Hi,

Can anyone give me some advice on what breed of dog to get, and also if I should even get a dog....?

I have always wanted a dog. I particularly like Labradors, but my other half like Jack Russels (long legged ones).

I have 2 young children - 5 years and 18 months - and a 15 year old cat. The cat is very healthy and the vet thinks he could live til he's 20!

I also work part-time, and this is what is worrying me....

I work 2 days a week, but they are quite long days. I have been talking to as many people as possible to try and get advice on whether it is fair to buy a dog when I am not here every day. Some people I have spoken to have suggested I get a large puppy cage, so the dog could go into that whilst I am out.

I would be grateful if I could get any further advice from anyone on here.

Regards,

Julia

Hi Jules, on the two long working days, would you be able to get someone to come and let your dog out or take it for a walk. There are many of us that work and keep dogs. I know its not ideal, but working is essential for many. It would be unfair to expect any breed to be left for hours in the house, so you'll need to plan ahead and make some provisions for when you have to work. Do you have neighbours or some doggy friends that you could swap dog sitting with. Have a think about this and then think about suitable breeds to suit your life style.
Lorna

Hi ya! I also work two days but I'm fortunate enough in the fact that my Mum is actually going to be my childminder (she's in the process of registering and I will pay her) therefore she can have my children at my house which also means taking on my new puppy. The other plans are as a lot of my friends and family live within two minutes of me and most of them are home all day with young children/babies so any one of them could have came round and spent an hour with the puppy. The breeder who I'm having my puppy off also has a 9 month old dog who they decided to sell- a couple who wanted him originally said the wife worked 4 hours a day- when they went up to see the breeder- blah de blah- put it way she actually works longer than she said and the breeder said no way are you having one of my dogs (the couple had the cash in their hand), the reason for this being that the dog's still a pup and this is too long to crate him. They then offered to let him have the run of the kitchen and dining room but the breeder still said 'no' because if he was destructive through boredom etc, then when they returned from work they'd be tired and angry and the poor dog wouldn't know was happening. They even offered that he have the run of the garden but this wouldn't work either as if he dug himself out etc. They went away disappointed then phoned back to say that what if they got a proper kennel with run put up in the garden- the breeder then said yes!

So all in all I'd advise- yes get a dog- no don't crate him/her- is there anyone available to mind for you for a few extra quid a week? or put up a kennel of somesort.

It would be very unfair to leave a pup or a grown dog alone in a crate for a long period of time so, I am sorry to say that unless you can find a dog walker for the days you are at work I really would wait until your working pattern has changed. ( Don't worry these things have a way of working out) It is also much more difficult to housetrain a pup if you are away a lot . Ideally a young pup should not be left for more than a couple of hours although realistically it will happen occasionally.Many breeders will not sell pups to homes with very young children, personally I like to meet the family.Hope this helps although i appreciate it may not be what you want to hear. Jane G

It doesnt matter if the pup is in a cage or has the run of the house, it is still solitary confinement! Check out your local boarding kennels for day care facilities. The dog will have company and you will have peace of mind that your house is not getting eaten!! :rolleyes:

sounds like a nursery for puppies!

never heard of it but a good idea - not sure if any local places would do it. Could drop puppy off and then child lol!!

Thanks for your suggestion.

Jules,
Instead of looking into a puppy, it might be easier for you to handle a rehomed 10 month - 3 year old dog. The maturity level is different & they're quicker to train. On the days that you have to work... having a type of sitter would be best. As life goes on & you get a feel for your pet, leaving him/her for several hours won't be too bad.

Just a caution: Both JRTs & Labs are active & busy breeds. They will create something to do, if there is nothing. Labs do settle down as they age.... JRTs might not. Wonderful dogs, but extremely smart & creative...especially at escaping. You might not want to have to deal with their intelligence with the other busy factors in your life. :D
good luck with whatever you do :D
toodles

Thanks to all for their comments and advice.

Don't think I will get a dog. Just doesn't seem fair.

I wanted to get some advice before I made possibly the biggest mistake of my life and especially the dog's.

Thanks again,

Julia :o(

Jules, a retired greyhound might be perfect for you. They like thier own space, and indeeed tend to get quite miffed if the humans interfere with their toenail contemplation time

Yes I'd love a retired greyhound - have heard that they are super with kids but would chase my poor old moggy!!!

Thanks for the advice though!

