To get a dog if we work FT

[DogLover20]

DH and I work full time. I work from home 2 days a week, DH almost always works in the office.
Is it cruel to get a dog if he’d be on his own during the day 3 days a week? We’d be out from 8ish in the morning to 5-6pm.
It’s be a small dog that could use a cat flap to go in the garden.
I want DD to grow up with a pet and I am a dog lover. Don’t think I could have a cat as am terrified they’d bring mice in and cannot deal with that.
Wouls it be selfish to get a dog?

Do you actually know much about dogs?
They're sociable animals - they self domesticated because they preferred being around humans. It isn't a case of how long they can go without a bathroom break.
The previous poster that talked about her dogs being left on their own I'm assuming she meant dogs, plural.
Puppies cannot be left alone. That's how they develop separation anxiety.

Think more about 'how can i give a dog a good life' rather than how your life would be enriched by a dog. It isn't fair to get a dog just thinking about the latter.

No, no, no, you can't do this. You seem to want a dog to meet YOUR needs, but you have to put the dog first!

One of our old neighbours ( thank fuck they’ve moved)
had a dog flap perfect for them as the worked
which meant it was in and out all day barking because it was on it’s own

no wonder there’s so many problems with dogs when people think it’s alright to get one and leave it all day

'Dog Lover' wants to leave dog alone 10 hours a day 3 days a week. 🙄

My dog is quite happy being left at home but it's only 2 full days a week and I have a dog walker who comes on those days to take him out. Other days he's only usually left for 2-3 hours at a time. Never been a problem, he's very chilled. We go on dog friendly holidays or he stays with family or at his dog walkers house. Small rescue terrier.

You cannot leave a dog alone for all those hours!

Please don’t. Neighbours did. Their small dog uses a flap. Barks most of the time they’re at work and drives the neighbourhood mad.

Don't do it! Honestly, it's such a huge commitment, aside from the fact you can't be there for it.
Also note small dogs (apart from being quite clingy!) are prone to barking; if bored and unsupervised you could potentially have a dog outside most of the day yapping at every leaf that blows near. Your neighbours won't be impressed.

I've known lots of people especially pre covid that worked full time in an office and had a dog. Some had a neighbour/ dog walker pop round in middle of day but most of them didn't.
You get extreme opinions here on mumsnet.
We have 2 dogs, they are comfortably ok being alone for about 6 hours, especially if they longish walks either side of the day.
We have left ours longer than 6 hours on occasions and theyve been fine, but I make sure they have a very long walk beforehand to wear them out! Ideally if you are out for 8-10 hours you need a dog walker of neighbour to pop in during the day or use doggy daycare.
Of course this is very breed dependent so do your research some breeds are probably better at being left alone than others. Puppies are hard work though and really can't be left for too long.
I think a dog will probably adjust to what's its norm. Our dogs are much more used to having us around as since covid we both WFH so if we went back to the office now it would be a shock for them - the cats would probably be relieved or wouldn't notice.
However when im working they are generally asleep, they wander in to find me- go to sleep , wonder off back to kitchen for another sleep, they have an internal alarm for food and walks !
Cats are perfect pets if you need an independent pet that doesn't mind bring left alone but will also interact with you.

We got a dog when both full time and it was hard work but we managed it. My DH worked from home Mondays and I did a half day at work Wednesdays. The other 3 days she was alone 8:15 - 4:45 and we had someone come in for 30mins at lunch time to let her out and give her a fuss (could have done a walk but she's always been anxious about walks). I walked her in the mornings and my DH when he got in. She's a retired greyhound so sleeps all day. We only take UK holidays and she comes with us. We don't go out longer than 4 hours on the weekend. Think about how you would really manage with walks, holidays, days out etc and research the breed and it is doable.

I've known lots of people especially pre covid that worked full time in an office and had a dog. Some had a neighbour/ dog walker pop round in middle of day but most of them didn't.

People always trot this out. The fact that you know lots of people who do something doesn't make it right.

No. That’s cruel and irresponsible

I've known lots of people especially pre covid that worked full time in an office and had a dog. Some had a neighbour/ dog walker pop round in middle of day but most of them didn't

Just because lots of people do something, doesn't mean it's okay 🙄

No need for the aggressive replies. I haven’t got one have I? And I am asking advice from those who do own one because clearly I realise leaving them alone might be an issue, don’t see how I am being selfish for just asking a question.

I suspect that despite everyone saying no you'll do it anyway.

Small dogs need just as much walking as big dogs. Or you end up with a yappy, snappy terror.

The only dog that could work is an ex racing greyhound. Super gentle, need 20 mins running and a walk twice a day and sleep the rest of the time

And if you’re happy with leaving a small dog on its own all day with access to a garden, don’t be surprised if someone notices that it’s on its own and nicks it.

Oh please. You're ridiculous even asking when you know the answer. It"s incredibly selfish and cruel and you know it. You can use daycare or a dog sitter/walker but the fact you are even asking tells me you shouldn't get one.

You definitely couldn’t get a puppy.
would a pair of dogs already socialised together be ok? I think many people do actually successfully leave dogs alone during the day but you need to be quite careful of temperament, company for them etc

Getting a dog is ALWAYS selfish.

It’s really not a good idea and a dog flap isn’t the answer as
a. Dogs get stolen from secure gardens
b. It’s possible a dog could go outside and annoy the neighbours by barking .
4 hours per day is the advice for leaving a well socialised , happy to be left dog . Do either of you work in a dog friendly office .

Why ?

Get a budgie. Interactive and fun to play with but can be left alone during the day.

FFS. Why should a budgie be condemned to 8-10 hours loneliness five days a week. Get two so they have company.

I wouldn’t if you’re not in most of the week. At the weekend you’ll likely not take the dog everywhere you go. Dogs are great but it’s a commitment.

Dog walkers here would charge you £15 per hour per dog per day So 3 days a week say at £45 x4.2 weeks on average per month = £189 per month.

Then there’s food, wormers and flea treatments, jabs and vet care, insurance etc.

Its not cheap.

As someone else has said, and I’m also considering myself, it may be better to do dog walking for a charity.

My daycare is £25 a day. It’s a big commitment

So I think you may struggle with leaving a dog alone from 8-5-6 three days a week. Training a dog to be comfortable with being left alone is actually beneficial to them BUT it will take time. You’d need to start small and build up from there. Our adult dog is absolutely fine being left alone, from around 830- 4pm - once or twice a week. He knows our morning routines and can just tell the difference between ‘work’ days and days off🤣. He adjusts accordingly. He was never left alone as a puppy though and we built the ‘alone time’ up over a significant period of time.