Can I get a dog? Please advise.

[aerofoil]

Hi all,

Firstly I should introduce myself...

My name is Dave and i'm an airline pilot looking for work at the moment (only just finished training). I am aged 21 and currently living in Coventry although this is soon to change.

Right now thats over with! lol I do have a question for you experts...

I have always wanted to get a dog. I'v never had the chance because when i lived with my parents they weren't too keen on the idea. So due to my job i have moved out and now i am trying to figure out whether or not i CAN get a dog.

Basically because of work i will be away for 12 hrs a day sometimes, but will always be home the same day. So this would mean maybe leaving the dog at home for quite long periods of time, also taking the dog for daily walks may not always happen due to varied shifts. I was wondering if there is a breed of dog out there which would be suited to mainly playing in the back yard and wouldn't get too bothered if i am away 12 hrs a day maybe 3 days a week?

My ideal dog would be something like a german shephard/rottweiler/labrador (in size). Although i do like bulldogs also and as far as i know they need very little exercise, would a bulldog be a good option in these circumstances?

So can anyone give me some advice on if this can work and ifso what breed of dog would this be suited to?

Many thanks in advance

Dave
P.S nice to meet you all

[Becky]

Hi Dave and Welcome!


I don't know if a dog would be too comfortable with the situation. Dogs are pack animals, and really require quite a bit of attention from their "packs" (i.e. us humans). They also tend to get destructive if left alone, meaning they chew a lot of things (which is completely normal dog behavior). How many hours a day do you expect to be home? Out of those hours, how many to you expect to spend with the dog? How many days do you have off? Would you be willing to take your dog to doggy daycare several days a week and have a dog walker come when he/she is not in daycare? Or simply do you know someone who loves dogs, and you can trust, to come and spend time with your dog often while you can't?

For now, I wouldn't rule out a dog. I would, however, say no puppies. I, personally, wouldn't get a dog younger than 3 if you did get one. That way, you can be fairly certain you are out of puppyhood.

Are you totally opposed to a cat until your situation more suits a dog? I know their not the same, but cats are fun too! ;)

You'll also want to be extremely careful about leaving a dog outside unattended. Although it is relatively uncommon, a lot of people will go out of their way to harm our dogs if they are left outside. I've heard everything from kids throwing rocks and poking to sticks at dogs to poisoned hamburgers and hotdogs stuffed with pins. A coworker of my mom's boxer puppy was even poisoned and he lives in a neighborhood most people would consider safe. There's also a chance that someone could steal your dog or he/she would just simply escape.

HTH
Becky

[aerofoil]

Hi Becky,

Thanks for the reply. I would probably be away from home for about 12 hrs every three out of 5 days working and this would be the max time away from home. When im home il be spending probably a few hours with the dog whilst im relxing il probably play around with it and sit and watch tv with it etc. Plus i MAY be moving in with my girlfriend in a few months and she ADORES dogs so it may not be alone for the full time i'm at work. But to be fair to the dog im trying to base my decision on worst case scenario.

I'v been reading up on english bulldogs and i think that the amount of exercise it would need would suit my work but its just the time it will be alone that im worried about. I suppose on days when i know i will be gone for 12 ish hours i could take it to a doggy daycare or maybe even talk my folks into spending some time with it during the day. My work pattern would probably be something like 5 earlies followed by 3 days off and then 4 lates followed 4 days off.

What do you think?

[Doberman's]

HI Dave , welcome to the forum

Do you have a roomate ?

Reason I ask is that 12 hrs is pretty long to leave a dog alone. From what you have stated I would say that a dog right now is not a good idea,a dog needs daily exercise to stay fit and not become obese. Rotties needs exercise to stay trim or they put on weight fast, Labs are very active dogs and if they do not get enought attention and exercise they can become bored and when they do they can beocme destructive, same goes for many other breeds.

Becky has given you very sound advice and I am in agreement with her.

I would wait or get a cat for now, I love cats they are awesome and do not need as much attention and care as a dog does. They can handle being alone for longer periods of time. It is best to ahve two so they can keep each otehr company while you are gone.

Hope that helps.

