Owning A Dog

[barkingmad]

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I just wondered how many people on this board only have one dog? Do any of you work full time? Do any of you use dog walkers regularly? Perhaps you take your dog to work with you? I would be interested to hear your opinions on owning one dog when you work full time. Is it acceptable or do you believe you should only ever be a dog owner if you are at home all day, ie stay at home mum/ retired etc. Are two dogs better than one in your opinion? Im interested to hear your different views.

 

[finnbob]

i started off with a black lab about 15 years ago and for 10 years he was on his own and we found him excitable when we returened from part time work to the exctent he would wee when we returned home then we got anothr dog for company and i have never looked back as he wasnt as attached to me and was easier to leave when i was at work and now i have acocker spaniel a black labrador and a germen shepherd all in the same house and we spend alot of time out of the house and as long as the dogs are walked before leaving the house they are better to have company than just having the one dog.

the only down fall is the cost and training of more than 1 dog but atleast they keep each other company.

good look and keep us informed :luck:

 

[FeeFee]

I think it's a matter of finding the right dog. Personally I wouldn't like to see a pup or youngster left alone for that amount of time, but an older quiet dog can be quite happy in that situation. I'd always want them to have some provision for a loo break and someone to check them in the middle of the day, though - either the owner popping home at lunch time, or a neighbour or dogwalker coming in.

Two older dogs together to keep each other company is even better. I don't know if you would consider a rescue, but it is always much harder to rehome pairs of dogs - there are some cracking 'couples' looking for homes at the moment.

 

[sassy]

we have had saffi for just a year now ( he`s a golden lab) both me and my partner work, though i only work part time but do overtime occasionally, I was off work for the first 10 weeks we had him and was very concerned about returning to work and him being home alone. We had a puppy flap installed in the back door so toilet breaks were not the problem ( the back garden is very secure/locked and fenced ) with lots of room for him to go in and out as he pleases but it was the company thing and labs being renown for chewing and destroying if bored....... we resolved this problem once saffi had finished his injections by my partner taking him to work in his truck ( he works in vehicle recovery ) so is constantly on the road. My partner would then return home at one oclock till 2 for his lunch and saffi was quite content to stay at home till i returned home at 2. 30. Now he is older he can be left longer and sometimes i dont get home till maybe 4pm, but saffi is quite ok with this, Its good to leave them alone for a little while as then they dont suffer from seperation anxiety. He has never destroyed anything or shown any signs of distress when we do have to leave him.

We are lucky in that saffi can go to work along side my partner, I do not think its fair to leave dogs alone all day.Dogs are social animals and need interaction , stimulation and company to maintain a healthy happy and stable dog.

jus my two pennorth

also want to add that saffi LOVES being in the truck, gets lots of attention from all the people he meets (police, car owners and roadside cafe owners too) and im sure he thinks its HIS job too!

pic of saffi in said truck

 

[Macha]

Do any of you hire dog-walkers?

what do they charge and how do you make sure they are reliable (both in taking care of your dogs and in leaving your house and belongings alone)?

 

[graciepup]

Do any of you hire dog-walkers?what do they charge and how do you make sure they are reliable (both in taking care of your dogs and in leaving your house and belongings alone)?

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I am a dog walker and have been for nine years Charges vary but should be around £7.00 to £9.00 an hour.I am well known so most clients come from recomendations and all the local vets know me.As far as trust goes it is best to ask the walker for a few of their clients numbers so you can find out how reliable and trustworthy they are.If they do not supply refrences then I would be wary :- " Also find out where the dogs are walked and pop along and see how they are taken care of.Be carefull of walkers who walk more than 5 at a time.This is my maximum including grace my whippy :thumbsup: I also walk single dogs if they have issues.

 

[wildhare]

I would have to say that if the dogs cannot live without us for part of the day

then we would be in real trouble - my wife and I both have jobs and are gone

a good part of the day - if it were'nt for our incomes we would not be able

to do the things we do with our dogs - I guess the shows are for our benefit

because we enjoy competing in that venue - the racing and coursing is for

the enjoyment by the dogs - though we do enjoy watching them compete

we know for certain that none of our dogs will ever be a race meet pointed

dog - they dont seem to mind being "out of the ribbons" and sometimes

winning the "coveted turtle award" - they just like to run and be around all

the other whippets that are there - right now we have 6 whippets ranging

in age from 6 months (the two pups) to our old lady of 10 years - they spend

the vast majority of the day sleeping anyway even if we were here all day

every day -

dwight

wildharewhippets.com

 

[jezza]

I'm looking into getting a pet sitter as its getting increasingly difficult for my OH to come home for dinner :angry: and one said she would charge up to 15 quid a day for 35 mins, which I cant afford everyday so I'm still emailing other companies (thought 15 quid was mighty steep but she would have to travel a fair distance to get to my house, and it is for 2 dogs, but I don't want them walking just for someone to come in and let them out so I thought she might only have charged for one dog?). Anyone recommend any in leeds/wakey area?

