Please or to access all these features

Add post

Watch this thread

Save thread

Start a new thread

Flip thread

Hide thread

My feed

Active Unanswered threads

Getting started FAQ's

Unanswered threads Acronyms Talk guidelines

Hide shortcut buttons

Talk

The doghouse

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

Flip

1 2

Original poster

Would this work? Puppy related

42 replies

Willitworkout · 23/09/2018 10:41

I am hoping for some advice as we have never had a dog before. Here is our situation -

Own home, v small patio
Lots of parks / woods / countryside walking distance
2 children aged 3 and 4

I work 3 days a week, 10 -4 with ability to pop home once a day. The other 4 days I'm home. We would love to get a puppy and are committed to puppy training classes etc. But. The toilet training! For the 3 days a week would it be ok for my father in law to stay with the pup to help with toilet training, for the first few weeks as we can't take holiday with our jobs. Would this confuse the pup? Would it work? It's our only option.

We def want a puppy not an older rescue dog. We have 5 cats (rescues) and don't want to introduce an older dog. There are many other reasons, just wanted to say our main reason as I know people will suggest an older dog.

Thanks again for any advice!

OP posts:

BiteyShark · 23/09/2018 13:52

We probably all sound negative but seeing lots of threads on here where people want to give up on their puppies or adult dogs when they exhibit normal puppy/dog behaviour (or behavioural when under exercised or mentally stimulated) is depressing so it's best to consider what ifs now and how you would or could manage.

If dog walking is too much financially and you work that would put me off. I certainly won't give up my job for my dog and I am very very fortunate that my work is flexible but I also know I can throw money at it so if we had to up daycare for 5 days a week I could.

maerd · 23/09/2018 14:25

Some good points made here. Are you absolutely sure you want to rule out rescue? The only reason I ask is because it’s really the only way you can guarantee what sort of personality your dog will have as an adult - especially if the dog has been with a foster carer instead of kennels. They will know if a dog will be happy to snooze at home for 5 hours alone or not. I appreciate some prefer to buy puppies but it’s worth looking at all avenues just in case.

We have two dogs and the difference in their personalities is unbelievable, but that’s just how they are. One would be happy to be left at home or in an outdoor heated kennel for as long as you need to leave him, as long as he gets a good run he would be fine. He often takes himself off to be alone even if we’re at home. Our other dog is the complete opposite and can barely cope with being home alone for an hour, and even then needs a kong/crate etc to feel secure, and absolutely would not tolerate having me come home for 30 minutes and leave again. It would take her 30 minutes to get over the excitement of me returning home in the first place!

Wolfiefan · 23/09/2018 14:31

Just a word on rescue. If you approach a rescue that fosters like GRWE you would have a good idea of the needs and temperament of the dog in advance.

Original poster

Willitworkout · 23/09/2018 14:45

Thanks everyone. Lots to think about! The comments have really put me off, like I said I know lots of people with dogs, all work and all follow similar routines without issues so I didn't realise what a huge issue this is. We wanted a family dog to be part of the family, to prioritise it's needs but not to have to live our entire life around the dog ie never being able to leave it for the day when working even with a 30 min walk midday and a short working day. I also wouldn't want to spend best part of 200 pounds a month on dog walkers. Going to give it some thought but I'm suprised at the responses as I would assume that most people who have dogs work and that they either let the dog out midday or get a walker to let the dog out midday. Is it now widely thought you shouldn't work and have a dog? Or need to be well off to afford a dog walker every day? I do appreciate the comments and have given me lots to think about. Thanks!

OP posts:

Floralnomad · 23/09/2018 14:51

Would your plan be for the dog to be in a cage whilst it’s home alone as if that is the case then that is far too long for a dog to be caged in a day / week particularly if you plan on using a cage overnight .

Original poster

Willitworkout · 23/09/2018 14:54

No, we would plan to crate train but certainly not in the day.

OP posts:

Wolfiefan · 23/09/2018 14:56

The issue is that many people do leave their dogs and some cope fine.
But some don’t. They mess the house and become loud or destructive or distressed. And you don’t know what your dog will be like until it’s too late.

