Can I work and have a dog?

[wanderingclanger]

Apologies if this has been done lots already. I would love to get a dog, but work 3 days/week, 8.30 - 3.10. The upside is that my place of work is 5 min round the corner though, so I could easily pop back at lunchtime (would not be until about 1.15 though). Is there any way this could work? Happy to adopt an older dog rather than a puppy. We also have two cats already, but I guess that problem is a whole other thread....any advice gratefully received!

I've had dogs, different breeds for 25 years. I've done a combination, through the years, of working full time, part time, stay at home parent and working from home. I've had dogs from puppies always. I used to use a dog flap, a friend would come in at lunchtime in exchange for her puppy being there too ( worked well but my house was the one wrecked!), I've come home at lunchtime and I've even, shock, horror, left a dog all day. Now I'm the first to say this last one isn't ideal and have only done it occasionally but it hasn't hurt in the long term. Now I have an out house and could leave dog all day should I need to as she has access to the outdoors and lots of places to play. However, dogs are usually such sociable creatures that what they usually really need is human company

Leaving a dog for 8 hours during the day is cruel.

Include the, more normal, 8 hours rest period overnight, and your dog is alone and unable to urinate or defecate for 16hrs a day. That's solitary confinement territory.

The RSPCA recommend no more than 4 hours. Most dog organisations recommend a maximum of 6 hours.

I can't recommend getting a good dog walker enough.

Every dog walker I've encountered is a true dog lover - more so than me! - and mine is such an important part of my dog's care. I'm a first time dog owner too so she's great for advice. It's not that lucrative a business as far as I can tell because people all want their dogs looking in on or walking at lunchtime.

It obviously costs me, but personally, it is the price of having the dog I have, and one I was aware of at the outset.

Thanks for the concern and advice on my dog. Didn't ask but thanks all the same. He isn't on his own all night. He sleeps with dd.
If he was on his own 5 days a week I would definitely consider him going to someone eles in the day. But it's been once this week. Not at all last week. As I said before. 3 days non consecutive max. He's fine happy and healthy. Even when I am home in the day he just lounges on the couch anyway.

I run a dog walking agency. We help look after loads of dogs who are in the exact position your hypothetical dog would be in. If you do decide to get a dog and decide to get help, make sure your walker has insurance - ask to see the certificate.