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?

I have 2 rescues and work full-time. My circumstances have changed since I got them. If you do get a dog then I would suggest doing what I did (as advised by a behaviourist) which is to encourage them to not be dependent on you - ie by leaving them be and not fussing them. I hope I don't get flamed for saying this, as I say, this came from advice from a behaviourist. Rescues can and do have issues and I was advised to let them be so they didn't feel my presence was the be all and end all. This doesn't mean not to train them, they are very well behaved and respond to basic commands. I greet them when I come home but don't make a big fuss of them and we have cuddles but on my terms. They are left alone (not literally, I mean by me when I'm around) so they aren't "on" all the time wondering what I want them to do. I hope this makes sense.

Sorry, I should have said - I have a dog walker in every day while I am at work. She fusses them a lot and they miss her at weekends and wait at the door for her! But they are secure with me because they know my/their routine. My neighbours have all said they don't hear them barking while I am out - they are confined to my (large) lounge and kitchen and I have film on the windows so they can't bark at cats and squirrels in the garden.

Thanks for the advice goddammitamy (love the username btw).

Im researching different dog walkers. To see what i can get for my long days.

We got one because after the 3 weeks were up there was a soggy shaped hole in the family . This is her...

doggy shaped hole!!

Though things were soggy what with all the tears when borrowed doggy went home!

sleep beautiful!! Awwh making me all broodie for a doggy!!

When I got my elderly rescue I was a single mum and my boys were only 3 and 6. I was working 3 hours per day, mornings only. They were (quite fairly) strict and said they wouldn't rehome to somebody that worked ft unless suitable care had been arranged throughout the day.

I now work 9-4 Monday to Friday as have to financially but now have a partner who can be quite flexible in his working hours and can often work from home. On the days he can't I'm very lucky that my mum lives in the same village so she will come and walk her midday and spend some time with her.

If I didn't have mum/fiance able to visit halfway through the day I don't know what I'd do as no way we can afford to pay someone.

You couldn't leave a dog all day as not only would it get very lonely but it would also need letting out to have a poo/wee.

I'd never have chosen a young dog as knew that wouldn't fit our lifestyle. Our dog is left for 3/4 hours and is very happy to sleep and pootle about. She sleeps a lot now as she's about 12.

I love her soooooooooo much and she is so happy to have finally found her Forever Home after a long time in kennels. I don't regret having her for one second.

You could use a doggy day care a few days a week

Rescue charities hear your point four all the time and cross people off the list for it.
It's the wrong attitude.

And no, you can't leave a dog for seven hours, even if a walker comes in.

You sound like the perfect dog owner! You've clearly given it a lot of thought and offer so much. A dog is so so much better off in a loving home like yours than in a rescue centre. Please don't let working away from home two days a week put you off.

I would love a dog but work full time and have a long commute so not possible. I rehomed a 4 year old Maine Coon instead, they do tend to be very dog like! She follows me around and chats to me, I can even walk her on a harness she's cool with being left all day though. I'd recommend them to both cat and dog lovers.

If your full time work only incorporates 2 days leaving the dog 7 hours I think that is manageable. You could hire a dog walker for only those two days who could check on dog and give him/her a walk and some company half way through the day. A second walk when you get home is fine.

Dogs are expensive. If you can afford/are prepared to make sacrifices you will be fine. Remember to factor in vets fees, insurance, the 2 days dog walking, food and holiday care when you are away. If you are fine with this you will never have a better, more loyal companion.

I am so sorry for the length of my post but I have a rescue dog and wondered if our experience may help you decide (our = me and doggy!! 🐕). I have always had dogs - none of them could have prepared me for this

I took him in when he was around 5 years old and he has been part of my family of me and 2 cats for 5 years now. He gets on well with the cats, button often gets a cat-swipe to the nose!). We are well known locally because when I go for a walk with him and both cats, they are all so cute walking and playing together. Everyone loves him.

DISCLAIMER: I love him to bits too, and love having him in my life.. (and had the help/advice and encouragement of a fantastic dog behaviourist).

He will only eat his food when I am in the same room as him. He won't eat when anyone else is in the house

He is so loving, cuddly, very playful AND HE BLOODY WELL FOLLOWS ME EVERYWHERE!! and I mean everywhere. Cooking dinner, if I turn around to open a cupboard door he has to reposition himself - then back again. If I open a drawer he steps backwards, then as the drawer goes in he moves back to my ankles. Nip upstairs - he follows, toilet - he follows, if I stand up to turn the light on - yup, he follows me, if I reposition myself on the sofa - he copies... There is definitely a pattern here! It really is adorable, but so effin annoying sometimes.

If he doesn't feel like going for a walk he won't go, no pursuading - he either does his 'I'm not going out dance' before he gets his lead on or sits down on the doorstep and refuses to move anywhere bar back inside.

He is terrified of

• random noises when we're out walking ⚠️
• headlights shinning on the living room wall 🚘
• the noise the lid of a milk bottle makes when it's twisted around 🍶
• the squeaky gate 3 doors down the road 🏠🏡🏘️
• THE FRIGGIN MOON 🌙 (cue barking, then hiding, refusing to move if he spots it when we are out)
• plastic bags rustling
• the noise of a tin of pet food opening 🦴
• the cheese grater (??? No idea why but he hates it) 🧀
• thunderstorms
• rain... No more cutesy icons!
• the timer on the oven
• anything that vaguely resembles flea drops
• ARGH.... VACUUM CLEANER I could carry on forever.

