don't chew me up, would it be possible for me to own a dog?

[Theas18]

just been to my sister's for a fortnight. she's a sahm abroad and I'm dead jealous. they have a lovely little rescue pup now nearly a year old who has stolen my heart as they do!

I've never owned a dog, so it would have to be a bit of an un demanding sort... walking twice a day is great, but long country runs/ of lead stuff , not till I've got my confidence.

biggest issue is I can usually get home for lunch but may not, so may be left for up to 6 hours. would a " dog flap" and safe garden our even a kennel and run be ok, or are these r really not the thing for a soft " people loving" dog?

don't want to even embark on thinking this if really it's not fair on the dog. what do you think?

Firstly, getting a puppy is definitely a no, no if you're out of the house for 6 hours. You could perhaps get an older rescue, nothing big if you don't want too much walking, and then get a dog walker to come in during the day to get the dog out for an hour or so.

Leaving a dog in the garden, even with a kennel is probably not a good idea; dogs often get stolen from gardens.

It is doable, otherwise anyone who goes out to work wouldn't be able to own a dog, but do do your homework as regards how you're going to organize it and the type of breed that would suit you.

Be lead by your head as well as your heart and you won't go far wrong.

No, it's really not fair on the dog, sorry.

Puppies need a lot of time and work. It's like having a newborn again. You need to be there to let it out for a wee and a poo to get any sort of toilet training established. If you leave it for long periods it will go when it needs to and never learn to go outside. You will have a house full of wee and poo and it wil be a nightmare trying to make it understand that it has to wait and go outside.

And that's even before you consider the emotional and stressful situation you're putting a baby dog in that's just left its mother. It could develop seperation anxiety and destroy your house. It could have all kinds of problems being left on its own for hours.

Sorry to be so harsh but no, it wouldn't be a good idea.

If your sister is a SAHM, then she presumably has quite a lot of time for the dog and the dog also isn't left alone that much. Your situation is very different. Of course, I don't know if you live with anyone who could also take care of it as well...

If you're out 6-7 hours a day, then the dog would be alone for a large part of the day. Think about YOU? Do you really want to be committed to coming home every day straight after work (presuming that's where you are!), can't really stop for a drink with friends, can't go straight to the cinema or out to eat, because you'd need to go home to look after the dog.

Are you committed to walking the dog before and after work, every day, come rain or shine? It can be worked out with dog walkers/relatives/neighbours to take dog out in the middle of the day, but I think you should consider your lifestyle and routine. It looks lovely when someone else is doing it, but it's much more of a hassle when it's you that has to do it every day.

Also consider the cost - rescues usually charge around £200, then you've got to consider paying dog walkers, paying someone to look after dog if you want a long day out, a weekend away etc. It's a big deal, don't rush into it - sorry if I'm repeating things you've already thought about but it does change your way of life and it really depends if you're prepared to do that.

An older dog just might work.

Upside is that it would be house trained & should know basics like sit, down, etc. & probably happy to snooze away the day while you're at work.

If all of the "basics" have already been done for you by the previous owner, then it would just leave the day to day maintenance of having a dog - grooming, exercise, feeding.

The downside would be that you would probably only have a few years with it & would need to think carefully if you would be happy to take on vet fees that can occur with older dogs.

But it's a great feeling that you've helped an older dog be happy in its twilight years & would be a good way to introduce you to doggy ownership & gain some experience.

Just to give you an idea

www.oldies.org.uk/

But I'm sure one of your local rescues will be able to assist you - just please make sure it's a reputable one. Oh & take someone along with you who has a bit of experience to ensure you get a good match - sounds like your sister would be the perfect choice for this.

An older dog sounds just the right thing. A dog that is already trained would be able to help me learn to be a good doggy owner iyswim! And one who maybe has lost their owner through ill health or death, and is maybe happy to snooze in the hours I'm at work.

Don't worry I'm not rushing into it at all. Firstly I need to get the kitchen/ utility/family area re done. It's got to be done anyway so it may as well be done with " dog friendliness" in mind.

Me and my partner are both teachers, and we did a lot of research into breed traits etc before we got a dog.. We ended up with a lurcher (greyhoundy looking thing to the untrained eye!) They are known for being big, lazy, sofa loving, independent dogs. We have two now, we walk them before work for about 20 mins.. They are left with each other and their toys all day and are walked again for 45 mins when we get home.
They do need a secure garden as they can jump and are very keen to chase small furry creatures, i.e. cats! Sometimes, every so often i get a pang of guilt that they are 'alone' during the day... But then I think of the circumstances they had came from and stop worrying. The right dog will adapt to your circumstances, and in my experience lurchers are very adaptable!!

i think an older/young dog would be great for you and get a dog walker or somebody who could let it out for a wee, wait till you are off work for a holiday then get one and see how it settles in, we cant let our dog off lead he bolts he lulls you into a false sense of security of yes look im a good boy catching my ball them he is off so I wouldnt worry about them bounding through fields off lead,

Have you thought of doing some dog walking for a charity, instead of owning? Cinnamon Trust, Papas, or your local rescue would all be happy to have a volunteer. It will give you a regular 'dog fix' without full commitment. Good luck.

THanks all! I have a plan.

As well as sorting the house out I'm going to "walk my dog" over the winter at least 20 mins twice a day... yes OK without an actual real dog. THat should put me off ( or convert me shouldn't it!)