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Original poster

Working and having dogs.

33 replies

skramble · 21/01/2009 15:35

I don't work much just now, but I hope to get a 9-5 m-f job in the future. I have alwayd wanted a dog, but because I work away some weekends it didn't seem a possibility.

I am cutting back on those now and doing a bit of voluntary work to get experience. I know with puppy you can't be out working all day but what about when they are older. I am sure all people that have dogs don't all stay at home all day.

I do have some one who would come in through the day to walk it, so if I took on a pup now would I be able to work full time when it was older and trained?

OP posts:

kitkatqueen · 21/01/2009 18:56

potentially, but what about when it gets older still and is incontinent? We have had this problem with our dog and it was very distressing for us and him. I am sure you are right that lots of people who have dogs go out to work all day, and I am equally sure that the dog wouldn't choose to live that way. Many dogs suffer from depression, and can then become aggressive, don't forget they are suposed to be a pack animal. I would suggest speaking to the RSPCA or your local rehoming centre.

WorzselMummage · 21/01/2009 19:48

Honestly. Dont do it.

I dont work full time and we have a 2.5 year old Lab, He's used to someone being in a lot of the time but due to our circumstances changing completly out of our control he's being left a lot more than he was before but nowhere near as much as he would have if i had a 9-5 job and is really suffering because of it. It wont be forever but its not fair on him being on his own so much and tbh when we get in no-one has the emotional energy to give him what he needs either let alone the energy for an hours walk and 20 minutes shit picking.

Imo Dogs really shouldn't be left.

BonsoirAnna · 21/01/2009 19:50

Don't do it.

Our upstairs neighbours recently bought a dog. It cries and cries and cries all day when left on its own - both parents work and the children are at school.

Doodle2U · 21/01/2009 19:50

It's not ideal, and i suspect you know it.

Put your wants after a dog's needs.

Original poster

skramble · 21/01/2009 22:33

thanks it is interesting to hear all your opinions, any more perhaps from those who do work, and perhaps how that works out in reality, what arrangements you have in place.

OP posts:

paddingtonbore · 21/01/2009 22:36

can you stretch to paying a dog sitter?

My friend and her partner work outside of the home 2 days/week, but her dog is dropped off at a sitter for those days.

FiveGoMadInDorset · 21/01/2009 22:36

We got ours when we both worked BUT DH was home at lunch every day and I was back by 4 and we had a kennel with an outside run. If I was 9-5 and no one at home then no I wouldn't get one.

hatwoman · 21/01/2009 22:39

I know 3 couples who do what paddingtonbore said - on the days they both work the dog goes to another house - in each case it's family so they get dog-sitting for free. lucky things.

Original poster

skramble · 21/01/2009 22:41

MIl would be in everyday and would take it a good long walk, DS would be in at 3:40. I was thinking of a big kennel and it having the run of the back garden, which is secure.

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Original poster

skramble · 21/01/2009 22:43

Also as I don't work full time just now, it would be built up slowly to being left for longer periods. Surely most dogs must be able to be left for 3-4 hours.

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bananapaddlepop · 21/01/2009 22:44

We used to get our dog walked when I worked full time. Our walker would pick him up and take him out for anywhere from 40mins to 5 hours. She would usually do it in the middle of the day.

We lived in Richmond so it was quite expensive but a necessary cost as we couldn't leave him for hours on end.

kitkatqueen · 21/01/2009 22:58

Skramble, I know you really like the dream of having a dog, but unfortunatly the reality would be more of a nightmare. If you get a dog and take it home to live by itself it is not going to be a happy dog for long.

If you are getting a dog knowing that you are going to gradually going to be leaving them alone for longer and longer periods then I would have to say that is rather unfair.

As others have said on here - put the dog 1st not what you want.

Also if you have a dog running around in your back garden it will wee, poo and dig like you would not believe.

Your garden will not be fit for anything else.

Why don't you get yourself some chickens instead? They will trash your back garden too , but they don't mind being left alone and at least you'll always have eggs!!!!

Original poster

skramble · 21/01/2009 23:04

Its not about a dream of having a dog, I am pretty down to earth about it. Thats why I am asking these questions and not standing in a rescue centre oooing and aahing over puppies .

I think it would be more unfair to get a dog and walk out the house for 4 hours the next day.