 

[Jesswhippet]

Our household has 1 whippet and 3 cats. My son, daughter (just got her first full time job) and husband all work full time. ( We were cat people until my son appeared 2.5 years ago with Jess then 3months old.) As I work part time 25 hours a week sometimes longer we have an agreement that we all pay £5 per week for the dog walker. I found them via GuardianAngel - on the web - they vet walkers and match them with you and your pet. £10 registration fee is applicable. Our angel is Ron ) who is in his seventies + his wife Pam ) . They come Monday and Wednesday at 12.30 for an hour and take Jess for a walk and then sit and play with her. They lost their own dog in July so are experienced people with dogs. They have had border collies & greyhounds. They also walked retired greyhounds at the same rescue I used to go before Jess arrived. When you first meet your angel you give them the form supplied by the GuardienAngels which is very comprehensive - only the angel gets your confidential information i.e. where your back door key is if raining and Jess doesn't like to walk in the rain but needs to wee. You can give them the third degree - and I did - Ron and Pam are brillant and all three enjoy the walks. Ron & Pam have a cup of tea in my house - this gives the impression to Jess that they are friendly and stay with her as part of our family group. My hours are shorter Tuesday, Thursday and Friday so I can come home quicker for Jess. Cost is £10 per visit. If you have more pets add an extra £2 per pet if you need more walking or looking after. I have peace of mind worth every penny.

Wendy

 

[jayp]

hi, I am a single parent and have always had to work full time. Iwould say a dog does need company of some kind during the day either human or canine. i have 4 whippets but can get home at lunchtime to walk them. If you leave them all day then walk them and feed them before you go and most dogs will settle for a days sleep with a visit midday from a neighbour. I dont think any dog should be asked to go all day without releiving itself, think how many times you visit the toilet in a day!!!!!! :- " jan

 

[kim & Tilly]

I have two whippets, and both my husband and i work full time.

He works 6-2 one week and 2-10 the other, i fit in around him because of childcare etc etc

One week the dogs are left from 1 till about 3 .30 when i get home, the other from 9 till he gets home at 2.30.

They have an outside run, with a comfy warm shed to sleep in, or the outside bit if they need a wee or fresh air.

If it is looking to cold they will stay in the house, Bean is kept caged (i just couldnt trust her) but Tilly has the run of the kitchen and hall.

seems to work ok

 

[Nicola]

The lady that walks my dogs at lunch times charges 6 pounds per hour or 3 pounds per half hour. Needless to say a half an hour walk suffices each day if OH is not aorund to walk them. :- "

If you enquire at your local vets they will have some notices of dog walkers on their boards. Just ask the person for a reference and ask them to come round so you and your dogs can assess them.

 

[hellybobs]

I'm looking into getting a pet sitter as its getting increasingly difficult for my OH to come home for dinner  :angry:   and one said she would charge up to 15 quid a day for 35 mins, which I cant afford everyday so I'm still emailing other companies (thought 15 quid was mighty steep but she would have to travel a fair distance to get to my house, and it is for 2 dogs, but I don't want them walking just for someone to come in and let them out so I thought she might only have charged for one dog?). Anyone recommend any in leeds/wakey area?

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Most pet sitters/walkers charge £7.50 + per hour, as a rule they don't like doing half hourly walks/toilet visits as its not worth it for them. They have to charge almost as much to do a toilet visit as they do for a full walk to make it financially viable.

Some walkers do charge a half rate for a second dog as a jesture of good will and the hope of more/extended business but alot don't and charge the full rate no matter how many dogs they have in one house hold.

I know of some that are not insured and charge peanuts but IMO they are cowboys and do not have the dogs interests at heart, only money...

A good walker/pet sitter will have insurance, will have a police check and references. If they do not have these then don't hire them. Also they should visit you for a getting to know you and your pet chat, fill in appropriate forms and make sure they prove to you your pet is in safe hands.

