Should I get dog or am I being selfish..opinions please?

chaps123

Hi,

I had a dog for 16 years, he died last year and I miss having a dog about the house and going for walks. I have been looking at all of the shelter websites and I have a really strong desire to get and rehome a dog. My issue is that I work all day leaving the house at 8am and home just after 5pm. My previous dog never had an issue with this but I would be fearful of leaving a new dog in the house for this long every day. My other issue is that at least every 4-5 weeks I have to go out of the country for the weekend. I would have no problem finding somebody to look after the dog while I am away as both my parents and my aunt used to take my old dog to their houses on said trips.

My fear is that if I get a new dog would it be cruel to him/her to leave them alone during the day and to paw them off every 5-6 weeks to my relatives? Do you think that this would cause the dog unnecessary stress?


I would welcome your opinions please?

kildare.17hmr

if the dog has a run out the back with good shelter like a dog house it would be fine outside for that time you are in work. You said you miss going for walks so i assume you would walk it every evening and it would be in with you when you come home from work? Go for it but if getting a rescue dog be sure to get one that doesn't hate being on its own

Pat Mustard

I have read that dogs can suffer from separation anxiety when they are separated from their owners.

If you go to work and leave a dog alone all day, I would say that would be cruel to the animal.

It might be different if you had two dogs and very big area for them to roam.

kildare.17hmr

The Mustard wrote: »

I have read that dogs can suffer from separation anxiety when they are separated from their owners.

If you go to work and leave a dog alone all day, I would say that would be cruel to the animal.

It might be different if you had two dogs and very big area for them to roam.

my pointer lived outside on his own for ages before we got a German shepard who now lives with him. He was fine, had his run which is about 3x5 meters(plenty big) and his house. He would be out with me for about 2 hours most nights and playin wit the kids in the eve too in nice weather. If you separate them now the one left behind goes nuts but they are just used to being together now

chaps123

kildare.17hmr wrote: »

if the dog has a run out the back with good shelter like a dog house it would be fine outside for that time you are in work. You said you miss going for walks so i assume you would walk it every evening and it would be in with you when you come home from work? Go for it but if getting a rescue dog be sure to get one that doesn't hate being on its own

Yes, I meant that I would be taking the dog for walks morning and evening. However I wouldn't like to leave the dog in the garden all day with the winter coming, even if it did have a dog house. The intention would be to keep the dog indoors.

MarthaMyDear

You could look into getting a pair of dogs if it was possible a lot of shelters have dogs that they are trying to rehome together.

Otherwise, you could email or call some rehoming places and explain that you would be willing to give a dog a willing home but would they have any that would fit the description of not minding being left alone. Some dogs hate it and then other dogs don't mind at all.

A third option might be figuring out if it's possible for you to pop home at lunch time or get a relative to call in once during the middle of the day to give the dog a bit of stimulation!

Meemars

Recently we got a dog from a really good shelter. I had wanted a dog for ages, but like you am out at work all day, so I was apprehensive about what this might do to a dog.
The shelter matched us with an older dog, who came to us fully trained, and used to a quiet family life. She is happy to flop around the house all day, and equally happy to go for long walks and swims in the evenings. The arrangement suits all involved.
Our new dog is happily settled in her new home, is well fed, comfortable, and fitter and leaner than she was when we got her, and is wonderful company.
Talk to rescue centres, and let them know your lifestyle, they will have the dog's interests at heart, and should eventually be able to match you with a dog to suit both your needs.

TG1

Two dogs is always a good plan if you have room and the resources to keep them. I had one when I was working, then acquired a second, these two came to work with me so all was good. Then out of the blue I acquired a third, who had zero sense so had to be left behind.
I was working 6 days a week, 10-12 hour days, and I would have hated to leave Diesel on his own, so I started to leave Bob with him. I had to go in every few hours to let them out to pee, and had to take them for a run morning and evening, but it worked!
The other option mentioned of a rescue dog is a great one too. my brother and his partner were looking for a dog but they both work. they went to a shelter and got a fantastic 6 year old greyhound who does nothing but sleep while they are out, and then goes mad for an hour when they come home, then eats, and goes back to sleep!
The shelter was initially reluctant to give them a dog, but eventually the perfect little girl came in, so you might have to wait a while till one that suits your circumstances arrives but it would be worth it

chaps123

I would love the idea of 2 dogs but I can't see my husband going for that. It will be a hard job convincing him to get one. The older dog option sounds like a good idea.

Toulouse

Could I suggest a dog walker? I don't think leaving a dog indoors for 8+ hours is the best idea but many rescues will go for the dog walker option if it's an otherwise good home.

It breaks up the day for the dog and they get some exercise and socialisation at the same time. Win win!

kylith

Many rescues will not regime to someone who is out all day. Would you be able to get someone to call in during the day? They are more lenient if you can get a dog walker. I don't think that it'd be fair to have a puppy if you weren't there all the time.

kylith

chaps123 wrote: »

I would love the idea of 2 dogs but I can't see my husband going for that. It will be a hard job convincing him to get one. The older dog option sounds like a good idea.

I have two together, it's rely no more work than one, just more expensive on food.

chaps123

kylith wrote: »

I have two together, it's rely no more work than one, just more expensive on food.

I'm not worried about the money side of things. I'm thinking more of when I have to go away, that people would be more reluctant to look after 2 dogs rather than one.

ISDW

There are so many dogs being put to sleep every day who would love to have a life with you. Yes, it is a long time for a dog to be on its own, but I know that my own dogs sleep most of the day, when I am here, so I imagine thats what they also do when I'm not:D A lot of the dogs ending up in pounds and shelters are because the owners have lost their jobs, so have to cut back, or have emigrated, so the fact that you have a job is great, you can afford to take care of your dog. Talk to local shelters, don't go for a young pup, I'm sure you will find the right dog for you, and it will become a part of your family and have as long and happy a life as your old dog did.

Best of luck:)

Tranceypoo

chaps123 wrote: »

I'm not worried about the money side of things. I'm thinking more of when I have to go away, that people would be more reluctant to look after 2 dogs rather than one.

Yeh I think you're right to take this into consideration, our older dog gets looked after by my relatives, we got a second dog 6 months ago but they wouldn't be able for the 2 of them (plus they have 2 of their own!!) so the younger dog has to go to kennels, it's not ideal but it's a great kennels she goes to and to be honest we don't really go away that often or for very long!! I do think most people, friends or relatives, would be more reluctant to look after 2 dogs than 1, then if the dogs are really close they might get stressed when separated.

Totally agree with Meemars and ISDW on the rest of the advice!