Poorly chicken

[millymollymandy]

My partner and I have wanted a dog for years but it has never been 'the right time'. We have always said we will get one when we move, or when I get a new job (which is a whole other matter that is not going to plan).

We want to move to somewhere with a bigger garden as ours is quite small especially with the chooks in it which are not going anywhere .

My question is-is there ever a right time or should I bite the bullet and just get a dog. The only thing is with us both working we would need to hire a dog walker/pet sitter during the day on the days that we are both out the house. Would that give us problems bonding and training with the dog?

I have never owned a dog but you have to start somewhere and maybe the time will never be right

[mullethunter]

I don't know what hours you work or how old you are - maybe if you work 9-5 you would be better to wait until you're retired?

[Lavenders_Blue]

Yes, I think it largely depends on what hours you work. My *personal* opinion is that dogs need to have someone around most of the time - they are pack animals and like to have their people with them. They are not independent or solitary creatures by nature.

Working and owning a dog can work better in some situations, such as adopting retired greyhounds, for example. I reckon it would be pretty difficult with a puppy.

I'm lucky that I work from home most of the time, but when I do have to go out for a day my parents will dog sit. I also try not to leave the dog for a period of time during the day, then go out again in the evening. Obviously it's not always possible, but I try and stick to that as much as possible. I find company seems to be just as important for dogs as sufficient exercise.

If you can tell us a bit more about your working hours, maybe we can advise you on whether you can make it work?

[PixieDust]

Most reputable breeders will not sell to 2 working people. Dogs are very much like children and need quite a bit of time for training. Depending upon the breed, exercise requirements vary. You may get behavioural issues if you hand over your dog to sitters.

 

Many people will disagree with me, but I am training to be a dog behaviourist and most problem behaviour starts within the first 6 months and it is at that age that most dogs start being given up for re homing.

 

I know it's not what you want to hear but please do you homework. Dogs are social animals and do not like being alone, ( I don't use the word 'pack' as it is now excepted domestic dog interactions are not pack orientated).

 

I am posting whilst watching a Carry On , from on my phone, so please message me any questions and I will do my best to answer them for you.

[kinsk]

It really depends on what the hours you work. What breed, age etc. of dog you are thinking of getting.

 

A colleague of mine got a labrador puppy, took a week off work to spend with it, had an arrangement with a neighbour to look after it during the day. This didn't work out and then he was spending around £20 a day on doggy day care. The place he took her to was really good and spent a lot of time on training so she ended up a lovely dog.

 

Puppies are incredibly hard work, having had two in the last 6 months, the first for over 10 years, I'd forgotten just how much time you really do need to spend with them to give them the best start. The only way we agreed to get one and then another is that I was fortunate enough to have a window where I could work from home. The odd day I can't my in-laws help out.

 

They are a huge commitment. A friend has signed up to this https://www.borrowmydoggy.com/ she doesn't think it would be fair to get a dog at the moment so wanted to see if this would work out and if she could cope with even just a basic level of commitment to someone elses dog. Not sure if she's found a 'match' yet, and although it seems like a good idea it's not something I'd put my dogs up for. Or maybe volunteer at a local rescue?

[Olly]

I'm not a dog owner, but I was going to post about www.borrowmydoggy.com - a friend has recently got a puppy, and she's found someone through this site who is able to have the pup during the day if she's out, she said they had to meet first and of course they needed to agree on behaviour/training principles but it's worked really well for her.

[millymollymandy]

Thanks for the replies

as i haven't had a dog before and so just want to get things right or not get a dog at all. I work odd hours but generally out by 10 and back by 6/7. I have heard about borrowmydoggy.com which sounds like it could be very useful to some people or even perhaps for myself if I can't realistically commit to a dog.

I'm only 34 and no sign of retirement yet so that isn't really an option

My partner is dead set on puppy as he wants to train it. We look after his parents dog when they are away but I always feel bad when we go to work as I'm sure dogs must get bored if left alone too long.

I know dogs are a lot of work but so are children! I haven't got kids(or plan to have any) and it feels as if I announced I was having a baby no one would ask if I was committed or was sure but when I say I want a dog friends and family say its a lot of work and commitment and I should think about it.

I don't know the answer but will just have to weigh up pros and cons, I am a great animal lover and would never get a dog if couldn't have the best care.

[kinsk]

I know dogs are a lot of work but so are children! I haven't got kids(or plan to have any) and it feels as if I announced I was having a baby no one would ask if I was committed or was sure but when I say I want a dog friends and family say its a lot of work and commitment and I should think about it.

 

But you wouldn't dream of leaving a baby in the house on it's own for a few hours would you? And if you had a baby you'd have a period of maternity leave to spend with it whilst it was in it's early days, and then have to pay someone else to take care of it full time if you went back to work.

 

Your hours sound like you would be out of the house for about 8 hours a day, far too long to leave a puppy, and not fair.

 

As an example as a puppy ours get fed 3-4 times a day, how can you do that if you are gone in the morning and not back until the evening? They have small stomachs and so need their meals splitting over the day.

 

As a pup you don't want to give them too much exercise as they still have so much growing to do and over exercise can harm so it means little but more often, not one long walk in the morning and one at night.

