Getting Dogs

[PacificOcean]

After living all of my life in flats or houseshares in London, I finally have moved to a house with a garden and fields out back.

So I can finally get what I have always wanted - dogs. I absoultley love them and have never thought it fair to get them where I have lived before.

However, as this is my first time and as I work during the day, I was wondering how I would go about it? I was thinking of two puppies as they would keep each other company during the day. I am not really bothered about any "accidents" that may occur, but am more worried that it might not be fair to leave them on their own from 8am to 7pm.

Does anyone have any advice or tips or where the best place to get dogs is?

 

[Poot]

I must admit, I think it's unfair to keep them on their own for that amount of time. Also, you generally have to walk dogs twice a day. Are you happy to get up half an hour early to walk them in the morning and then give them a nice long walk in the evening?

Btw, having a puppy is like having a toddler- it's not just little "accidents" you have to watch- they're into EVERYTHING and are pretty determined to get themselves into all kinds of trouble if not watched like a hawk!

Sorry to be so negative but there's loads to consider.

 

[PacificOcean]

I know, but I want dogs so much and I doubt they would find a more loving home than with me.

 

[Poot]

I know, but I want dogs so much and I doubt they would find a more loving home than with me.

I am in the same position and I only work part-time but I think leaving a puppy even between 12 and 6 when I'm out of the house is too long tbh.

Have you considered getting an older dog from a rescue home? I am trying to persuade Mr. Poot that that's a good idea. He's not going for it so I may have to withhold favours for a while...

 

[Jessiedog]

Think carefully.

Leaving pups alone all day is a no-no, IMO. They need a great deal of attention.

I spent a huge amount of time around my dogs when they were young. Now they are older (8 years plus) and socialised and well trained and in a routine, etc, etc. I have no problem leaving them while I'm at work. They know the score now and we have a routine that works. They do not fear abandonment or suffer separation anxiety and have each other (and the postman) for company.

Dogs will live for at least ten years, maybe 15. Are you sure you can provide a home for them for at least that length of time?

Do you understand dogs? Their psychology? Their pack nature? Their dominance/submission responses? Do you know how to socialise them? Obedience train them? Really meet their needs.

I would be very cautious about someone who is out all day getting a dog, let alone a pup, let alone two. Have you really thought this through properly? It sounds like it's a "nice idea", but that you haven't really considered all the factors. Have you read any books about keeping/training dogs? There are some excellent ones - I've read dozens.

The "best" place to get a dog is from a rescue centre - there are tens of thousands that need good homes. That said, I'm not sure that a rescue centre would consider you a "good home", what with being out all day.

Maybe you could discuss this with a rescue centre and perhaps come to a compromise where you could find a dog whose needs you can meet. Perhaps a couple of older animals that know each other well, are difficult to home elsewhere, but won't mind being alone (together) during the days.

It's a tough one though - the dogs' needs must come first. It would be terrible if, with all the best intentions in the world, your situation/circumstances changed, or a "lonely" dog became unmanagable for you and ended up as yet another one in a rescue centre because it was unhappy and you couldn't cope.

Think carefully.



Woof

 

[PacificOcean]

Think carefully.

Leaving pups alone all day is a no-no, IMO. They need a great deal of attention.

I spent a huge amount of time around my dogs when they were young. Now they are older (8 years plus) and socialised and well trained and in a routine, etc, etc. I have no problem leaving them while I'm at work. They know the score now and we have a routine that works. They do not fear abandonment or suffer separation anxiety and have each other (and the postman) for company.

Dogs will live for at least ten years, maybe 15. Are you sure you can provide a home for them for at least that length of time?

Do you understand dogs? Their psychology? Their pack nature? Their dominance/submission responses? Do you know how to socialise them? Obedience train them? Really meet their needs.

