Dogs for people who work.

[quellerosiel]

Been going backwards and forwards on this issue and done a lot of reading but we are still in the dark, so wisdom of mumsnet I turn to you!

My DH works full time, I work part time but on zero hours/contract basis so hours can vary wildly from week to week sometimes. Most I am out of the house for is from 6:45am - 4pm, DH is 6:30 - 5:30ish. I am a teacher however so I do get school holidays free. We would adore a dog, I have always wanted one and DH is really into the idea too.

I'm looking into walkers but the few I have spoken to have said that they would not be happy with such an ad hoc arrangement that my working hours would require and to be honest we can cover the cost of a dog but not realistically a walker too.

We have a good size house with a reasonable garden and are mostly looking at smaller dogs (ideally a Westie or similar) so we could install a doggie door to the back garden so the dog would have run of the garden as well as most of the house. Our neighbours have a pug/jack russell cross and have a similar arrangement and it works well for them.

We would love a rescue dog but most shelters won't talk to us because of working. We are considering a puppy so it would get used to our lifestyle from the word go (assuming we would get it at the start of summer holidays so we could settle it in). We have found puppy classes etc. in the area we could attend.

Is it really feasible for us to get a dog?

No to dog door -along with all the previous comments, a neighbour's dog managed to get out of the previously secure garden and was run over. My dogs live inside but It is quite common round here (rural) for dogs to live outside but they are kept in properly constructed kennels with secure dog runs. These cost about £750+ and there is still the possibility that your dog will bark and disturb the neighbours. There have also been cases of dog theft (dogs are often valuable pedigree working dogs).

I work 2-3 days term time - local rescue centres were happy to rehome dogs with me. I have a greyhound and a staffie x who live in the house. The dogs are quite happy to be left as they have each other (so maybe consider 2 dogs). I walk them before and after work - if I am going to be out longer than usual, I use a dog walker or will ask a neighbour to let them out

a definite no from me. to get a dog puppy or not, is selfish when you are out at work most of the day. puppies need 4 meals a day, you can't do that, or toilet train if you're not there. it will chew, bark and be a general nuisance. you are getting a dog when your circumstances should tell you no. wait until you retire. Dogs need company, just knowing you are in the house is enough. I used to be out of the house for 4 hours every day, but I dropped him off at my mum's and they had a lovely time together.

our situation has changed, and it should have meant that we were both out of the house for 8 hours, so as our dog is part of the family, we now job share to accommodate him. There is always someone at home with our boy. he is a well balanced, well trained boy who does not suffer separation anxiety, but it doesn't matter. we made a commitment when we got a dog, and he is not left alone, ever, for more than a couple of hours.

Another no from me - six weeks is nowhere near enough time to give to a puppy.

Older, adult dogs can be left but only when then there is a clear plan in place for regular exercise or doggy daycare.

Personally, I profoundly disagree with the current thinking on greyhounds being a kind of "leave it on the sofa and give it 2 x 20 minutes". Yes, they need a fair bit of sleep, but firstly they are very sociable (most racers have never been alone till adoption) and secondly, if you're willing to invest time and effort into interaction and training, the rewards are immense. Far from being the shut down thickies of the dog world, they are and can be curious, playful, sociable and energetic. I think we do a great disservice to these dogs by suggesting they should be alone all day with little stimulation or companionship.

Oh wow what a response! Thank you to those who gave considered advice. There are breeds that I clearly hadn't considered.

We were considering the dog door option because our garden is overlooked from every angle with only one locked gate that has a maybe 2cm gap at the bottom. All fences 7ft high. Several of our neighbours have one for their dogs and none of them have had issues.

I think an adult dog would be a better option, we are desperate to give a home to a rescue dog but sadly shelters won't even consider us. To my mind its surely better that the dog is in a loving home but it seems I am mistaken.

I use a dog walker on an ad hoc basis and he's pefectly happy with the arrangement - he is on the more expensive end of the spectrum but is very flexible (I normally work from home but will have a couple of meetings a month which mean I'd be out of the house for > 4 hours)

I'm afraid if you can't cover the cost of a dog walker you can't really afford a dog in your circumstances

The financial aspect is a good point and it's one people are often embarrassed about talking about honestly. Obviously, pet insurance covers the big things, but we find the majority of our vet visits are for the smaller, but still quite pricey items. Apart from vaccinations, worming and flea treatment, there's often things like dental care, or the little bumps, cuts and scrapes, the odd limp or an investigation into something which needs to be looked at. Have an honest look at the price of these, OP, and if you can't afford a couple of months where you end up spending £100 at the vets, then there is a problem. Lots of vets now do annual plans for vaccinations, worming etc which can help a lot, but it's really surprising how the other things can mount up.

Depending on breed, the cost of grooming should also be something to think about, and another ongoing cost is training classes, though I prefer to think of that as an investment.

have you asked around a bit more? bet you can find a friend or neighbour willing to dogsit if you look hard enough, alternatively doggy day care near us is £15 a day, not too bad out of a teacher's supply wage, although you might have to commit to regular days.

As a pp said, the only dog you should consider getting is a stuffed one. Sorry, but your working hours are incompatible and you admit you can't afford a dog walker.

