Hi. I’ve been having a browse through this very interesting site as my partner and I are thinking about getting a dog and are trying to find out as much info as possible. I grew up in a household of 3 (mad) Yorkies and still miss them to this day. The big problem that’s holding us back is that my partner and I work and we’d be out 8am to 5pm Mon – Fri. Does anybody have any suggestions? I think I know that you’re all going to say we shouldn’t get one till we have more time on our hands but I’d be interested to know your thoughts.
Thanks.

Hi,

I personally wouldn't get a dog if both me and my husband worked full time but I have heard people mention dog sitters/walkers that would look after your dog during the day for you.

I'm sure someone with more info on this will post and advise :)

Jill

Hi Loobylou,

You are right, you will mostly get responses from people who will tell you not to get a dog. I, however, will tell you no such thing. It all depends on how much time you will honestly be able to spend with your dog in your free time. I know of a lady who works full time, has 3 dogs (two of which I know she got as pups) and does doggie activities with them ie obedience, agility, shows. Her dogs are truly part of her family and she invests a lot of time and energy into them. :)

Have you considered an older rescue dog? One that was not turned into rescue because of behavior problems, but due to a change in circumstances? They tend to not have the same energy levels or boredom threshold as a pup. You might also consider borrowing a dog or doing some dog foster care to see just what it is all about. Good luck! :)

A puppy would be great but we both agree that it wouldn't be fair at the moment. And we have considered a resuce dog (2 of our family Yorkies came from abusive homes - one was shut in an old car all day everyday, even in winter, for 6 years), but a lot of rescue places want dogs to go to homes where there's someone in all day don't they? We would offer a very loving home it's just we're working full time (such a bore). Are two dogs better than one? We have an enclosed garden.

on petplanet.co.uk you can type in your home situation, size of house, grroming requirements etc etc and it will come up with dogs that maybe suitable for your lifestyle. Maybe you'll find a breed for you there.

My sister took on a dog from the NCDL. She worked full time. Jack, her dog had lived in kennels for the first three years of his life. He had been rehomed a couple of times, but unsuccessfully. The way i see it is that he would have spent the rest of his time there had it not been for her. She loves her dogs, so surely it is better that they have a good home with her, whether or not she works full time.

Oh Finally. Some ope minded people

I know that everyone who says dont get a dog if you work is only thinking of the animals and has there best interests at heart.

But my house has nothing but loads of love ready for our new arrival and compared to a lot of homes (especailly those where dogs are appaulingly mistreated I think she's going to fare really well.

We're doing a rota. Where one day a week she'll go to her grandad (my boyfriends dad) for the day cos he's at home. Two days a week she'll have a dog walker take her out. and the other two my boyfriend and I will take one day each to come home for an extended lunch.

It may not be the perfect arrangement but its not that far off and she'll certainly be loved

Well, thank you all. I'm feeling encouraged. We think we can offer a very loving home but we won't rush into anything and will spend time seeing what breeds would suit us best. Then see if we can rescue any...
One more question please(!). Do you think it's better to introduce a dog to your routine straight away or wait till, say, Easter, when we both have at least a week off?
Thanks again.

Hi Looby,
As long as you're not planning on getting a puppy, imo, there's no problem with having a dog when you work...as long as some basic needs are planned for and met. The biggest is finding a dog that will be laid back about being left alone.

But I would suggest you do this when you have time off (a week or so) that you can work with the dog to figure out both of your habits together. 2 or 3 days after you get the dog, go away for a couple of hours to see what happens. Next day, increase the time away and continue with that pattern. Don't spend the entire day with your dog and then vanish completely the next.

A while back, I 'adopted' an 8 year old Yorkie who was very content to sleep the day away and then be active for us when we returned home after a long day at work. So it is possible to do :) We did decline quite a few dogs because they would not have been happy at all. So just be aware of breed and individual temperments in your decision. I hope you find one that suits your needs/wants and is happy to bask lazely in your household :)

I do recommend a crate and a secure safe area for your dog. It's best for you both that he does not have access to the entire household in your absence. It also seems sometimes to be 'too much freedom' which causes occasional panic.
good luck,
toodles