sadly I can see that as well. Not something im going to do! We aren't in a position until we have a house which wont be for at least 18 months/two years. Once they go back to work their priorities will change and the dog won't fit in. The other issue is the dog will be brought up with people about all the time.
People are paying silly money at the moment..
We'll also be looking at a rescue most likely.
Four hours should be doable between us, friends, family and maybe a dog walker.
Interesting about the Spaniel. My inlaws have one at the moment and he is the laziest dog I've ever met! He's more than happy sleeping all day!
A customer at my old job had a greyhound. He was rather sweet!
Turn7 said:
4 Hours max I would say, and DEFFO no working breeds, IE Spaniel...... they will go insane and eat your kitchen locked up that long.
Retired Greyhound, older Rescue maybe....
This. I've worked full-time and owned rescue dogs for many years. Most of them have been sighthounds (greyhounds/lurchers). Whilst they can, in general, cope better with working owners, they still need letting out once or twice a day. Most rescue centres have a limit for adult dogs of four hours at a time for being left. Some will consider full-time workers if they have arrangements in place for a dog walker.Retired Greyhound, older Rescue maybe....
I would never have considered a working breed like a spaniel while I was single and working full-time. I have two now (well, one spaniel and one spaniel cross) but my partner works from home.
Equus said:
It depends on the individual dog, but I would say that if you can't guarantee that the animal won't be left on its own on a regular basis for more than 4 hours, you shouldn't get one.
I'd say (talking for any dog) , forget it. Dogs need one on one contact for most of the day. If you cannot provide this - leave dogs in rescue ,where they will get the contact. PositronicRay said:
Not the same but how about volunteering at a dogs charity.
Plenty of dogs can and are left, but don't assume.
Charities love dog walkers. They, or at least one, tries to avoid regular contact with just one dog if there's no likelihood of adopting. I don't know whether this was for the dog's sake or that of the volunteers. I've taken a nervous big dog out for a day - I've had 2x Bouviers, and a Giant Schnauzer, all rescues, so was used to strange behaviour. It's a bit upsetting when a dog shies away from a little act of kindness.Plenty of dogs can and are left, but don't assume.
Four hours is a long time for some dogs, while other will take it in their stride. I set up a camcorder to see how a newly rescued dog dealt with being on its own for a bit under 2.5 hrs, with access to a toilet area, and it slept most of the time. When we returned it was all over us and wet itself a little when we reached for the lead. Yet I know of a rescued greyhound that didn't seem to give a damn, despite spending most of it early life with other greyhounds. The couple had three greyhounds in succession and none of them seemed the least bit bothered.
I'm going to disagree here, I've always had dogs and they've been left on their own without any issues.
But they've always had a dog flap and a secure garden.
Dogs by nature are crepuscular, so are most lively at dawn and dusk, so basically before you go to work and when you're coming home (so perfect for the morning and evening constitutionals) and pretty much will naturally sleep for the rest of the day.
But, and it is a big but, don't just assume you can get a dog and this works automatically, you have to spend the time up front making sure the dog is happy and secure in its own company, doesnt get separation anxiety when you leave, and that you build up separation time slowly - with my current dog (a rescue) we started with leaving him for 30 seconds, and eventually got to a regular full day.
Retired now, so he rarely gets left along for long these days.
But they've always had a dog flap and a secure garden.
Dogs by nature are crepuscular, so are most lively at dawn and dusk, so basically before you go to work and when you're coming home (so perfect for the morning and evening constitutionals) and pretty much will naturally sleep for the rest of the day.
But, and it is a big but, don't just assume you can get a dog and this works automatically, you have to spend the time up front making sure the dog is happy and secure in its own company, doesnt get separation anxiety when you leave, and that you build up separation time slowly - with my current dog (a rescue) we started with leaving him for 30 seconds, and eventually got to a regular full day.
Retired now, so he rarely gets left along for long these days.
When I done rotating shifts the week I was on earlys (6-2pm). My wife was always 8-4pm , so we used a doggy day care. Had a key collected them about 10am and back about 3pm ish. Dogs loved it and got,plenty socialising and exercise , was roughly £18 a day ( over a year ago now)
Means you can have a dog without the guilt.
Means you can have a dog without the guilt.
If you both work full-time then defiantly look at a dog walker / day care.
My partner and I both work-full time but have the option of working from home. If we both have to be in the office for the complete day we will put both our dogs in day care (8am - 6pm). We also use a dog walker twice a week, and this allows me to get into the office early, and work from home in the afternoon.
We never leave them more than 3hours at a time though during the day, or if we have to nip out.
