To get a rescue dog under my circumstances?

[Gamechanger12e3]

Long one but don't wanna leave anything out.

So i live on my own(own my house). Mid twenties. Work full time hours but job is flexible in terms of WFH if/when needed (like today!).

I have been seriously considering getting a rescue dog for over a year now. An older one of 5+ and a small breed. I can financially afford it.

I suppose the cons are:

1. I work full time so mon - fri there will be at least 2 days a week it will be on its own for 7 hours.
2. I'm young so i know life does change quickly in your twenties. However ive worked the same job for several years now and have a mortgage etc, so not likely to up sticks as much as anyone else. I also have no desire too.
3. Dogs are tying and it is a lifestyle change.

My reasons for wanting a dog is.

1. Companionship- lived on my own many years, would like the company. I'm happy to go for daily walks.
2. My mental health, i do suffer depression im medicated for and heard dogs can be great for mental health.
3. I feel i have a lot to offer a rescue dog in terms of love, affection, stability, nice warm home.
4. I think living in my home, with me spending 2 days a week in work for 7 hours would still be a lot better than life in a rescue kennel?

There are no kids/other animals to consider. I've also been back and fourth with this idea for well over a year. I keep reading its so 'tying' so dont do it'. Then when i really think about it, i don't ever actually go anywhere unplanned or spontaneously stay out/go places and i have no desire too. I'm away this weekend with friends, but this trip has been booked over a year. I also go on holiday with my boyfriend in august. That's been booked 8 months in advance. All my trips are the same.

What are your thoughts fellow dog lovers?

Op the main issue is no dog can be left for 7 hours!! EVER.

If you can afford daily dog daycare, or a twice daily dog walker, then go for it, otherwise you would be being very unkind to the poor dog.

If you could get a dog walker or sitter to break up those 7 hours your fog would be alone, then I don't see why not. And make sure to get pet insurance.

Visit a rescue center and be honest about your situation and plan, I'd be surprised if they wouldn't be happy to match you with a dog.

You've clearly thought about it all and you realise what a responsibility having a dog is, that puts you streets ahead of lots of owners!

Yes they are a lifestyle change, but they're also wonderful companions.

If you're worried about the long term committment, you could always consider fostering? Again though, only if you were able to employ a dog walker/sitter; ideally a dog shouldn't be left more than 3-4 hours.

I think you would be a great owner. You might find it difficult to find a rescue that would accept you unfortunately. It might be worth looking for a dog needing a home elsewhere. Our dog was technically rehomed rather than rescued, ie he was well loved but his owner couldn't meet his needs.

*dog, clearly not fog....

Hmm that is my main concern.

The only options i have around those 2 days is

1. Put a dog flap on my backdoor so it can go in and out of my back garden (back garden very secure brick wall 10ft high.

1. Have my lovely neighbour pop in at lunch time who doesn't work.

1. Doggy daycare but doesn't seem to be any within distance of my home or work!

Hmmm i will keep pondering.

I'd be surprised if you don't have at least half a dozen dog walking individuals/ companies to choose from, OP.

It’s not beyond the realms of possibility but I wouldn’t leave mine without company for that length of time.

I have two so it’s a bit different but anything over 4 hours or so and I get a dog walker. I wouldn’t expect them to be alone any longer than that. I like to have them checked to make sure they are ok, haven’t injured themselves in some strange way and also to go to the toilet etc.
I do have a dog run but wouldn’t leave them outside as the risks are too great for me.

I think you should go for it. You can arrange care for holidays. What you can offer is much better than life in a kennel or being pts. I’ll get slated for this but, we sometimes leave our dog for the day and she is fine(cameras) sleeps until we get back. If we do know we’re going to be out and can’t take the dog, we have someone come to spend time with her or take her out.

I really do think dogs are good for mental health. Mine has helped me enormously.

You could totally make this work especially as you’re looking at rescuing an older dog, not a puppy. But you will need to have help—either hired or your neighbour—on those two days because 7 hours is waaaaay too long for a dog to be left alone. The rescue may be able to recommend a daycare. Please for the love of god do not install a dog flap though. I know some dogs are really chill but you cannot guarantee that the dog wouldn’t use that as an opportunity to stand outside and bark for the full 7 hours (I know my youngest dog would)—your neighbours will not thank you.

A colleague does 'borrow my doggy' and brings the dog (he is a borrower, not owner) in to our dog friendly office now and then. So that could be an option - although one you couldn't pin all your hopes on.

alexkate this is exactly what my mum and best friend have said to me. They think my lifestyle is suiteable for a dog.

