Thinking about getting a dog, but work part time

[NeedSleepNow]

I would really love to add a pup to our household in the next year or so, but I'm. I live with my 3 children and I work part time.

I work 3 days a week (I am out from 8-3)but I am able to come home for around 45 minutes on my lunch break each of those days. Are there any breeds that wouldn't mind being left like this 3 days a week (I would make sure I came home on my lunch break each day) or is 3-4 hours just too long to leave any dog during the day?

“is 3-4 hours just too long to leave any dog during the day?“

It’s not 3-4 hours though.

Some adult dogs might be ok with 4 hours, some might not...some of that is a bit breed dependant, but mostly it’s an individual dog thing. But you’d need to sort something out for part of the time because breaking it up doesn’t make it less time.

Also - you definitely shouldn’t leave puppies, so you’d need to sort something else out fir the first 6 months to a year anyway.

You're not leaving the dog for four hours, though, you're leaving them for seven hours with a short break in the middle. That's a long time.

While it may suit a calm, settled adult dog, it wouldn't be suitable for a puppy unless you could put them into daycare on your working days?

I'm a dog walker and I'd say most of my dogs are left for 5-6 hours maximum each day, with me popping in and walking them for an hour, meaning they're alone for around 4-5 hours at the most.

All the dogs I have on my books that are happy with that set-up are over the age of 3 and they all have canine companions too.

I've had a lot of clients in your position who have planned to leave the puppy for 6-7 hours a day with me coming in at lunchtime. Without fail, every single one of them has had to either adjust their working patterns to leave the dog less, or they've put the puppy into daycare. It's just too much otherwise.

Very much breed dependant. My old collie is fine being left, when I work from home I can go most the day with seeing him as he's a real loner and self sufficient, but then as a working dog they would be left outside most the time. In fact when I get in (normally is left 5 hours) he doesn't always bother greeting me for an hour or so nor bothered about the garden.

But puppies can't be left more than about 4 hours and some breeds are very destructive if left.

I work those hours and we have a puppy but my dh does hours all over the place so one day he might start at 1 and I'm home just after 3 so on those days our puppy is left and she is fine she just sleeps . On the days where he works 9-5 she is taken out at 7 for an hours walk , then either my niece , fil or mum take her out again about 11 ish for about hour and a half she will then sleep until I get back just after 3. If there is ever a day where none of them 3 can walk her then we pay for her to go to doggie day care

it is too long imo
can you get doggy day care?

You'd need to build up really gradually with a puppy - mine has just turned a year, & I'd only be happy leaving him for 3-4 hours now (in our case that would be an occasional evening, after a good walk, not on a regular basis).

Your best bet would probably be an adult rescue (maybe even a bonded pair) who are used to being left at home.

Thanks all, that is very helpful. It's not something I want to rush into doing so will carefully consider all options, including not getting a dog or waiting until my job hours are different or working from home more.

Thank you

Hi @NeedSleepNow we have two dogs, one is 19 months and the other is 6 months. We couldn't leave either of them that long yet. So maybe see about getting an older dog rather than a puppy?

A greyhound sleeps allllll day so they could suit you.

Doggy day care whilst pup is young at least

With a lot of cajoling dpuppy can manage 11-3 just 1 day!! Other ddogs manage but dpuppy was tricky! Dh takes her with him the other 4 days! Def don't bank on being able to leave any dpuppy regularly for hours at a time...
Cajoling dpuppy was post wallpaper and flooring replaced after her showing her disapproval at being left....

I think to begin with yes it is too long. As pp have suggested having someone in to let the pup out and for company would be a great idea .
My 6 yr old Cavapoo is more than happy to left all day here and there.