If old moggy didn't run, it might not kick off the ole predatory chase & kill instinct. My girls are absolutely baffled with cats who stay & don't run away. They end up just lying down and ignoring the cats...perhaps out of disgust :D

Jules, very many grehounds are fine and often affectionate with cats if they are assessed (a good rescue will do that), and if you are careful for the first couple of weeks

My moggy- a rather large tom cat- wouldn't run- a friend came with her Rottie and the silly old get though he could take on the dog who is in excellent condition- pure muscle, no fat etc- and the daft moggy stood his ground and was not moving anywhere! My moggy likes to sleep on the floor in the lounge- where the sun shines through the window. I'm locking the cat flap so that I can keep my puppy in the utility room when I need to pop out anywhere with the door closed- and I'm leaving my kitchen window open just enough for the cat to fit through (with a window lock on) so that the moggy can still come in and go to his fav spot in the lounge. This way I can keep them apart when I'm out and a good eye on them together when I'm in- until they're both okay together/ with each other.

Julia,
Now I feel terrible for you. Sure, it's great to have the "luxury" of being there every minute for your puppy/dog. But if you're only gone two days a week, is that really cruel to leave a dog alone? I don't think so.

When my husband & I first were married, I wanted a dog so badly. I had not had one for the longest time in my life (3 years of dorm living). After an inspection that had taken much of our time to prepare for had been completed in Feb., I went searching. He disliked little 'yappy' dogs, but had actually listened to me when I had once said that I wanted a Yorkie when I was a little girl. He found the ad for 'Pepper' for me. She was 8 years old & a definite survivor who really needed out of the situation she was in. If we hadn't taken her, the owner was ready to have her pts because of health & problems with a young son.

Yes, we both worked 10-12 hour shifts. I worked 3 swings & 3 mid shifts with 2.5 days off. Michael worked straight swing shifts, 2pm- midnight. We also got called into work during certain situations.

We had a neighbor look in on her when we first got her. Pepper was usually sound asleep. When we came in, she'd wake up and come agrinning & asneezing at us. We took midnight walks during the summer & in the mornings before/ after work. She was a happy girl that liked her "alone-time." Similar to having a cat, except for being a dog. And yes, we gave her a loving home that she appreciated. Her life with us was much better than the one she had left. And while I felt bad that I couldn't be with her, she didn't seem to mind at all. (Today, thanks to Pepper, Michael loves & appreciates the small breeds)

Even now, with the two dogs, I can't be with them all of the time. They don't need it, either. My husband is gone until June sometime & I worked the last two weeks straight. I leave the rolladin (sp?) up about a foot, the door open with the curtain over it, & the girls go on the back patio to sun & take breaks. Sure, they're happy when I return, but they don't mind that I've left to earn their kibble :D The housemeister tells me that they've been excellent watch dogs for the three + years we've been here & no one has ever messed with them.

It just depends on the dog's personality & if it can handle being alone for a while. I do prefer a two-some, but only after the kinks of the first dog has been adjusted. Puppies have different needs, but many adult dogs are happy to just have a nice home & steady loving. I always believe that if something is meant to be, it will come along eventually & fit nicely into your life :D
good luck,
toodles

Obviously you know what's best for your circumstances but do remember I work two long days per week Thur and Fri so it can be done;) Why don't you try attaching a run to a shed for those days or find a friend who can help you out:) There are many toys etc that you fill with food which keeps them entertained for a few hours. Someone posted something on here a while back about wondering what their dog did when they left it- they video taped it- the dog slept for most of the day.

Stacey

LOL Kash --- We forget that dogs do need 20-22 hours of shut-eye per day :D :D
Whenever we come back from a camping vacation, my girls vanish into their beds for about a week to sleep & catch-up on their sleep. This, despite the fact that they had plenty of rest & sleep at night on our trips.
toodles

I always laugh when we come back from a race weekend with Sibes, having slept the long journey home, they all collapse exhausted around the settee's once home and can barely move at bedtime :p:

Hey, sometimes it's hard work just being a dog :D :D :D

I work, although I'm lucky that my son and daughter are usually around when I'm out. However, I feel I give my dogs 100% when I'm home. Some people I know with two dogs, but don't work, leave their dogs outside all day and shut them in their conservatory at night. I think these dogs get much less attention than mine. But (as 'our Graham would say' - the decision is yours).
Lorna ;)

hi Jules

I have followed this thread with interest. I work and have two dogs but they are not left for more than six hours ever and they are not crated during this time. I do crate mine at night, in my bedroom, they settle really well and it helps with house-training during the night. I only crate sometimes during the day when I need them to be out of the way - for example when a visitor who doesn't like dogs comes - but it is not often. I sometimes crate one of them when they are both eating a fresh bone so that they both get the peace they want to munch but if it's nice - they go out for this job. I did use a puppy pen for my oldest boy when he was a tiny puppy - he liked it, my youngest boy hated the puppy pen. Now they are both adult - I never crate when I am out. They have their own part of the house to be in. The youngest stays in the kitchen and the oldest has the halls stairs landing - our hall is a room in itself, so they have lots of room to mooch around and space to sleep. I often come home and find the youngest boy asleep in the crate in the kitchen though as I leave it's door open - but he goes there by choice and can roam around the kitchen if and when he wants. However, if you can make arrangements for the long days then it should be OK.