[chuckmum6]

I agree about puppies and the time they need, although adult dogs spend the majority of their day sleeping. Our spaniels love their walks/run and a very active then, however apart from trying to steal the cat's food, they spend the rest of the time sleeping, with the odd toilet break or game with each other. They certainly like to sleep wherever we are, but are happy with each other when they aren't in with us. Our dogs live outside in a large insulated dog house with a large compound, when we are out and at night. They are home alone for four days a week, they always have a long walk in the fields and are happy dogs, who rarely bark. We deliberately have pair of dogs to keep each other company and it has worked well for us and them.

[bluekarin]

I would agree with what has been said already. We work from home so were able to get a puppy, and believe you me they take a lot of looking after! Not only do you need to spread the walks and feeds out, but they also need to go out for wees etc quite often, especially during the toilet training part. I think if you are dead set on a puppy, then one of you needs to rethink your work. Are either of you able to do it from home? If not, and you decided to get a pet sitter, could you afford to pay them to bring up your dog? As a pet lover, sometimes you need to come to the conclusion that it is kinder not to get a pet than get one.

[clucker1]

We are very lucky to have a 6 month cocker spaniel puppy. I did A LOT of homework before getting her....to give you a brief insight to the last 4 month since we have had her.....toilet training, once an hour, haven't left her for more than 3 hours and that has only been twice. Leave her for a couple of hours about once a week....other than that she has someone around for her all the time.....she is a BABY and as someone else said I wouldn't leave a baby by herself. Her upbringing is paramount to me at the moment as it drives her behaviour for the rest of her life. Each interaction with other humans/dogs/daily items eg tractors etc are monitored introduced carefully. This might seem over the top if you don't have a dog, but from training other animals I know how important this all is. We attend weekly puppy training sessions and do training practice at least twice a day. Being a spaniel, she sticks to us like glue (unless a bird is involved under training!!) as she is a people dog and that is why we got her.

 

I have waited a very long time to get a dog, mainly to be in the right position before acquiring one. We have already booked our holiday for next year, hiring a cottage which takes a dog...availability of properties which are dog friendly is significantly less than with out a dog.

 

I have loved it all (except collecting dog poo ) But, even when you are feeling tired and get home the puppy still needs lots of attention, whether it is a walk, puppy training/socialisation.

[mullethunter]

My mum got a Jack Russell puppy whilst she was working, but she worked as a teaching assistant. So she was able to get Meg right at the start of the summer holidays, and during term time her hours were relatively short. Also she lives in the middle of nowhere so when she was at home she would just leave the door open so Meg could come and go as she pleased.

 

I think a dog can be OK if you work short hours, but unfortunately probably not the hours you have to be away from home and certainly not for a puppy unless you could take a sabbatical or something!

[dancing cloud]

Our younger two dogs were bred by my parents just before my mother became very ill, and did not have all the attention they needed. One completely destroyed kitchen and two rowdy dogs later, my dad would agree that it was not a good plan. My dad retired, mum passed on and I moved back home, and we have now got two (reasonably) well-behaved adult dogs, but it has taken a lot of effort to undo those early months.

 

I know puppies are utterly adorable, but adult dogs can be trained as well and do not need as much intensive care. Perhaps take a look at what your local rescue has to offer? (online if you don't trust yourself not to sneak one out under your coat ). You may be able to find a good compromise that gives you all what you want.

 

if I announced I was having a baby no one would ask if I was committed or was sure

- possibly not if one was already on its way, but if you said you were thinking about it and asked for pros and cons, you might get some very similar comments.

 

It's a big decision, and well done you and yours for doing the thinking first

[PixieDust]

I think the difference between kids and dogs is you can't reason with dogs. As children grown up you can talk to them to correct behaviour and they can change. With dogs it's a very different.

 

Please do not feel people are getting at you. We can only offer the advice based upon experience. I have had 3 dogs. My first 2 were angels compared to my current cocker. He is the reason I am doing dog behaviour. Hard work is an understatement and he is nearly 5.

 

Could you cope with a puppy crying all night for over 6 months? I have known people who have had this problem. Dog chewing the wall? My dog went through that phase. Ripping up kitchen lino? Chewing the furniture? Chewing electrical cables? Destroying the settee?

 

People don't generally give babies away but a destructive or nuisance puppy is given away all too easily through no fault of their own.

 

You asked our opinions and we have tried to be honest. Sorry if it's not what you wanted to hear.

[Space Chick]

I think you are away from home too long to get a dog.

 

I found a puppy (in a cardboard box in a skip, but that's another story) when I was 21. I kept him but I worked days and my then partner worked 2-10. So he was on his own from 1.45 until 5.15.

 

When we split up, I kept the dog but found he was very unhappy when I was away from 7.45 until 5.15, so he moved in with my parents (my mum only worked part time).

 

When I moved back near my parents, he had the best of both worlds as was with me in the evenings and weekends and my parents in the day.

 

When my parents died (another long story), I had by that point re-married and my hubbies parents were retired and had Henry in the day.