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CountessDracula · 21/01/2009 23:08

we got a dog a year before dd was born. We wanted a dog and a baby and figured when we had a baby there would be someone at home. But the baby took 3 years to conceive! Then we met someone who had a dog and worked f/t and he had a dogminder, just like a childminder you drop off in the morning and pick up in the evening. Not your situation I realise

So we got the dog. Stayed at home for a few weeks before going back to work and leaving with the dogminder. Then we had dd and I was off on mat leave for a year. Afterwards the nanny was there, and a dogwalker came too when we were working. Now dd is at school the dog is only alone from 9am til 3pm at the longest and we still ahve her walked on days we aren't at home. Plus we work at home quite a lot and have a cleaner twice a week so plenty of company for her. If the dog will be alone for 8 hours a day then I think that isn't v nice for them really. If you can afford a walker or have someone in the house a lot then ok

Alambil · 21/01/2009 23:08

It is possible - can you get a local job to go home and let it out for the loo at lunchtime?

Loads of people I know have dogs and work fulltime - the dogs are perfectly happy and trained to a very high standard.

Original poster

skramble · 21/01/2009 23:11

As I said my Mil would be in everyday to take it out, she goes a long walk so it wouldn't just be for a pee and Ds would be in at 3.40

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kitkatqueen · 21/01/2009 23:40

I am sorry if I seem negative skramble, but my friend runs a wildlife reserve. She also takes in any dog / cat or domestic animal because she cannot bear the consequences for them if she doesn't take them.

She currently has over 500 animals on site from wild pigs to domestic cats. Most of the domestic animals are not rehomable due to their illnesses / violent behaviour or incontinence. Most of their owners bought them as babies and have had changes of circumstance where they have been unable to spend the necessary time with the animal.

Frequently of late she has found animals tied to the gate with a note saying I can't afford to feed him. No name on the note. Nothing.

One of the cats on site is nearly 20. Some of the dogs get to the age of 18 or so. If you can't guarrantee that length of commitment, or if you can't guarantee to pay insurance on the animal then really think twice. And I'm not saying that you can't, only that when you have a dog you also have an emotional, financial and moral obligation too.

I do agree that you are being sensible by getting lots of opinions even if you probably wish some people would shut up !! And probably know much of what i've just said, but it is worth thinking over anyway.

Joolyjoolyjoo · 21/01/2009 23:45

I have 2 dogs, and work p/t- but used to work f/t. However I am able to take my dogs to work with me (vet) . One of my friends has 2 elderly small dogs and works f/t, but she has a dog flap and a secure garden (they still crap on her kitchen floor from time to time, though!)

GrimmaTheNome · 21/01/2009 23:48

We didn't get a dog till I started working from home, but before that we were out way longer than 9-5 due to commutes so it was totally out of the question.

Having said that... kitkat's post has made me wonder, perhaps skramble (in conjunction with her excellent-sounding MIL) could perhaps provide a loving home for a rescue dog which would be better than a shelter? A mature, socialised animal might be a better bet than a pup perhaps. Just a late-night thought...

Original poster

skramble · 21/01/2009 23:52

I really would prefer to start with a younger dog, as I do have the time just now.

I have a sneaky feeling that MIL would probably kidnap the dog during the day anyway, she used to have dogs but doesn't want the commitment of one now. So I think I would find DD and the dog round at hers most days

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hatwoman · 21/01/2009 23:54

I do think with dog walking in the day and a ds at home at 3.40 it's feasible - with the right dog. when I was a teenager our dog was often left until about 4.30 (without a walk ) - different breeds have different levels of tendency towards seperation anxiety so that's worth looking into. also - and i have no experience of this - it's just a question I've always wondered myself - is a dog happier if you have another dog?

GrimmaTheNome · 22/01/2009 00:08

It sounds like you and your MIL could share a dog happily. Assuming she's young and fit enough to outlast the dog (my MIL adores dogs and used to always have ours for holidays but now we have to make other arrangements... being 90 is a poor excuse )

Sounds like you are thinking it through most sensibly and won't do something insane like getting a springer spaniel or border collie!

Original poster

skramble · 23/01/2009 00:00

I don't know what breed would suit best , I was thinking a lab or golden retriever mix, because I like their tempraments.

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Original poster

skramble · 23/01/2009 00:01

But then again I don't know if I will go for it, BF thinks yes, but he doesn't live with me and I don't know if MIL is fit enough to outlast hte dog.

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hatwoman · 23/01/2009 23:38

re breeds - look at www.petplanet.co.uk - they have really detailed breed profiles - I spent hours looking at when we were deciding.

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