Should I have a pet dog?

[coffeelover1]

I really want to get a pet and have decided on a dog. I am currently single, work full time but come home for lunch every day. I have never cared for a dog before and wanted to ask if it is a good idea getting one? My friends have dogs and I love walking them and would like the company. I have a small enclosed garden as well.

I am of the mindset that a dog is a commitment and there will be good times and bad. I do not want to have a dog companion and not be able to give them the life they need if that makes sense. Is there anything I need to be aware of and are dogs suitable for someone who works full time (9 - 5) but does come home every day for an hour between 1pm and 2pm.

[KinkyAfro]

Personally no, the dog would be on its own for most of the time so what's the point?

[ThroughThickAndThin01]

That's far too long, unless you can rehome an older dog who doesn't mind being on his own for hours at a time, several times a day.

Dogs in general, are sociable.

[HarrietKettleWasHere]

Yes if you have a walker/sitter to come in for it.

My friend has a rescued lurcher and it sleeps nearly all the day. It would refuse to go out with the dog walker she hired. She'd walk him in the morning and honestly he just conks out on the sofa all day, until she gets home (she set up a camera to make sure he was ok)

That's probably an exception, though.

[Floralnomad]

Get a cat , dogs do not want to be on their own all day , and I assume you do have a social life as well , which will mean some evenings / weekends that you are out as well . Also do you really see yourself adding an extra 30+ minutes into your morning for a walk and probably longer when you get home even when it’s pouring with rain / freezing etc.

[ownedbySWD]

Get 2 cats! We adopted a mother/daughter pair and they basically look after themselves unless they want me to do something for them. I am their servant.

We have a dog and nothing prepared me for the amount of work. I thought I understood beforehand, but nope. And by all accounts she is a very easy puppy! (Six months old, had her for 2 months now)

[Elphame]

No -unless you are prepared to pay for doggy day care.

I waited years before I got another dog as I was working full time. Dogs need company and it's a pretty miserable life for them shut up all day, day after day even with a lunch time visit.

[smu06set]

I have a similar dog to Harriet - she's more than happy to be left mornings and afternoons, the dog walkers even comment she won't get out of bed before 1pm!!

[coffeelover1]

Thanks for the advice, as you can tell I am clueless. I recently split from an ex and spend lots of time on my own or go for a walk to my local park (I do not like gyms and have a sedentary job). I will go and see friends on a weekend or they will come to mind. I am finding that I am home alot and enjoy going on walks (which is where I am always encountering dogs) and just thought I could do with the company. I normally go for long walks (2 hours ish) on Saturday and Sunday before I see friends or family. I normally end up going for a brisk walk when I get home after work (no matter the weather). Thinking about it though, if I were to have a dog they would be alone for between 8:30am and 6pm Monday to Friday (except between 1 and 2 when I pop home) which would not be fair if they are very sociable. Maybe cats are the way forward.

[ThroughThickAndThin01]

If you have a local dog rescue they might love a volunteer to walk a dog at the weekends.

[Justbookedasummmerholiday]

Imo clueless people shouldn't get ddogs!!

[Rollforneed]

Geez. There are some people who don't think you should get a dog unless you are home 22 hours out of a 24 hour day it seems. I think your set up is pretty good.

You would have to take the dog for some good exercise in the morning before going to work, so that it is tired. Rain or shine!! The dog would then most likely sleep most of the day until evening when they get their second wind. Letting out at lunchtime for a pee is perfectly fine. I have a rough collie who I fast walk about 45 min in the morning and then he flops out until dinner time. I am at home to witness him just lying around napping all day. He barely notices when I leave to run errands etc. He doesn't even ask to go out most of the day because he already got out all his business on his morning walk. After dinner he gets another walk and play time because he is recharged. Most dogs have an internal clock that works like that -- they are most active early morning and evening and nap all day.

Choose a breed which is low-med energy. Don't pick something like a husky or jack russell. I wouldn't start with an 8 week old puppy as that is A LOT of work. You'd have to hire a puppy care person or put him in puppy day care for the first few months.

Good luck! You sound like you would be a good owner because you actually think about it first.

[confusedandemployed]

I agree with Rollforneed.
When I got my DDogs it was on the understanding that there would be someone at home all the time.