My work colleagues who own dogs have said they go to work all day and their dogs are fine and used to it. I suppose due to me working ft i don't know anyone with a dog who doesn't.

I do really feel it would benefit my mental health. A lot of it i believe may be stemming from loneliness?

However i also wouldn't be selfish and get a dog to meet my own needs if i couldn't meet the dogs also. Its why its been over a year or deep consideration and monitoring my daily habits of how often im in/out.

Worked out the longest im ever out is the two days of 7 hours straight a week. That is workable though if i put in a flexi working request if the dog really couldn't cope.

I think a main issue i have is when i do ky research on various websites (inc mumsnet), for some reason the majority if posters make out its the most difficult/tying/tiring thing you could ever do. My mum who adores dogs and has many tells me I'm being daft and perfectly suited to an older dog with my lifestyle.

I would never be impulsive in such a decision which is why im hoping to cover all basis/contingencies.

sizeof i have been doing a bit of dog walking for something a bit like borrow my doggy on a rescue/foster dog scheme. I really enjoy it!

for some reason the majority if posters make out its the most difficult/tying/tiring thing you could ever do

The same (but worse) is said of having DC.

People still have children...

The hardest period is the first 3-6 months while they settle in and you get to know them and you build your routine. After that it's much easier.

And yes, lots of people do leave dogs all day. But it's not right/fair on a dog, especially if it's new in your home.

Can you borrow a friend's dog for a weekend? See how you feel after that.

I got a cat in your situation. A proper, soppy dog-like thing from a rescue. That would be better around your work hours. Would you consider it?

You can’t leave a dog alone for that long. And a dogflap? If it barks your neighbours will be so fed up. If it’s raining outside you will come home to mud everywhere.
You’re not being fair on the dog. Unless you can find daycare or similar set up. And dogs generally don’t stay in rescue forever so it’s not something you can compare it with.

There will be dog walkers or a dog daycare. Ask on your local Facebook. Dogs trust where we got ours from you had to agree not to leave dog for more than 4 hours.

If you could get round that 7 hour problem you'd be great. Have another look for dog walkers or daycare (ask on local Facebook pages?). If not I'd look at perhaps getting a pair of bonded dogs (so they've company) and seeing if your neighbour would pop round to let them out for a wee/throw them a ball for a bit half way through the day.

What about a cat instead? Dogs can be left alone, but it doesn’t mean they should be. Some rescues might not give you a dog unless you can show you have someone coming to check them on those days. Work with a you’d rescue and they’ll advise you well and help you find a rescue animal that’s right for you and that, importantly, you are right for. Rescuing animals is such a rewarding and wonderful thing to do, I’ve Ive never regretted it, good luck!

Please, don't do this. We have a rescue dog and she really gets anxious if she's left alone for over two to three hours.

Most rescue dogs have had some kind of trauma in their lives. You know, stuff like an owner dying or just giving them away for some reason.

Dogs don't understand why they are being left alone, they just know that they have been left.

Leave it until you can provide a home that a dog can thrive in

www.dogstrust.org.uk/help-advice/factsheets-downloads/factsheettimeforadog05.pdf

This link will give you detailed expert advice:

I agree you would probably benefit having a dog, but i wouldn't leave it alone all day, a dog needs company and walks, you can get a dog walker, can't your family help out if you got a dog.

You should know that a high percentage of rescue/rehomed dogs are prone to separation anxiety, and randomly leaving the dog for long periods of time is one trigger for SA.

If you do go ahead you need to take 2 weeks off to train the dog and settle it in.

Most rescues won't rehome to you if you're going to leave the dog for longer than four hours, even if you arrange daycare or a walker. They also wouldn't be impressed at the dog being left with free run of the garden and home while you're at work due to the risk of theft.

You may find it much harder to get a rescue than you think.

I haven't had a dog for twenty years, but had a family dog growing up, and one when I lived with someone in my twenties. Both were regularly left alone for hours, and they were fine. They sat at the window, barked at people and slept then got walked and petted and played with when someone was home. Mostly after a walk they were happy to curl up and usually sleep some more. I understand this lifestyle would absolutely not suit some breeds but I really don't get this attitude that anyone who works ful time should not have a dog, unless they a range day care. Which if you've seen how some dog walkers treat their charges isn't up to much. I'd love to have a dog eventually but with present day attitudes I will have to wait until I retire instead of taking in a rescue from a desperately overcrowded centre and giving a dog a loving home.

Would you consider a greyhound? I was researching dogs and I saw that some greyhound rescues will consider full time workers because the dogs are quite used to being on their own.