Mumsnet Talk

I was hoping for some advice.

I have always wanted to have a dog, but don't because I work full time.

Is there any way this could work for the dog, ie by getting 2 to keep one another company.

2 days a week I work 10 hour days, the others between 5 and 7, I go home for lunch every day and have a big park close by so could walk the dog morning and evening.

I am also very inexperienced but would of course go to training classes.

I would be prepared to use all my holiday to spend settling the dog in, but would not be prepared for a dog to suffer loneliness once I had to go back to work just because I wanted one. However my only other option is to wait until I retire, but that is 40 years away!

I would be very happy to rehome a dog rather than get a puppy. I'm not worried about the breed or what it looks like.

Any suggestions or ideas welcome.

Plenty of people do it (work full time, let dog out at lunchtime). Trouble is, what if the dog had separation anxiety and wasn't happy being left? What if it barked constantly and annoyed your neighbours? Those are things you may not be able to resolve in your 4 weeks of holiday allowance. Could you afford a dog sitter to come in during the day as well to break up the day a bit more and ensure they're not left alone for too long?

i work full time and my dog has settled well into the routine. he knows when i am due to leave for work and goes to settle on his cushion with his toys without being asked. he is in such a routine he knows what time my alarm goes off and nudges me at a wknd when it doesn't go off at the set time. he knows that when i come home he goes straight for his walk so is doubly happy to see me. my neighbours have said they rarely hear him. i did do my homework on a breed that doesn't often have separation issues or are barkers. it can work for some but for others it will not do. i got mine at 8 weeks and he was straight in at the deep end, it took him a few weeks to settle but i've never had a problem leaving him. i would think about where he could be left in your house and things you have to consider in that area to keep him/her safe. mine has 2 rooms to access during the day with blankets, cushions and toys he likes.

Wow thank you. I will look into breeds and and dog sitters!

I work full time but when I got my dog I mostly worked from home (and was expecting it to stay that way).

She goes to 'day-care' when I have a long day and can't walk her before/after work and the dog-walker just takes her for a midday walk on the days when I can walk her too. Because she knows she won't be left all day she doesn't get distressed - but would otherwise. It works ok in that she is happy but it gets expensive (about £40/week).

It's fine. I have a dog and work full time. He gets out in the morning, MIL comes in at lunchtime to take him a walk and he gets walked again at night. He's 8 now and it's always been like this so it doesn't bother him. I know lots of people who work full time and have dogs so don't listen when people say you can't. You could also get a dog walker ? They take them out a big hours walk a day. My dog is a Patterdale Terrier so a good size. What breeds were you thinking of ?

I hadn't really thought of getting a particular breed, just a cuddly old friend from a rehoming centre. I just imagined that I would be turned down because of working full time.

Perhaps I would be better getting a breed. I just googled Patterdales, they look gorgeous!. I think I need to do some serious research into breeds and definitely dog walkers.

Thank you to all who have offered advice/suggestions.

He's the best dog ever - not that I am biased I hope you get a lovely friend x

Dog daycare when we need it. It costs but am a fussy mum and don't like the thought of my lovely boy being alone too long. He sleeps most of the time at home so I do wonder if I am a bit mad!

Have a think about an older rescue greyhound.

I have a dog and work full time but both DH and I live close to work so DDog always has someone to pop home for his lunchtime walk and poo and I wouldn't have got a dog if this hasn't been possible. You can get rescue dogs which are happy to be left all day but they do tend to be older so if you are looking for a young, energetic dog for lots of walks then they wouldn't suit. DDog is so settled in his routine that, when a dog mad neighbour offered to pop in and let him out after the school run he just lay in his bed and looked at her!

It's ok, but don't get a terrier or any other high energy dog like a springer unless you're prepared to pay for daycare. Breeds ARE important. I'd look at sighthounds. I have greyhounds and work fulltime. For me, they're the ideal breed as they sleep all day and are just let out for a wee at lunchtime.

Another vote for dog walker. And rescues will rehome if you can assure you can get home at lunch etc, obviously they won't let you have a puppy but an older more chilled dog would be ideal (older staffy? One of the best dogs ever but sadly mostly rehomed too)

Thank you all so much for replying. I will look into greyhounds and staffies as well as Paterdales.

I really quite like the idea of an older dog. I come home everyday without fail and could probably afford daycare/a dog walker on the 2 days I work long days. The other days are much shorter but could still pop home midway through my shift.

My friend and her husband both worked full-time, and had 2 toy poodles. They wouldn't have had just one and left it on its own all day. It worked fine for them. You can't do that while they are puppies though.

I wouldn't go for a Patterdale if you are an inexperienced dog owner , I have one and he is the best dog in the world but they can be very hard work . If you're really keen look on the Patterdale rescue website there is loads of great advice there. One thing I would say is that many of them are not good with other dogs which may be an issue if you need to use daycare or a walker . Our groomer tells me that mine is the only friendly Patterdale she sees and the only other one that I know personally hates dogs and people .

That is true - my Patterdale is so sweet and friendly with people snd dogs he knows but would attack any strange dog he meets out his walk. Short lead at all times !

Mine is a whippet, smaller than a greyhound but still as lazy! Today is a snow day and took him for a walk at 8.30am and since then he has been asleep by the radiator on top of his cushion! He occasionally appears when the fridge door is opened while I get milk for my brew, in anticipation that ham/beef/chicken will fall out from this magical place!

I ran a dog rescue for many years.from experience i suggest that an adult dog but not a working breed can be left for about 4hrs alone. there are various ways of providing company which others have mentioned ie day care,dog walker,neighbour etc,. I strongly suggest you take advice from one of the larger dog charities such as blue cross,dogs trust who assess each dog.Look for an older dog which has come in because of his owners problems and not doggie problems.When you get a dog dont make the mistake of allowing him to be with you all the time.A weekend of constant company and then being alone will upset any dog.Dont overlove him.he must be able to be apart from you when you are home else how will he cope when you go out?save high value treats/toys to give when you leave and only then,He'll be glad to see the back of you for rewards.Look at the charities websites where there is tons of advice to be printed off.Do your homework.You wouldnt have a baby without prior info would you.There are thousands of dogs dying for want of a home.I hope you get one.

I have rehome 2 dogs (not at the same time) after informing Rescue that we worked full time but would come home at luch time to let dog out. Both were older Staffies and quite happy with this. Present dog has settled into a good routine, he knows what to expects and spends a lot of time asleep anyway. Once we get home he charges about, kills socks, goes fo rhis walk and then settles down again. When you factor in our holidays, lieu days, bank holidays, days DS2 is not at school, days we go to meetings and not back to office etc. etc. he is on his own far less than days a week.