Forgot to mention we have a 18month Cockapoo, and 7month Springer Cross. Both are very active, and require good walks in the morning and evening. Never been any issues leaving them on their own.
My partner and I both work-full time but have the option of working from home. If we both have to be in the office for the complete day we will put both our dogs in day care (8am - 6pm). We also use a dog walker twice a week, and this allows me to get into the office early, and work from home in the afternoon.
We never leave them more than 3hours at a time though during the day, or if we have to nip out.
Forgot to mention we have a 18month Cockapoo, and 7month Springer Cross. Both are very active, and require good walks in the morning and evening. Never been any issues leaving them on their own.
Edited by Challo on Thursday 30th April 17:19
I had your exact reservations OP before my ex and I got a French Bulldog. However, we managed by taking it a long walk every morning before work - an hour or so, and then 2 days a week a dog walker came around (Mon/Wed) who wore it out for the Tue and Wed. On those days she just slept all day - we'd get home at say 6pm ish and she'd be just climbing out of her bed yawning. Granted, she'd need another walk that evening but she seemed to be completely fine. Friday one of us worked at home.
We also felt guilty leaving her all day but at night she slept in the bedroom with us so she wasn't on her own again.
All in all, it worked fine.
I really think you need to pick a "sleepy" breed though.
We also felt guilty leaving her all day but at night she slept in the bedroom with us so she wasn't on her own again.
All in all, it worked fine.
I really think you need to pick a "sleepy" breed though.
Derek Smith said:
PositronicRay said:
Not the same but how about volunteering at a dogs charity.
Plenty of dogs can and are left, but don't assume.
Charities love dog walkers. They, or at least one, tries to avoid regular contact with just one dog if there's no likelihood of adopting. I don't know whether this was for the dog's sake or that of the volunteers. I've taken a nervous big dog out for a day - I've had 2x Bouviers, and a Giant Schnauzer, all rescues, so was used to strange behaviour. It's a bit upsetting when a dog shies away from a little act of kindness.Plenty of dogs can and are left, but don't assume.
Four hours is a long time for some dogs, while other will take it in their stride. I set up a camcorder to see how a newly rescued dog dealt with being on its own for a bit under 2.5 hrs, with access to a toilet area, and it slept most of the time. When we returned it was all over us and wet itself a little when we reached for the lead. Yet I know of a rescued greyhound that didn't seem to give a damn, despite spending most of it early life with other greyhounds. The couple had three greyhounds in succession and none of them seemed the least bit bothered.
ETA: Eric is a former professional sportsperson.
Edited by Pothole on Thursday 30th April 18:55
Who me said:
Equus said:
It depends on the individual dog, but I would say that if you can't guarantee that the animal won't be left on its own on a regular basis for more than 4 hours, you shouldn't get one.
I'd say (talking for any dog) , forget it. Dogs need one on one contact for most of the day. If you cannot provide this - leave dogs in rescue ,where they will get the contact. Loads of older dogs will happily manage on their own all day while you're at work.
Leaving dogs in a shelter to get contact isn't going to benefit the dog. We've got 30 or so dogs at our shelter, 1 or 2 staff there daily for 8 hours and their time divided between them all. Loads of our dogs would love to be in a house alone for 8 hours if they had family company around that, proper walks etc. We've got even more dogs it would be completely unsuitable for but its not a 1 size fits all approach
Edited by Algarve on Thursday 30th April 23:19
Pothole said:
Derek Smith said:
PositronicRay said:
Not the same but how about volunteering at a dogs charity.
Plenty of dogs can and are left, but don't assume.
Charities love dog walkers. They, or at least one, tries to avoid regular contact with just one dog if there's no likelihood of adopting. I don't know whether this was for the dog's sake or that of the volunteers. I've taken a nervous big dog out for a day - I've had 2x Bouviers, and a Giant Schnauzer, all rescues, so was used to strange behaviour. It's a bit upsetting when a dog shies away from a little act of kindness.Plenty of dogs can and are left, but don't assume.
Four hours is a long time for some dogs, while other will take it in their stride. I set up a camcorder to see how a newly rescued dog dealt with being on its own for a bit under 2.5 hrs, with access to a toilet area, and it slept most of the time. When we returned it was all over us and wet itself a little when we reached for the lead. Yet I know of a rescued greyhound that didn't seem to give a damn, despite spending most of it early life with other greyhounds. The couple had three greyhounds in succession and none of them seemed the least bit bothered.
ETA: Eric is a former professional sportsperson.
Edited by Pothole on Thursday 30th April 18:55
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