I would be very cautious about someone who is out all day getting a dog, let alone a pup, let alone two. Have you really thought this through properly? It sounds like it's a "nice idea", but that you haven't really considered all the factors. Have you read any books about keeping/training dogs? There are some excellent ones - I've read dozens.

The "best" place to get a dog is from a rescue centre - there are tens of thousands that need good homes. That said, I'm not sure that a rescue centre would consider you a "good home", what with being out all day.

Maybe you could discuss this with a rescue centre and perhaps come to a compromise where you could find a dog whose needs you can meet. Perhaps a couple of older animals that know each other well, are difficult to home elsewhere, but won't mind being alone (together) during the days.

It's a tough one though - the dogs' needs must come first. It would be terrible if, with all the best intentions in the world, your situation/circumstances changed, or a "lonely" dog became unmanagable for you and ended up as yet another one in a rescue centre because it was unhappy and you couldn't cope.

Think carefully.



Woof

I have bought this house so will be staying a while and I love dogs too much to ever give one back to a rescue centre, no matter how unmanagable it got. One of the main things for me buying my own place and this one with the garden and fields was so that I could get dogs.

 

[Pingu]

k some things

leaving pups for more than 4 hours is wrong. not just for the pups sake but for your houses sake. they will get bored... bored dogs chew... and pooh. a decent breeder or rescue centre eill not let you have a pup if you will be out most of the day.

secondly never ever ever get two pups from the same litter. they will bond with each other rather than you. trusty me on this.. this is a VERY bad idea

thirdly one puppy is hard work.. two at the same time is very hard work. you need to train them individually, give each one individual time to help them bond with you. you are not going to have enough hours in the day.



to add to what jessiedog has said.

as a responsible rescue we would probably not rehome to you. not because you are abad person or anything but what we consider is the dogs welfare. to leave a dog on its own all day is wrong. what the person wants is irrelevant.. its the dogs needs we look at. older dogs where they are fairly chilled out already could be considered but it would need a chat first.

 

[PacificOcean]

So only unemployed people are able to get dogs?

 

[Pingu]

no not at all

but leaving an animal for that length of time isnt fair on the animal, what do you expect it to do during those 11 hours? sleep? read a newspaper.. its going to get bored silly and wil then make its own entertainment. my that tv stand looks interesting..oooh bits come off if I chew it.. door frames.. furniture everything becomes a potential source of boredom relief. and once the dog goes down this road its hard to turn them away from it. and try holding in wee\pooh for 11 hours... every day... hardly fair to expect a dog to do that

like I said

we do this for the dogs welfare not for what the potential new owner wants. if its not fair on the dog then thats what we consider - end of. there are older dogs who could be happy doing this but to leave a young dog alone for that length of time isnt right - no matter how much YOU want a dog.

if you do get one and start leaving it for extended periods I can GUARENTEE that you will start encountering problems. like destructive behaviour because of boredom. like seperation anxiety issues, failure to get a good bond with the dog which means it wont listen to you, plus a whole host of other potential issues.

having a dog carrys responsibilities to bith the dog and to the community. if you cant spend the time with the dog you will not be able to fulfil those responsibilities and should seriously consider if having a dog right now is the right thing to do.

certain breeds handle isolation better\worse than others. Do this to a border collie or rottie and you will send the dog loopy though the boredom. Labs will demolish your house .... etc etc.

 

[PacificOcean]

and should seriously consider if having a dog right now is the right thing to do.

When can I get one then as I will be working for the next 35 years?

 

[subversplat]

When can I get one then as I will be working for the next 35 years?

In 35 years?
Or maybe if you had someone else move in your house that either was there most of the time or worked nights?
Or if you got a job where you could bring your dog?
Or if you quit working!

