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The doghouse

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Original poster

Long-awaited Puppy Vs Dream Job

41 replies

Lamont77 · 07/03/2022 11:53

Hi all,

We've been thinking and preparing to get a puppy for years. My partner has always worked remotely (for years so not pandemic remote working so won't be going back to office) and I wfh 3 days a week.

Our puppy is ready early April, which is when I start a new job, which is my dream job that I'm so excited about (so will likely be a bit stressed/preoccupied around this time). I expect this to already be an exciting and tiring time tbh with all the change. My new job will be wfh 3 days a week.

Thing is, my partner is in calls all day so remote working isn't a huge benefit for the puppy because I'm aware they'll need constant supervision. I don't spend time on calls but will be in office twice a week. We could get a dog walker but there's none in our area that are taking new dogs so I don't want to rely on this option.

On the face of it, it sounds like a good set up for a pup with flexible working. But, I love dogs and really want to give this little one an amazing home, I don't want to be overwhelmed by starting a new job and have it feeling pushed to the side or just not be able to give it the attention it needs at the very start.

I know nobody can answer for me. I also think my overthinking is why it's taken us so long to reserve a pup, but it's a big decision! Any advice would be much appreciated.

OP posts:

Phos · 07/03/2022 11:59

If you have any doubts at all do not do it. Puppy blues is a very real thing and whilst most people work through it, I know people who have become physically ill through the stress of a new puppy.

From what you have said, it's not the right time for you. You need the headspace to focus on the dream job and the puppy will simply not allow that. The two days a week with the puppy left at home doesn't sound great either especially when you'll have a lot of training to do.

ABitBesotted · 07/03/2022 12:04

Don't do it

Clymene · 07/03/2022 12:06

I wouldn't do it either. I took a month off when I got a new puppy. You won't enjoy either your dog or your puppy

fairylightsandwaxmelts · 07/03/2022 12:40

I wouldn't do it either.

Young puppies need so much supervision and they're also not old enough to go with a dog walker for long - so even if you found someone with space, they'll only be able to do short walks and visits anyway.

Who will let the pup out to the toilet? Who will stop it chewing cables and getting up to mischief the moment your backs are turned? What happens if it howls and barks the moment you ignore it etc?

DH and I took almost six weeks off between us with ours and then he went straight into daycare but he was four months old by then and only went three days a week.

user375432 · 07/03/2022 12:45

It might be worth explaining and asking the breeder if they will keep the puppy a month longer?

ReeseWitherfork · 07/03/2022 12:46

Can your OH take any time off for the puppy initially?

Tbh I think one of the biggest success factors with getting a puppy is the ability and intention to respond to whatever it's needs are. It's so hard to preempt what specifics will come with each puppy, but if you know you're able to and committed enough (as a couple!) to overcome the majority of hurdles then that's a really good starting point. So just have a think whether that's possible.

Is it likely you'll find a replacement puppy in a few months when you're not so new at your job?

Any two major life changes at once is going to be stressful, just depends if you think you can overcome the stress / you think the stress will be worth it.

PuppyMonkey · 07/03/2022 12:48

I would just postpone it until another time when you’re more settled into you new working pattern etc. Puppy will need taking about for a wee about once every hour for one thing, who’s going to do that if DH is on calls all the time?

NoSquirrels · 07/03/2022 12:48

my partner is in calls all day so remote working isn't a huge benefit for the puppy because I'm aware they'll need constant supervision. I don't spend time on calls but will be in office twice a week.

So ALL puppy training and supervision will fall to you when you’re working (in a new job) 3 days a week. And 2 days a week… you don’t yet have a plan?

Babadook76 · 07/03/2022 12:50

On the face of it, it actually sounds like a piss poor set up for a puppy. Don’t do it op. Puppies do not naturally leave their mother at that age, they are forced to by their breeders. That’s fine when they’re sold to an owner who’s going to act like it’s surrogate mother and never leave it on its own in the early stages. But buying a small puppy and then leaving it on its own apart from a short session with a dog walker here and there is unacceptable. Even on the days you’re working from home you’re not going to have time for it. The puppy will be stressed, and so will you when you can’t put the time and effort into socialising and training it. I can pretty much guarantee that you’ll regret this

Babadook76 · 07/03/2022 12:52

@PuppyMonkey

A new puppy needs taking out every 20 minutes or so

Suzi888 · 07/03/2022 12:52

Can’t really see it being a huge problem to be honest, you are working from home if I read correctly.

A puppy shouldn’t be given 24 hour round the clock attention in any case. They need to be left alone to avoid separation anxiety. Unless you plan to take the dog with you every time you leave the house…

Original poster

Lamont77 · 07/03/2022 12:52

Thanks all, I think I will leave it.

Well, the breeder has a litter every couple of years, so we have been waiting a while which is sad.

