Would a dog work in this situation?
Would a dog work in this situation?
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vrsmxtb

Original Poster:

2,003 posts

172 months

Wednesday 19th October 2011
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We used to have a lovely collie-cross from a puppy when I was growing up and my mum and I are still very fond of dogs and really miss having one. We haven't had one for about 15 years. Out of interest I started looking at rescue dogs and we both got thinking about whether our current situation would be fair on a dog new into the house. We both prefer medium-large dogs ie collies / mongrels - I have soft spot for hounds, beagles, harriers etc.

Basically I work full-time shift work, my mum does 3 weekdays (8-4), but neither of us are too busy on weekends or evenings. At a great push, I may be able to work shifts around my mums working days topotentially have one weekday where no-one would be around but this isn't guaranteed. I could potentially come home on lunch breaks, but it's a half hour round trip out of the hour, so a bit pointless and inconvenient really.

So three out of seven days with potentially a new dog to the household on its own for much of the day - I'm reluctantly swaying towards thinking this just isn't going to work, and clearly definitely not with a young un. Might just be doable with the right older dog, but not sure about adopting a dog well into its life. Thoughts?

Rouleur

7,264 posts

205 months

Wednesday 19th October 2011
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I took on a roughly 4 years old rescue Springer over 5 years ago and I work Mon, Weds and Fri every week, plus every other Thurs. I've always felt comfortable leaving him on alternate days, and on the Thursdays I drop him off with my parents.

I felt that as he was such a happy dog and got lots of exercise and play it wouldn't be a problem to leave him for 8.5 hours on those 3 days, and so long as you make the effort to go for good walks before and after regardless of the weather then it should be fine IMO.

Obviously dogs vary a lot but if can find one which the rescue charity says is comfortable with its own company then I'd say go for it.

Jasandjules

71,123 posts

245 months

Wednesday 19th October 2011
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Dogs can live on their own for much of the day. If exercised enough each day then it can be quite happy. In some respects, I think of it like this

Will the dog be happier in your house or in a rescue centre kennel?

99 times out of 100, I think the answer is clear.

Karyn

6,053 posts

184 months

Thursday 20th October 2011
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I think if you find one who's happy in its own company, and you give it good, aerobic excercise before you leave it, and again when you get in, I don't see the problem, really.

As JasandJules says, would it be happier in a kennel or in your home?


Our two are left for a large portion of the day for half the week - they get a walk in the morning (horrible, at this time of year - and I have to prise them out of bed!) before work, and then beach frolicking in the evening. Despite spending most of the day asleep, they're both usually conked out again come half 8 of an evening.

So, no harm looking, right?!


Hysteria1983

1,616 posts

174 months

Thursday 20th October 2011
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I think all dogs are different, but you have to think about the reasons it is in the 'dog home' to start with. If it has been neglected with it's previous owner is it going to be happy on it's own for up to 8 hours a day?

With a younger day jt won't be too much of an issue as you can spend all the spare hours showing him/her affection and going for lovely walks. But with older dogs the damage can already been done, a d no amount of morning and evening walks will get rid of the overshadow od neglect that hangs over them.

Is great saying that will they be happier in a home or in a kennel, but in the kennels they get contact with other dogs and humans each day at least.

When it comes to rescue dogs, choose carefully as it's about more than excersise.

Good luck in your search. Keep us updated smile

Lippitt

869 posts

225 months

Thursday 20th October 2011
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Go for it - we have 2 rescue dogs, and whilst myself and my partner both work full time, the differences in our start and finish times means the dogs are left alone about 7 hours a day, and they are absolutely fine. They usually have either a short walk in the morning and a long one at night, or vice versa. Like others have said it is about their temperament, mine have no anxiety or seperation issues so they are fine. A good rescue centre will be able to advise you on this.

therealpigdog

2,592 posts

213 months

Thursday 20th October 2011
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Consider a dog walker for the days when you are at work and your mum can't be around. We have a walker who comes and exercises our puppy (10 months) on the days when neither of us are around. Costs £6 per visit (half hour walk).

