| T O P I C R E V I E W |
| Freddiesmum |
Posted - 16/11/2012 : 15:27:58
Thoughts on this? Do any of you do this?
Looking at it from this angle, how could you afford a dog if you didn't work? (exceptions being people with long term health issues and people who are retired)
Is a dog better off with a rescue centre for it's whole life, rather than with a loving owner who works?
I am considering a dog at SOMEPOINT in my life (not now!), but assuming i will always be in full time employment, is the answer a simple you CAN'T have a dog till you retire?
Bored at work, wondering people thoughts on this  |
| 10 L A T E S T R E P L I E S (Newest First) |
| marc_sg |
Posted - 17/11/2012 : 19:19:50
I have two dogs now. I have a staffy whos 5months and bailey a staffy x beagle whos also in the sig. Me and my gf both work full time. I take them out when i get up at 6.she then takes them out at 7. Then her mum sometimes takes them out during the day. But when i get back from work i take them park for 1-2 hours then out again after dinner then again before we all go to bed. Then again the next day. My dogs come first if i cant be bothered then iobviously dont love them as much as i fill i do. My dogs are my babies. And as people have seen on here back a few months ago i qill injury my self to protect them. |
| lotabob |
Posted - 17/11/2012 : 14:50:02
I think it depends a lot on the dog!
I have a dog and I work full time, he is walked in the morning, then again at lunch as I come home for my lunch hour, then at night he is walked about 7 miles. I dont really go out on a night so he gets me most of the time when I'm not working. He is a rescue dog and has issues with too much going on around him, he actually suits having time to himself, he is a very healthy, very loving dog though.
Saying all that I wouldn't have a dog and work full time if I hadn't have been left with him when my ex did a runner, its pure chance he is OK with this and my own personal attachment that stopped me rehoming him and he is 9 years old, I didn't think it fair to completely turn his life upside down as he is very settled here. I do wish things had been different for him though, as was intended when we got him. |
| Mags53 |
Posted - 17/11/2012 : 11:04:50
I have to work full time and my dogs are always ok. I'm not happy that I have to leave them for so long but they manage very well. Dogs don't have a watch, they sleep lots after their morning feed in any case, then I get home to go out and hunt again, then we eat again!! The main thing is for them to have a good walk/run in the morning and another when you get home and then interaction whenever you're at home. Mind, my day does start at 5.30 every day so that I can give them a good run before their breakfast then a quick pee before I leave for work at 7.30!!! Rescue centres are depriving lots of dogs very good homes because of their blanket refusal to re-home into a working household :o( |
| Jayclk |
Posted - 17/11/2012 : 04:46:57
i have a
had dogs all my life and worked full time no reason why i cant work and it way way better than in a rescue centre |
| Ness |
Posted - 16/11/2012 : 20:05:17
I had dogs when I was working part time, changed my job to longer hours, I was a bit worried but they were fine, but they were getting on a bit by then and not so active and they had each other for company. I think a lot depends on the character and needs of the dog.
Most rescues won't let you have a dog if it has to be left for more than 4 hours. |
| Moppet |
Posted - 16/11/2012 : 17:09:49
I've done a lot of work at rescue centers and I would say yes, it is absolutely better for a dog to have a loving home, even if the owner works for part of the day. The dog still gets to spend more time with the owner than they would with people in a kennel 
As I said, the only thing to make certain of, is that you don't get a dog with separation issues if you know you will be away a lot. It is just asking for trouble. They can be resolved with careful use of positive reinforcement but it is not an easy thing to fix and the dog will have a horrible time of it. |
| Freddiesmum |
Posted - 16/11/2012 : 16:39:02
I always get disapproving looks/comments when i speak of owning a dog while working. I just don't see how a dogs life is better sitting in a kennel all day, than being in a loving home. Yes, they may be along for a few hours, but they'd get a walk in the morning, a walk after work, a walk before bedtime, and plenty love and attention. Loads of longer walks at the weekends, to the beach, the woods, come jogging 3 times a week with me.
Me and my OH are thinking of getting a dog when he moves up from England next year (after we are settled and have considered everything properly etc) and i don't see why this is such a bad thing to give a dog a loving home if we can afford to and have the extra time outside of work.
Nice to see i'm not the only one with these views :) |
| lupi lou |
Posted - 16/11/2012 : 16:19:25
i dont work full time at the minuet but have always had dogs, in the past if they were going to be left for a long time my nanna used to come and let them out for us, she then usually spent the afternoon at ours as our old dog jet used to give her sad eyes which my nanna always fell for, little monkey used to convince my nanna that we hadnt fed her too!!
I know some people who have dog doors so that if they havet got some one to let them out for them in the middle of the day the dog can still go out but still has access to shelter. some rescues can be a bit funny about dogs being left for longer than 4-5 hours, bit crackers really when you think in kennels they are left along for a lot longer. |
| Moppet |
Posted - 16/11/2012 : 16:16:34
I own a dog and I work full time. I take him for a long walk in the morning, pop home during my lunch hour to let him out, then take him for a long walk in the evening. He's a very happy dog with no separation related issues
I know people who can't get home during lunch, who hire a dog walker to take their dog out during the day. That seems to work for them, although the cost of it can add up quite quickly.
I couldn't afford a dog if I didn't work full time.
I actually tried to adopt a dog from a rescue center and was turned down because the dog would be alone for more than 4 hours a day on a regular basis. I think it is rubbish. If you exercise your dog properly, they will sleep most of the day when you're at work anyway. The only real issue I see is if you get a dog who has separation anxiety and rips your house up when you're not there! |
| coxymk2 |
Posted - 16/11/2012 : 16:09:30
I know lots of people with dogs and work full time and they don't seem to have a problem. Myself I would love a dog but due to long term health issues I can't. I did have a dog when I worked full time and as long as he was walked morning and night never had a problem |
