Do people own dogs who work full time?

[RonBurgundyspanpipe]

We have to adults in the house who work full time and two dc 13 and 10. The dc have been asking for a dog for a while but we have always said we can't as we work and it's not fair on the dog.

So, is this the case? We would be out of the house from 8am till the kids get in at 3:30 after school. Is this fair? I know lots of working families who have dogs and don't know how they do it.

[ginsparkles]

We have the worlds laziest border collie! She's amazing ... but man does she shed!!!

[Lazypuppy]

We have a golden retriever who gets walked in the morning after we have left and is then at home for aroun 4-5 hours.
Took us a year to build him up to that amount of time, he seems quite happy in the house, sleeps and plays with his chew toys. Then when we get home we take him out for a big walk

[ChandlerIsTheBestFriend]

Do people own dogs who work full time?

He doesn’t even work part time! He’s the laziest brute around. I have to sub him all the time.

[RonBurgundyspanpipe]

I am sure there are breeds suited to blue collar jobs. We

[Pipandmum]

No matter how much your kids swear they will look after the dog. It will be you walking it before and after work, in rain hail or shine.
And dint forget kennel fees when you want to go away. I can usually get someone to stay in my home, but over Christmas I spend about £600+ on kennel fees.

[Stellaris22]

I don't work full time, but DH has friends at work with a dog who do. As pp have said, it's doable, but expect to be spending a lot of money on doggy daycare. I actually wish we could afford it as the dogs have a fantastic time.

[Ylvamoon]

Mine are- they did have an office job! One is a human comfort resource manager and the other is a human comfort enforcement assistant. The 3rd has a junior role. It's pretty much 4pm - 8am ... and very well paid in perishable goods.

[Barryisland]

Dont get a dog if you know its going to be left alone for hours at a time. Not fair on the dog who will be bored and find other things to amuse it. Then will be labelled destructive or having seperation anxiety. When really its just being a dog. Dogs are pack animals who dont like to be left alone. Yes they may be quiet and look like they are ok but its just a coping mechanism.
Also you say the children will be home at 3.30. What about when they have clubs on? Or are going to friends houses ? What abkht when its pouring with rain will they still want to take the dog out after school every day.
Plus its not just the daylight hours you need to add in the hours you are asleep as well and see how many how many hours you could actually dedicate to a dog.

[daytriptovulcan]

I think you shouldn't get a dog if you have to leave it at home from from the beginning, from when they are young. It's unnatural for a social animal. If you re lucky, you can bring it to your office/workshop etc, circumstances permitted. Mine used to curls up in the corner of the office, and loved the trip out in the car.

[LochJessMonster]

I have a dog and work full time. Walk before work and walk as soon as I get home.
But I do have an exceptionally lazy and self content dog.

It’s impossible to say a specific breed as it’s all down to the individual dog.
It will take a few years until you can leave them all day, and you need to be prepared for the possibility you won’t be able to.

[Girliefriendlikespuppies]

I have a dog and work nearly full time, before getting him I had confirmation from my mum that she would help out with having him some days. We also use a dog walker and I wfh some of the time.

Some dogs are okay with being left and some really are not.

[Girlintheframe]

I work almost full time. Did goes to daycare. I made sure they had space and I liked it before getting pup.
Ours costs £16 per day but we are in Scotland. Even though it's much cheaper than what I see others pay it certainly mounts up over a month. It's definitely worth every penny for us though.

[Fluffycloudland77]

Our neighbours leave their pup all day and he cries all day. It breaks my heart.

The people next door to them do the same but their dogs given up now. He knows no one is coming.

[oneforsorrow29]

It's not ideal but it can work if you make arrangements. Dp and I both work but usually at least one of us will do a few days working from home so it's maybe only 2 days a week that the dogs are alone 9-4. On those days one of us always comes back at lunch to let them out for an hour.

Ours have no problem being alone and providing they've had a good walk in the morning they usually sleep all day whether we are here or not! But if you find yourself with a dog who doesn't like being alone you may end up with complaining neighbours and lots of damaged stuff in your house!

You will get flamed for this post. MN has a very set idea on what makes a good dog owner and leaving them all day is a big no no. I personally think it can work (dogs aren't just reserved for the retired and unemployed!) but you do need to make sure the dog is happy.

[Hairplan]

I definitely wouldn’t get a puppy but maybe an older couch potato could work.
I work from home full time. My dogs get 1.5 hours in every morning and I can confirm they sleep all day 8 until about 4 when they think it’s near dinner time and start to pester me. They don’t even get up for a wee during the day. They then get another 2 hours out with the horses in the evening so I think they are just generally knackered. They are spaniels tho. Some dogs wouldn’t need that much exercise.

[MaryLennoxsScowl]

If you got an adult dog you could walk it before you left in the morning, then get a dogwalker (£10-£15 per day) to take it for an hour at 11, and then your kids would be home at 3.30. It would only be in the house alone for 3.5 hours at a time, which is reasonable. Your kids don’t have to take it for a huge walk, just let it out for its business and keep it company. Or you could perhaps find a neighbour or family member nearby who would agree to have it for the day for a smaller fee than charged by a big daycare centre. Can either of you wfh any days a week? I (in pre-C days) do a mix of all options - I wfh twice a week, my mum has him one day, he comes to work, he goes to daycare if work is going to involve external meetings he can’t come to.

[SUROBS]

We have a dog and both work full time, we are lucky that our baby has doting grandpawents that look after her in the daytime

[Spidey66]

I thought you were talking about sheep dogs, police/prison service dogs!

I wouldn't tbh unless you get an older, rescue dog who is happy on their own or be prepared to spend £££s on Day care. We wanted a dog for years but waited until my husband retired until doing it. Certainly don't get a puppy.

Would the kids accept a cat instead? I think they're perfect pets for working families. Sleep for long periods, happy to be left alone, and if you have a garden and a cat flap, minimal care on a day to day level except for feeding.

[OliveToboogie]

I have a dog and work full time. He is retired Greyhound. Gets a walk before I leave for work. Son leaves for school about 1.5 hours later so he has company till then. Dog walker takes him for 2hour walk a day. I'm luck that during my holidays I can be with him for 6 weeks in the summer.

[Canadianpancake]

My dog doesn't work full time. He's a lazy fucker. Still expected his finger on the floor every night and two walks a day though.

[TimeWastingButFun]

That would be fine if you hired a dog walker, there are loads about.

[Outtheforest]

We have two dogs and work full time but we are not in the UK and have someone come each day to look after the house and dogs. They normally get a long walk in the morning then have full run of a large shared garden where there are other dogs to play with. About 2pm they're taken for another shorter walk and are shut inside from 2.30/3 when our employee goes home. I am home by 6 latest so they're only ever alone for 3 or so hours.
If we couldn't have this set up which I appreciate probably isn't so doable in the UK we wouldn't have the dogs.
Also worth noting our second dog was much more anxious and required a lot of build up to 3 hours alone even with another dogs company.
If you're really determined to get a dog I would say go for an older one who is happy to be left with a dog Walker at lunch as if you have a puppy which is naturally anxious you're going to be forced to pay for doggy day care