Original poster

Willitworkout · 23/09/2018 14:57

Thank you, I appreciate that, it's a good point.

OP posts:

BiteyShark · 23/09/2018 14:57

I have a camera which streams to my phone so when I am at work I can see and hear exactly what is happening during the time he is alone waiting for daycare. I know he has had periods where he was anxious and barking (but not destructive) which I have 100% rectified but without that camera I would have never had known there was a problem. I wonder how many dogs show similar signs which would not be known if the owner doesn't monitor them?

Is it now widely thought you shouldn't work and have a dog? Or need to be well off to afford a dog walker every day?

I don't think it is about being well off and I am an advocate of getting a dog when you work but if you find your dog doesn't tolerate being left very well you have three options; to ignore it, to rehome the dog or to pay for someone else to look after it.

adaline · 23/09/2018 15:17

There's nothing wrong with working and having a dog so long as you have plans in place for the dogs care.

You can't leave a puppy all day - they'll need letting out to toilet, feeding and playing with. If you're not planning to crate in the day, is your house puppy proof? Dogs get destructive when bored - I know dogs who have chewed through doors, walls and sofas because they've been left without stimulation. And I'm not talking all day either. There was a thread on here some time ago about a lady with a Labrador pup - she went to shower and he wasn't crated - came back and he'd completely destroyed her sofa. She was only out of the room about 20 minutes!

You're saying you can't afford a walker or daycare but that's part of the costs of having a dog. They're not cheap - insurance, food, collars, toys, jabs, beds, leads, worming etc. all adds up. If you end up with a dog that can't be left at all, are you just going to rehome it because you can't afford a walker or sitter?

whateveryousay · 23/09/2018 15:27

I have two dogs. The eldest is a Golden Retriever, and from very early on she would have tolerated your proposed set up well.
When I got my second dog, a GSD, I naively assumed he’d be the same. But I can leave him alone for a maximum of 2hrs.
I don’t work, so that’s not an issue, but if I have even an afternoon or evening out, then he has to go to daycare, while the retriever stays at home on the sofa.
So I would echo pp and say it very much depends on the dog, which you won’t know with a puppy.

Wolfiefan · 23/09/2018 15:37

My pup ate through a wall when I left her to go to the next room to have a wee.
I can leave her now but she would much rather I didn’t.

bluetongue · 24/09/2018 02:08

Have a rethink about getting a puppy / dog if you can’t afford walkers or daycare. As others have said, your puppy might be fine with your setup and it might not. I took two weeks off work to get my puppy but wish I’d taken more. Turns out he doesn’t like being left and I’ve had to spend a fortune on daycare.

I’m single, no kids so have been able to juggle my budget to afford this but I’ve had to sacrifice other things in my life such as buying coffees and meals out to pay for daycare. Worth it and I love him but this won’t be possible for everyone.

tabulahrasa · 24/09/2018 03:17

“Is it now widely thought you shouldn't work and have a dog?”

It’s not the working, it’s the nobody being in... some people work from home, some people have childcare that doubles up, some people’s work hours overlap.

“Or need to be well off to afford a dog walker every day?” As someone else said, it’s just one of the costs you need to factor in as being potentially needed before deciding if you can afford a dog.

“No, we would plan to crate train but certainly not in the day.”

If the dog isn’t crated how will you keep it deprecate from the cats?

tabulahrasa · 24/09/2018 03:18

Separate - bloody autocorrect

bluetongue · 24/09/2018 05:51

My dog goes to daycare and I certainly don’t consider myself ‘well off’. No, I’m not poor either but I have an older car and furniture that is overdue to be replaced. It certainly wouldn’t hurt to at least research daycare and dog walkers in your area and put a contingency plan in place for such costs.

Applepudding2018 · 26/09/2018 23:14

My dog would be fine with what you describe 3 days per week. We work part time / shifts and this is similar to our set up. He is a young adult.

Flip

1 2