Shift work and dog ownership.

longshanks

Hi folks, as the title says I work shifts. If I'm on earlies this week, 6am to 2pm, I'll be on nights next week, 10pm to 6am. The following week would be 2pm to 10pm.
I've been thinking about getting a dog for a while now, but wonder how fair it'd be to leave the dog alone in the house while I'm at work. I live by myself so there would be nobody here while I'm at work.
Every now and again I see posts from the local pound or animal shelters with animals for adoption and reckon I could give this dog a home. Obviously I can walk the dog before and after shifts. I don't live too far from where I work so travel times are negligible, meaning the dog would only be alone for a little more than the length of each shift.
What do ye think?

VonVix

Sure, I definitely think it can be done, but getting the right dog would be a big part of whether it would work or not... plus a few other details.

1. Try going out for walks yourself before or after your shifts on a daily basis for a couple of weeks. See if you feel up to it.
2. Depends on the dog if you could do it. You realistically shouldn't get a puppy because of the necessary house training and socialising it would need, as well as the house training.
3. Is your home secure? As in, do you own it? It's a nightmare to try and rent if you have a dog. Also, do you go on holidays? Where would the dog go when you're away?
4. Where will the dog be when you're at work? Inside? Outside? Both? Will someone come around on your 2pm-10pm days to let the dog out to do its business?
5. Lurchers. The right lurcher may be a good fit for you.

Get in contact with a few of the smaller rescues around, tell them about your circumstances. They may suggest one of the dogs in their care that could be a good fit. But keep in mind, think about what you can offer a dog, rather than what a dog can offer you.

longshanks

Thanks for replying. The questions you are asking are much the same as I'm asking myself.
I walk a bit anyway (maybe not before 6 to 2), and the house and garden are my own. I also wondered about training as I'm coming and going at different hours. On 2 to 10 the dog would probably be left in the kitchen and utility room and wouldn't get out till I was home.

cocker5

longshanks wrote: »

Thanks for replying. The questions you are asking are much the same as I'm asking myself.
I walk a bit anyway (maybe not before 6 to 2), and the house and garden are my own. I also wondered about training as I'm coming and going at different hours. On 2 to 10 the dog would probably be left in the kitchen and utility room and wouldn't get out till I was home.

Have you considered the possibility of a dog walker calling in 2 days per week to take the dog out for an hour etc.. wouldn't be too costly and would break up the day for the dog. Depending on where u live there may also be the option of doggie day care another great way to keep a dog happy and socialised

An adult dog may be fine being alone - they mostly keep anyway etc.. def wouldn't a puppy !

peasant

The dog being alone for eight hours is one thing...the constantly changing routine is quite another.

I don't see this working out, to be honest.

Dogs are sticklers for routine, they rely on it much more than we do. It structures their day and it also structures their behaviour.

Realistically, with your shift pattern, you wouldn't even be able to feed it at the same time every day...never mind walks, sleep or toilet times.

A puppy would never cope with that and even most older dogs may throw in the towel and just go off the rails...what with you there one day and gone the next.

Corca Baiscinn

Hi OP,

I'd agree that careful selection of the dog is important though I don't know enough to recommend a particular breed but I suppose not a Spaniel or Dalmatian who seem to need more exercise than you'd have time for. Our fella is now an old (rescue) sheepdog, (not the Lassie or Old English sheepdog type) but we've had him since he was a year old He has always been walked twice a day but when we're not here he seems to switch off and sleep and not be bothered. On an odd occasion we've been away for a very long day, (over 10 hours) and though we've put down papers he has been able to "hold on" til we got home to let him out. When he was younger he raided the bin an odd time or took food off the table but he has never been destructive, as in chewing furniture or anything so guess he has the great ability to zone out when left to his own devices. If you get a dog who likes to play or chase a ball you can give them great stimulation and exercise in a short period. You could set up an obstacle course in the garden for eg. Btw I didn't realise that not all dogs like chasing balls until I bought one for the dog where I was visiting and he had no interest!

kylith

+1 for lurchers. I'm a definite convert.

IME, while dogs do like routine it's at the be all and end all, and a changing routine is definitely better than life in a shelter. Maybe it's the relaxed nature of the lurcher that's swaying me and something like a collie would be much more demanding.

s7ryf3925pivug

Some people use doggy daycare, which is somewhere to leave your dog where they can play with other dogs, under supervision. Don't know if they could facilitate your hours though. Doesn't suit all dogs. They told us our dog hated it.

Our dog likes Kong toys. Better than nothing.

Two dogs can keep each other company.

Latatian

In your position I would talk to someone with a local rescue where they foster dogs (so they get a better idea about their temperament) and ask them if any particular dog might suit that kind of lifestyle. An older dog might be better, too.