But the big down side is separation and anxiety. I bought a doggy cam, initially for my amusement, but then I could see and hear how anxious he gets if I go out for even 5.minutes.so, every time I had to go out I either took him to a neighbours (who he loves and gets so excited when we see him) and he sits panting at their until I return.

Guess all.i rely wanted.to say is that no matter how well you prepare, how much effort you invest or how much you know you'll love having a dog - atc., you can't anticipate or plan for the dogs eccentricities.

P.s.,do you want a gorgeous pure white scary-cat dog?

Good luck! I hope you get a cute dog:)

My work colleagues who own dogs have said they go to work all day and their dogs are fine and used to it.

Two things wrong with this statement:

1. The fact that lots of people do something does not make it okay.

1. How do people who are at work all day know that their dogs are 'fine' and not bloody miserable being on their own for so long?

These are just things people who leave their dogs alone all day while they're at work tell themselves and each other to justify their actions.

I have had dogs since I was six years old. Both parents worked and I was in school and the dogs were alone from 8-4 every weekday. We always had rescue dogs and only ever had one (a poodle) that was nervous and destructive when left alone. Cairn terriers, Shetland Sheepdogs, and Shih Tzu all did fine with the schedule and lived to be 12-16 years old before dying of old age.
Find the right dog and you will have a wonderful companion. If rescue groups are too snobby, try boot sales, open markets, etc.

Georgia - a dog doesn't necessarily have to be destructive to be miserable left alone for long periods. Too many pet owners airily claim their dogs are fine alone all day when all they mean is that the dog hasn't caused any damage.

Georgia - a dog doesn't necessarily have to be destructive to be miserable left alone for long periods. Too many pet owners airily claim their dogs are fine alone all day when all they mean is that the dog hasn't caused any damage*

I’d agree with you if op was full time but she only works two days a week.

We hsve a rescue dog and work full time, although I'm about to go on maternity leave for a year and then will be returning part time.
We have family that help out with him during the days where we can't be flexible with our hours or WFH. He loves it. Plenty of dog walkers in the area too if we ever decided we needed to look in to it.
If you hunt for walkers or at home day care, you will probably find there are lots near you.

We got him at a young age (he was a puppy) so if you're getting an older dog you just might need to bear in mind it will take it longer to get used to a new routine.

Yes dogs are a tie (we have only gone on holiday without him once and honestly I missed him so much it was unreal) but the best companions and give so much to us as owners.
When we eventually go anywhere again we will heavily vet anyone he is left with if he can't go to family, because as you will learn, it is very hard leaving them.

I've donned my tin hat but I'm very much of the belief that you shouldn't have a dog if you plan on leaving it for a length of time, I.e. over a couple of hours, it simply isn't fair as dogs as pack animals and can bore easily. A relative got another dog when his was PTS and it was the biggest mistake. He thought it'd be ok because another relative would pop in at lunchtime to let him outside, feed him and check him. That time between leaving for & lunchtime, then lunch time and arriving home was time aplenty for the dog to annihilate a hallway carpet, a wall and a door.

I personally don't understand how people justify having a dog and then leaving it at home for the bulk of the day. Or getting a dog and then paying for either daycare or a walker. I'm prepared to be flamed but such is my opinion.

Unfair to the animal. What about a cat? Sleeps a lot, usually take themselves outside etc

Regarding the destructiveness concerns - leave your dog with lots of boredom busters for times when you aren't home. Kongs filled up and frozen are great, treat balls, any interactive foody toys where they have to work to get treats. You can use their breakfast inside the toys and it is mentally stimulating for them.
Have some ready for after somebody has been in to play/walk your dog on your full time days.

Make sure the dog has good walks every day for exercise, and lots of enrichment (mental and physical).

We went to a hound rehoming charity which matches dogs to your exact lifestyle. We rescued ours from Ireland and she would happily be left 7 hours- she wouldn’t even wake up, it definitely depends on the dog and I would say most dogs aren’t like this, but there ARE dogs out there who are desperate for loving homes like yours and also utterly lazy beasts who will go to the toilet once a day if they can be bothered getting up. Happy to give you some details if you want to PM me.

I'm a homechecker for a few charities and yes on paper I would pass you for a dog.

You will get people on here say that you can't possibly work any hours at all and have a dog but this attitude is why so many healthy dogs are pts daily.

You need to choose carefully.

My greyhound can last 7 hours twice a week no problem (I work a v similar pattern to yourself) - however - anything over 5 hours I tend to get my dog walker in - I would get a good one anyway and use even if occasionally so you always have someone to call on if needed - mine charges £7 for half hour.

What are you fancying breed wise? I'm fairly knowledgeable if you want to PM for any help.

I think you sound like a nice home for an older dog and like you have thought it through. I think both you and the dog would benefit.

I doubt that a rescue centre would allow you to adopt a dog as you work full time and the dog would spend lots of time alone.