How do people manage owning dogs if they work FT?

[clam]

We are considering getting a dog. Rest of family very keen, I have reservations though, as I know I will end up being the managing director of all its care.
I work part-time, 3 days a week, and have always understood that young dogs in particular can't/shouldn't be left alone for long periods of time. We could cover the first 3 months or so, but after that would have to consider dog-walkers/friends/family to pop in during the days I work. I'm reluctant to having to commit to organising this forever, hence dog-ownership has not happened yet.
So, my question: how does everyone else manage? There are thousands of families out there with dogs, where the house must be empty of people most days. Is this normal, or right? Am I being precious to worry about it?

We both work ft, but have one of us working from home for at least the morning, and that person walks dog first thing in the morning and at lunchtime. Then if we're going to be out for the afternoon we have a dog walker come at about 3-4pm and take him out for an hour, and if we're going to be late home dog walker sometimes takes dog back to his place where he can play with dog walker's own dogs and have some fuss and attention.

I don't think you can leave the dog alone in the house all day, maybe some people do this but that doesn't make it right. Could you consider 'doggy daycare' for the days you're out at work?

Well if your like 2 of my arsehole neighbours you get a big dog lab/alsation theb at 6am kick it outside with minimal food let it bark all day and when you come home you go to the back door and say 'ohhhhhh hello babbbbbbeyyyyyy ohh no you cant come inside your all wet and stinky cos you are outside in the rain and play in your own shit all day' .

If a neighbour a genuine caring one phones the rspca unless the dog is battered/tied up/not fed they dont give a toss either .

Or another neighbour who is a 'responsible' dog owner who simply solves it by leaving her 2 dogs in 1 crate all day so that they then chew everything and are manic when let out in the evening.

However if you are like my other neighbour you walk the dog as late as possible in the morning and as soon as you come home and a few times a week arrange a dog walker and the rest a neighbour pops in and lets them out the back.

I know some people who have used 'doggy daycare', but for us, this is the over-riding reason that we don't have and are never likely to get a dog - that and holiday care since my parents (who look after cat, chickens, fish) are not dog people at all.

It's an expensive lark, dog-ownership.

Yes, we could and would. But the thing is I don't want to have to organise this every week for evermore. It is my biggest objection to having a dog, but one which the rest of the family seem to be dismissing as a minor issue. But I know what will happen; everyone will make plans and muggins here will be the one having to modify mine, in order to get home early or rush home at lunchtime, or phone up for cover. I'm feeling like the bad guy for being realistic about the limitations and pitfalls.

We have a dog and initially whilst I was in and out of the house during the day Grandad used to come up and 'dogsit' now the dogs a bit older hes able to be left for a couple of hours but no longer.

I work FT, 37 HPW, over 3 nights.
DH works FT, 40 HPW over 5 days.
The dog is happy as can be as I am usually home when others are not.

I understand/empathise entirely, clam. No matter what everyone else says, if you are going to be the one organising logistics (I know I would be, whatever empty promises were made) then you have the final say. Can you find some RL dog-owning friends to talk sense to the rest of the family about the size of the challenge?

I agree you're being realistic about the practicalities of owning a dog

When DH and I got dogs, we deliberately got 2 puppies at a time when we could be at home with them for the first 3 months. After that, DH came home at lunchtime to feed and play with them. They were left 9-12 and then 1.30 till 4.30 each day, uncrated in a big victorian kitchen diner.

We moved when the dogs were about a year old, and then both worked full time. We had a dog walker in every day who would stay and feed/play with them for at least an hour. Also, each day we either had a cleaner/ironer/gardener in who all had their own dogs and would let ours out and talk to them. I still felt rotten though and one of the biggest plus points about going on maternity leave was not having to worry about the dogs any more.

I do know what you mean, and I wish more people though through the long-term committment aspect like you're doing, instead of just rushing out and getting a puppy! It's not a minor issue.

We really hesitated over this as well before taking on the dog, though now we have him we don't at all begrudge the expense and inconvience, he's part of the family and we love him :) But don't be pushed into this, I think you can make it work if you really want a dog in your life, but it's not fair if you have to take on all the responsibility so the other family members can have the fun part of having a dog, sounds like you would end up just resenting the poor dog for it.

Walk them at lunchtime, lots of ball chasing (not much retrieving!) makes for a happy, tired dog. Neighbour volunteered to go in and do a mid-morning walk, dog just sat in his bed and looked at her! Another good thrash round the park in the evening should be ok for a lot of breeds (prob not collies, some hounds etc)

i work school hours and dh works full time. pil live with us in a granny annexe so someone is home all the time.

we have 2 dogs, a rescue (now 8) and a puppy (10 weeks). even though pil are home in the day, puppy is going to 'doggy day care' three days a week once he is vaccinated. puppies need so much time, training and socialisation and he is wearing pil out!

to be honest i don't think three days a week with people just popping in would be sufficient for such a young dog. maybe an older, rescue dog would be a better option? my friend found a dog on oldies.org.uk, he had been assessed as being happy alone for 3-4 hours which suited their family circumstances really well

and don't forget the weekends! we take our dog most places but if dc's want a day out that isn't 'dog friendly' (my dc's LOVE theme parks) or if we are invited to weddings etc. then pil are on hand, without that back up we could end up being quite restricted

just re-read my post.. sorry if it sounds quite negative! being a dog owning family is great, but you are right to think seriously about the commitment

we have two dogs so that they have company if we are out during the day. As long as they have exercise, food and warmth they'll be happy.

I got my puppy when I wasn't working, so I was able to be with him all day at first. They are really hard work at first and I think they pretty much need constant attention...

I now work FT, and there's only me in the house, so my dog had a fabulous dog walker who I couldn't manage without. She has taken him to the vets for me when I've not been able to get the time off, walks him every day, brings him home with her to play with her dog, has him when I'm on holiday... she's brilliant. It does cost, of course but TBH the peace of mind that goes with knowing he's safe and happy is worth much more.

I've now moved and sadly have had to look for other care - I have a neighbour who takes him for me for a couple of hours each day, and when she can't manage it he goes to doggy daycare, which he loves as he gets to play with the other dogs all day.

I wouldn't have got a dog orginally if I was in the position I'm in now - only me and working FT, but I manage, and I wouldn't be without him for the world