faboka vrs

Right swmbo and myself would like a dog.

Now we would like one from a pup but the thing is we both work (20miles away) so during the day the pup will be left alone.

Whats peoples views on this?

One option is to drop it off at my mum & dads during the day and then pick it up on the way home.

thanks in advance

Edit: We leave for work at 8am and return at 6pm.

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John

2004 Skoda Fabia vRS - Xenons - Heated Seats - Cruise Control - Passenger Airbag Deactivation switch - Side Airbags

bobjim

we have a little male Pomeranian (awaits jokes), we go out at 8am and my girlfriend is not back in until 4pm, he is on his own all day,
we thought that this would be really mean but its all about routine,

we have got it set to:
up at 5.30, get dress and walk dog,
6.00 back in a feed time,
6.05 shower time and get ready for work,
6.30 breakfast and play/pet/brush dog,
leave at 7
then he messes about the other hour with the good lady before she leaves then when she gets in a 4 he is ready to go again,

things is, not to make a big issue about going out or when you come back in or they can devlop anxiety issues,

give us a pm if you want any more information

HTH

Rob

swedishskoda

Sadly I would say that it's a no-no during the circumstances. With less distance home/work you would be able to pop around at lunchtime for a walk with the dog, but 7-8-9 hours - no way.

If your mum & dad are prepared to take on the responsibility as master and mistress during work days, it might work, but still tricky, especially with a puppy (who might get the idea that your parents are the proper masters).

With adult dogs it can work to leave them for longer periods - but then they must be allowed to choose whether they want to be outdoors or not (fenced-in garden and a well-insulated dog house). And the neighbours must be of the understanding kind.

But cats will cope - and they're nice, too.

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TaviaRS

Hav a look at a finnish spitz - that's the one I'd like to get

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bobjim

i did forget to say,
Our day is house trained but we do have a tray with training mat in the kitchen if he needs to go you know.....
with only being a small dog he cant hold it all day, he seems happy enough,
he knows the score, he dont bark and auto gets in his bed when we get ready go out,

auroan

As a dog ower in a similar situation (well was) my advice would be seriously think about this. I've got some more advice to add when I get back from a meeting.

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simonlb

Personally, I think pet dogs should be treated as if they were company cars. I don't mean hammered mercilessly and never cleaned, I mean buy it when it's house trained, keep it for three years then get rid of it before something goes wrong. That way, you don't get too attached and you get a new one every few years.

Let's face it, foster parents do the same with kids so why not for animals?





Disclaimer: I do not own a pet nor currently have custody of any foster children. However, if you wish to make me an offer on either of my own two kids, PM me and we can discuss favourable terms.

jec

Have you thought about an older dog? I 'd definitely say no to a puppy if there is no-one at home all day, puppies are really hard work, its like having a baby, well, they are babies, they will cry if left alone, dogs are pack animals and don't like being alone, yes they can become accustomed to it, but it takes a lot of hard work and training. They also wee and poo everywhere, chew things, etc

I wouldn't have one, only if there was someone there who was willing to train it and look after it

bobjim

i agree, it does take a lot of hard work, and have lost many shoe laces in the process but its all about conditioning,

best bit of advise - read read read up on techiniques etc,
look for a book called me or the dog by victoria stilwell, really good,

auroan

Ok... so some of this may have already been said... and it only my opinion;

1. Research the breed of dog you want. A labrador for example will destroy it's surroundings if bored

2. Dogs are pack animals, if you do get one and its being left at home for periods of time then think about having two

3. Leaving a dog indoors all day is a no no in my book. (see what we used at the end of the post)

4. Think about employing a dog walker (parents ?) who can take the dog out for a walk at lunch times.

5. If you do go ahead and get one, but have to leave the dog all day, make sure the dog gets lots !!! of exercise

6. Don't leave a puppy on it's own. Do the mum and dad thing for the first 6 months minium.

7. Good luck with what ever you decide to do. Dogs are very hard work, and you need to have a strong releationship.

See the pics from
Two Mad Labs

You'll see how bournville and basset were brought up.

You can see in the background what we had before I split up with the ex;

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swedishskoda

Yes, two dogs can be a solution (but is twice as expensive and you'll definitely need understanding neighbours).

One of my friends had a strange experience, though - he had two American Springer Spaniels who suddenly decided that they were a big enough flock and didn't need a human überdog among them. Eventually the only remaining solution was to split them, so he gave one to his brother. He was unlucky too - the dog that he kept got a cancer diagnosis less than a year later...