 

[Pingu]

ok dont take this the wrong way

if you are going to be out 11 hours every day for the next 35 years and your circumstances stay the same..


in 35 years time would be my answer.

you are thinking about what you want .. not what is suitable\right.


just because you want a dog doesnt mean its the right thing to do.

try this for two days

not allowed to go out\eat\shit\wee\watch telly\read a book\play on computer for 11 hours straight. gve yourself a container of drink.. once its gone its gone.. no more until the end of the 11 hours

thats what you would be subjecting the dog to for 5 days a week

 

[tarannau]

would keep each other company during the day. I am not really bothered about any "accidents" that may occur, but am more worried that it might not be fair to leave them on their own from 8am to 7pm.

No disrespect, but if you even think that leaving a dog between 8am and 7pm is vaguely acceptable, then I'd suggest that dog ownership isn't for you.

It's not about loving dogs the most, it's a realistic appraisal that it'd be hugely unfair to leave a pack animal imprisoned in the house for half the day (and all daylight hours).

I'd love a dog too, but it isn't realistic in my or your circumstances, unless you employ or dog walker or can return home ... and even then you're going to be doing the bare minimum to keep the animal happy.

Let it go. For the dog's sake. Please.

 

[Dr. Furface]

If you can afford it there are people who will either keep your dog all day or come into your home and take it out for a while. They aren't cheap though, I think you'd be lucky to find anyone to do it for one dog for less than £200 a month. Maybe a dog-loving OAP might do it for less, esp. one who needs some company, you could do it as a sort of dog share scheme. Of course it would depend to a large extent on the type of dog you want - a lap-dog type obviously needs a lot less looking after than an alsatian!

 

[longdog]

If it were going to be left alone for 8 - 9hrs a day I suggest a retired greyhound. They'll just take it in their stride no problem being the 40mph couch potatoes they are.

Eleven hours is pushing it a bit if you are going to keep the dog in the house.

Have you thought about getting an older dog (maybe a greyhound) who's used to a kennel and run so that it will be accustomed to its new life? You can still have the dog indoors with you when you are at home.

 

[tarannau]

Of course it would depend to a large extent on the type of dog you want - a lap-dog type obviously needs a lot less looking after than an alsatian!

I'm not sure that's always true mind. I share our office with a couple of little dogs - a big Yorkshire Rat, I mean terrier, and a Cavalier St Charles. They're both very needy dogs with a real craving for human contact (and other dogs) and depressingly small bladders. Need for longer walks aside, I'm not sure they'd be any less demanding than an alsatan.

I'm sorry if this sounds harsh to PO, but I'd dearly like a dog myself, and I've wrestled with the dilemma all too much. I can't help but feel that, even with the workarounds we're suggesting, that someone in his/my situation can't be anything other than a pretty disappointing owner.

 

[Dr. Furface]

I'm not sure that's always true mind. I share our office with a couple of little dogs - a big Yorkshire Rat, I mean terrier, and a Cavalier St Charles. They're both very needy dogs with a real craving for human contact (and other dogs) and depressingly small bladders. Need for longer walks aside, I'm not sure they'd be any less demanding than an alsatan.

I take your point - it was the longer walks thing that I was thinking of, and from an OAP walker's point of view, the strength and energy required to look after a large breed.

 

[subversplat]

You know the irony is that the OP could probably quite easily get a dog from a rescue centre whereas someone like myself, a mostly-unemployed layabout that spends most of their time lazing around in fields with lots of other people and dogs would be turned away without fail

 

[dirtysanta]

Think carefully.

Leaving pups alone all day is a no-no, IMO. They need a great deal of attention.

I spent a huge amount of time around my dogs when they were young. Now they are older (8 years plus) and socialised and well trained and in a routine, etc, etc. I have no problem leaving them while I'm at work. They know the score now and we have a routine that works. They do not fear abandonment or suffer separation anxiety and have each other (and the postman) for company.

Dogs will live for at least ten years, maybe 15. Are you sure you can provide a home for them for at least that length of time?

Do you understand dogs? Their psychology? Their pack nature? Their dominance/submission responses? Do you know how to socialise them? Obedience train them? Really meet their needs.