Well my circumstances changed (my DP died actually) but I still had to work full time. I used a mixture of kennels, doggy day care and walkers and my dogs were perfectly happy. I also walked them every morning and evening.

One DDog has sadly gone now but my 15yo Fref is still with me. I've just started working from home 100% of the time and I'm so happy I can be with him all the time.

He however couldn't give a toss. Since being home I've realised he sleeps about 22hrs a day now.

[nooka]

I am another person with an older dog who sleeps all day long. For the last three or four years he's been home along from 8-4pm without issue, but he had someone with him all day for the first five years and was only left because we were very sure he'd be OK. The OP might be able to get an older dog who is happy with his own company, but most dogs would not be and puppies need someone with them pretty much all of the time.

[Mulch]

I think you could manage. I'm sure they're plenty of dogs in rescue kennels that would love your sofa to vegetate on all day instead of care. Dog Walker, day care to break it up abit and I'm sure they'll be more than just find

[Wolfiefan]

Can I put in a not so subtle at all plug for The Cinnamon Trust? You can volunteer to walk the dog of a disabled or unwell or elderly person. They get to keep their much loved pet and you get to enjoy walks with a companion. Win. Win!

[coffeelover1]

I will look into The cinnamon trust as a first step. I forgot to add that I do not want a puppy, I personally feel that there are too many dogs in shelters and would rather take on one of those dogs. I guess when I think about it, I just want a companion who I can enjoy my walks with. At the same time, I don't want to rush and adopt a dog and not give them the life/home they need. Thank you for all the advice :)

[ThroughThickAndThin01]

You think the OP's set up is good for a dog Rollforneed? Geez. Alone all day. Fantastic. Lucky lucky dog.

[SummatFishyEre]

May be see about fostering retired greyhounds? Or another vote for cinnamon trust

[mustbemad17]

Very few rescues would let you have a dog if you're at work all day. Sadly.
I used to work full time & fostered; long walk in the morning, pop home for an hour at lunch, long walk after work. Depends what 'all day' actually means; 4 hours is the top recommended. But if you had access to a dog walker you could utilise them during the day.

[TeknoGran]

I have deliberated for 5 years after my last little dog passed and 6 weeks ago got a puppy. It is such hard work. She is with me every waking hour. Luckily I can take her to work she stays in her crate and I take her out on breaks and at lunch. But the first 3 weeks I only managed to wash my hair twice and I haven’t been in a shop except Aldi since I got her. I tried with older dogs but they usually have issues that will take a lot of time and patience to work through. It will get better but it’s pretty intense for the first couple of months. I also love walking but haven’t been able to for ages as she had to have all her jabs and wait until they kicked in. It’s really hard work but I love her x

[TeknoGran]

Have a look at the website walk my doggie x

[bluetongue]

I'm in a similar situation to you OP and dog ownership has been hard. Doggy day care a couple of times a week and my parents help out as well. Before Bluepuppy I was a long time cat owner. If I'm being brutally honest, I wish I'd stuck with cats. Maybe look at getting one of the really sociable breeds like a Burnese or Siamese. They can be surprisingly dog like but are much more independent.

[ThereIsNoSuchThingAsRoadTax]

MN is full of people who think dogs need company 24/7.
They do not. I work full time and go home at lunch time. My dog is very happy and gets lots of exercise and interaction when I am home. Dogs sleep a lot, and she just curls up and snoozes when I'm not there and we play when I get home. No problem at all. One or two times a week she goes off to doggy daycare to gets lots of interaction with other dogs.
It is, however, very hard work and a huge commitment. Make sure you do lots of research before even thinking about getting any dog, when you think you are ready investigate breeders and avoid designer crosses or anything advertised on selling sites (gumtree, preloved, pets4homes, etc..). If you get a puppy, you will need to make some arrangement because they can't be left alone for a few weeks and then only for very short period for several months.
Dogs are wonderful, but they completely change your life and restrict your freedom, especially if you live alone.

[mrsjoyfulprizeforraffiawork]

As far as I can see, OP says she works full time but comes home for lunch, so she wouldn't be leaving the dog alone "all day". I am assuming she would be able to walk the dog in her lunch break.

[Hoppinggreen]

Have a look at borrowmydoggy and see if you can get a match with someone suitable ( we did but there are mixed reviews) . That way you can see if a dog fits into your life and Vice versa but I would say that really working full time with a dog 🐶 isn't ideal