Convince me that it's best we don't get a dog!

[letseatgrandma]

I/we would really love a puppy/dog having always had one as a child, but am wondering about the feasability of it all. I am at home most of the time, but work two long days so am out of the house from 8-5 two days each week. (DH is also out at work f/t and DC at school). This is impossible with a puppy, isn't it? Even if I could pop home in my lunch hour to feed/walk it-that's too long to leave it?

I think it is too long for a puppy.

How about a rescue greyhound? If you can get back at lunch time they'd be fine. They sleep 23 hours a day, are happy with 2x short walks a day. Very soft and loving, but terrible farters.

Our pup goes to dog day care when we are both out at work. She loves it, and the lady who runs the day care is brilliant.

Pup gets to socialise with other dogs, including another pup who is now her best pal, and join in plenty of activities to physical and mental stimulation. She also gets nap time.

And, after a long day in the office, we get tired pup who sleeps on our laps all evening with no interest in her usual hour of crazy, boisterous behaviour - she's too knackered to move!

It's worth every penny and, without such a brilliant service, we could never have considered welcoming a pup into our family.

Ooh-fab replies, thank you! How much is dog day care, Broadsheetbabe?

Ours is a bargain £12.50 per day. Worth every penny!

The lady who runs it also works with rescue dogs, retraining to rectify behavioural problems so they can be rehomed. She really knows her stuff and is marvellous with our 'baby'.

I also work one or 2 days and my dog goes to day care - it's great because she gets picked up and dropped off so there's no logistics involved and, very importantly, she is socialised and very relaxed round other dogs, even ones she does not want to play with. I started this when she was 6 months old and with hindsight I'd wait a bit longer as it's a long day. Before that I paid someone to puppy sit - a student who wanted to make a bit of cash. So it is possible and you're being very responsible as some people think it's ok just to get a pup and leave it all day in the garden. Obviously there's a cost and I pay £25 a day (London). What I've found is that, once you get a puppy, you meet all sorts of people and a whole world opens up of people willing to help out. If you really want to get a dog then ask around and you may be surprised.

What kind of dog are you thinking? I am facing a similar dilemma. Bigger dogs have a lot more energy and need much more exercise in my experience, so I would recommend a small one if you're going to leave them at home for a time.

The doggy day care is a fab idea, I've not heard of anything like that around me. A rescue dog also sounds better for you, and you can know you're doing a good thing for an abandoned animal.

Sorry to jump in uninvited but I've been lurking on here for a few months now. We've been considering getting a dog but the biggest obstacle has been the two days of the week where there's no one home. Dog day care sounds like a really good solution. We would love to help a rescue dog but with ds being nearly 6 and having a small garden they're likely to say no aren't they?

A few weeks ago we adopted the most gorgous ex racing greyhound with a 5yo dd, and a small garden (and an elderly cat). Depends on the adoption agency.

Older dog would be much more suited to anyone who works, especially 2 long days a week. Even though you'd need doggy day care for those days, an older dog would be far less work generally. A puppy will go through chewing, mouthing, housetraining, all of which will take up a lot of your time. You will also need to allocate time for training. An older dog may well have basic training in place and you will be able to go straight out with them on walks etc. If you get a small puppy who hasn't yet had all vaccinations, there is waiting time until you can get out and about. It's worth doing a really good Google search for smaller, local rescues who are sometimes more flexible about working hours and young children. It's very easy to get bowled over by the cuteness of a puppy, but that phase doesn't last long, I'd much rather get a 2-3, or 4-5 year old, who is fully grown (no surprises about size they're going to be!). Good luck

I totally get what you're saying about puppies. As cute as they are I can just as well imagine the damage they can do. I think we'll be looking at two years and up. Also DP had a dog while he was growing up but I'm a complete novice.

We are also thinking about getting a dog although I am a little nervous of them so want something calm and not bitey (if that is possible!) so the advice about puppy v rescue dog is very useful.

How much approx would you all say it costs to keep a dog per month?

For a 1 year old Springer Spaniel It costs us £25 per month for food, £18 insurance, £10 ish for chews/toys plus you need to budget for worming and defleaing, annual boosters, grooming depending on breed and kennels etc if you go on holiday.We dont go to training classes anymore, but if you plan to you would need to budget for that too. I think ours were about £5 per week

If you want calm and not bitey - I definitely recommend greyhounds. Although he does try to steal and eat dd's cuddly toys, this is the only problem we've had with him. Maybe one on the smaller side if you're a bit nervous. Prior to getting him I worried I wouldn't bond in the same way you do with a pup, but I'm besotted. And he follows me round looking at me with big melty eyes.

For 3 yo grey it is £11 per month for insurance, about 25 for food. And all the rest tooearly said.

Thanks both - that's helpful. I'm going to check out our local animal rescue centre to see what they have in the new year - sooo excited!!