Dog owners, am i being selfish?

timjai

No one's suggested leaving an animal alone by itself with nothing but a bed and a blanket.

When my dog has evolved into being able to enjoy a good novel or check the daily goings on in the world via the www I'll leave him a book and a computer. In the mean time he'll be left with mental stimulation from the radio and plenty of toys to play with.

You're surely not moronic enough to think the point of this thread was whether it's OK to leave a dog alone in a cage for 8 hours a day????

Meh, you're not worth of another wor......

timjai

@Chairless - Do it, you'd be a great owner.

ivyamom

Can u afford doggy daycare, a pet sitter or can u swap care with a friend? how about come home on your lunch?

branflake6

I say adopt an adult dog from a shelter or rescue. You are saving a life, it is not a puppy so it won't go nuts

plus everyone has to work, so it will be fine. Get a dog!! :bigsmile:

Chairless

Can u afford doggy daycare, a pet sitter or can u swap care with a friend? how about come home on your lunch?

Have found several walking services in the area so thats a possibility if i do go for it and getting home at lunch wouldnt be impossible, just would have to be a quick hello and out for a toilet break job, wouldnt have time for anything else.

FORIANN

No one's suggested leaving an animal alone by itself with nothing but a bed and a blanket.

When my dog has evolved into being able to enjoy a good novel or check the daily goings on in the world via the www I'll leave him a book and a computer. In the mean time he'll be left with mental stimulation from the radio and plenty of toys to play with.

You're surely not moronic enough to think the point of this thread was whether it's OK to leave a dog alone in a cage for 8 hours a day????

Meh, you're not worth of another wor......

Mental stimulation from the radio....what's his favorite station? If you think a piece of plastic and some illegible noise is adequate social stimulation, for the sake of soothing your conscience, go for it. Depending on the breed of the dog let me recommend either blues or trip hop.

Naybelline

Not nice to leave a puppy for 8 hours without having a toilet break.

timjai

blah blah blah ......ther blues or trip hop.

*yawn*

mermx

I have a toy poodle now 15 months old, from a pup. I never leave him alone for more than 3 hours. If it is going to be longer he goes to the dog minders. It cost me £5 for the day. I would much rather do that than leave him alone as he likes to have constant attention and trots about after me everywhere.

I love my little dog and wouldn`t be without him, but it does put a lot of restraints on my life. So I would think long and hard.

so as for breeds, as some have mentioned, some breeds like to have constant affection and can get separation anxiety if left alone for long periods of time.

If you are out all day for 8 hours+ then you can`t really say for certain that your dog is happy, as you don`t know if it is whining or barking whilst you are out at work. Just because you get home and it is thrilled to see you doesn`t mean it has been happy and content whilst you were out.

If you enjoy long walks, have you not got a neighbour with a dog? Maybe they would be pleased if you were to offer to walk it...then you get your walks and don`t have to worry about leaving the dog home alone?

When we are out walking I meet a lot of people who are walking other peoples dogs.

amy4586

I think it is perfectly fine to have a dog with your work schedule. I would not recommend a puppy (they require a lot of work/attention and housebreaking is something you need to really devote time to...

There are SO many dogs that need homes, ADOPT! You can find them from a mere 8 wks old to senior age. Pick a dog that suits your lifestyle. Many different breds are high energy, low energy, working dogs, hunting dogs, ect.


I adopted my pit mix at 8 wks. I work 10 hours a day three days a week. I used to feel guilty until I realized that on my days off...he sleeps all day anyway, lol. I try to take him to the dog park weather permitting or I take him to my aunts farm to play with her dog. He runs around so much he sleeps most of the next day. As long as you spend time with them when you are not working it's fine. If working was an issue a lot less ppl would have dogs.

Check out petfinder.com or visit a local shelter, save a life :-)

kb455

If people who had to work 8 hours a day never got dogs, most households wouldn't have them!!! I say go for it. I do agree with those that suggested crate training and getting an older dog (not a puppy).

NakedLunchTime

I agree with coliemarie on the first page. I am in a very simillar situation and my dog is sooo happy all the time. I just make sure I play alot with her and she is such a happy great dog! I think you sound like a good canidate for a dog!!

kealambert

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.

honestly, if you have a yard, that could be the best bet...my roommate's dog stays inside all day, and while he would prefer having someone there, he's fine being inside. it takes training and patience, but they can handle it.

thekarens

I wonder if all the judgmental people on here are aware of how many dogs are killed each year at the shelters due to lack of a home. Would you think it's better that the dog die then be home alone for 8 hours a day?

