Is it possible to get a dog when everyone works full time?

[DontBiteTheBoobThatFeedsYou]

We would get a dog walker, but is it possible especially in the first few weeks when the puppy or rescue dog settles in.

How do people do it?

Or do people tend not to unless they do short days etc?

Certainly not a puppy, and probably not if everyone works the same time.
I work shifts and between DH, I and teen DS, our lot are rarely ever home alone more than a couple of hours (though I may be asleep part of the time) On days when we're all out we get a dog walker in, but I would be unhappy if this was a daily occurrence (not to mention skint)
It's worth remembering that what you put into a puppy in the early days very much moulds what you will get out - IMO its impossible to do this while working full time.

I asked a colleague about that very question recently. She works full time 9-5 as does her dh. She said that she walks the dogs early in the morning, and she gets up at 5.30 to do that. Then walks them in afternoon.

Yeah. But you need to pay for a dog Walker to come in everyday.

A puppy takes a hell of a lot longer than a few weeks to settle in. They have to be fed four times a day and taken out to toilet every 20 to 30 minutes. And some puppies take a very long time to house train.

When you get a puppy you're taking a baby into your home, they need to be supervised and given company. Getting a puppy and working full time will not work.

An older rescue dog, depending on it's previous circumstances, might work as long as you're prepared to get up and walk it so that it can wee or poo before you go to work and when you get home and also pay for a dog walker to walk it at some point during the day, or pay for doggie day care.

Of course there are people who get dogs and leave them alone all day and will say it's fine as the dog sleeps but it depends what sort of dog owner you want to be.

But you need to pay for a dog Walker to come in everyday.

That's what I said in the first line of my post.

no. Its not fair on the dog. Its the sort of thing people do when there is a stay at home parent, or someone very part time, or when they retire.

Have you considered maybe getting a couple of cats instead so they can keep each other company, but wont end up neurotic and poorly trained, or maybe looking into the "borrow my dog" thing if you want to do some walks at the weekend, or volunterring for a local dog rescue?

PigsDOfly you've basically said exactly what I was thinking so that makes sense.

You could, but as above - doggy daycare or dog walker would be a must. In the early days you can also arrange puppy visits, but if it were me id be using holiday allowance/wfh to settle them in.

Personally I wouldn’t. It seems a shame that the dog may only have a couple of hours company in the evening, you might as well get a cat. Even a walk is only an hour really.

I do have dogs and they are fine left all day once a week but I feel terrible about it and they are quite clingy when I get home. I can’t see being alone all day being a very happy life and I have two so they aren’t technically alone.

Dont use borrow my dog. Get in touch with the cinnamon trust. It needs dog walkers and companions for sick and elderly people who arent able to walk their dog anymore but to whom it would be detrimental to lose their companion. It's a lovely scheme and they are always desperate.
I have a cat she is zero maintenance and trouble and a great little pal.

We are desperate for a dog but we both work full time so I don't think it's kind.

Can you organize your holidays so that someone will be at home with the dog for the first while? Do you have any relatives/friends who could look after the dog while you are at work? Are there doggy daycare centres in your area?

I think it can be done, but you will need a lot of help, and you should have your plan made and ready to go before you get a puppy. Don't just think that it will work out somehow.

People do it, but in my opinion it's highly irresponsible and unfair on the dog.

As for a puppy? No way. It's cruel and will cause all sorts of problems with behaviour (due to boredom), toilet training and separation anxiety. Mine needed letting out to the toilet every 30-60 minutes until he was about five months old. He was toilet trained (as in, he could let us know) but he couldn't hold it for a huge amount of time before having to go.

We have had a dog and we both work but I'm a dog-walker and can take him to work with me. If for whatever reason I can't, my in-laws will look after him for us.

Most of my clients are actually people who can't walk their dogs for some reason - be it age, health issues or a change in circumstances. None of them went out and got a dog and planned to leave it all day.

Today I took two dogs out, aged 4 and 12. Their owners left at 9am, I came in at 11 and took them for a walk, I left at 12.15 and someone will be home by 3pm, so with my break in the middle they are only alone for 4.5 hours or so. They also have a dog flap and each other's company! Plus, the situation where I walk them is only 1-2 times a week, the rest of the time the max. they're left is 3 hours, with a good walk either side.

only if you hate your neighbours because it's a selfish thing to do.

We did. And honestly, much as I love our dog and wouldn’t be without her, it wasn’t a good decision. We have a wonderful dog walker, but she’s still at home half of the day on her own.

No.
It really doesn't work if you're both just going to be weekend pet owners. I mean this really kindly, but it doesn't work out well. Your dog will bond with the walker, which is a good thing, but you need to be the alpha. It's one thing to go back to work after training the dog and spending time with it, but for a puppy or worse, an older dog, to come into a home where nobody will be around all day, apart from the one hour a day dog walker, it's terribly sad for such a sociable animal. I wouldn't.
It's not just about what we want. It's about what dogs need. It's a two-way street (not having a go, I promise! It's sooo easy to get caught up in the fantasy of dog ownership, but it is full-on and the dog's needs are so very important).

We did but cost us £100 a week in food, insurance and more importantly care for he dog! £5k easily in first year

Our neighbour bought a puppy but it goes to some kind of doggy day care - someone comes to pick it up around 10am or so and drops it off again about 4pm. The neighbour works full time so is out of the house 8am to 6pm ish.

We do, but my lovely dad comes most days and takes her for a walk and then keeps her at his until I pick her up on my way home from work. Even if he can’t walk her, she gets taken to his and my mum’s for company for the day.
I’m also a teacher, so off with her for great chunks of the year.
Differing circumstances can make it work....

@DontBiteTheBoobThatFeedsYou

No.

I think it's extremely unfair even if a dog walker comes in every day.

Dogs like people - being alone for several hours a day is cruel. don't do it

Some rescue greyhounds would be ok with this.

as someone else has said, only if you really hate your neighbours.

fuckers up the road leave theirs out to bark and I really, really hate them in return. And yes they know and no they don't care.

want 15 years of walking, committment, restrictions and picking up shit? Fine but make sure you do it.

I’d love a dog, but know it wouldn’t be fair. We got a cat three years ago instead. She is a great wee chum, low maintenance, and very funny. She’s happy to cuddle up on laps, but equally fine to lie and snooze on a bed or by the radiator.

Cruel thing to do to a pup. Take it away from its litter and then leave it on its own for hours every day. No mental stimulation, no play, no attention. It should be outlawed. You wouldn't do it to a child, don't do it to a dog.

How about rehoming an older greyhound? From those I know, they sleep a lot and can get by with two half-hour walks a day.