Hi I have a 2 year old rescued staffie and I live on my own. Also I live in wrexham and attend college here in wrexham. Thing is Iv'e got a really bad problem in a couple of weeks I will be moving down to buckley which is 20 minutes away from wrexham. Now i have to attend college but I want to keep my dear staffie. I also see that I can't leave him on his own for 8 hours a day poor buger. I don't know what to do. I know I should rehome him but I cant I'm too attached to this dog. So i was wondering if any1 could share anylight on this or if someone is in a similar position, what they did or what i could do while i'm in college. Also there's one more thing this new flat is council so its no pets allowed. I really don't know what to do I love this dog man I'm only 17 and I don't know what to do. I have asked my friends and they said you'll have to rehome him. But I'm stubborn and won't rehome him until Iv'e explored all aspects of this problem. What should i do i don't know any1 in buckley so i can't get any1 to look after him. It's monday and fridays that are a problem because I'm in college all day where as mid week i'm only in for 4-5 hours. Is their anything i could do is it alright to leave a dog for that long. Also he'll have me for 8-9hours after college but I'm still in quite a predicament. Also is there anyway i could keep this dog a secret from my landlord of this new flat in buckley. If theres any1 in buckley that would look after him on mondays and fridays i will pay so if there is any1 from buckley here please post. Anyway cheers any help would be greatly appreciated.

James

Please help with this probs any1

Have posted a reply on "staffy problem" thread :-)

Seeing as no one else has posted, I'm happy to offer a word or two. :)

Seems like you have two problems - one, you're not allowed dogs in your new house (are you sure about this? I work in local government and I wasn't aware of this restriction) and two, a change in lifestyle means the dog will be left alone all day.

If I was you I'd do the following:

1. Find out if there's any way you can keep a pet in the house. Write to the Council, explain your dilemma, and offer to pay a higher bond if necessary.

2. Find a different house where you are allowed to keep pets.

Ok, lets pretend that's sorted. Second problem: leaving dog alone for 8 hours a day.

1. This isn't fair on your dog - not only will he miss you (he's a pack animal and he would never spend time like this alone in the wild) but he will be very bored and need to pee etc. Put it like this - in dog years it's the equivalent of you being shut up for a week at a time isolated from the rest of the world and unable to go to the toilet.

2. The ideal solution would be to find a dog walker, who can take your dog out at lunchtime and spend a bit of time with him. But this costs money (£5-8 per hour) so may be tricky for you. You need to think creatively! Could you do a 'trade' with someone on your street, or near by? For instance, do their garden, help them out with their computer, etc, in return for them helping with your dog? An elderly person might be up for this. Where there's a will there's a way ... have a think.

It's just occurred to me - if you're only 20 mins from college, can't you go back at lunchtimes yourself? Also, you won't be in every day all day will you? I never was. :D

Good luck.

Jo

Hiya
The council like James says don't allow pets in council flats. Most flats don't allow pets either, I have a friend who OWNS a flat and it says that she is not allowed pets even though she owns it, she's not bothered though she has 5 cats and a dog.
Gina

I agree you have to find out if you can keep the dog in your new home so good luck,trying to keep a secret like this from a landlord and neighbours will probably not work.
Secondly maybe there is some way you could find a local kennels where you could do a 2 day a week booking?? at least he'd have other dog company and get a walk at not too great a cost.Or could your parents not take the dog during college term? Try posting it on the college website/notice boards, you can't be the only student in this predicament,you could meet someone who attends different days to you and you could help each other out,babysitting circles work for humans so why not for dogs?
Hope you find a happy solution.

doesnt the college or anywhere nearby have day kennels you could use? i don't think you would be able to hide the dog from ur landlord, he might bark when ur out and neighbours could report you :(
sorry i'm not much help but hope you get things sorted :)

Basically the dog in the flat isn't a problem I'll sort something out. Does any1 know of any dog walker because your right leaving a dog for so long is cruel it's the same thing with humans I mean how would i like to be locked up for 8 hours bored out of my mind so quite right. It is 20 mins from college but i mean 20 mins in a car and i dont own a car. Does any1 know of any dog walkers in the N Wales area and yes i will check the college website for info on any1 else in the same position. No my family wouldn't be able to look after my dog for I don't see them. For now what I'm going to do is when we move I will figure something out. I will give every door on my street a knock to see if they can help for the right price. But if any1 has got any other suggestions then please post.

James

I really wish i could help you but i live in Merseyside. I'm moving to Angesey in Dec but even then it's too far :( Do you not know anyone who will foster the dog during term time?
Someone had a good idea of posting around the college!

Good luck you sound a responsible owner and i'm sure something will turn up.
Sarah

James look in yellow pages under pet services there are a couple of dog walkers in Chester.Did you get the flat through collage? If so id come clean your collage councilor will be sympathetic and may be able to relocate you nearer Yale Collage so you can pop home or maybe you could flat share .Im in N WALES but too far sorry.