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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To get a puppy.

102 replies

pongonperdy · 12/01/2011 19:56

I work two and a half days a week which is what is putting me off the idea.

My daughter and husband are desperate for a puppy. I have grown up with dogs so i know how much is involved in having a puppy. The thing is my mum never worked so was always around to walk the dog etc. I know she thinks i should not have one as i work. However i doubt there will come a tme when i dont work so does that mean we should never have a pet. I think having a pet is a good thing for children and would hate them to miss out.

Am i being unreasonable is contemplating getting a puppy or do otjher people manage to combine pets and work.

OP posts:
Rhinestone · 12/01/2011 19:59

How many hours do you work and how far away is your workplace? I don't think you are being unreasonable at all by the way but the answers will tell you how easy it's going to be.

A1980 · 12/01/2011 19:59

If you're not 100% committed or sure then don't do it.

It'll be very difficult to get out of once you've got it.

musicmadness · 12/01/2011 20:02

It depends if you can organise someone to stay with the dog during the day/ you can get back home in your breaks etc.
If you can sort something so the dog isn't left alone all day then you should be OK but it isn't fair for a dog to be left for long periods by themselves - especially puppies which require more attention anyway.
Could you talk to your local rescue centre? Someone there could probably give you a better idea whether or not you would be a suitable owner at the moment (and if you are it would be better to adopt a dog rather than buy one anyway IMO).

charliesmommy · 12/01/2011 20:04

If you have no-one to let him out 2 days a week, then no, you shouldnt have a dog unless you can arrange to go home at lunchtimes. Also a young puppy cant be left for long periods of time, whereas an older dog would be quite happy.

Many older dogs already spend hours on end in a rescue centre, so perhaps think about giving one of them a forever home.

Rhinestone · 12/01/2011 20:07

I think the half day is fine, it's the two full days. If you can afford a dog walker for those two days then I reckon it's fine. Although you might want to consider getting the pup when you have some annual leave so you can housetrain it etc - this is likely to take a couple of weeks though!

Re the leaving the pup by itself, have you considered getting two puppies?! Not that much more work than one and they'll be company for each other.

For 5 and a half days a week you're the perfect dog owner, i.e. at home. Just sort those two days out.

floweryblue · 12/01/2011 20:12

DP has always wanted a dog, I have always had cats which require v little work.

I finally agreed to a puppy on the understanding that she is DP's dog and it is his job to ensure she is taken care of. So far, we are managing, DP mainly works from home so he is only out all day three days per week. We have a big garden, so we can shut her out of the house when we are not there, she is at a naughty phase so she is now tied up outside (with access to shelter, food and water) when we are not here. DP walks her, feeds her and looks after her health. When he is away, I help him out, the same arrangement that we have with my cats.

I think that if you get the right sort of dog and make sure that your DH and DD understand that the dog will be their responsibility, it could work well for you all.

I would not be without our dog now, my cats still hate her though!!!

charliesmommy · 12/01/2011 20:14

flowery, how long are you out for? I have to say, I dont like the idea of any dog being tied up outside, it isnt right. :(

mummaxmas · 12/01/2011 20:21

We have a puppy who is 7months and 2 boys, 3&4 and I don't work so I'm home with her all day. It's not just leaving the puppy when ur working, what about the other times your out, doing shopping, visiting freinds, it's very restricting! I love her and the boys thinks she's great, but given my time again, I wouldn't do it. Plus they really Do chew everything, especially when bored, and she has destroyed our once lovely garden! And we have another 15 years of it!

gordyslovesheep · 12/01/2011 20:25

Flowery that is awful - not good care at all

My dd2 would LOVE a dog - but as I work 3 full days it's a no - it's not fair on the dog x

tulpe · 12/01/2011 20:26

I think it largely depends on breed of dog and whether or ot you can get dog aupair/friend to walk pup on days you are working

floweryblue · 12/01/2011 20:27

CM, we are out for a day at work, so about 7-8 hours. I must admit I found it heartbreaking at first but she has adapted to it. She's on a fairly long leash so she can still play a bit and go to the toilet where/when she wants, she seems to spend quite a lot of her time in her kennel, but she is friends with the postman and the neighbours so she pops out to say hello to them. We have tried leaving her out not tied up but she keeps leaving the garden. On the days I am at home with her she spends most of her time in bed (indoors) anyway and DP takes her for at least one, usually two, long walks every day.

