Is it cruel to have a dog if you work??

[wherearetheturrets]

Our family would like to get a dog at some point.. I’m currently a sahm (dc14,3 and 2) but will be going back to work in about a year. I haven’t wanted to get a dog yet as I don’t really feel comfortable with such young dc, plus my hands are full with the young dc and I just don’t feel able to care for another living creature on top!

But I feel like I’ve always heard the opinion that it’s unfair on a dog to be left alone at home all day while its owners are at work. So do people only have dogs if at least one person is around a lot? It’s making me feel like we maybe shouldn’t have a dog if my dp and I would be out at work, but also feels a real shame to not let my dc experience having such a lovely pet as a dog, and giving a dog a loving home. Just wondering if that opinion really is the dominant thinking?

Op, from what you have described I wouldn’t.

Totally depends on what your working hours are.

Most dogs are fine to be left for a few hours as long as they’ve been trained to accept it and not just abandoned. If you both work out of the house all day and can’t afford day care then no, don’t get a dog.

We would not have got a dog if DH and I were not available to spend the days with him between us. Occasionally DH works away and dog has to have a couple of days in daycare which he enjoys but it's expensive so not sustainable if we had to rely on it regularly. I don't think it's ok to leave a dog at home for 8 hours or more, even with someone coming in to walk them.

Get a cat! Or two even. You should be at home when you first get them, so summer holidays for example could be a good time. But other than that, they're pretty independent and happy to do their own thing, especially if they have access to outside.

I grew up with cats and they make great pets in my opinion.

I wouldn’t do it in your position. I love my dog, but having him has restricted what we can do.

I’m not a dog lover at all but even I think it’s incredibly cruel to have a dog only to leave it at home alone for hours every day. Just as cruel are those that have them living in small flats or apartments but I digress…

Dogs are hard work. Don't entertain the idea unless someone is going to be around for the best part of each day for them. It is cruel to get a dog and leave it alone for 4 hours or more everyday. They need company and love and affection and walks - every single day. Too many people like the idea of a dog but take on more than they can handle.

One of the many reasons I won't get any pet is that we're rarely home or are busy.

I think it's cruel, as is evidenced by the two dogs I hear howling or yelping all day if I'm WFH. It changes regularly, but there's alwaysat least one upset and lonely doggy making noise.

Dogs really shouldn't be left alone for more than a few hours. I also agree that yours kids need to be older. If they aren't old enough to be able to know to leave the dog alone then they have a very high risk of being bitten by an over excited or stressed out dog.

Animals need company. When I had dogs growing up someone was either home or popped home during the day, they shouldn’t be left 8 hours everyday.

Id even say the same of cats depending how they are. Most of the ones I’ve had are happy to be left for a short while so they can have a good sleep, but they do seek out company. Even if they come and sleep in the same room as you.

No less cruel than having a dog is you don't work. They're all animal breed for the sole purposes of giving people the illusion of love.

Everyone I know with dog(s) either

Works from home
Works part time
In a couple and working different shifts
Can take their dog to work

I don't know anyone who leaves their dog all day every day to go to work.

That's a really sad comment. But if you want to look at it that way, all love is an illusion. Human love is in no way different.

Illusion or not, I would rather be with my dog than any human.

I have a dog, am single and work full time but the dog comes with me to work and anywhere else I go. She prefers human company to dog company! If I couldn't bring her to work I wouldn't have had a dog as it isn't fair (in my opinion) to only be with them for a few hours before bedtime. I adopted my dog and was initially offered one which could be left alone for the day but that would have meant I had to rush back home every day to take her out and it just wasn't fair.

So there are dogs which can be left alone for several hours but would you really want to do that to them? Every day?

I've got a dog, wfh 4 days, 5th day I have a dog walker who takes dog out for an hour. Then goes in for 30 minsv3 hours later for play and toilet break. You need to factor cost in for that. Good luck

Does it make you feel better to say things like that?

Not really. My opinion isn't going to stop any dogs suffering.

Yes ! They’re pack animals and need their pack around them. You and your family are their pack.

Do not get a dog and if picking up $hi! will make you urge ….. ? Dont just dont.

Then what was the point - to just shit misery on everyone?

Dogs are very social animals. You can’t just leave them all day. Yes it would be cruel.

I couldn’t have the dog I have if I worked out of the house. My partner also wfh. Some dogs will be better than others at being left, although more than a couple of hours without seeing anyone wouldn’t be fair. They’re also not for your convenience. So you might think you could take them with you to places, but there’s no guarantee they’d enjoy that.

I work FT, I have an amazing neighbour that pops in at lunchtime, but fuck me…. It’s hard. We go for a quick poop walk at play/train in the morning before work. Evenings again walk/play/train.
The worst is the guilt leaving him every day… I wouldn’t do it if you’ve got kids to worry about too, sorry

Your house doesn’t sound suited more because of the ages of the kids and you also sound like you don’t really want one. Mn is full of mums who were left to be the dog’s person under the guise of the family needs one , generally suggested by the dh. Don’t do it!

I work around 50hrs a week and have 2 dogs.

My adult son is at home 24/7 so does take care of them during the day though.