To get dog or not to get dog? That is the question.

[maskingtape]

I'd love a dog. I'd love the company, it would give me more fresh air and exercise and I think it would lift my mood. I love animals.

The problem is my working hours. I'm a teacher and I'm out of the house by 6.30am and not back until 5.30 ish. Obviously I'd get a dog walker for an hour at lunchtime but couldn't afford more than that on a regular basis. Occasionally I can work from home for 1 morning to do my planning time (but I'd have to be working). My parents could occasionally take them for the day too.

I could walk the dog for half an hour before work and nearly an hour after. Weekends and holidays I'd be there.

Would this work for a dog? I would trial it with a relative's dog first to see how it goes.

[KateGrey]

@maskingtape I’m sorry the thread hasn’t gone the way you’d hoped. Is everything okay in your life? As it sounds as if you’re sad and a bit lonely and you’re thinking a dog may help ease the loneliness. I’m sorry if this isn’t the case.

We would love a dog but I have two children with asd and worry as they leave a lot of stuff out that a dog would add more pressure to our lives (though I’m sure a lot of joy would be brought). I wish I lived near you as I’d happily love after your dog. I’m off to log onto borrow a doggy to see if maybe I can walk a dog.

[squee123]

Fostering for a local rescue at weekends and in the holidays is a great idea. Also you may well come across a dog that is happy to be home alone a lot more and go on to adopt it

[fenneltea]

I own rescue dogs, a couple camefrom a home where due to circumstances they were left for long periods crated or shut in a small room.

It has left both of them damaged psychologically, one has terrible separation anxiety which has improved a bit in three years, but I suspect will never go, and the other can be very insecure.
One has also been diagnosed with epilepsy that the vet suspects was never picked up earlier on as no one was there to witness his seizures.

Don't underestimate the effect that being left can cause, and if you ran into problems it could well mean having to rehome which would be stressful for both of you.

I'd also strongly recommend volunteering at a shelter, it will give you an insight into a dogs needs and some rescues may be happy for you to take a dog for fostering at weekends to give them a break.

[tinstar]

And if you read the research - dogs sleep because they're bored. The fact that some dogs sleep all day while their owners are out doesn't mean they're happy.

And yet, Adeline, many people take that as meaning their dog is absolutely fine being left all day. They're not wrecking the house or annoying the neighbours by barking, so yes it's fine!

Then of course there's the, "well loads of people do it so it must be okay" defence.

Followed of course by the, "well people who are at home all day can still neglect their dogs or worse" argument.

I despair.

[Embracethechaos]

Would have said no, voleneer with your local rescue, but since volunteering, i rescued a dog from that charity in similar situations to you. I got to know a few dogs and knew he waa right as unlikely to get rehomed due to his size and occasional dog aggression. Better to have a sofa and consistent family who comes home every night than live in Kennels. I still feel guilty, Id say, start by walking at the weekend with your local rescue, some of them to weekend fostering.

[adaline]

I think a dog will get used to what it is given.

Maybe, but that doesn't make it okay! Why get a dog to just leave it home alone all day? It's not exactly going to be a fun existence.

And if you read the research - dogs sleep because they're bored. The fact that some dogs sleep all day while their owners are out doesn't mean they're happy.

[tabulahrasa]

The thing is, there’s a huge difference between happy and copes ok... and really you don’t know whether a dog is going to cope ok until you have it.

Dogs are hugely social animals and leaving them alone for the vast majority of the day just isn’t meeting their needs properly.

You’re talking about an 11 hour stretch of alone time broken by one walk...

“ I always wanted a dog but it wasn't quite right but 20 years on I finally got my dream.”

Not as long as that, but yep, when I worked school hours I didn’t have a dog.

I wanted one, but I’ve had various periods where it wasn’t the right time to have one so I waited until my circumstances suited one and if they’d changed I could have afforded care for one.

[tinstar]

I think a dog will get used to what it is given

Yeah sure - if they'll put up with it that makes it okay.

[Christmasgone2018]

Back in the day I had a dog who I happily left with a dog flap for 8 hours a day during school term time. A friend had the sibling dog and would bring it to my house and visit at lunchtimes as she worked nearer. Those dogs were well balanced and happy.
In the more recent years I’ve worked from home and have had another dog. Same breed and in our home since 8 weeks old. This one has been around me most of the time, follows me to the toilet and moans and cries whenever I leave her.
I think a dog will get used to what it is given. If you went by what is stated on MN the only people who would be allowed a dog as a pet would be in a position to pay for dog walkers twice a day and only work part time ( if at all)
Go for it

[LEMtheoriginal]

Im sorry the thread went this way op.