[lassie]

HI, on the days that you work 12 hrs could you not arrange for a dog walker. This would help. IMO i would not leave a dog for 12hrs to humour himself. Dogs need exercise as well as company ,.;) How's about an African Grey Parrot?:cool:

[Doberman's]

I would love to get a parrot!!!! I think may cats would love me to get a parrot as well :D;)

[nancy]

Please think very carefully about getting a dog at this time, it is a big deal for a dog settling into a new home without being left on its own for long periods at a time. If you have waitted this long for a dog could you not hang on a few months untill you move in with your girlfriend then you can take your time have a look at a few Breeds see what you both fancy then get one together. Please dont do something hasty or you will have problems and the poor dog will probably end up being rehomed which is very distressing for them. Oh and welcome to the forum. Regards Nancy.

[lassie]

Ive got one!! hates me so must be a female.:D Mind we call it a him.;)

[Becky]

Dave,


I think that, if you could may sure the dog got taken care of for a couple hours on the days you will be gone for 10 or more hours, then you may be okay. I would, however, discus all of this with your GF and your parents before you get your heart set on getting a dog.

I would personally just wait to see how things work out with you and your GF. If they go well, then you may want to then consider actually getting a dog then. For now, spend the next couple months reading as much as you can about dogs. For starters, I really like The Culture Clash by Jean Donaldson and The Other End of the Leash by Patricia McConnell. Also, you may want to spend some of your time volunteering at the local shelther (or bulldog specific rescue) to get your dog fix :). I really wish I had read more before I went and got Maddi, our first year together would have gone smoother, lol :).

[MaryGrace]

Yes, I would not get a dog if I were you. 12 hrs is just too long to leave a dog. Perhaps you could look into an animal that doesn't need as much people-time as a dog, such as a cat. Good Luck! :)

[aerofoil]

Yes this was my worry. I don't want the poor thing to suffer just because i want a dog! However if i could get someone to spend a couple hours with it when im on my long days can you see a problem with this?

[Becky]

Ideally, the dog shouldn't be alone for more than 6 or 7 hours a day. Preferably not more than 4hrs (at least a potty break between 2 four hour periods). As long as it gets plenty of mental and physical stimulation on a regular basis, and lots of interaction when you're home, I can see this as working. But, again, make sure you have a stable plan before you make a decision. I'd also take at least a month or two to do research and make sure that your parents/gf/other dog-sitting needs will be met.

[MaryGrace]

Do you like cats? Or maybe wait a year or so in case things change. The reason I am hesitant to reccomend that you get a dog is because my aunt, who is a lawyer in New York City fell in love with a dog's picture on petfinder.com and then got the dog (Bailey) Well, Bailey is a great dog and all, but my aunt ended up hiring a dogwalker every day, plus Bailey goes to the kennel alot because my aunt goes on buisness trips. So just be very careful, research alot, and don't rush things! :)

[MrsRottie]

Hi :) Only you can answer that question - but I'm so glad to see someone thinking carefully about it - so many people don't and that's why the rescue's are full.

Any rescue organisation you go to will tell you that if there's no-one there for more than 5 hours then they wouldn't give you a dog to adopt. I say this just as a benchmark for you.

Bear in mind that you are going to be relying on others very much if you go ahead...and that can backfire or be very expensive!

I'd think very carefully about breed too - I've got a rottie who would happily sleep on the couch all day (and often does!) and a GS who's bonkers and eats everything in sight ie cannot be left alone. So really it's not just breed, but also individual temperament that you need to consider. Also - the bigger the dog, the greater the destruction. A yorkie may well chew a hole through your fave shoe, a rottie will chew a hole through your fave wall/kitchen/bathroom.....

Ever thought about a rat? They're very intelligent affectionate creatures, can be trained and love human contact. I believe they need about 1 hour out of cage per day....but others here can tell you properly I'm sure.

[lassie]

Also , think about it, you may well be delayed for some reason or another and not be able to get home. What would happent then?:confused: Especially if the GF had gone out or was away.

[MaryGrace]

Yeah, as MrsRottie said, maybe a rat would be good. They need one hour out of the cage per day, also a large cage with exercise equipment such as a large wheel (solid, not runged) and female rats will appreciate a companion. I have 2 hamsters, but I know alot about rats and mice as well. :)