Hello everyone

I am hoping someone can help me with something.

I work at the moment, but am in the process of cutting down my hours.  I have been longing for a dog, but when I mentioned it to a couple of my friends, they said I was being an absolute monster for getting a dog when I will not be home all of the time.

I think that's really unfair, as lots of people I know have very happy dogs and they work.
My friend works full time and her staffie is the best, he's happy and healthy.

Any advice would be appreciated.

think carefully

Depends on....

the hours you work
the hours you can get home
the time you can get off work
what your neighbours are like
if you have really nice close living family/friends who like dogs
the breed
you don't mind not having an evening/weekend social life (or like my parents have a 17 year old daughter who looks after/walks dogs while they are out having a meal with friends....)
you don't mind using your lunch hour to go home and walk the dog
you don't mind that house training and general training may take alot more work and abit longer :)

This tioic has been covered quite a lot on the boards, and plenty of useful advices as well as opinions are given.

If you click 'search' and put in 'working' you will find the topics I am sure. :D

Sadly for all the people who can make it work and whose dogs are happy with the arrangement just as many or more end up in Rescue as the dogs cannot cope, and cause problems that the owner or more often the neigbours find unacceptable.

The ones that do make it work usually have something in place that ensures the dogs have company, either that of other people or the dogs are part of a multidog household (never be tempted to get two pups though)m usually with sensible older dogs.

I am a working owner. I have an adorable westie who is now 17 weeks old. I too longed for a dog and also have working friends who sucessfully own dogs. This is what I did in preparation -  Think, think and think again. Do lots of homework on breed types and what is involved in owning and training a dog. The internet is a very useful resource. It appears to be more common in USA for people to work and own dogs and I got lots of useful information from them through forums, including this one. I was lucky enough to have a friend who let me look after her dog while she was on holiday and this gave me an idea of what it was like to own one, and then add in work commitments on top of that. All the posts so far are quite correct. It does help if you have family members who can also help out, I have a 14 year old daughter who is my second in command. I would always get a puppy because you can "mould" him/her to your lifestyle. I have also had to make the commitment to come home at lunch time (although my friend has a 2 year old westie and can leave it all day now) I also arranged to get my pup during the school holidays so that there was always myself or my daughter at home for 6 weeks to do the basic training, toilet training etc You may need to take an extended time off work if you dont have family. A month minimum. Also because my pup is onlly 17 weeks old I have got a dog walker to come in mid morning to walk and play with him, she charges 4GBP an hour but most charge more than that. You need to be prepared to spend all your non working time with your dog and give it lots of attention. I go to training classes and eventually will go on to agility classes with him. This can cause conflict if you have a family. Luckily, although my husband was opposed to it initially, because I did my homework and compromises were made he has come around and adores him too. You have to think up lots of ideas to keep him amused while you are out, stuffed kongs help, but also intelligent toys. A crate is a must I think. The biggest thing I have had to sacrifice is my weekend lie ins. Now I have to get up at 6.30 instead of 10am!!!  However its is the best decision I have ever made, I dont know how I lived without him, he has changed my life and given me something to look forward to other than work and housework! It is a big commitment and I have made the decision that it is going to work out whatever I have to do, he is not going to a rescue home!
Unfortunately, there are some very biased people out there who will emote all over you. Dont listen to them, only listen to people who can give you constructive advice on both sides of the fence. This site is very good. It does make it harder to find a good breeder as most of them are biased too. Ask around, ask other owners of your selected breed where they got theirs from. When you go to chose one dont go for the most extrovert one, chose a slightly quieter one (but not nervous). My pup was the last one in the litter left and when I saw him with his siblings he was being pushed all over the place, but on his own he was responsive, interested in me and came to me when called. He is turning out to be a wonderful intelligent dog, easy to train and copes with time on his own. Let us know how you get on, you can PM me if you want to discuss further.

Just in defence of good breeders here :D 

The reason many will be biased against working owners is that the chances are higher than otherwise that it won't work, so faced with a choice they will opt for the home with someone there all day :D 

Many have found through bitter experience that despite of the best intentions, many new owners just do not realise the extent of the commitment and sacrifices that will have to be made, and some dogs just can't take being alone for any great length of time.  Getting up two hours before work to walk the dog rain or shine, no social life, etc.

Most will take things very much on an individual case basis, but if there is a choice between two equally nice homes they will choose the ones with the most plusses. 

Their first concern is it for their pups good not the new owners primarily.