FrequentNutter · 12/01/2011 20:28

I worked and when he was a puppy on the advice of a dog ownwer I bought a cage and put the puppy in there with water and newspaper whilst I was at work, however leaving a puppy 8 hours is too long, four is okay, but 8. No. You would need an older already trained dog for that to be honest.

charliesmommy · 12/01/2011 20:29

Sorry but you shouldnt have a dog. That is very wrong to keep her like that.

Play??? you are happy for her to play while tied to a rope?

Friends with the postman???

Are you for real... ffs.

If I was a neighbour of yours I would be phoning the bloody RSPCA.

graciesmall09 · 12/01/2011 20:39

I think as long as you can have someone call in/walk your dog during the day it should be ok. However, only get a dog if you are all 100% committed.

We have a 15 month labrador :) and I work 3 days per week, however my FIL comes over for 2-3 hrs per day and walks and plays with him and then my mum comes to my house with my children after school so he is only on his own for a couple of hours. Mind you he did cause some damage in those couple of hours when he was small - cost us a fortune repairing the damage.

Dogs are much more work than I imagined. The children and I wanted a dog, DH (who had always had a dog growing up) warned me of the hard work but I must admit it was a shock (wouldn't change a thing though as we love him to bits) but to be honest it is DH who gets up at 6am to give him a good walk before we leave and it is DH who is out rain, hail or snow. As for the children - well they lost interest after about a month and have to be bribed into going with DH for a walk.

I do feel very sad :( when I hear of dogs being left all day - I really don't think I could do it.

justonemorethen · 12/01/2011 20:41

i think a puppy could live with you working two days though it's really the next 15 years you need to think about. If you have plans to work more hours in the future (when the children grow up a bit)or want to go on more holidays etc then you need a plan.

I got a nine year old dog from a family that emmigrated (Australia). Obviously they hadn't planned to do that but it would have meant putting the dog down. I have spent 4 years getting myself and DS up at 6am (all weathers,every day)to walk him before work (single parent)and put in a dog flap.

I do agree that having a dog is great as it really gives the children insight in how to deal with animals.There is always a reason to get out in the winter and DS is very proud of having him. Despite being nearly 14 the dog shows no sign of conking out but I'm dreading that day as they have grown up together. The family I got him from told me he was older so I had assummed that it would have croaked whilst DS was young enough not to remember much..

Original poster
pongonperdy · 12/01/2011 20:42

Our plan would be to take a few weeks off work to settle pup in. The we would get a dog walker for the day i was at work. I know its not ideal but i wonder if itsenough or still not fair on the dog.

It breaks my heart that we would never have a family pet because i have to work.

We have looked at rescue centres and tey dont seem to rehome to families with under fives.

OP posts:
Rhinestone · 12/01/2011 20:44

Well if you're getting a dog walker for when you're at work then I think it's absolutely fine.

But give a thought to getting two.....!

charliesmommy · 12/01/2011 20:44

Sounds like you have a good plan there Pongon. You have given it thought, and would be a responsible owner. Go for it!

Original poster
pongonperdy · 12/01/2011 20:46

I see your thinking on getting two. The cost would put me off. I.e vets, dog wag walker.

OP posts:
justonemorethen · 12/01/2011 20:47

In support of floweryblue I don't know what other people think dogs do all day. Most are happy to just flop around either inside or out and don't need constant entertainment (they aren't children).Walked, trained, fed and loved is enough surely.

Original poster
pongonperdy · 12/01/2011 20:47

I see your thinking on getting two. The cost would put me off. I.e vets, dog walker.

OP posts:
charliesmommy · 12/01/2011 20:50

I have known 2 dogs to get tangled up in their long leads and die from choking themselves because there was no-one there at the times to free them.

Dog theft is also an ever increasing crime.

I also wouldnt be happy that the dog had easy access to anyone coming onto the property (ie the postman/neighbours).

A dog should be supervised or safe, Flowerys dog is neither.

Lotster · 12/01/2011 20:54

If you will be leaving the puppy/dog alone for more than fours hours at a time, then yes I think YABU.

A dog deserves more than to have to put it's life on hold until you are home. It's really not fair. Get a cat, or a rabbit or another creature that doesn't expect to be part of a pack and pine for you when you're gone.

Original poster
pongonperdy · 12/01/2011 20:58

We have thought about a cat. I have had cats in the past and from experience they temd not to interact with the family as much. Cant take a cat out for long walks or runs on the beach.

OP posts:
mutznutz · 12/01/2011 20:58

What breed is your dog flowery