Dog owners, am i being selfish?

hbunting86

Our first dog was a rescue dog - a cocker spaniel who was around 1 when we got her. Incredibly nervy little thing when we got her (didn't come out from behind the sofa for 2 weeks, only to eat and pee and poop) but she was adorable and lived with us for a very happy 13 years or so.

Current dog is Ruby, a springer spaniel who is gorgeous. Amazing personality and so so vibrant - she loves long walks and is cheeky! We had Ruby from a puppy and got her when I was on uni break, so I basically trained her, so it worked well. She copes fine now, being 3, whilst my mum is at work all day - although my sister has funny shift patterns so there is usually someone about. As said before, they generally sleep if nobody is around to stimulate them! Crate training is great though... Ruby LOVES her bed... she goes there for quiet time of her own accord and sleeps there at night. She also knows she's not allowed upstairs.

I'd definitely look at breeds and what you want out of a dog... I love spaniels, for me they have the perfect mix of personality, energy and cheekiness haha. Then again I'm biased! Happy dog hunting

SeasideOasis

If you don't mind big dogs, a Mastiff is a GREAT breed for this. They are incredibly laid back, but can be so playful when their owners come home. They are incredibly low maintenance as well. They love to sleep.

I have an 8 (almost 9) year old Mastiff and he loves to sleep. No need for a dog walker. His bladder is made of iron....haha

cabaray

Get a couple of pound puppies. They can keep each other company and they are great workout buddies. We have 4 dogs. I work about 45 minutes from our place. Only one of our dogs is really good for working out (standard poodle, who was a rescue) The others are little and prefer short walks.

PS........if you own your home a dog door is an option.

^^^This...we have a doggy door and a fenced in yard. Our Lilly can come and go as she pleases and we don't have to go out when it's raining to walk her. She loves the freedom. We still go on walks, but if you can do a doggy door, it makes life soooo much easier!

My parents have a Maltese they have trained to a litter box, so if you get a small dog, that is a viable option as well!

mem1086

What you're asking is the exact reason why I have a cat! I work 10 hour days, so a dog is unrealistic for me. Also I can go away for a night or two, and the cat is perfectly fine. Think about it. Cats are a furry companion, if you get an older one, the personality is developed so no surprises. The litterbox is the answer to the bathroom concerns, and no smell if cleaned regularly. Also, there is none of that annoying barking, whining, or howling. And they dont eat your shoes, couch, or other items. All they need is a scratching post, or get it declawed.

They are independent, but will cuddle. Unfortunately, you can't take them out for a run, but I have taught mine to fetch in the house, so she is a cat/dog!

Just my opinion!

cabaray

Im really toying with the idea of getting a furry buddy.

I live alone and work at least 8 hours a day, when im not in work i am always itching for an excuse to stomp around the local countryside.

I know i can give a dog a good, relaxed and stable home with plenty of care and exercise but the poor thing would have to be alone while im working.

Thoughts please.

I grew up on a farm and dogs are ment to be free and have companionship all the time, the most humane thing you could do is NOT get a dog living in the city. it really upsets me to see animals in cages and left alone for most of the day, its wrong and it is not fair to the dog, your doing it for your own selfish reasons. don't do it, we have 2 cats that have cat doors that come and go as they please, i have never cleaned cat litter because we have 17 acres for them to do there business, plus it cuts down on food, they tend to hunt for themselves. we want a dog but know the huge maintenance they are, and the thought of leaving it alone for more than 8 hours just breaks my heart. they are more demanding than kids, the difference is you can ignore your dog which is the worst. i urge you, do not get a dog, for the dogs sake.

Wow, so dogs are better off being euthanized because no one wants them then they are being left alone for 8 hours? I think the dogs would beg to differ.

berv0009

Consider an adult dog. Lots of people work full time and have dogs. I happen to live close enough to go home for lunch every day, but many dogs can go 8+ hours without needing to potty. I agree with the others, rescue is a great way to go. Both of my goldens are rescue dogs.