 

When Henry died at 16, we vowed we wouldn't get another dog. As hubby now only has his Mum and she has her own hobbies (after losing OHs Dad who had kept her home due to his illness, which incidentally allowed for dear Henry to give him companionship and company) and she isn't getting any younger. We both work full time day jobs.

 

We do, very happily, have 3 cats who do not mind being left and are very content and also great pets to have and are, in my opinion, far more suited to working people.

 

Sorry if this isn't what you want to hear, but I'd rather be honest than risk an unhappy dog. I know how heart breaking it was when Henry was unhappy when I was at work, until he temporarily moved in with his "grandparents".

[Chucky Mama]

I think that you may well struggle with a puppy. A new pup will need feeding 3-4 times a day and letting out every couple of hours in order to get housetraining sorted. In addition you will need to spend a good year of pretty full on training and socialising in order to have a well balanced, well mannered dog. I have seen many a person's lives ruined by a dog and these 'regretted' dogs are very difficult to re home through no fault of their own. I describe puppies as equivalent to 'half a child'. They need a lot of time to get them right. They are pooing and peeing machines for weeks!

 

However, some dogs sleep most of the day. I work from home and my dog only gets up when the doorbell rings for a treat from the delivery drivers or to move beds! You may find that your lifestyle may suit an adult dog of a certain breed and temperament if it has been brought up as a dog used to spending the day alone. Dogs like routine and if they have been carefully trained, feel secure and are used to being at home during the day they will be fine. There are thousands of people that work all day that have perfectly well adjusted and happy dogs. UK's dogs are not all owned by people who are retired or work from home! My dog actually got quite stressed this year when 2 of my children spent a lot of time at home on study leave. She was used to them being at school and her routine suddenly changed. She found it hard when they then went back to school/university. Routine is good for dogs.

 

If you decide to explore this further look for a dog with a suitable temperament. Greyhounds (not all!) are a breed that is often very content to sleep all day which you may not have considered would be! You may well struggle to find a rescue that will let you take a dog as you are both at work. I was refused a rescue dog from a centre despite me being a qualified veterinary nurse and my husband being a vet! You may find a dog who needs a home through no fault of it's own who has been living in similar circumstances to those that you have - owner dies, child allergy, emigration etc.

 

You will have to get up and walk before work and again when you get back. Getting the wrong dog , not putting in the time or making the wrong decision could result in your life, the dog's life and your neighbour's life (unhappy dogs can bark all day) being made miserable. This dog may be a part of your life for 15 years so proceed with care. Be realistic. What you want and what is practical may be very different.

 

Finally, budget! Vet's fees can be expensive. People love to complain about vets fees! ( although don't bat an eyelid about getting their car or washing machine fixed) Can you afford to pay for vaccinations, neutering and issues if they crop up?

[PixieDust]

Just want to comment about these dogs that sleep all day. I have never had one lol

[dancing cloud]

We've now got three that sleep all day unless there's something to entertain them

 

But the two pups (now 5) weren't doing a whole lot of sleeping when they were systematically destroying the kitchen units and worktop, and eating their way through walls and floors - and they were part of a pack that includes their mother .

 

I agree with Chucky Mama about routine. Our dogs were accustomed to me staying odd nights and saw that as a treat - someone new to play with - and were quite happy when I moved in (bringing cats and hens to play with). Now they have formed a really strong bond with me, especially Herbie, and sit and listen for my car arriving from work. On nights of evening meetings, when I get home very late, they apparent won't settle and just sit looking at the window till I'm home - aaww!

 

It's a good job me and dad intend to continue sharing a house, as I think the dogs would be quite distraught if I just upped and left them now

[Bramble]

I'm incredibly lucky in that I'm allowed to take my dog to work with me (yes, all day, every day!). She loves it and on the whole my colleagues are very pleased to have her there. I don't think I would have a dog if I worked all day and couldn't take her with me. Willow is a retired/rescued racing greyhound. I've had her since she was 6 (nearly 7) and she's now 12. She truly does sleep all day, but is very happy to join in if there's something going on to interest her. I'm relatively sure she'd be ok on her own all day if I left her at home, except for the fact that she wouldn't last all day without needing a wee (who would!) I have many friends with greys who leave them for most of the day, but I don't think I know anyone who doesn't have some facility for someone to let them out at lunchtime.

Greyhounds don't NEED much exercise (about an hour a day, split over two walks), but they are happy to go much further if given the opportunity!

[millymollymandy]

I think that getting a puppy will require more time than we have. I wanted to make the right decision but not knowing much about dogs it's hard to know when the time is right to get one. It just feels a bit frustrating waiting for the right time as I feel I have been waiting for the last 10 years and the time never seems right. I might have to accept that it may never be right for us to get a dog until I myself or my partner gets a different job.

I may just have to get more cats or chickens till then

[Chucky Mama]

Dogs have a way of finding you when the time is right

[PixieDust]

Dogs have a way of finding you when the time is right

 

This is so very true!

[Lavenders_Blue]

Agreed!

[dancing cloud]

Yep, they just kind of happen and I'm sure one will find you when you least expect it

 

But in the meantime, you can't go wrong with more cats and chickens