My DH would let the pup out for the toilet. We have a walled in garden, and patio doors in living room so he would work in the living room and I was going to get a large puppy pen next to the doors (which would be left open as we have a shelter over the doors). My DH would obviously spend an hour before work, his lunch hour, breaks in between calls and after work obviously with the pup. I'd be there the other 3 days.

But yeah, even writing that out - I don't think it'll be enjoyable and will just add stress. It's a shame but I want it to be the right thing for the puppy.

OP posts:

Original poster

Lamont77 · 07/03/2022 12:56

Just to be clear, I had no intention of leaving the puppy alone for two whole days a week. My DH would move his desk to the living room, where puppy would be and have access to the garden at all times. It's just the pup would need to be in a play pen when he's on calls and I think toilet training would be a nightmare without that constant supervision for the first wee while.

Sorry, should have said this in original post.

OP posts:

Hoppinggreen · 07/03/2022 12:58

I went very very part time for around 6 months when we got our puppy, which I fully appreciate isn’t an option for most people so I’m not suggesting that.
However, a puppy isn’t just getting a puppy, it’s actually a big lifestyle change and not one I recommend when starting a new job. Plus it will be hard for your DH to manage a small puppy and work at the same time

nearlyspringyay · 07/03/2022 12:58

Sounds like the wrong time op DH is a teacher and we got ddog just at the beginning of the summer holidays, I was in the office 3 days a week at the time (Norma pattern, not Covid). I couldn't have worked from home on the other two without DH being there for the beginning but. A dog Walker isn't what you need with a puppy either.

ReeseWitherfork · 07/03/2022 13:04

It could be absolutely fine OP, but it could be an absolute bloody nightmare. So you just need to work out whether your DH can adapt his plans if the latter happens. I don't think you can assume you'll be able to with a new job.

GrandRapids · 07/03/2022 13:04

Honestly I wouldn't do it. I've had dogs for the past 15 yrs and it's massively impacted my career choices and still does! You cannot get a dog Walker for a pup, they need someone around most of the day, every day. I love my dogs but my god they restrict my life hugely. They're just not comparable for owners who have to spend large chunks of time out of the home. That's the unfortunate reality. I'm sure plenty of people have them that really shouldn't.

PearlyGirls · 07/03/2022 13:04

I have always worked from home and thought it would be manageable with a puppy. It really wasn’t. Even though my job is flexible and I’m
my own boss there were times when I had expectations on the pup (eg needed her to be quiet) that were wholly unrealistic. Even though I’d had a dog from a puppy before they are all different so even if someone were to give you lots of advice you just won’t know until you get your specific pup. We muddled through and now she’s a gem but I’d never do it again.

Original poster

Lamont77 · 07/03/2022 13:17

Yes, it's such a gamble, isn't it?

I've had a dog before, raised from a pup, but I don't want to draw too much from that experience because my previous dog loved his crate (it was his bed), he was left from 8 to 12 and then 2 til 4 Mon-Fri and had free roaming of the house, no destruction or anxiety (I had cameras so would know), he was toilet trained within about 2 weeks and never had any accidents. He was a breeze!! But, I know that was mostly luck and I can't count on the next one being so easy.

OP posts:

Clymene · 07/03/2022 13:23

I think the thing is that you won't be able to be consistent with the toilet training even if you have a dream dog. Two days a week you're not going to be there and your partner is on calls all day.

fairylightsandwaxmelts · 07/03/2022 13:35

@Lamont77

Yes, it's such a gamble, isn't it?

I would definitely say your puppy was an anomaly as I don't know any puppy who would happily be left for such long periods on a regular basis.

Like you say, you can't take the gamble that you'll get the dream puppy because if you don't, what happens?

I think unless you have back ups in place for what you'll do if your puppy had separation anxiety or needs the loo every 15 minutes or can't be left without them destroying your carpet, you should wait until you or DH can have a good chunk of time off to train and settle them in.

rookiemere · 07/03/2022 13:37

You made the right decision not to proceed OP.
I took some time off when we got rookiepup and DH also worked from home quite a lot. I think the first few weeks set the whole tone of how the puppy settles in and things like separation anxiety could kick in, plus destructiveness if not getting enough attention.

Branleuse · 07/03/2022 13:40

Does it have to be a specific type of puppy. Maybe an older rescue dog would fit in with your life a lot easier

OakRowan · 07/03/2022 13:41

'On the face of it, it sounds like a good set up for a pup' no, it really doesn't. Don't do it. Neither of you are available for a dog, never mind a brand new puppy and all that it requires.

Original poster

Lamont77 · 07/03/2022 13:48

@Branleuse yeah, I considered a rescue first but I have a small niece and nephew that visit and no dogs were suitable around visiting children in our local rescues sadly.

OP posts:

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