I am brand new to this site ... find it fascinating however that people can tell other people not to have dogs when they work full time.  I have 2 beautiful labs and I work full time in an office job, so am out all day.  But in the evenings and at weekends my dogs, after my children and husband, are the most important things to me.  Just seems on reading through that people think people who work full time should not have dogs!!!!  My dogs are very happy and lead a life of luxury.  I must say I worked full time from day 1 when they were pups.  I did take a week off however.  But they are brilliant and I would not be without them.

Hi Guest, it's not a case of giving instructions to people not to get a dog when they work. More a case of providing food for thought, and advice gained from years of experience, and an insight into the expected difficulties, and a suggestion to look at the scene from the puppys point of view.

Dawn R.

I've never got the impression here that people are telling full-time workers NOT to have dogs. Merely informing people of the possible difficulties that can arise if you do. I work full time and have two dogs (one is only 14 weeks old). I would love to be at home with them but its not feasible at this time so we make the situation work the best we can and I don't feel my dogs suffer as all life outside of work revolves around them.

I KNOW my dogs are happy and well cared for, therefore other people's opinions don't concern me. However, I do recognise that everyone is entitled to an opinion and if someone posts on this board asking for members opinions then that's exactly what they'll get. Whether it's what they want to hear or not is another matter...

Guest,

I think it is all down to the individuals perspective. If you work full time and then come home, eat dinner, sit and watch telly, then go to bed, people will obviously think this is bad for a dog. If you get home from work and have dinner, then the rest of your night is the dog's I don't think many people would have too much of a problem with it.

I am a housewife, and my hubbie works full time, if we did both work full time, I personally wouldn't have a dog, I couldn't see the point of getting a dog, just to leave it alone all day, but this is my personal opinion, and obviously I am not saying everyone should be the same.

I think there will always be some people who think a dog should never be left alone, and there will always be some people who think going on holiday for two weeks, and leaving the dog to fend for itself is fine, but there is a very big middle ground, and you, as a dog owner, need to find it. Some dog's get very depressed if they are left, other dog's couldn't give two hoots as to whether or not you were there, it completely depends on each persons situation.

If you are happy with your situation, why should you feel discriminated against?
I would not home a puppy with a family where both adults are working full time, no provision was made for it to have attention during the day, and my pup came after husband and children on the priority list.  But if the breeder of your puppies thought it was good enough for her pups and you think it's OK, then why would you worry about what others think?

If you read posts again you will see that many of us do work full time and have dogs!! The thing is though I think that those of us that do have dogs have them in plural and not just one.  I'm sure that it would be a lot harder for one dog being left on it's own all day without any company.  I don't know whether this is so but I know that mine keep each other company but when I get home the rest of my hours for 7 days a week are concentrated on them totally.

Quite so sogs are social animals and it is unatural and very stressful for them generally to spend large amounts of time alone. 

Val, you really wouldnt home one of your pups if the new owner happened to mention they will put their children and husband first? This doesnt necersarily mean the dog wil be neglected.

I'm not married and don't even have children but sorry in my eyes they would come first!!  You can still love and do everything for a pup even if your family does come first can't you?

Hi Zoe.  Not if both adults worked full time as well and didn't think it necessary to arrange for the dogs to have exercise/company during the day.  Each one of these things on their own I would consider managable - but the whole lot together.......not for one of my pups!

My objection to working full time is not just the time that the dog is left on its own, but when the owners come home, there is the dinner to cook, the washing, ironing and housework to do, the grass to be cut etc etc - so the dog still doesn't have any time.  If children are involved, there is Brownies/dancing/swimming which of course should be encouraged.  Having said that, there are working homes - and I have placed pups in some - where the owners make provision for the dog during the day, and when they come home, the dogs are their life, whether it be showing, training, working - whatever.