THIS!!! Is what I did - and he has no trouble being at home while I am at work for 8 hours. We just play and walk before and after work. If you get a rescue - you are able to research and meet tons of adult dogs and people at the shelters or their foster parents are able to tell you about the dog and it's qualities, behaviors etc. I know the joy of having a puppy is great, but if you can find a dog that needs a home that you know will be able to do just fine at home, it's the best way to go!

UpEarly

I grew up on a farm and dogs are ment to be free and have companionship all the time, the most humane thing you could do is NOT get a dog living in the city. it really upsets me to see animals in cages and left alone for most of the day, its wrong and it is not fair to the dog, your doing it for your own selfish reasons. don't do it, we have 2 cats that have cat doors that come and go as they please, i have never cleaned cat litter because we have 17 acres for them to do there business, plus it cuts down on food, they tend to hunt for themselves. we want a dog but know the huge maintenance they are, and the thought of leaving it alone for more than 8 hours just breaks my heart. they are more demanding than kids, the difference is you can ignore your dog which is the worst. i urge you, do not get a dog, for the dogs sake.

Ummm... no. Maybe big, country-style, farm dogs are meant to run free. I wouldn't know... I've never had the opportunity to live on more than 2 acres of land. Regardless, I assure you... my pugs are NOT meant to run free. I am 99.9% sure they would die if they did.

And as far as companionship - my dogs have one another. I'm pretty sure packs of dogs are a natural thing.

And there is nothing I dislike more than free-roaming cats. I live in the mountains and almost all of my neighbors have multiple free-roaming cats. They crap on my deck, the kill the native birds, pick up ticks and diseases, they leave foot prints on my car, they get picked off by coyotes, get stuck in drainage pipes and basically are a huge, unhealthy, annoying menace. If people care about their cats' health and safety - they should be kept indoors and treated like pets.

AmberJslimsAWAY

How is this selfish? Lots of people work and have dogs...

SeasideOasis

I grew up on a farm and dogs are ment to be free and have companionship all the time, the most humane thing you could do is NOT get a dog living in the city. it really upsets me to see animals in cages and left alone for most of the day, its wrong and it is not fair to the dog, your doing it for your own selfish reasons. don't do it, we have 2 cats that have cat doors that come and go as they please, i have never cleaned cat litter because we have 17 acres for them to do there business, plus it cuts down on food, they tend to hunt for themselves. we want a dog but know the huge maintenance they are, and the thought of leaving it alone for more than 8 hours just breaks my heart. they are more demanding than kids, the difference is you can ignore your dog which is the worst. i urge you, do not get a dog, for the dogs sake.

Seriously? Are you trying to say people, like myself, aren't good 'parents' to their animal babies because we have to work during the day? This makes me SO angry. How about you not judge other people like that?

The fact you aren't worried about the cats getting HIT by a car outside, or stolen, or killed is shocking. I have had my BLACK cat hurt because its a 'black cat' outside. Someone shot it with a be-be gun. I also have to be SO careful near Halloween. Three years ago, I had to pick our hit by a car almost dead but still crying cat out of the street. She was my little sisters cat.

Talk about cruel...As my mother has told me ALL my life, "People in glass houses shouldn't throw stones."

InnerFatGirl

My dog is alone during the day, but gets LOTS of love when he's at home. He's fawned over.

I wouldn't say it's selfish, perse. I would rather my dog be out all day with someone, but everyone has to work.

It's better to have a loving home where he's taken out as often as possible and looked after well then rotting in some shelter, on the streets or in a pet shop.

Just remember, adopt, don't shop.

