To think it's not selfish to have a dog if you work

[TubbyMcTat77]

Following on from a disagreement with a friend this week, just trying to gauge opinion.

We have two dogs. Both me and dp work. Our hours fluctuate so there are only usually two days out of the week where the dogs are left alone all day 9-5. On those days we have someone come in at lunch to let them out for an hour. Because they are always usually alone in the mornings we get up early to take them on long walks before work which means that they are worn out and sleep during the morning anyway.

My friend says this is selfish. She doesn't work but ironically rarely takes her dog out for a walk. Given the amount of dogs that need homes I think it's unrealistic to say that only those who are retired or not working should have dogs. Surely it can work if you make the right arrangements? I do admit it would be better in some ways for the dog to have someone there all the time but it's not really practical in today's world. Aibu to think I'm not a shit dog owner?

It's only selfish if you live in a flat/house close to other houses, have a dog that doesn't like being left and it howls all day and as well as being sad itself, annoys everyone around.

If you work FT and get a dog, you need to either put it in doggy daycare/employ a dog walker or make sure it is happy to sleep all day while you are out. If not, get a cat instead as they are much more independent, or borrow someone else's dog at the weekends for walks.

I was all set to say yabu but with your set up I think it's fine. The dog isn't being left alone and bored for hours on end with no/inadequate walks.

M and dp are out of the house a lot more, certainly all the school hours, so we don't have a dog and that's really the main reason

It is hugely selfish! I hate irresponsible pet owners. Cats can cope alone as they sleep for hours. You're irresponsible, selfish and don't deserve them. They will be unhappy.

OP i completely agree!

Our dog is on his own from 7:30-9 then has a huge walk with another dog, and then is on his own 10:30-3:30. He sleeps most of the time.

When I WFH, he ignores me and sleeps on the bed upstairs as if i'm not there!

He gets a big walk again when we get home.

I wfh 1 day a week and potentially another afternoon a week

Your arrangement would work fine for our terrier. We both work from home and she has the run of the house, but we literally don’t see her all day - she likes to nap on the sofa rather than in our offices. Dog walkers are perfect for your particular circumstances. I think the danger comes from people thinking they can be out of the house for 10 hours a day and just get a dog walker 5 days a week - which isn’t what you’re doing.

Your arrangement sounds fine, and more to the point, according to the Scottish SPCA, its perfect legal... For those who are concerned, THIS is what they have to say;

"Whilst it can be upsetting to see a dog left alone for long periods of time, legally dogs are allowed to be left alone for up to 12 hours at a time providing they have access to adequate food, water and shelter. We understand you want to help but the Scottish SPCA must act within in the law and can often only offer advice in this situation."

It depends on the dog. Our first elderly rescue Staffie slept most of the day anyway. He was a bit bald a bit warty and had already been rehomed twice and returned to the dogs home. He loved us to pieces and had a very happy life with us so far as I can tell. We both worked nearly full time but had student sons still at home so his routine varied from day to day. For this dog the alternative would probably have been ending his days in the shelter, not nice for an old chap.

I dont think you are a bad owner, you do the best for your dogs.
I have a dog and shes an outside dogs so it locked securely in a cage outside in the day until my son is home from school, yes she is on her own but even when we are home she dies what she wants and isn't always with us.
We saved our dig as she was brought up in a terrible place, it's the same as parenting everyone dies it their own way

Generally I think it's better for pets to have someone at home with them however:

• There's two of them so they're company for each other.

• They get a good long walk so spend possibly 2-3 hours sleeping afterwards (til 11am or 12pm).

• They do spend 8 hours without either of you, which would be a problem but is probably not because they are let out for an hour by a friend. I think that if your friend wasn't able to come to let them out then this would be cruel but it seem ok if it's a routine arrangement.

It is hugely selfish! I hate irresponsible pet owners. Cats can cope alone as they sleep for hours. You're irresponsible, selfish and don't deserve them. They will be unhappy.

Get a grip for fucks sake

I ha e a thirteen year old westie and have always worked full time. My son is around at the moment but does have to travel some weeks to uni so the dog is alone up to 8 hours. He sleeps all the time never had an accident.

I think your situation is fine and way better than a dog who doesn’t ever get walks or a dog that’s just in kennels waiting to be rehomed to the rare perfect household

MisadyM - it’s not only cats who sleep all day, any dog I’ve known sleeps most of the day too.

The only time their not sleeping or resting is if they are going for a walk, greeting people at the door, or eating/asking to eat.

This has been my experience of high energy large breeds and smaller breeds

Op yanbu.

We have a 5 month old puppy and since getting him we've slowly built up the time we can leave him for. We've also worked on a routine so he sleeps most of the morning when he is left.

At the moment the longest I've left him for is 3 hours but eventually I will be looking to leave him longer and employ a dog walker at lunchtime. He does sometimes go to doggy daycare but honestly finds it too much, he can't nap there and comes back exhausted.

Our dog is happy and healthy and so loved, we plan our lives around ensuring he is well looked after. I refuse to feel guilty about leaving him asleep for a few hours a couple of times a week.