I would be very cautious about someone who is out all day getting a dog, let alone a pup, let alone two. Have you really thought this through properly? It sounds like it's a "nice idea", but that you haven't really considered all the factors. Have you read any books about keeping/training dogs? There are some excellent ones - I've read dozens.

The "best" place to get a dog is from a rescue centre - there are tens of thousands that need good homes. That said, I'm not sure that a rescue centre would consider you a "good home", what with being out all day.

Maybe you could discuss this with a rescue centre and perhaps come to a compromise where you could find a dog whose needs you can meet. Perhaps a couple of older animals that know each other well, are difficult to home elsewhere, but won't mind being alone (together) during the days.

It's a tough one though - the dogs' needs must come first. It would be terrible if, with all the best intentions in the world, your situation/circumstances changed, or a "lonely" dog became unmanagable for you and ended up as yet another one in a rescue centre because it was unhappy and you couldn't cope.

Think carefully.



Woof

Great post Jess.

Having a dog is a big time and financial commitment.

 

[Jessiedog]

I'm feeling a wee bit shitty for PO now.

Has wanted a dog forever and now has the place and space and we're all all-over Ocean about not doing it.



I would like to say that while I believe that all the advice on this thread is solid (IMO), I do hope that Ocean is not feeling too deflated or put off.

If a common theme is emerging, it seems to be that an older dog (rescue) or two might fit the bill. Need a good home. Older and calmer. Etc.

PO, why not have a chat with a few rescue centres, while they may not consider you suitable for a pup, you make make the grade for an older animal - if there''s one that they consider suitable. You are obviously keen, and "where there's a will there's a way".

Get loads of books on dogs/training from the library and thoroughly digest them all - knowledge is power. This in itself will get you up a couple of notches on the "good home" scale - it demonstrates that you taken the time to invest in reasearch, etc. etc.

The concerns voiced here are valid and while there is no "perfect" situation, I think you'd do well to pay heed. That said, I'm sure that with a bit of creativity, a bundle of patience, a willingness to compromise and a focus on "getting it as right as possible", there should be a way forward.

Think carefully.



Woof

 

[PacificOcean]

I'm feeling a wee bit shitty for PO now.

Has wanted a dog forever and now has the place and space and we're all all-over Ocean about not doing it.



I would like to say that while I believe that all the advice on this thread is solid (IMO), I do hope that Ocean is not feeling too deflated or put off.

If a common theme is emerging, it seems to be that an older dog (rescue) or two might fit the bill. Need a good home. Older and calmer. Etc.

PO, why not have a chat with a few rescue centres, while they may not consider you suitable for a pup, you make make the grade for an older animal - if there''s one that they consider suitable. You are obviously keen, and "where there's a will there's a way".

Get loads of books on dogs/training from the library and thoroughly digest them all - knowledge is power. This in itself will get you up a couple of notches on the "good home" scale - it demonstrates that you taken the time to invest in reasearch, etc. etc.

The concerns voiced here are valid and while there is no "perfect" situation, I think you'd do well to pay heed. That said, I'm sure that with a bit of creativity, a bundle of patience, a willingness to compromise and a focus on "getting it as right as possible", there should be a way forward.

Think carefully.



Woof

Thanks. I was starting to feel down about it as getting dogs was one of my main reasons for getting this place over somewhere closer to the centre of London, as I thought the dogs would love the fields and the woods outback.

I shall speak to some resuce centres and see what they say. All I know is that a dog won't find a more loving home than with me.

 

[xes]

Yes,get dogs but don't get puppies to start with. Get some older dogs (over 6 years) preferably trained. And then make sure your garden is fenced up properly and fit a dog hatch to your back door. that way while you're out they can go about their business and not mess in the house (or feel bad about messing in the house cos they had nowhere to go)

Lots of people have dogs and work,it's perfectly do-able. Aslong as you make all the right preperations first.