BigDaddyBRC

Anyone who says its selfish is a fool. A pet is a pet. As long as you take the time every day to nurtue and care for it, then get one. This is being able take the dog out for daily exercise AND play. I highly suggest getting a dog from some form of a shelter that is a cole year old. This will minimize the boredome stage fora puppy and saves a dog from being killed.

iamstaceywood

I agree with the rescue comments and the adult dog comments. Defnitly consider an adult pet because puppies are such a pita. My dog is my bestie and id never trade in her puppyhood for housetraining but, its hard. Also, selfish? get a cat? pft. Cats are an entierly different animal. Anyone who has a dog knows that. And dogs not only can't tell time, and dig structure but, i doubt they would mind being left alone with the radio on and some toys/bones to chew on. My lab sleeps when i'm not here. Saving up her energy for when i am!

itsuki

You have a couple of options.

The first would be to get two dogs, so he has a friend while you're at work. Dogs are pack animals and like having other friends around. Of course if you were planning on getting a big dog this might not work for you.

The other option would be just to make sure the dog has plenty of stuff to keep him occupied while you're gone. After he's crate trained, make sure he's got toys and other goodies to play with to keep him happy while you're away!

Grimmerick

I say go for it, SAVE one from a kill shelter. Then you are definitely giving it a better home and life than it would ever have had, and trust me the dog will appreciate it, I swear my dog knows. Also consider saving two because then it would have a buddy and wouldn't be so lonely at home Everytime I look at my two saved dogs it just fills my heart with joy!

Lorleee

Could you do doggie day care once a week or hire a dogwalker a couple times a week? Some places offer pack walks that last a couple of hours and the dogs are exhausted the rest of the day until you come home! A tired dog is a happy dog.

Grimmerick

Im really toying with the idea of getting a furry buddy.

I live alone and work at least 8 hours a day, when im not in work i am always itching for an excuse to stomp around the local countryside.

I know i can give a dog a good, relaxed and stable home with plenty of care and exercise but the poor thing would have to be alone while im working.

Thoughts please.

I grew up on a farm and dogs are ment to be free and have companionship all the time, the most humane thing you could do is NOT get a dog living in the city. it really upsets me to see animals in cages and left alone for most of the day, its wrong and it is not fair to the dog, your doing it for your own selfish reasons. don't do it, we have 2 cats that have cat doors that come and go as they please, i have never cleaned cat litter because we have 17 acres for them to do there business, plus it cuts down on food, they tend to hunt for themselves. we want a dog but know the huge maintenance they are, and the thought of leaving it alone for more than 8 hours just breaks my heart. they are more demanding than kids, the difference is you can ignore your dog which is the worst. i urge you, do not get a dog, for the dogs sake.

You know what, there are too many animals that really need homes that will live in cages at the pound until they die for you to have that stupid attitude about it. Really you think they are better off in those kill shelters at the pound.................geez way to think it out.

minnesota_deere

Im really toying with the idea of getting a furry buddy.

I live alone and work at least 8 hours a day, when im not in work i am always itching for an excuse to stomp around the local countryside.

I know i can give a dog a good, relaxed and stable home with plenty of care and exercise but the poor thing would have to be alone while im working.

Thoughts please.

we have had them for 5 years and they play with the coyotes, just because your cats are stupid doesn't mean all cats are.

I grew up on a farm and dogs are ment to be free and have companionship all the time, the most humane thing you could do is NOT get a dog living in the city. it really upsets me to see animals in cages and left alone for most of the day, its wrong and it is not fair to the dog, your doing it for your own selfish reasons. don't do it, we have 2 cats that have cat doors that come and go as they please, i have never cleaned cat litter because we have 17 acres for them to do there business, plus it cuts down on food, they tend to hunt for themselves. we want a dog but know the huge maintenance they are, and the thought of leaving it alone for more than 8 hours just breaks my heart. they are more demanding than kids, the difference is you can ignore your dog which is the worst. i urge you, do not get a dog, for the dogs sake.

I could say the same about you with your cats. We stopped letting ours out because when we lived in the country with tons of room for them to roam, they got hit by cars and a couple killed by wild animals. So, I could call you selfish for letting your cats out just so you don't have to clean a litter box.

But I won't. Because I don't judge people so harshly.