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auroan

Yup you have to be careful on this one. We got ours 6 months apart. (not age as basset was 16 weeks old when we got him compared to bournville being 7 weeks old)

Bournville is 'dog' pack leader, between the two of them; Then we step in and become the leaders (needs firmness from the start to keep this situation)

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'00 Audi A4 2.8 Quattro - Gone.... (bleeding money pit )
Audi A4 2.6 Avant (Breaking - Check out http://shop.ebay.co.uk/merchant/auroan)

postmanpat

Like others have said think carefully about the breed of dog, I would say a puppy or very active dog is out of the question unless you have space to build it a run in the garden with a large wind/waterproof kennel area. I am a great advocate of rescue dogs in particular Greyhounds and would seriously suggest you pop along to your nearest rescue for ex racers. Believe it or not they require very little exercise and are happy to lie about doing nothing and are in general quiet and placid creatures. Whilst it is unfair to leave an animal for 8 - 9 hours at a time I guess it is no different to going to bed at 10 pm and getting up at 8 am. One thing to bare in mind if you opt for a rescue dog or ex racer is that the animal will have to get used to its new surroundings and routine so a lot of patience and kindness is required from you, possibly the best idea is to get the animal just as you have a couple of weeks off work and can then break it into a new routine gradually. hth

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auroan

on the take a couple of weeks of comment. We did that with both dogs.

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'00 Audi A4 2.8 Quattro - Gone.... (bleeding money pit )
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Dodgy

I'd have to say don't get a dog if you work 20 miles from home. It's different if your circumstances change after you get a dog, but to go into it with full knowledge that you might not be able to give the proper amount of care is a bad idea.

Dave.

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soldatov

Hi
Well currently having a thread running about a dog issue in a estate car, I would say that there are problems galore. We have to walk ours in the mornings at 5.15 or there abouts, if we are going without him to the city. You cannot, leave the dog unattended in a flat or a balcony, or house for more than a few hours, even though we all have done it because of a circumstance or something. We have even bought the car to suit the dog, and fitted it out to suit the dog, allowing us to have some free time in between walks, when we are out shopping or a cafe bar. We have to take in account where he will sleep if we go on holiday, or settle for a kennel. which costs and is not really very wise for long periods. Also its for possibly 12-15 years you have to do all these things.


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jec

I think you have to look on it as like having a child, same hassle and commitment

auroan

I know there has been a bit of negative commment about the time issue.

But just to say, no matter how much of a hassle they are... if possible I'd never be with out a faithful companion by me side. (or 2)

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'05 Audi A4 2.0 Tdi SE - no mods until the warrenty expires ... yeah right... interior light pack, 3 spoke mfsw.
'00 Audi A4 2.8 Quattro - Gone.... (bleeding money pit )
Audi A4 2.6 Avant (Breaking - Check out http://shop.ebay.co.uk/merchant/auroan)

okeh

As a few people have said
The breed of dog is important
Ive had staffordshire bull terriers all my life
and they are a breed that crave attention
so cross that breed off your list

pixi

I would say it is an absolute no no to get a puppy and leave it alone all day. Puppies have little bladder control and will need putting outside every 20 minutes to half an hour at first until gradually they are house trained. They should also not be left longer than 2 hours on their own but this needs to be built up. Harri is a little over six months old and can now be left for four hours.

They are like babies at first and if you want a good mannered and well behaved sociable dog you have to put the effort in and that means a heck of a lot of time and energy.

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MisterGT

I have to strongly agree with this. We have a rescue Greyhound and its the most relaxed animal I have ever seen, quite happy to spend 23 hrs a day asleep

Loz

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faboka vrs

Thanks for all the posts people. All very useful.

As for rescues. We're no strangers to are local rescue center. Infact last time we went Nicci dad ended up with an afghan hound

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John

2004 Skoda Fabia vRS - Xenons - Heated Seats - Cruise Control - Passenger Airbag Deactivation switch - Side Airbags

Aspman

I'd say no dog. 4hr is about as long as a pet dog should be left and even that shouldn't be every day. Dogs are social and they really do need the company. Puppies even more so. A pup that doesn't get enough handling can grow up a bit antisocial. Lonely dogs bark too and they can keep it up for hours irritating your neighbours.

As mentioned what about a cat or 2? Much more independent and quite happy to be left alone for quite long periods as long as someone will feed them a couple of times a day. We have 2 and they are quite happy to be left for a week or two with my Dad feeding them. We have neighbours that are cat friendly and the lads will just pop to either side to get some attention.

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piv34uk

Think carefully mate, a week on after my GSD "Sadie" passed away and im still hurting......
Phil

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