 

[Jessiedog]

Thanks. I was starting to feel down about it as getting dogs was one of my main reasons for getting this place over somewhere closer to the centre of London, as I thought the dogs would love the fields and the woods outback.

I shall speak to some resuce centres and see what they say. All I know is that a dog won't find a more loving home than with me.

I believe you about the luuurrrrrrrve.

Take your time, read tonnes, speak to various rescue places, discuss options, think, plan, compromise, etc. The dogs' interests MUST come first.

As I say, my dogs are fine if left alone now (although I was around 100% of the time in the early years). Sometimes (very occasionally) they go for 13 hours without seeing a human. They deal with it just fine and are REALLY happy to see me home and REALLY busting to go out for a piss too.

That said, it is rare that they are alone for that long. I am exceedingly fortunate to have a flexible, self-employed, part time, domestic helper. If I know I'm gonna be late, I pre-arrange her to come in and walk, feed and water the dogs and, if I'm gonna be unexpectedly late, can call her and she'll come in.

Once a day, five days a week costs about two hundred quid a month (and she'll hoover and wash the dirty dishes in the sink too).



Woof

 

[tarannau]

I shall speak to some resuce centres and see what they say. All I know is that a dog won't find a more loving home than with me.

I don't think anyone's really quibbling with that. But you can only be so loving when you're only home for an average of an hour of daylight (or less) with your dog a day. A dog won't just want love for a little envelope ever day, no matter how you wrap it up. If your circumstances had changed and you already had a dog then it may adapt, but putting an animal (particularly a new one or puppy) in that no-choice situation is undoubtedly unfair imo.

Sorry PO, but it's not about the quality of your environment for the animal, it's the fact that it needs more social contact than you can seem to afford at the moment. You'll need to cut down on that 11 hours at the least - is there any way you can look for shift hours or a 'dog sharer'?

 

[Cobbles]

Don't bother - why imprison a dog (or two) in your emotional inadequacy....

 

[PacificOcean]

Don't bother - why imprison a dog (or two) in your emotional inadequacy....

Eh?

 

[bluestreak]

If it were going to be left alone for 8 - 9hrs a day I suggest a retired greyhound. They'll just take it in their stride no problem being the 40mph couch potatoes they are.

Eleven hours is pushing it a bit if you are going to keep the dog in the house.

Have you thought about getting an older dog (maybe a greyhound) who's used to a kennel and run so that it will be accustomed to its new life? You can still have the dog indoors with you when you are at home.

loingdog has suggested EXACTLY what i was going to suggest. greyhounds have loverly temperaments, and can quite happily entertain themselves lying on the sofa all day before their evening walk.

see, the thing is, having puppies is a lot like having kids, you simply can't leave them alone all the time. it's nae good for their development. but older dogs can adapt quite well to this life and indeed you'd be doing them a favour by providing somewhere for a greyhound (or other dog) to live out the later years of its life. and given that many retired greyhounds are under five, and so many dogs of all sorts are dumped once the cunts who buy them realise they ain't puppies forever and whatnot, you're still going to get many many years of happy companionship and walkies and cuddles and whatnot.

sadly, as much as some people ignore the facts, a responsible dog owner will ensure that there is someone there at least part-time. a single person working full-time isn't suitable for a young dog. i wish that wasn't the case or i'd have a load of the bloody things.

 

[trashpony]

Eh?

He's a twat - just ignore him.

Whoever suggested on the previous page that a dog flap is a good idea was right - if you get an older dog that can roam around a bit then it might not get too upset.

There is a 'bring dogs to work' campaign though - perhaps you could spearhead it where you work?

 

[Jessiedog]

All this talk about "dog flaps" is making me wriggle and squirm.



Woof

 

[PacificOcean]

Getting Greyhounds sounds like a great idea as I know many are thrown on the scrap heap when the racing careers are over and I think they are beatiful dogs, though I don't know much about their temprament.