Is it possible to working full time with a dog?

2littlegirls

Hi

Thinking of getting a dog next year, probably a boxer.

Myself and my partner both work so the dog would be alone from 8.30am until 3.30pm, Mon - Fri. It would be walked every evening and possibly also 2 early mornings during these 5 days.

Would this be okay or would it be cruel on the dog. My partner thinks it would be fine but I am in two minds.

Thanks!

ISDW

2littlegirls wrote: »

Hi

Thinking of getting a dog next year, probably a boxer.

Myself and my partner both work so the dog would be alone from 8.30am until 3.30pm, Mon - Fri. It would be walked every evening and possibly also 2 early mornings during these 5 days.

Would this be okay or would it be cruel on the dog. My partner thinks it would be fine but I am in two minds.

Thanks!

I had a dog when I worked full time out of the home, and she was a bit lonely, so I got another to keep her company and she was fine. However, they would get walked every morning before I left the house as well as the evening walk. I'm at home now, and all of my dogs are fast asleep in various parts of the house or garden, which they tend to do every day, once they've had their morning exericse.

If you could walk the dog each morning, then I see no reason why you couldn't get one. You need to work to pay for the dog food, vets bills etc, so most people who have dogs work.

I wouldn't recommend getting a young puppy though, and leaving it alone for those hours, an adult dog would cope much better.

It also depends where you live, there are a few doggy day care centres around the country now, where the dog could spend the day while you're at work. There are also people who go in to your home during the day and take the dog out for walks, to break the day up a bit.

anniehoo

ISDW wrote: »

If you could walk the dog each morning, then I see no reason why you couldn't get one. You need to work to pay for the dog food, vets bills etc, so most people who have dogs work.

+1 The idea that people who work fulltime shouldnt own a dog is ridiculous. If you provide enough exercise and mental stimulation prior to and after work, there is no reason why your dog shouldnt cope for the 8hrs or so its on its own.

Is there any reason why you couldnt walk the dog every morning before work and not just 2? For me all 5 mornings are crucial, especially with a Boxer who are particularly exhuberant dogs. If he's slept all night, then gets no exercise in the morning, technically you're basically leaving him 11pm (bedtime) until 3.30pm (hometime) the following day with nothing to do and a lot of pent up energy. That is asking for trouble imo.

Its one of the major mistakes people who work make and wonder why they have hyper disobedient older dogs. So yep, you can definitely have a dog and work, but it does mean extra effort on your behalf...consistently. A dog walker or daycare is a perfect solution if you cant manage this.

2littlegirls

This is great to hear thanks to you both for replying, it won't be until next year at the earliest anyways but good to hear its possible as I was a bit worried.

anniehoo wrote: »

Is there any reason why you couldnt walk the dog every morning before work and not just 2?

Haven't put a lot of thought into it yet as it won't be for another year but my partner starts work at 6am 3 days out of 5 a week so I was thinking it might be a bit hard for me to get out at 8am for a walk on my own with the dog with kids and buggys in tow on these days but maybe not it can be looked into further. And I suppose I could get a dog walker in once a week during the day (depending on funds of course!)

Thanks again

Whispered

I agree that you don't have to stay at home all day to have a so so long as you're willing to put the extra bit of work in.

I would say that if you can manage a walk in the morning as well then great. If not, then a walker once a week, and your husband on the other 2 mornings might work. On the 2 days he wont get a morning walk a half hour of obedience training will help tire him out and is a great way to bond.

dmg10

No reason at all why not. The ability to leave a dog on its own for the working day very much does depend on the type of dog you have I think and how you've trained it from the start, plus your setup in terms of space where they'll be during the day.

When I got my pup, I was off work for a week to settle her in, after a few days I started leaving her on her own for a few hours at a time to get her used to being alone, and by the time I returned to work she was fine on her own. I even set up a camera to film her for a while - a kind of 'what your dog gets up to while you're out' kind of thing :-)

She's out in the back garden all day now, is secure, has her kennel, she's not a very barky dog, and is easygoing about it knowing I'll be home and is a very happy and content dog. Has her toys etc to keep her occupied and gets plenty of exercise outside of the working hours whether it's walks, or on the days I'm stuck, plenty of mental stimulation with hide and seek games in the garden and in the house.

However, if I know I'm going to be a bit delayed or later getting home, I do get someone to drop in and spend time with her, bring her in, feed her etc. and I am quite conscious about getting home no later than a certain time. There's no impulsive after work socialising :-)

So yes, it can work without having to get dog walkers and the likes in during the day. A lot is down to how you train them to be in the first place and what you get them used to. And remember, they are a dog, not a human, as long as you exercise, stimulate, feed and care for them, they're happy!

falabo

depending on the breed, its perfectly possible to have a happy pet even if you work full time.

Up until recently I was completely obssessed and brain washed with all this "no dog should be on their own all day". yes ok its not ideal. in an ideal world we would be home all day with the dog, but we dont live in an ideal work and we all have to go to work.

Also those rescues who will not give a dog to someone working full time is pure nonsense. They could very well give a dog to someone who's home and a few days later start a new job, then can be done, the dog is on its own.

If the dog is walked in the morning it should be ok. when you get home, a walk in the evening too would be great. leave Kong toys etc . a comfy dog house with blankets, fresh water every day...

my dogs are 2 years old now so they have calmed down a bit. every day when I come back I watch for a few minutes through the blinds thinking I'd love to see what they're up to. they are ALWAYS in their house when I come home so I'd say they sleep for most of the day. My neigbors said they never herad them barking. and they are cocker spaniels so they can be hyper.

I think it's all about routine. if you have a good routine they will thrive on it.

Best of luck.

star-pants

falabo wrote: »

Also those rescues who will not give a dog to someone working full time is pure nonsense.

I'll ask that you leave that debate out of this thread please.

Evac101

Fitted (read taped) a webcam to one of the windows overlooking our back yard out of curiosity. Our two pretty much lazed all day with occasional breaks to mock fight, follow flies, do some personal grooming and sleep. They didn't seem in any way distressed by the experience so that did a lot to assuage our guilt about leaving them alone while we work.

This said they get a 90-120 minute session most evenings with us so they may well be in recovery during the day :P

stevekavo

I have a 6 year old Boxer and he is left alone for about 7 hrs a day and i know from when i would drop in and out of the house that all he does is snooze. Especially in this weather he would be stretched out cathing a few rays:cool:.

Once they have somthing to stimulate them and not get bored because a bored boxer dog can cause big expensive damage.

evilmonkee

I agree that dogs can cope with being left alone during the day, but it does mean that when you are at home the dog is with you, in the house, garden etc.
If you go away on holidays frequently, will the dog have enough time with you? At weekends, do you go out on day trips? Will the dog come?

Working 5 days a week, is not usually the problem. The quality time which you spend with your dog when you are there is what is important. Having a dog and working full time does mean that your spare time will need to be as dedicated to the dog as possible.

For my girl, that just means her lying around in the room wit me, pottering around the garden or sampling my cooking But again, each dog is different, so make sure that you can provide the quality time when you are there, then there should not be a problem when your not there.

Discodog

I have owned four Boxers & they are very lively dogs as adults let alone pups. In my opinion the morning walk is critical before the dog is left. Also the length of walk isn't critical provided that you can get the dog off lead & running, for instance chasing & retrieving a ball.

I would suggest that you plan it so that you take time off to enable the dog to get used to being left for longer periods. In other words gradually build up the time rather than suddenly leaving it for six hours.

2littlegirls

Thats great everyone, thanks for replying, lots to think about.