Google Cinnamon Trust - they provide volunteers to walk dogs for old people in your area who may need help. A great way to get a weekend dog.

Please please please do not get a dog.

My boss has a pug x spaniel. She works fulltime , has a dog walker and a garden. The dog is by itself most of the day and is fine .I am in a similar situation , I've been researching breeds and am also considering a pug x , I'll be able to work from home at least part time from later in the year. I imagine it's the irregular hours that will
Be th biggest problem . Don't give up though , I'm sure there is a solution

Years ago I read if a scheme where they partnered the elderly with working people.

General idea was dog dropped off with the elderly in the day, who got the company but not the commitment or the worry of what might happen to the dog if the died/needed care etc. dog owners got free daytime and holiday care.

I work from home so am around all day, but out most evenings, and at weekends. I'd quite happily look after a dog in the day.

if you live near a guide dog centre, they often need puppy sitters - evening and weekends with pup, it goes to training during the week

No dog that is left all day is "fine".
Didn't you watch the secret life of dogs programme? If not I suggest you do.
My neighbours both work full time and employ dog walkers twice a day to take their lab out.
She is a very reactive nervy dog, jumps up, pulls on the lead, barks at everything.
How can you work on manners and training when you aren't there?
Dogs are social animals, its not just about the walks, they need to be with people.

I would say no to you, if you can't afford a dog walker, how are you going to afford insurance, vets fees, neutering etc?

Both me and my dp work full time. We rescued a staff cross and he is fine being I. His own. I used to work from home a lot and he would go upstairs and I'd forget he was in. He is happy with his morning walk and a long night walk. We have had no trouble with him. And honestly - is he not better in a home where he can be safe and warm and loved than stuck in a kennel all day??? Our weekends revolve around the dog walks and playing with him. He is a wee gem. Couldn't have picked a better dog. And I defy anyone who says it's cruel to leave them alone all day. Dogs can be trained and get used to routine.
As long as you are spending time with them at night and walking them and training them. Then I'd recommend a dog not a puppy and maybe a rescue dog.

I think its worth re-considering shelter dogs - rescued dogs are more likely to suffer separation anxiety, although some breeds that have extensive experience of kennelled life e.g. greyhounds will adapt much better to life at home whilst you work - this is more to do with their previous experience than a breed distinction.

To clarify some pp - dogs left home alone are not usually destructive because they are 'bored' they are destructive because they suffer from separation anxiety syndrome a severe anxiety/stress disorder and not simple 'boredom'.

I always find it a bit ironic that shelters often won't rehome to people that work. Yes its less than ideal but there's no research evidence to back up the 4-6 hour limits that are imposed by shelters and the majority of shelter dogs are left alone from 5-6pm through to 8-9am then next day when staff go home, and often have limited exercise opportunities during the day so maintaining dogs in shelters isn't exactly ideal either.

Im sorry but I would never consider a dog if I was out all day. I take my dog to work with me but if he is left for more than a few hours at home he is bouncing off the walls!
I also work with animals and see many many behaviour issues caused by a lack of training, socialisation and stimulation and most of these dogs have owners who don't have the time to spend with them. You only have to look at rescue pages to find hundreds of dogs with seperation anxiety listed as the main reason for giving up.

What about contacting your local rescues and doing some dog walking. My local one allows the rescues to go 'home' for the day to get them out of kennels, that way your helping them out too?

This is a bit back-to-front - but could you consider being a regular dogwalker for someone else's dog. A friend of my mum's walks a couple of local dogs that belong to elderly people who just can't quite manage, has them at her home if they're ill, etc. She still has her two dogs to bond to, but it's not a problem that she's out a lot. (And also I think in her case, the cost of food/vet bills etc would be an issue.)

To everyone saying greyhound, I have a greyhound cross, and you can't leave them all day!

Yes they sleep a lot between walks, but they take great comfort form you being there, they bond with you, they hate being left alone.

Dogs get really attached to their humans, that is why we love dogs. But it is a bit cruel to then expect that loyalty and love when it suits us, and leave them alone all day.

It could work if you have a good dog walker every day. But even then....not ideal.

I think a dog walker could work if you can find one to suit your days. I have a lovely lady who comes here on the days I go to lectures and DH isn't here. Sometimes that is only twice a month, other times it is six/eight times a month.

I don't think one visit would be enough though on the days you are at work, 7am to 4pm is a very long time, especially for a pup. I could leave my 10 year old Lab for that long and might do it a few times a year, but my dog walking lady is here for a 90 min walk and a 30 min cuddle afterwards so it is only 7am - 11am and 1pm to 4pm.

A younger dog would need at least two one hour visits imo.

Such a shame that rescues won't consider you as the right mature dog would be fine with one trip from a walker.

I wonder if you can look into fostering anything in the long summer holidays if you are at home and the rescue helps you to begin with.

Have I understood correctly that it wouldn't be alone all day, every day? The longest it could be is the 6.45 - 4.00, and that would only be sometimes, interspersed with days when the OP is home part of even all of the day?
Because if that is the case, then that, to me, sounds fairly normal. I'm always amazed that people on MN say their dogs are never alone for more than 4 hours. I don't work, I'm a SAHM, but there are often days when we are out and about for longer than that. Just doing regular, everyday, normal stuff.