Hello Brainless, You are right in what you say to some extent, however statistics show that the majority of dogs end up in rescue because of change of circumstances, not working owners, eg divorce, children, moving abroad, elderly owner died. In my experience the breeders from breed clubs gave a blanket no without considering my circumstances, so I had to go to other breeders who were doing it more for a business than love, and they did not ask me any questions, this is more likely to perpetuate the cycle of dogs ending in rescue centres. In other areas of "risk assessment" we are not allowed by law to make blanket policies or decisions, because these have been challenged and proved to lead to wrong decisions, we have to take each case on its own merits.

I have general rules JuneH of no fulltime work, no children under 5 etc but then I listen to what the enquirer says.  I had one man ring and he said "I know that you won't think that this is ideal but I've waited for the children to be old enough to participate, my wife is at home all day but we are living in a flat in London.  I have a hall 16' x 12' with parquet floor.  I've bought a tarpaulin to cover all of it and have provisionally ordered 6' x 12' of turf, to be changed each week until the dog is fully protected with his vaccinations, is completely house trained and can go to park opposite!!
The whole family wanted the puppy and they'd thought through a way to make it work.  He still rings me 3 times each year and 8 years later, they are all still very happy!
But if the enquirer offers no suggestions about how they are going to accomodate the dog's needs, then by general rules apply.

I think that sounds very fair.
Things can go wrong even if people do not work as my examples show in the previous mail. People who do work often have thought things through more than people in more obviously ideal situations. The couple across the road from me have chosen to emigrate and have had to leave their 9 year old alsation behind because they cannot afford the transportation fees.  If one takes on the responsibility of a dog one should not "choose" to do anything which would result in abandoning the dog. But I expect that 9 years ago they seemed a  good bet to their breeder. I would love to have had a breeder with whom I could keep in touch with over the years but unfortuately I could not find such a westie breeder who was prepared to listen to me. I am lucky that I found a breeder who runs it as a business but is responsible enough to breed healthy dogs. I expect this debate could run on and on so we all should probably agree to differ and perhaps consider each others views a little.

Two of my ex pups went to just such a home who ahd thought everything out, one worked part time and other full time.

When they decided to relocate his job which would have meant more travelling he gave up the job for the dogs and became a Licensed Taxi driver.  She still works part time.  They used to pay a dog sitter on the weeks that their work hours coincided.

Ah but breeders aren't in other areas, and not in business either, and they are not obliged to sell to anyone, or be fair about their selection process, it is entirely their own perceptions and experiences that govern these decisions. :D

for example it had never occured to me not to sell to a pup to a young family with a toddler, nursery age and Primary school age child.  As I had my own dogs when my first was a toddler, and my second when I had a toddler and a 4 year old.  I never thought there would be a problem, but personal experience and that of others now tells me to take great care in such a situation, as if things get too much and something needs to give it will be the dog.

Thanks for the advice everyone.

I have been researching getting a pet for about a year and a half now, and I have actually found a couple websites which advised which dogs are better for working owners.  For example, I know a Yorkie is not the dog for me, as they like to have people around often.

I have had dogs all my life and it's been very hard for me not having one ... I am very much a "dog" person.

June, thanks for your advice/support ... I will take you up on that PM if it's still okay.

Thanks again

Doggie help , what are your yours so we can get a clear view of how long your dog will be alone. I'm sure there are others that work full-time and own one or more dogs.

I was working 7am - 7pm and I knew that would have been just too much, so I have cut my hours down to 9-5.
I have a son who is 8 years old and is very responsible and not wicked or mean at all.  He love animals of all kinds and is very gentle.
I usually wake up at 6:30am and am home every day for lunch (I only work 7mins away from home).  I'm also not a party animal, and if I go out a couple of nights a year that's plenty.

I've had dogs before and they've passed away due to age related illnesses.
I've never had any problems with my pets before.

Those are pretty much my circumstances at the moment.
As I mentioned, I've done a LOT of research and I have read that Shih Tzus and Pugs are ideal for people who work all day.

What do you all think?

I think so long as you take time off work or have someone there all the time whilst your dog is a young puppy then I dont see a problem. My dog is left most of the day, I take him out in the morning, am home at lunch and back at 5 in the evening (atm my ex is home at 3), Have never had trouble with it and many people dont. But please make sure someone is there through the younger days :)

I agree with Zoe.
I work full time so when I got my first dog, I went for a 4 year old rescue as I could not get home during the day. 2 months ago I got my first puppy who is 5 months now and I come home nearly every luntime to let her out and play with her. The days I can not do, I am lucky that I have very good neighbours. We are moving in a couple of weeks and she is a breed that can be left out all day in a kennel and run, but I would still come home every lunchtime, but then I will only be 4 mins drive from work.