Smuterella

none of that annoying barking, whining, or howling. And they dont eat your shoes, couch, or other items.

not my cats - Marlon yodels - he just likes the sound of his own voice and has chewed the heels of at least 3 pairs of shoes and Gene has destroyed almost every piece of furniture I own.

Smuterella

I say go for it, SAVE one from a kill shelter. Then you are definitely giving it a better home and life than it would ever have had, and trust me the dog will appreciate it, I swear my dog knows. Also consider saving two because then it would have a buddy and wouldn't be so lonely at home Everytime I look at my two saved dogs it just fills my heart with joy!

I completely agree. I am also very against breeding animals. I personally think it is just plain selfish to buy a pedigree animal just because it looks pretty when thousands of dogs and cats are waiting for homes in kill shelters.

minnesota_deere

Im really toying with the idea of getting a furry buddy.

I live alone and work at least 8 hours a day, when im not in work i am always itching for an excuse to stomp around the local countryside.

I know i can give a dog a good, relaxed and stable home with plenty of care and exercise but the poor thing would have to be alone while im working.

Thoughts please.

ok lets dwell on that, who put them in the pound in the first place? hhmmm???

I grew up on a farm and dogs are ment to be free and have companionship all the time, the most humane thing you could do is NOT get a dog living in the city. it really upsets me to see animals in cages and left alone for most of the day, its wrong and it is not fair to the dog, your doing it for your own selfish reasons. don't do it, we have 2 cats that have cat doors that come and go as they please, i have never cleaned cat litter because we have 17 acres for them to do there business, plus it cuts down on food, they tend to hunt for themselves. we want a dog but know the huge maintenance they are, and the thought of leaving it alone for more than 8 hours just breaks my heart. they are more demanding than kids, the difference is you can ignore your dog which is the worst. i urge you, do not get a dog, for the dogs sake.

You know what, there are too many animals that really need homes that will live in cages at the pound until they die for you to have that stupid attitude about it. Really you think they are better off in those kill shelters at the pound.................geez way to think it out.

minnesota_deere

Im really toying with the idea of getting a furry buddy.

I live alone and work at least 8 hours a day, when im not in work i am always itching for an excuse to stomp around the local countryside.

I know i can give a dog a good, relaxed and stable home with plenty of care and exercise but the poor thing would have to be alone while im working.

Thoughts please.

how did they get to that point in the first place?? think about it.

I grew up on a farm and dogs are ment to be free and have companionship all the time, the most humane thing you could do is NOT get a dog living in the city. it really upsets me to see animals in cages and left alone for most of the day, its wrong and it is not fair to the dog, your doing it for your own selfish reasons. don't do it, we have 2 cats that have cat doors that come and go as they please, i have never cleaned cat litter because we have 17 acres for them to do there business, plus it cuts down on food, they tend to hunt for themselves. we want a dog but know the huge maintenance they are, and the thought of leaving it alone for more than 8 hours just breaks my heart. they are more demanding than kids, the difference is you can ignore your dog which is the worst. i urge you, do not get a dog, for the dogs sake.

Wow, so dogs are better off being euthanized because no one wants them then they are being left alone for 8 hours? I think the dogs would beg to differ.

snowhunny

Im really toying with the idea of getting a furry buddy.

I live alone and work at least 8 hours a day, when im not in work i am always itching for an excuse to stomp around the local countryside.

I know i can give a dog a good, relaxed and stable home with plenty of care and exercise but the poor thing would have to be alone while im working.

Thoughts please.

I grew up on a farm and dogs are ment to be free and have companionship all the time, the most humane thing you could do is NOT get a dog living in the city. it really upsets me to see animals in cages and left alone for most of the day, its wrong and it is not fair to the dog, your doing it for your own selfish reasons. don't do it, we have 2 cats that have cat doors that come and go as they please, i have never cleaned cat litter because we have 17 acres for them to do there business, plus it cuts down on food, they tend to hunt for themselves. we want a dog but know the huge maintenance they are, and the thought of leaving it alone for more than 8 hours just breaks my heart. they are more demanding than kids, the difference is you can ignore your dog which is the worst. i urge you, do not get a dog, for the dogs sake.

