Am I ready for a dog?

CaptainFlint

Hi Guys,
After getting an apartment of my own and finally getting out of the renting market, Im considering getting a dog. I had dogs as a teenager living with my parents and not whats expected of me with regard to exercise, feeding and training, but I have a couple of concerns that I'd love a bit of advice on...
First off, as I said I live in an apartment. The apartment has its own front door, not a communal entrance so it would be very quick and easy to get outside for walks/toilet breaks, but obviously I don't have a garden so the dog would have to live inside apart from its exercise time.
My second issue is that I work Monday to Friday and would be out of the apartment for 6 hours a day during the week. Is this too long to leave a dog on his own? Id have plenty of time in the evenings for him, and could walk the dog for maybe half an hour before work and again for over an hour in the evenings, but would that be enough?
Thanks
Flint

Ms Doubtfire1

Depends on the breed. Greyhound or Lurcher. They sleep for 18 hours a day given half a chance..:-):D Plenty in rescue...Don't go for a pup...

andreac

Ok, honest reply would be an apartment for over 6 hours a day is not an idea situation at all for any dog, big or small. Would there be an option to drop it in to day care couple of days a week or get a dog walker in few hours a week too?

A dog stuck in an apartment is a recipe for disaster really. They will get bored, destructive, noisy etc.

Another thing to consider is whether you are allowed to have a pet in your apartment as most management companies do not allow dogs in apartments.

Ms Doubtfire1

Not a greyhound / Lurcher they wouldn't. Not if they have been walked/exercised for half an hour before work. They'd sleep.
gee, My boy barely gets up when I come home at 5 pm...:D

OldNotWIse

Hi OP. Have you considered an older dog? I don't think 6 hours is too long to leave a dog, especially if it is getting sufficient exercise before and after the 6 hour period, and more at weekends. I have heard that greyhounds are good in this context. (Although they have some special needs re their sensitive skin and coats). They can be real couch potatoes and love to lie around, then when they are brought out they enjoy burning off all their energy. There are lots of greyhounds in need of homes too, especially ex-racers. Plus they do tend to be handsome beasts


Good luck with your search (and congrats on new home)

cocker5

CaptainFlint wrote: »

Hi Guys,
After getting an apartment of my own and finally getting out of the renting market, Im considering getting a dog. I had dogs as a teenager living with my parents and not whats expected of me with regard to exercise, feeding and training, but I have a couple of concerns that I'd love a bit of advice on...
First off, as I said I live in an apartment. The apartment has its own front door, not a communal entrance so it would be very quick and easy to get outside for walks/toilet breaks, but obviously I don't have a garden so the dog would have to live inside apart from its exercise time.
My second issue is that I work Monday to Friday and would be out of the apartment for 6 hours a day during the week. Is this too long to leave a dog on his own? Id have plenty of time in the evenings for him, and could walk the dog for maybe half an hour before work and again for over an hour in the evenings, but would that be enough?
Thanks
Flint

Lots of apartments have a no pet rule... regardless of whether is rented or purchased have you checked all the clauses?

CaptainFlint

Thanks very much for your replies and honesty.

Id be more than happy to adopt an older dog, and a couch potato would probably suit me best given they'll have a fair bit of alone time. Greyhounds/Lurchers sound like a good option thanks for that tip!

And to andreac I know for a fact that pets are allowed in my apartment building, I have already consulted the rules on this matter so there's nothing to worry about on that front. Day care could become an option a couple days a week if it was needed, I guess id have to try the dog at home for a while and see how they adjust

OldNotWIse

CaptainFlint wrote: »

Thanks very much for your replies and honesty.

Id be more than happy to adopt an older dog, and a couch potato would probably suit me best given they'll have a fair bit of alone time. Greyhounds/Lurchers sound like a good option thanks for that tip!

And to andreac I know for a fact that pets are allowed in my apartment building, I have already consulted the rules on this matter so there's nothing to worry about on that front. Day care could become an option a couple days a week if it was needed, I guess id have to try the dog at home for a while and see how they adjust

Don't forget to post a pic if you do decide to take on a sidekick

sillysmiles

Personally I would think that so long as the dog is walked before going to work in the morning, and then gets out in the evening when you get home, 6 hours is not that long.

Not all dogs are destructive and I think so long as you go into it with your eyes open to potential problems there is no reason why that scenario can't work.

The one thing I would say is, if you live alone, organise a godparent for your dog now! Someone, friend or family, who is on board with this and would be able to take the dog out in the evening if you need to go out straight from work or such things.

Ms Doubtfire1

CaptainFlint wrote: »

Thanks very much for your replies and honesty.

Id be more than happy to adopt an older dog, and a couch potato would probably suit me best given they'll have a fair bit of alone time. Greyhounds/Lurchers sound like a good option thanks for that tip!

And to andreac I know for a fact that pets are allowed in my apartment building, I have already consulted the rules on this matter so there's nothing to worry about on that front. Day care could become an option a couple days a week if it was needed, I guess id have to try the dog at home for a while and see how they adjust

Foster a grey/Lurcher/older dog first. being a failed fosterer is the best feeling in the world.:D