I put a lot of me into each one of the pups that I breed, and I look for the very best homes for them.  We all have different opinions of what is acceptable.  I know breeders who will hand over a puupy on the door step to anyone with the money!"! :(

Val I have to say when I first read your original post, it struck me a bit hard to expect people to put their pup before their husbands/kids, but I didn't say anything, as from your other post's I can see that you are a very responsable dog owner/breeder, and that you obviously have years of experience to hand, and you know what is best for your pupies and dogs. Having now read the second post, I can not only understand but I can see exactly where you are coming from. I know you don't need someone like me, with nil experience of dog ownership, and a bit of a "whippersnapper" ;) to tell you that you are a true dog lover and an excellent example to all others, but I just wanted you to know that you have a following - well me anyway!!! Right now I have stopped sucking up to you, I am going to get a glass of wine, it is very early for me, but I thought, what the hell? It's friday night, I should be patting myself on the back for not giving into temptation, and indulge in a bit of drowning my sorrows knowing I could have had a pup this weekend!!!

Cheers Natalie - hic ;) 
says Val *with head now too big to get through the kitchen door to make a cup of coffee!!*

Hi,
Welcome!! All the advice given on here is only food for thought!!
Everyone does what they won't to in the end.
I am at home with my three Sams. But!! my daughter works with her
Sam, and yes! he is thoroughly spoilt, she walks him at 6.30am for an hour and again
at 7oclock pm. He has his freshly cooked chicken every night, or he won't
eat it! he sleeps on there 4 poster bed. or under the open window in there bedroom
on warm nights. Which I hasen to add he opens the window his self But!
she didn't have him as a little puppy.
As a small puppy would cry all day, how could you feed him his 6 meals at 8weeks.
House train? I have no doubt your Labs are very well looked after, they are probly
not to much trouble because there are two of them, and they are company for
each other. My daughter's Sam is probly better looked after than some, who are
at home all day. But! It isn't easy. Some people may not won't to get up early
to take there dog for a walk ect; It can be very lonel for them, and hard work.

Regards
Denese 

There is of course always the situation where circumstances change.

When the puppy was bought, one of the partners may have been at home, or been able to take the dog to work with them.  But during a dogs lifetime of say thirteen years there could be many changes that dog has to accept. 

But none of the changes mean the dog is loved less, it just has to adapt as one of the family to the new routine.  As people have said it is all about quality time, not quantity.

OK thanks for taking the time to explain Val :)

>6 meals at 8weeks

Thats a lot of meals I work full time my pups were on 4 meals at 8 weeks, one before work, one at lunchtime, one late afternoon (about 4:30) and one in the evening.  I am lucky in the fact that I work flex time and my OH was around most afternoons too :)

Hi Claireys,
We had our new pup at nearly 8weeks old, My Dogs daughter, I start of at 8 small
meals a day then gradually reduce them, giving her a little more if she clears the
dish. Fortunately none of my dogs are greedy, when they have had enough they
will walk away, and leave what is left in there bowl. then, I throw the rest away.
None of my dogs are over weight either.
It isn't a problem when you work flexi, at least you can get home.
But! bored pup's get into a lot of mischief!! mine do when I'm at home.
Regards
Denese

Guest at the end of the day if your dogs are happy thats the main thing.  I wouldnt take anything said on here to heart at the end of the day they are just opinions and if you know your dogs are happy then thats all that matters.  Some people on here are too quick to jump on people who dont agree with their point of view.  Opinions are like bottoms everyone has got one and some are bigger than others!

I have sold two puppies to my best friends who work full time and nobody loves their dogs more than they do.  I also had two dogs when we were both full time workers.  Yes they did wreck the house well one of them did but it was a small price to pay for all the love we got back.  I dont think I could leave my dogs now as they are used to me being at home nearly all the time except show days so it wouldnt be fair on them.

Hi,
No one is really discrimanating against you. It's only our
opions O.K!!!!!!!
Regards
Denese

I must admit my dogs come before my OH(dont like him that much anyway) and they are on equal par with my kids,i love my dogs just as much as my kids,but in a different way :)

I started off with one dog,and i felt so sorry for her when i had to go out to the shops or wherever,i dont even work,I got another dog because i wanted one and for company for my first one,it didnt make much difference as i still felt just as sorry for them when i went out.I now have 4,i still dont go out for long because i hate leaving them,i take them absolutely everywhere i can with me!

I'm in 100% agreement with Val,i have only bred 2 litters over the years,and i did not home any of my pups to families with kids under 10 years of age or where both adults worked full time,i had no problems selling them and i was prepared to hold onto them for as long as it took for the right owners to come.

I've noticed there are 2 members inparticular who shun full time working dog owners,interesting they have not posted on this thread