I could say the same about you with your cats. We stopped letting ours out because when we lived in the country with tons of room for them to roam, they got hit by cars and a couple killed by wild animals. So, I could call you selfish for letting your cats out just so you don't have to clean a litter box.

But I won't. Because I don't judge people so harshly.

Ok, I don't even usually participate in the forums because I'm not the type of person to get into a conflict with someone online of all places... But I cant continue reading this and not say anything. Its not about judging anyone, my feelings are purely compassion for all the dogs left alone all day. Just because "There are lots of people who leave their dogs for 8 hours a day" doesn't mean it's right. All that means is that too many people justify their actions this way. Everyone is free to do what they want with their pets (except abuse them!) but when you decide to get a dog, you need to be able to make a commitment to that life you are taking on. It's about them, not you! If you leave them for 8 hours a day, then spend less than that with them after your done work, how is that fair to that dog? I am extremely passionate about the humane treatment of animals, and I agree with the post about not getting a dog if you live in a city. And don't even get me started on crate training.... Again, I'm not attacking anyone, or questioning your love for your little buddy, this is about the dogs, and what they deserve, and so many deserve sooo much more.


Edit to add: While i was typing it was mentioned about euthanizing dogs and the pound, I'm obviously against this due to my passion for dogs. unfortunately, most people wont go that route to get a dog. if you do get a dog, please get a rescue, but keep in mind, most of the time these dogs need MORE attention than a non-pound dog, not less.

JScarbo

Don't worry about it. My family has three dogs and they all know the sound of my engine when returning from work and gather for some attention. You will be well welcomed at the end of your day with a pal eagerly ready to greet you.

marycmeadows

most dogs are alone all day....but then there's people like me.... I was a professional dog walker for a year and a half - full time, that's what I did. worked out good - dog gets some luvin and a break during the day while his/her human is at work! Now I help run the dog walking company i worked for. get a dog - and a dog walker!

UpToTheChallenge

My fiance and I got a Rottweiler puppy in January. He works 2 weeks days and 2 weeks nights and I am always on days, so there are times when she is left alone for 8 hours but she is doing fine! she will be 4 months this Sunday and is such a smart puppy. We also got her younger than usual (6 weeks) and yes, there were times when she had to go into her crate for an extended period of time, but she has turned out well! She is obedient, she knows so many tricks, and she is the best behaved dog in puppy classes.

Just make sure you have the time commitment to provide the dog once you are home.

iuangina

Depends on the dog. Dogs like labs need lots of attention or they can become destructive. My dog can destroy a couch, a bed, and a bathroom in as little as 30 minutes. I would get a dog that you wouldn't have to crate all day. Our labs stay outside during the day in our backyard because I feel horrible having to crate them for 8 hours, but they often can't be trusted.

Chairless

For those who are against the idea rest assured that i would not even consider it if i didnt feel it would be in the best interest of the dog and would discuss the details with whatever shelter i deal with and see what they think about it.

I just wanted to know what other dog owners had experienced with working etc.

And it is selfish i know, but im hoping it can be a mutually beneficial arrangement for me and the fluffy friend.

ladybg81

I have 4 dogs and they stay inside (my puppy stays in a kennel) while we are at work. They are fine. The stay outside the majority of the time on the weekends and afternoon/ evenings. They are all in shape, healthy and happy. I believe that if you can give an animal a good home, you should. 3 Boxers and a beagle here if that helps.

I also wanted to add that 3 of mine are rescues.

pcox0624

Get a dog, hopefully rescue! I have two dogs and work 8 hours Monday through Friday. They go out in my backyard while at work but pretty much are in the house otherwise!!!!!

Good luck:)

fmouco

Hi, did you consider the possibility of having two of them? They really keep company to each other and play around even when you are not home. I suggest you two *****es or a couple (two males could dispute territory).