And before anyone jumps to have a go, I used to be a dog walker and know the business.

 

[maggymills]

i wish i cud work part time, but like many others must do full time- our terrier isnt as active as most others- due to her hip problem, but still loves a great walk and many playtimes!

we both work full-time, oh has been waiting for new job for 2 months- so Flo has had loads of attention recently. when he goes back to work- he'll work 9-4, and aim to get home once in day to let Flo out,

she goes through a whole day fine without a toilet break- i was ill and alone recently- and couldnt get out of bed til 10am, then go back til 5pm- physically couldnt get up- for a week! and Flobo was fine.

she has Tali her feline friend for a snoozing buddy- they always curl up together in the dog bed! and Tali has a habit of 'playing' with Flo- by standing on the bannister- whilst Flo tries to jump up and catch her- they have other habits- but you'll probably think i own strange pets if i reveal all! so i know they are not bored when left.

the key to it all is routine, i think a happy dog is one that has a routine, thats how i was always taught to raise dogs and always will- whatever your situation, just stick to routine.

so yep- we work ful time and dog is one happy and substantially healthy dog!

 

[jezza]

I'm looking into getting a pet sitter as its getting increasingly difficult for my OH to come home for dinner  :angry:   and one said she would charge up to 15 quid a day for 35 mins, which I cant afford everyday so I'm still emailing other companies (thought 15 quid was mighty steep but she would have to travel a fair distance to get to my house, and it is for 2 dogs, but I don't want them walking just for someone to come in and let them out so I thought she might only have charged for one dog?). Anyone recommend any in leeds/wakey area?

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Most pet sitters/walkers charge £7.50 + per hour, as a rule they don't like doing half hourly walks/toilet visits as its not worth it for them. They have to charge almost as much to do a toilet visit as they do for a full walk to make it financially viable.

Some walkers do charge a half rate for a second dog as a jesture of good will and the hope of more/extended business but alot don't and charge the full rate no matter how many dogs they have in one house hold.

I know of some that are not insured and charge peanuts but IMO they are cowboys and do not have the dogs interests at heart, only money...

A good walker/pet sitter will have insurance, will have a police check and references. If they do not have these then don't hire them. Also they should visit you for a getting to know you and your pet chat, fill in appropriate forms and make sure they prove to you your pet is in safe hands.

And before anyone jumps to have a go, I used to be a dog walker and know the business.

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Hi Helen,

Yes I realise that this person quoted the price she did because she was going to be travelling quite a distance to get to us. She also has insurance, police checks etc. (obviously very important as they'll be entering my house and they'd have keys!).

I have found a few companies nearer to me charging slightly less, still with insurance, which I have to consider, but I'm just trying to work out how much I can realistically afford as it won't be everyday if this week off work is anything to go by they have been snoozing all day everyday, giving me dirty looks if I dare to try and move them :lol:

 

[hellybobs]

Hi Lucy,

Do you mind telling me which ones you have contacted, are they Leeds based??

 

[Jesswhippet]

Check out the website below for a pet angel- dog walker etc. All angels are strictly vetted e.g. police + more and insurance is provided. Obviously, they expect you to have pet insurance but the angels are covered by Public Liability and Employers Liability Insurance whilst they are working. They invoice in arrears for on-going jobs.

www.guardianangelservcies.co.uk

 

[doris]

And before anyone jumps to have a go, I used to be a dog walker and know the business.

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hellybobs, what on earth makes you think anyone whould jump to have a go :- " :lol:

just out of interest, why don't you do this anymore - not that I'm looking for a career change, but have always been a bit curious about dogwalkers :blink:

 

[hellybobs]

And before anyone jumps to have a go, I used to be a dog walker and know the business.

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hellybobs, what on earth makes you think anyone whould jump to have a go :- " :lol:

Uuurrrmm I wonder... :- "

just out of interest, why don't you do this anymore - not that I'm looking for a career change, but have always been a bit curious about dogwalkers :blink:

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I stopped doing it because of 2 reasons, firstly my health wasn't that great and secondly I was killing myself trying to make a living, too many people getting into the business (cowboys without insurance and conscience) and it wasn't worth it.

 

[Ealingslipper]

For those of us who are lucky enough to spend 24 hours a day with our dogs the results are evident - if not two daily runs and intensive training when available will deliver a haapy relationship although the puppy periiod has to be considered ( there must be an EU regulation)