I also don't think a puppy would be good in this situation because there's no time to train him/her, but there are a boatload of adult dogs that would be happy to have an owner and be well treated and loved even if they did have to stay in a crate 8 hours a day.

_Kitten_Kate

I agree with some of the others... go for a dog that is 2-3+ years.

I have a black lab...he is a bear! 130lbs... (miniature great dane)
I've had him since he was 15 weeks old... I crate trained him... spent all my free time with him in the beginning.. I had a hard time leaving him in the crate all day. Made me sad. But he was quickly house trained that way. Even when he was crate trained I couldn't leave him out in the house when I wasn't there. He destroyed everything.. ...CD's DVDs, tv remotes., books. Odd that is was never blankets or pillows or furniture.
Anyway. He couldn't stay in the house alone for extended time until he was about 3. So, he had to stay in the yard ...even in bad weather. (he out grew the crate)
But he was fine sleeping in the house at night... as long as I was there.
He is almost 9 now. .. Still prefers to be near me... but I can leave him in the house unattended. He actually thinks he is human, or is some dog of special powers... doesn't belong in the yard... sits on the couch...
It's really unreal the personalities they have.

I have to say, though it was many trials in the beginning... I wouldn't have changed it for the world. I love my dog more than I like most people.

Do some research,... figure out if you have the patience to train a dog... to spend time with them... to be their BFF.... that's all they want. And if you don't have that patience and understanding... then dont get a dog.

Hambone23

Couple things: Don't get a puppy. They need constant supervision and cannot be left alone 8 hours a day unless you cage them, which is it's own controversial topic. I personally wouldn't want to do that, so I'd suggest you research the breed you might want. Don't get a high energy breed. They won't do well left alone that long. Also, think about adopting a rescue dog, maybe a little older. My dogs have always mellowed out around 1 1/2 - 2 years old. And think about getting the dog either on a Friday or on some vacation time so you have some at home time to bond, gain their trust, get them used to you and the house, etc.

FORIANN

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/chat/2008246/posts

Here's a list of some of the smarter and not so smarter dog breeds. In general the smarter the dog the more stimulation they need mentally and the less intelligent ones typically don't need as much. It kinda' makes sense.

k8blujay2

Simples. Get TWO dogs.

Hahahaha... I was thinking, get a cat too... we had two cats before we got our dog... and one of the cats and the dog are always chasing each other and otherwise terrorizing each other (in a playful manner of course)...

Farfourah

I didn't read the thread, but the dog owners that don't clean up after their dogs in the park, or where ever, can go to hell....to be frank.

BeeElMarvin

Sometimes my dogs seem a bit irritated that we are in "their" house "bothering" them. LOL

BeeElMarvin

If people who had to work 8 hours a day never got dogs, most households wouldn't have them!!! I say go for it. I do agree with those that suggested crate training and getting an older dog (not a puppy).

Excellent point. My thoughts exactly. If working people shouldn't have dogs - who can?

minadeathclutch

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.

thats why you get two of em lol... oh and crate training.

minadeathclutch

Ive had my rottweiler for 4 years.. then I moved in with my fiance.. he works nights and sleeps 24/7 and my dog was all lonely and depressed. so I went out and got her a pitbull puppy! then I decided the pitbull puppy needs a friend his age.. so i got him a kitten !
now we have a rottweiler a pitbull and a 4 month old kitten. and they are amazing together!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! the kitten came from my friends baRn.. where he thought he was a goat lol now he thinks hes a dog.. he drinks with the dogs, eats with them, when i come home they all run to the door lol. another dog is in my future for sho! either a dogo argentino or an american bully

TheNewDodge

Just get two dogs, homey.

Dayna154

Some dogs are fine left alone others wont be. Do some real research and look into the breed that will be best suited to your lifestyle and look for a mixed breed so you can adopt..