My concern for you would be the fact you have young children. Have you realized that the timing means you would be housetraining a puppy AND a baby at the same time Personally, I would wait until your youngest is nearer the age of 5. Puppies and young children often don't mix which ends up with the children being nipped and the dog being blamed when it's usually the children not leaving the pup alone. Puppies can get very demanding. If you waited until your youngest was at nursery/school then at least you would have that time during the day to devote to house-training and letting the pup rest. Puppies need rest and consistent behaviour from their humans - children often confuse things from a puppy's perspective.

Very young children often hold puppies badly and/or too tightly resulting in the puppy biting to try and get free. Older children can be helped to deal with the puppy more safely. A lab becomes a very large and heavy puppy very quickly and while it looks cute seeing a baby lugging a large puppy round by grasping it around it's armpits and dragging its back legs on the ground - it's not good for the dog. A Jack Russel pup is smaller also cute but again needs firm but gentle handling.

As for the puss-cat, he is a good age and will probably be very set in his ways. Quite often the introduction of a puppy to an established cat just causes a few spits with the cat giving the pup a bat on the head when it gets out of hand - but your cat is getting on and it might not be fair for him to have to deal with a young pup either. How is he with dogs and other animals - has he ever experienced them?

You also have chosen two totally different types of dogs with very different temperaments and traits. A lab is lovely and they are adorable as puppies but they do grow very quickly and you would find it bowlilng over your youngest child through exuberance - not intent. A Jack Russell is a typical terrier and without careful handling and bringing up - can become nippy. They are very fast and again might just be too much for your baby.

Sorry this is long - but I hope it helps you look at all the elements that you have to deal with.

Pam n the boys

Pammy- you've just made my head swell up:D and I feel quite chuffed that I'm classed as responsable:) I have wanted a GSD for about 8 years now but felt it wasn't right as I two young children (when they were babies/toddlers) and they'd probably torment the puppy etc, then I went back to work full time so it still wasn't right. Last year I changed my hours at work to part time 16 hours due to the fact that my boy was 3 and a half and I'd been working full time since he was 1- I felt I needed to share some more time with him while he was still young and before he starts full time school (in Sept this year) as I'd always been there for my daughter and it's no good regretting missing out in the future as it's just too late then. I have no intentions of going back to work full time until they're quite a lot older as the time seems to be flying and they're growing up so fast that I don't want to wake up one day realising I've missed it all. With going part time I also realised that now I could also pursue my dream of owning a GSD plus my daughters now 7 and my son's 4 and a half so they're old enough to know better than to 'rag' and torment a puppy also with my son being in morning Nursery I can have some one-to-one's with the pup re training etc. I started looking around- not to buy as I had a lot of research to do on my chosen breed and I now have three weeks to go to pick my puppy up- so nothing happens overnight- also the dog will be for life therefore it's essential that you're happy with getting exactly what you want.

I don't want to seem off putting but say that it can be done working part time and this is the situation I've had and the choices I've made- which must be quite good as everything Pammy's just described I've basically adhered to- pat on the back for me then Pammy eh:D :D :D

Stacey x x x

Hi Pammy,

Thanks very much for the advice. I still feel very much that I would like to get a dog, but as you've stated maybe it is not the right time. Not sure if there will ever be a right time. I can't see me ever giving up work completely, but I'm hoping to change my hours when ds2 can go to pre-school (next sept).

When I was a child I desp wanted a labrador. I feel childrens lives are enriched by owning a dog. Like you said, if I wait until ds2 is about 5 he will be at school and I will have more time to give to the dog. I will also be working shorter days - hopefully 9.30 - 2.30, so dog would be left max 6 hours, and I could hopefully find a neighbour/friend to pop in at lunchtimes - Dh might even be able to.

I am worried about my cat too. He is 15, but very well. He comes home at night, eats, gets cuddles, and sleeps in the Utility room, and spends all day outside away from the kids! I do not know how he would react to a puppy/dog. Someone advised me that he would be the boss of a puppy.

Thanks again for the advice. I haven't given up hope yet!

Regards,

Julia

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