Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Child-safe in minutes.

Meet the Other Phone.
Child-safe in minutes.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
The doghouse

If you're worried about your pet's health, please speak to a vet or qualified professional.

Original poster

Single and work full time - how to manage the puppy stage?

114 replies

wannabedogmama · 18/03/2018 22:46

Hi all

I've been desperate for a dog for years and finally in as good a position as I think I'm ever going to be to get one

I am looking at small low exercise breeds, I will be able to walk them in the morning and evening and have budgeted for a daily dog walker or doggy day care during the day once they are 6 months old.

My problem now is the puppy months, how do people manage this if they work full time? I can book the first couple of weeks off and also come home at lunch time but at what age can puppies be left for 4 or so hours at a time? The dog walker I have looked into also offers 30 minute puppy visits so would that work?

I'm looking at Shih Tzus, King Charles' & Pugs - does anyone think any of those would be more or less suitable for me than the others?

Before everyone says I shouldn't be getting a puppy, i've looked into rescues for older dogs but all of the local ones have policies against homing to people working full time. I have a lot of time to give it evenings and weekends.

OP posts:
blueskypink · 18/03/2018 22:55

i've looked into rescues for older dogs but all of the local ones have policies against homing to people working full time

Why so you think that is?

blueskypink · 18/03/2018 22:56

So = do

Original poster
wannabedogmama · 18/03/2018 23:06

I know it's a common belief that people who work full time shouldn't have dogs but I've thought about it a lot and think I could offer a good home to one - It would get two walks a day, company/socialisation at doggy day care during the week and be with me the rest of time, what is wrong with that?

Can you really only get a dog if you are retired/un-employed or work from home?

I grew up with dogs so I understand the work involved in looking after them

OP posts:
NotAllTimsWearCapes · 18/03/2018 23:10

Book yourself a week off work and spend that week confined to your kitchen. Have someone you don’t really know call in at lunch to let you go to the toilet and talk in French to you for half an hour then leave again. After the week, see how you feel about what you have planned for the pup.

Raven88 · 18/03/2018 23:13

What hours do you work a day?

Original poster
wannabedogmama · 18/03/2018 23:16

8-5

OP posts:
Partyfops · 18/03/2018 23:18

It's cruel, you are asking for behaviour problems. The breeds you mentioned shouldn't be touched with a barge pole.

Original poster
wannabedogmama · 18/03/2018 23:19

It's cruel, you are asking for behaviour problems. The breeds you mentioned shouldn't be touched with a barge pole.

Can you please explain why not and which part is cruel?

OP posts:
SheSparkles · 18/03/2018 23:20

Please don’t do this to a dog

Myneighboursnorlax · 18/03/2018 23:20

Be very careful about booking the first few weeks off work. The puppy will get used to having you there, and then get very confused when you start leaving it all day. It can lead to separation anxiety, which is upsetting for the dog, and a fast way to upset your neighbours when it howls all day for you. If you do book the time off, use it to gradually increase the time you leave him alone, so it’s less of a shock.

Raven88 · 18/03/2018 23:24

That's a long time to be away from your dog that isn't taking in to account commute. Even with a dog walker they will be alone 5 days a week and see you in the evening. Dogs need attention and some dogs develop separation anxiety. Have you considered a cat. They don't mind being on there own and are less work. They are great company. Me and my DH recently got a cat because a dog would need more attention and it's been the best decision we have made.

Raven88 · 18/03/2018 23:28

Pugs are born with health issues due to there breeding and they can't breath properly, It's quite sad that they are so pretty popular.

angryburd · 18/03/2018 23:29

Do not get a puppy.

Thelampshadelady · 18/03/2018 23:29

Single and work full time - how to manage the puppy stage?
Simple, you don’t get a puppy or a dog.

Partyfops · 18/03/2018 23:29

King Charles often have skulls which are too small for their brains.

Partyfops · 18/03/2018 23:30

Get a cat.

Smeaton · 18/03/2018 23:33

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

JauntyAngle · 18/03/2018 23:33

You have planned to have a dog walker/day care once the pup is 6 months old? What happens before that?

I'm sure plenty of people have dogs and work full time. Doesn't mean it's right.

If you were planning on having the pup in daycare from the get go then perhaps. But to leave a young pup on it's own from 8-5 with only an hour or less interaction during the entire day? No, please rethink your plans. It's irrelevant what breed you get to be honest. All breeds need routine, company and stimulation at that age and it does not sound like you can provide any of the things.

userxx · 18/03/2018 23:34

Those working hours are long - does that include travel time to and from work?

Ariela · 18/03/2018 23:38

We have a dog, and I would say that between the 3 of us the dog is rarely alone more than a couple of hours max. It is time consuming and quite hard work, and the dog isn't a pup but 7! Demands a lot of attention (it's the breed). If we didn't both work from home (daughter is at Uni locally), I wouldn't contemplate having a dog.

Don't do it. Borrow a neighbour's to walk.

Raven88 · 18/03/2018 23:39

Why not volunteer at the kennels and walk the dogs at the weekend if you really want to spend the weekends with a dog

Obsidion · 18/03/2018 23:43

Don't do it, really don't.

Get yourself a nice cat. My cats are gorgeous, they are so affectionate. We have cuddles, I leave them food, they sleep all day...

My cocker spaniel on the hand... honestly I couldn't imagine leaving her all day long, she'd go bonkers with boredom.

The breeds you have chosen are very unhealthy too. Don't do it.

FlyingMonkeys · 18/03/2018 23:46

I work full time and have two dogs. On the plus side they keep each other company. My circumstances changed over time from getting them or I wouldn't have. Dogs get very lonely and upset of they're isolated.

flissfloss65 · 18/03/2018 23:49

Could you get a retired greyhound?

AvocadosBeforeMortgages · 18/03/2018 23:50

I accidentally acquired a rescue dog (long story - the short version is that he came from a housemate who emigrated) and am single and work full time. The dog was previously routinely being left for 14 hours a day and I managed to get it down to "only" 10 per day.

PestDog copes remarkably well - frankly I'm shocked at the fact he isn't destroying my house. Being quite well aware that it's still not fair on him, now that he's officially mine, I'm now in the middle of a major career change that will allow me to WFH far more.

In the interim, I'm maximising the time I'm spending with him. I've long since given up any activities after work as I need to get home for him. I hope you don't enjoy after work drinks, going to the gym or eating out for instance. Or dating. Likewise weekends are dog focussed. I can't remember the last time I went clothes shopping, for instance. I get my groceries delivered so I don't have to leave him. Don't underestimate the impact on your lifestyle - or the fact that many dogs would be tearing the place apart, barking non stop, weeing on the carpets or similar.

As shit as it is, it's not really the most practical time in your life to get a dog - and a puppy would be madness. Go on Borrow My Doggy. Volunteer with your local rescue. But don't get a puppy unless you can first make major and sustainable lifestyle changes.