Our older dogs can last a 7 hours or so without going out (they manage more than that in an evening) but the Pup gets bored and wants to destroy things - she also has a smaller tank!

R1gtr

3,437 posts

170 months

Thursday 20th October 2011
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therealpigdog said:
Consider a dog walker for the days when you are at work and your mum can't be around. We have a walker who comes and exercises our puppy (10 months) on the days when neither of us are around. Costs £6 per visit (half hour walk).

Our older dogs can last a 7 hours or so without going out (they manage more than that in an evening) but the Pup gets bored and wants to destroy things - she also has a smaller tank!
^^^^ This.
We have 2 rescue dogs and we both work full time, we are off to work at 5:30am and back around 12, the dogs will be fine for this much time but if say 2 or 3 days a week they will be home alone then I would recommend getting a dog walker in or a trusted neighbour friend who can let them out for a quick pee, it just means that if you are running late or get held up they have not been alone for 10 hours.
Good luck with what you decide but the fact that you are taking this seriously would indictate that you would look after a dog pretty well smile

vrsmxtb

Original Poster:

2,003 posts

172 months

Thursday 20th October 2011
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Thanks for the positive comments and advice, yes we are taking it very seriously hence why we've never acted on it since our old dog passed. I think a chat with a dog rescue is in order, honestly explaining the situation and getting advice and maybe get on a potential owner list for the right temperament dog. I'm confident that a dog would be spoilt rotten with us and treated very well, luckily we have lots of great walking spaces around here.

I'll update after we've seen a rescue centre.

snowdude2910

754 posts

180 months

Thursday 20th October 2011
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I've sent you an email I'm currently re-homing a beagle cross due to having to move back into my parents and would rather re-home him privately as opposed to a rescue centre if I can

Mrs Grumpy

863 posts

205 months

Thursday 20th October 2011
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snowdude2910 said:
I've sent you an email I'm currently re-homing a beagle cross due to having to move back into my parents and would rather re-home him privately as opposed to a rescue centre if I can
TBH I would always rather go through a GOOD rescue centre than ever rehome a dog myself. They have years of experience, do homechecks (and know what to look for) and can offer lifetime back up.

Sadly, dogs rehomed privately often get moved around several times and some end up on puppy farms or as bait dogs. Not saying this will happen here, but it's something to be aware of. Also, I'm not sure that beagle-types are best suited to being left for several hours?

To the OP - many rescues will not rehome to people where the dog will be left alone for more than around 4 hours. If you are able to get in a dog walker or similar then that is often OK smile One of the main reasons for dogs being handed in is that people are unable to give the dog enough time, the dog gets bored and makes its own entertainment. That is not to say that what you have to offer won't suit some dogs though. Greyhounds and staffies spring to mind as being dogs that like to sleep a lot. I wouldn't take on a working type dog such as herding breeds, spaniels, etc (unless they are old).

Hope it all works out. Can I point you in the direction of www.dogpages.org.uk/forums ? You can see many lovely dogs looking for homes there smile

JohnnyJones

1,778 posts

194 months

Thursday 20th October 2011
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Jasandjules said:
Will the dog be happier in your house or in a rescue centre kennel?

99 times out of 100, I think the answer is clear.
I think that's the most sensible and truthful post I have read this year.

vrsmxtb

Original Poster:

2,003 posts

172 months

Thursday 20th October 2011
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JohnnyJones said:
I think that's the most sensible and truthful post I have read this year.
True, but also can't help think we might be denying a dog an owner with a less isolated environment down the line. Definitely still gonna chat with rescue staff this weekend, see what they think about the idea in general.

Who me ?

7,455 posts

228 months

Thursday 20th October 2011
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So three out of seven days with potentially a new dog to the household on its own for much of the day - I'm reluctantly swaying towards thinking this just isn't going to work, and clearly definitely not with a young un. Might just be doable with the right older dog, but not sure about adopting a dog well into its life. Thoughts?

You want te truth -NO NO NO .

