Fair or not

RVM89

Hi,

My partner and I love dogs and want to get two small dogs for our home. The problem is we both work in Dublin during the week and are gone from 7 in the morning to 6 in the evening.
I accept it may just be a case we can’t get dogs... but my question is;

-We plan on spending a lot on two large kennels, one for each, insulated, etc.
-Getting food dispensers for them to manage meals/feeding during the day
-Good sized garden with toys/stimulants, etc
-Obviously in evenings and weekends getting them out for their walks.

Is this still cruel though? Is there no way around this? We were hoping by getting two dogs together they would keep eachother company during days.
However depending on who you ask,some say “theyll be fine with all the above” and others say “not a chance etc etc”.

Anybody have thoughts?

JustAThought

Big thread on this before.

Id say straight up no.

Are you never going to shop / have a night out/ go out for a meal together / stay back late / go to the cinema etc

Those dogs are discarded in the garden before they are even bought. Get some fish - they have no feelings.

em_cat

This is something that gets asked a lot on here and as such you’ll get a lot of opinions.

OP, if you are thinking puppies, then definitely not and yes I’d say it’s cruel.

On a side note, if you are urban, keeping dogs outside while your at work is not advisable as they more often than not become highly reactive and end up causing a headache for your neighbours being reactive causes stress & fear for the dog (s).

I’m sure there are some experienced boardsies that can recommend a few rescues that would may have older dogs that may suit your set up as in they have demonstrated that are tolerant to being left alone with out human contact for 50+ hours a week.

Even with doggie daycare, which doesn’t always work out, house sitters if that’s your thing, or dog walkers, I’ve mixed feelings on that, I’d say while not necessarily cruel in all cases, it’s still not something I’d agree with.

cocker5

OP I think you know in your heart and soul its just not fair on the animal.

11/12 hours alone without humans 5 days a week is torture for a dog ..

Graces7

Leaving dogs outside in a garden? no. thefts etc.

Hoboo

Definitely not. I'm sure people do it but it's not right, no matter how it's painted or how you could convince yourself.

I was in the same situation 10 years ago (now work most of the day from home) and signed up at my local shelter as a dog walker on the weekends. Great craic and immensely rewarding for everyone.

Nody

Honestly OP in your situation a pair of bonded adult cats (because taking two random adult cats and putting them together is a recipe for disaster were as bonded cats want to be together and adults because kittens need supervision and can be very destructive) would be a much better fit and you'd be surprised on the number of dog only people who ends up with a cat and loving it Simply reach out to your local cat rescues, go there and see what bonded cats they got and if you like them or not; many rescues would even let you foster first to see if it works out for you as well to avoid you having to jump in both feet first.