When we first got her, I took 2 weeks off work to get her settled and she is absolutely fine, but all our spare time is spent with her. Dogs are restrictive, but I wouldn't change that for the world.

I work 9 - 5 and live 5 minutes away and come home at lunch time and my dogs seem happy and healthy to me! I walk them every morning and we either have cuddles or go dog training in the evening. I do have another hobby but that's only 1 1/2 hours once or twice a week. You would probably be right in looking for a breed that needs less exercise than some, and perhaps a breed that doesn't crave human company too badly, but I wouldn't say it was cruel at all.

hi,
I work full time and my partner works shifts.
My dog is very friendly, fit and healthy.
I can see where people are coming from though, its all fair enough fininshing, say for argument sake 2:00pm, but its 2 hours to get home.

It works out quite well in our house anyway, as i come in my partner is going out, or he finishes earlier than me!

He gets great walks too!
Sometimes we take him to the coast, he loves the sea!

Ashleigh

IMHO, being at home all day is no indication of being a good dog owner. My eldest came from a home where there was someone home all day. However, he was still locked out in a yard 24/7 from 8 weeks of age til we took him home at 6 months old :( I was 100% positive that, even with me and my partner working full-time, I could give hem a better life. A year on, he is a happy, laid back dog and a joy to live with. He has been joined by our 5 month old puppy who is also coming along fantastically.

Now I don't want to give the wrong impression here. It has not always been easy. I work flexi-time and the OH also works flexible hours and can work from home when not required in the office which makes life a bit easier but on  an average day our routine is: wake up-walk dogs-go to work-get home-walk dogs-feed dogs-feed ourselves-play/training/grooming-bed. As you can see, not a lot of 'me' time in there. Weekends are not that much different as we will usually take the dogs further afield for variety in their walks. Basically, what I'm trying to say is, dog ownership and full time employment are not mutually exclusive but you have to be prepared to put a lot of effort in to make it work. That said, the rewards make it all worthwhile :)

Hello DoggieHelp,

I can really empathise with your position, I wanted a dog all my life and finally got one a few weeks ago, I have a Black Lab bitch called Kiera and adore every hair on he tubby body!  I also work full time, as does my other half.  When we got Kiera it was on the understanding that Grants mum would have the puppy for a efw hours every day - just for a few weeks, we bought a very expensive outdoor kennel with a view to getting her used to being on her own so that eventually Grants mum could be taken out of the equation.

In practice this isn't going to work, Kiera loves company and I just can't justify leaving her all day on her own, so we now either have to let her go to my MIL every day or pay a dog walker........having a dog and working full time is a big challenge and I personally underestimated just how hard the first 3 weeks would be - and even now after a long day being greated with poos and piddles isn't the most fun!

I just wanted to give you a bit of a reality check - but to be honest, even though we have our challenges to deal with (i.e. it's tough for Kiera when MIL doesn't follow the 'rules' and gives her things she shouldn't have and uses the wrong commands, etc and we have to enforce good behaviour) I wouldn't change anything.  I love her so much, we've had her 6 weeks now and I couldn't be without her.  I read through some of the replies and there's some good advice you should follow - like spending time selectign the breed.  I'd also suggst you get yourself a copy of 'The Perfect Puppy' by Gwen Bailey - we found it invaluable for tips on training, etc - but even the best book won't prepare you!!  If you want to ask anything about my very recent experience please get in touch!

Good luck with whatever you choose!!

Nicky x

Hi Doggiehelp

I was in the same dilema as you a few months ago - eventually my partner and I decided to go for it - we brought our 10 week old pointer pup home 7 weeks ago and he adapted almost instantly to our household routine.  My partner and I both leave the house at 8.15am so now get up at 6.30 each morning to make sure he gets a good hours playtime before work!  My dad comes round at 10.30am for half an hour to play with him etc.  I then pop home at lunch (Around 1.30pm for 1/2 hour) and my partner who is a teacher gets in at 4.30pm.  We had no problems with housetraining (Only took about two weeks we were very, very lucky I know!) and he is a fun loving, friendly puppy who loves people and other dogs. 

One thing we do make sure of is that after work and at the weekend he gets loads of attention, short walks, playtime with other puppys etc and it certainly seems to work for us despite people warning us against the idea of getting a dog whilst working full time.  He is the centre of attention for approx 7 hours every day and we think this more than makes up for leaving him for a few hours.  We set a video running a few weeks ago to see what he did while we were out - he literally slept the whole time.  Certainly the key thing we have learnt is to tire him out both physically and mentally before leaving him, we know this will become more challenging as he gets older and his exercise needs increase but we can't wait to go on long walks with him at least 3 times each day even in the rain!

Good luck with whatever you decide!