I did it years ago with an old rescue collie - who was only too happy after a life of abuse to live in a house of luxury with us missing for an hour or two .
Nowadays MOST rescue folks wouldnt even consier the situation .After my last dog died ,I vowed not to have another till I could give it the the attention it deserved - I adopted an older dog who wants constant attention an walks .
As I say to my Gran son "DON'T EVEN THINK ABOUT IT" - do you want te dog as a pet or something you need -then think about a cat .

Karyn

6,053 posts

184 months

Friday 21st October 2011
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I think it could work - with the right (non-pup) dog.

From his considered replies to this thread, it's clear the OP isn't going to just go to the rescue centre, lie about how long the dog would be on its own, and pick the first doe-eyes that looks his way.

If the rescue centre feel they've got an appropriate dog, and the OP continues to be as fair/affectionate/dedicated as he's shown himself to be on this thread, then, why not? It's one less dog in a rescue kennel, and one more fulfilled dog in a loving home.

Lippitt

869 posts

225 months

Friday 21st October 2011
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The sad fact is there are always more dogs needing homes than people being able to rescue them, so don't worry about the denying the dog a chance to live with someone else thing.

Jasandjules

71,123 posts

245 months

Friday 21st October 2011
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[quote=Who me ?]
So three out of seven days with potentially a new dog to the household on its own for much of the day
[/quote]

And how much time do you believe a rescue centre realistically spends with each dog?

R1gtr

3,437 posts

170 months

Friday 21st October 2011
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Yeah any decent rescue centre will assess your situation and see if they think your situation would work, they will have all types of dogs and will match you up with one, they will be able to recommend dog walkers etc.
As someone said 'If you were a dog would you rather be stuck in a cramped cold noisy kennel 20 hours at least a day or in a nice warm peaceful enviroment with loving owners who may leave you for 8 hours a day?'
The only problem would be that dog may need a pee but a dog walker would take care off that.
Also worth considering- once you both get home, are you both off out doing hobbies every night where dog will be left alone again?
And what if you leave home soon/enter relationship(if you aint already) will this affect dog?

We have two rescues and know people who have rescues, many old dogs are so grateful to be out of kennels they are quite happy sleeping all day in a warm peaceful enviroment.
Go speak to a rescue centre and take it from there, be completely honest and they will see you right.

Mrs Grumpy

863 posts

205 months

Friday 21st October 2011
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I really have no idea why every concludes that a dog in rescue is in a cold, damp, miserable kennel confused

Not many are like that at all! Many are tucked up in a nice foster home and treated as the foster carer's own. Those that use kennels ensure they are walked, played with, trained and assessed. Kennels have to meet a certain standard as well.

I also totally disagree that any old home (not meaning you OP) is better than a rescue centre. No they are not! Rescues have a duty of care to match the dog to the home and vice versa for the sake of all concerned. No-one wants to see a dog bounced back into rescue time and time again due to inappropriate rehoming frown

R1gtr

3,437 posts

170 months

Friday 21st October 2011
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Mrs Grumpy said:
I really have no idea why every concludes that a dog in rescue is in a cold, damp, miserable kennel confused

Not many are like that at all! Many are tucked up in a nice foster home and treated as the foster carer's own. Those that use kennels ensure they are walked, played with, trained and assessed. Kennels have to meet a certain standard as well.

I also totally disagree that any old home (not meaning you OP) is better than a rescue centre. No they are not! Rescues have a duty of care to match the dog to the home and vice versa for the sake of all concerned. No-one wants to see a dog bounced back into rescue time and time again due to inappropriate rehoming frown
Yeah boarding kennels are reasonably nice but when looking for a dog we visited 3 different rescue centres including 1 SSPCA centre and they were all concrete floored, wood panels and metal fencing, I did not see any heating system so I am guessing they aint too 'tropical' in December especially here in Scotland, next you will be telling us how quiet they are!
Do not get me wrong, they do a fantastic job on limited resources and the people that work,volunteer there are amazing but to me kennels are like a Hospital, they do a great valuable job but I sure as hell do not want to be in there long term.
I actively encourage people to re-home a dog from a rescue centre rather than buying from a breeder.