[BiteyShark]

OP although your hopes have been dashed right now there may be opportunities later whic makes it more feasible for you. I always wanted a dog but it wasn't quite right but 20 years on I finally got my dream. Dog daycare is a fast growing industry because more people prefer to use it knowing that their dog is happy and looked after so you never know more may come available in your area at a later date. However, it is pricey as mine charges the going rate round here which is £20 a day but worth every penny.

[MrsVioletBottom]

Maskingtape I would go for it, don't listen to all this negativity. I think you would make a great dog owner.

[MrsVioletBottom]

Tinkaroo I totally agree. I have a similar regime and my dog is a very happy doggie. She is a Yorkshire Terrier and I have a cat flap in the back door. This works perfectly, she is able to pop outside whenever she needs to. When I am home she has all my attention.

[FlashByReputation]

Oh OP don't get too upset,i really do feel for you as I went through the same anguish before I got a dog. Really thinking this through and really weighing up what is possible shows that you are a perfect dog owner because you actually give a shit about the dog. Please don't be down, the right circumstances and the right dog will come along when the timing is right, even if you do wish it was now x

[maskingtape]

I'm not angry. I wish people would read the messages as I've had to repeat myself. I've been called selfish and depressed and I've had my hopes dashed but other than that it's been a marvellous day. Anger, no not really. Upset, yes probably.

[JesusInTheCabbageVan]

OP you do sound a little bit like you're getting angry with people on here for giving you an answer that wasn't what you wanted to hear. FWIW they're absolutely right. If you want a dog that badly, you'll have to look into ways of making it happen that don't involve leaving it on its own for most of the day.

[maskingtape]

I'm not sure where I've contradicted myself.

[Fottfsoftfusm]

I suspect the OP wants someone to love and for someone to love them back. It feels like there is a backstory to an emotion here that we’re not being told.

I can see some of the points made where OP has contradicted herself but equally, reading between the lines it seems she wants company at home.

My beautiful furbabydog passed away recently & I’m now thinking of a smaller animal such as a guineapig. Could you consider an alternative, OP?

[BollockingBaubles]

I do think some dogs can be fine at home for a few hours at time, or larger chunks of time with a dog walker popping in but there's no way of knowing if the dog you get would be ok with that before buying and I do I think a 16 week old puppy would not cope well that length of time alone to be honest.

Even if you paid for four half hour walks then that's still nine hours a day alone? I genuinely think a puppy would struggle with that. I also think it's unrealistic to settle a puppy in, train it and build up leaving alone for 11 hours a day in just six weeks.

What will you do if dog isn't toilet trained by the time you return to work? What will you do if it destroys furniture? Would you cage it for upwards of nine hours a day? What would be the back up plan in regular dog walker can't make it?

My dog is a year and a half now and when we got her I didn't work, also didn't have young children so didn't other responsibilities and boy did I find it hard work, puppies are very hard work and require so much more time wise than just walks, it doesn't sound like you can provide that at the moment.

[OliviaBenson]

You could get an older dog if you are upfront with a rescue place.

Puppy, absolutely no way. Sorry op.

[mydogisthebest]

OP did you read my post? You can look after dogs from borrowmydoggy. One of my nieces works long hours and often looks after a dog on her days off, over a weekend etc. It is not just for walking dogs.

[WardrobeInCrisis]

When I am away during the days, I tend to get doggy day care every other day, or two days a week as my little (and lazy!) dog is just wiped out after it and will spend the next day asleep with a check and a walk at lunchtime.

I would say it very much depends on the dog, but don't even attempt a puppy 🙈

Ditto suggestion of a rescue greyhound if they have one suitable.

[adaline]

Unfortunately daycare isn't cheap and with the new licensing regulations coming in, I think it's only going to get less and less affordable.

Ours is only £10 a day but I appreciate we're extremely lucky in that regard. My pup has a fab time and comes home exhausted - he gets two walks a day included and it's a home set-up so he spends the rest of the day snoring on a sofa or a lap!

[maskingtape]

I've emailed some dog day care places to see if they do pick up, costs etc. Not looking hopeful though.

[BiteyShark]

Actually there have been questions on how anyone would know their dog was not lonely when left alone even if they showed no distress. We have also had someone say they don't know why anyone would get a dog when they work full time.