Is our home right for a dog? Opinions please!

[madamy]

DH has wanted a dog for years, grew up with them. I however have never really had a desire for a dog - am from a cat family! We have 3 dcs (9, 6 and 5), a fairly laid back but timid 13yr old cat and 4 chickens!

We are both nurses and generally there are 2-3 days each week when the house is empty during school hours (8.30-3.30). There isn't anyone we know who would be able to call in on those days to take the dog out during the day. We would obv take it out in the am and then straight away on our return.

DS (5) has eczema, occasionally wheezy chest and hayfever. DDs both no health problems.

DH (and the dcs!) are proposing we get an small, youngish dog (not a puppy) with a non-shedding coat.

I think that we are out of the house for too long, too many days and this would be unfair on the dog. The cat would pretty much keep to herself upstairs and is prone to urinating anywhere when stressed, so we'd have to put a litter tray up there too. We do have a big garden, and the chickens are currently pretty much free range, would the dog potentially go for them? I think it's a possiblilty!

I feel like I'm being really negative and DH and the kids think I'm a misery guts, but I just think we're setting ourselves up for bloody hard work and potential heartbreak if it all falls apart!

It would be possible to enjoy owning a dog in your circumstances providing you can find someway of caring for the dog during the days you are all out all day. It is too long a period and too frequent not to.

There is doggy day care available, and many people use dog walkers in your circumstances. It will increase the cost of dog ownership, but it will also make it possible for you.

Many dogs are perfectly able to live with a cat, and all dogs can be trained not to chase chickens if they don't already know not to.

And I have never yet met a dog which doesn't shed. They are covered in hair and some of it is bound to come out. The hoover will be your friend.

It's a bit like everything. If you really want something, the associated work that it brings is neither here nor there. If you are a bit reluctant you will resent every second. You must decide how you feel and move on from there.

I may get ripped apart for this but my dog is at home alone from 8-2pm.

We have had him since a puppy (he wasn't left alone as a puppy) and he is a fairly placid, happy little dog.

He has the run of the downstairs as he has been trained not to chew up the furniture and he is well behaved the 3 days he is there.
The other 2 days I bring him to work.

I will say though, if you are not 100% happy about getting a dog, don't. You will see him as a chore and a nuisance if you are not really on board with the idea.

Dogs are wonderful but they are also hard work.

OP if you're not sure, don't do it - especially if it's likely you will end up doing most of the work!
Mine go to daycare and DH is self-employed so often home, but TantrumsAndBalloons we can get flamed together as sometimes mine are left that long, too. Aside from daycare, they also do Obedience, Agility and Heelwork to Music, and get lots of long walks in new places. I think they enjoy the odd day alone to catch up on sleep! I don't believe that length of time left alone is the be-all-and-end-all of dog ownership, and I have seen awful dog owners who are home 24/7.

It sounds like you are really busy already! I would love a dog but my husband isn't keen at all. Even though I would love one, I'm not 100% sure that it suits our lifestyle. I also think you may have a problem with the eczema/hayfever side of things - I also have the same issues and, although I'm not allergic to all dogs, I am to some! A neighbour said her daughter was on Piriton for ages until she got desensitised to their beagle. If you're looking for a rescue dog (probably best chance for a slightly older dog), they usually can cat and/or chicken-test for you (especially if the dog's in a foster home).

Have you considered a kennel and a long tether for those times when you have to leave the dog or just want it out of the house? ( rolled in poo, soaking wet, being a whiny pain in the bum) they can watch the world go by, go to the toilet etc. Just leave them with a bone and a comfy bed. As long as you start them young and for short periods initially they won't mind at all. They like having their own lottle den. Me and my fella each had 2 dogs when we got together so something had to give. I don't know when we as a society decided dogs were so sensitive to the elements that they all had to live indoors but its cobblers. Ours are full time outdoor dogs now except the very old one ( unless its properly freezing) and it works great.