Mad4282

That's a tough one. On one hand, dogs are extremely social and extended periods of being alone will cause some dogs to act out in destructive ways, simply from being bored or because they are lonely. On the other hand, many dogs do very well alone while their owner works - crate training is especially helpful in this. So it is somewhat dependent on the temperament of your dog. Doggy daycare is a great option if that is feasible for you.

Consider adopting an older dog with an established personality and less of the annoying puppiness I love my furry buddy. We go for long walks most days, he has a yard to play in, and he sleeps at the foot of my bed. Make sure you have a reliable dog-sitter or boarder if you have to go out of town without him. That is the one thing about my pup - he makes going away for.the weekend much more complicated than it was when we just had a cat!

This is the best advice I have seen in a while. I have a shelter mutt who is 7 years old that I have had since he was a puppy. I have two cats as well. I work 8-9 hours a day, but I ensure he has toys, food, water, etc when I am gone, and if I have free time to go home for lunch I do. I think an older dog sounds like it would fit your lifestyle best, or consider getting two older dogs, maybe two at a shelter who do not want to be separated. They could keep each other entertained and you will get double the puppy love Just consider the cost of vet care, the time commitment of owning a dog (if you are not willing to care for the dog its whole life, do not get one.) I think it is wonderful you are considering adopting a dog. I adore my furbaby and he is the best exercise partner there ever was! Good luck!

airlily

I've had my beagle for 5 years, since he was a puppy. I work 8 hour days and I work about 45 minutes away from my house. I leave the house at 545 am for work and I don't get back til around 345 pm. My fiance works from 7 am to 8-9pm everyday. The dog is there alone for about 8-9 hours a day, and he's perfectly fine. I make sure he has water and food everyday and plenty of toys and I turn the TV on in the living room for him and the radio on in the kitchen. Just be sure, when you are home to pay attention to the dog and take him outside to play, etc. More than likely the dog will sleep most of the time you are gone.

^^^This is me, too. I have a big crate for my dog, too (she's a tiny maltipoo I adopted). It has a separate section for a puppy pad, but she's never used it. I also leave the TV on. The only reason why I put her in a crate is she managed to climb up onto my counter and chew up a chopstick once. I had her fenced off in the kitchen, but she's too clever for her own good. She was bleeding for a few days (rectal). At that time, the vet told me that dogs are den animals, and a crate wouldn't be inhumane, even for 8 hours. When I get home, we walk 3.5 miles around the neighborhood, and play fetch when we get home. I think you'd be fine, and your pooch would be saved from possible death. Everyone's a winner.

reddi2roll

I have always had dogs and worked for 45 yrs. They sometimes had to stay alone for more than 16 hrs but always greeted me with love and affection when I came home, ran outside and peed and then dinner. When I had 3 dogs 2 had to be caged seperatly because they might fight but they never had any accidents. The dog I have now had to be in a cage or she would have accidents. She loved her cage and when I would get dressed in the morning she would run downstairs and get in her cage to wait for her treat and for me to close the door. The feel safe crated. She is now 7 yo and I am retired and now when I go out for short times I can leave her free in the house without a problem. She usually goes with me in the car unless it is too hot. We walk/run and go every where together. If you get a puppy you will have to take vacation and spend about 2 weeks getting them trained. Puppies can't stay caged more than 4 hrs at a time without going out to pee but by the time they are a yr or so then should be fine. So, while still a puppy you may have to hire someone to let them out. Hope it works out for you. I can't be without dogs.

samandlucysmum

Simples. Get TWO dogs.

Agree, we had a Jack Russell on her own, and even the shortest shopping trip, she would cry all the time, and soil the kitchen floor, so we got her a companion, a staffy, they share a large cage at night, and when we go out, they are the best of friends, and they are quiet, and clean. It is a big commitment, like children, they have needs, and can be costly, try borrowing a friends dog for a week, see how you get on etc, or perhaps a rescue shelter near you need dog walkers...or advertise for people needing weekend walkers...

Jlburroughs

I adopted a super hyper and excited dog. I did no research about her breed before I got her from the pound. She's caused destruction more than once, and I swear she's a decendent houdini because she can escape out of anything I try to put her in. She's calmed down a little, but she's still pretty wound up.

my advice is---RESEARCH! Research the breed and make sure you are getting one that is calm and low energy so you don't have to worry about what the pup is doing while you're away. Or be prepared for many, many walks (as in my case).