> If you remember recently there was a person asking advice about buying 2 boxer puppies and then divulged that she works full time.

Firstly I asked initially on whether I should get one or two puppies and was advised by many that two is never a good idea. I took that advice and only got one puppy.

> That person managed to find somone who would supply puppies under those circumstances..

No, I spoke to the breeder (once I had made the decision to only get one puppy) about my circumstances and my daily schedule and they were fine with me having one of their beautiful and much loved pups.

> Despite a plethora of advice suggesting that this was a bad idea - she went ahead I believe.

Nope again... after the plethora of advice I only got one puppy.

> It probably wont be very long before she's along again with another post

Why?? My pup is well looked after, cared for and loved. He is a happy bouncy and perfectly well balanced little guy. He has our full attention in the morning, during our 1 and a half hour lunch break and as soon as my Son gets home from school and I from work. He is walked every day to the park where he plays with his canine friends for a little while. He goes to puppy play sessions once a week and also to puppy training once a week and is very well socialised. We get compliments on him and his behaviour all of the time. He meets dogs very politely and plays with all dogs very well. He is very popular in our local doggy community. Our weekends are his and he goes every where with us.

I resent the fact that you think I would be back on here with a negativee post about my pup just because I work. That's not fair and uncalled for.

You have your way and your opinions and that is fine, but don't judge me and mine.

Tooolz, of course, you are entitled to your opinion and I respect that.

From my perspective, if I was on my own then No, I would not get a 8 wk old puppy and believe that I could meet their needs by working full time. 

I don't doubt that there are people that do it with the assistance of others and end up with balanced and well socially adjusted dogs.  It depends on their own personal arrangements; each to their own and good luck to them. 

When I say I believe dogs benefit having another of their own kind in the household, I do not mean 2 puppies. 

Sure Spender, I appreciate that - but push come to shove, I'm sure given the choice of a stay at home owner versus a full time worker, most folk would choose to sell their pup to the former if all else is equal.

When I walk my dogs between six and seven every morning and then again between four and five every evening  I meet up with the same dog owners who work full time and are devoted to their dogs but yet I know of local people who stay at home every day and their dogs only get let out in the garden.

I went back to work when my son was six weeks old leaving him ten hours a  day, five days a week just to pay for everything. Now he is grown I couldn't have asked for a better son and I know I did the right thing. People will judge you and have opinions whatever you do in life but at the day we all have to do what is right for us. 

This is such an emotive subject. I think all responsible breeders look to sell their puppies to the most suitable owners, and, since it is the breeders who have invested their time, energy and devotion to raise the best litter they can, its only right that they choose under what circumstances they sell those puppies. I have the upmost repsect to all breeders that take so much trouble to find the best homes and would never disagree or try to persuade otherwise. HOWEVER, there some of us who although working, do the upmost to provide the best start in life for their new puppies  and I believe make very suitable pet owners. I took holiday for both my puppies ( 2.5 years apart) I ensured that they were visited every 2 hours for the first few months of their life ( paying someone to do it as well as lunch time breaks with me)  the second puppy was fortunately a spring puppy so she was only at home for 4 weeks before the summer holidays started and my OH was home for 6 weeks. We did not take a holiday to ensure pup was not left. Training classes, ringcraft classes all attended. I still have someone visit my house to ensure my dogs are not left all day. My neighbour who works from home tells me ( I am always checking) that the only time he here's my dogs are when the postman delivers and if someone is knocking house to house, otherwise he is not disturbed. I generally don't come home to destruction or dog mess. My dogs are fit, healthy and well muscled through good food and exercise. I can only presume from this that they are content and relaxed, and generally sleep for most of the day. Would I prefer not to work, of course, but that is not going to happen until my lottery ticket comes up trumps!!lol

The immediate three posts above this by tooolz, flora2 and ottoman give, IMO, a very well rounded picture of how conclusions are reached by many breeders (myself included) and yet how also many owners manage extremely well to provide an excellent home which caters for their family pets' needs without compromising on exercise, training or company :)

While I still hold the view that for any pup I breed the ideal home would have someone in attendance certainly for the greatest part of the day, I fully appreciate and applaud those who dedicate so much time and attention towards their pets while juggling work, children, and all manner of other commitments.  It can clearly work for some households and when it does it's to be commended :)

regards, Teri

I went back to work when my son was six weeks old leaving him ten hours a  day, five days a week just to pay for everything. Now he is grown I couldn't have asked for a better son and I know I did the right thing.

But presumably your son wasn't left all on his own in the house. Nobody would mind if a new puppy owner had to work but left the pup in the care of somebody ELSE -it's being all on its own that's the problem.

>But presumably your son wasn't left all on his own in the house. Nobody would mind if a new puppy owner had to work but left the pup in the care of somebody ELSE -it's being all on its own that's the problem.

That's got it in a nutshell.

> I went back to work when my son was six weeks old leaving him ten hours a  day

You did not leave your son alone for 10 hours a day.
the situation sadly for many dogs with owners that work full time is that they a re left alone.

I do know full time working owners who provide excellent care for their dogs while they are at work, and when they a re home rarely go anywhere without the dogs, and if they have to they arrange dog sitters.

If you have to arrange for someone else to care for the dog it may actually end up being financially the same as cutting working to part time hours, as you will usually need to pay someone.  similar to child care where the cost of it may mean that it is not worthwhile continuing to work.

The position is that a social creature like a dog should not be left alone for extended regular periods, especially a puppy/young dog.