Single Person Owning A Dog While Working

[AndrewC]

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Hi All
I have lived with/kept different dogs on and off during my life: a labrador, two different cavalier king charles spaniels and a yorkshire terrier, but there was usually someone in the house during the day when i was working, except for grocery shopping, etc.
I am living myself now and wouldn't mind getting a small dog for company and exercise.
I am usually out from 8 in the morning until around 5 at night and i could pay a dog walker for walks and the toilet during the day but i am worried that it is a long time to be out for the dog.
It's either that or i have to wait until i retire before i can get another dog, which is ten years off yet.
Does anybody else who is single and works keep a dog, how have you found it?

 

[Tinytom]

Would you consider a retired greyhound....my friend has always had greyhounds and has worked ...she also gets a dog Walker to come in at lunchtime and a friend calls in to give her dog a toilet break ....
Not all greyhounds or dogs would cope with this arrangement but she waited for a dog that was matched for her life ...
Good luck in your search....
Also if you are on your own ..would you have a back up person to look after your dog in case you were taken into hospital....

 

[RGC]

Afraid that alarm bells ring as soon as I see “I am living myself now and wouldn't mind getting a small dog for company and exercise”. To what extent are you taking the dog’s welfare into account? Please appreciate that I’m not issuing a challenge nor an accusation. Many, many years ago (pre retirement) we took on a whippet to help a busy household (horses, cats and spaniels) as the owners thought that the whippet wasn’t getting a lookin within the family. Squiggles (that was his name) couldn’t settle with our absences and, heartbroken and tearful, we took him back. He was happy with his lowly position within his former household. It sounds hard but we had to prioritise his spiritual welfare and not ours.

 

[JoanneF]

While a retired greyhound might work, I also would worry about the amount of alone time for what is a social animal. Don't think about what a dog will bring to you, think about what you can offer to a dog.

I also suggest this to a lot of people in your situation.

For the next month, act like you have an adult dog. Get up an hour earlier than normal, take an hour long walk. Do the same in the evening after work - and come straight home from work; no shopping, gym, socialising. Do this every day, without fail, regardless of the weather.

Be aware of the season, and remind yourself every morning that for several months of the year you will be doing this in the cold and dark.

Also put away what you think a dog will cost for food, insurance, vet bill excesses, toys etc, then add 10% because we always underestimate these things.

That will give you a good insight into some of the commitment you will need to make.

This is honestly not intended as a flippant remark, but have you considered a cat?

 

[AndrewC]

Thanks for the replys, it's better i wait until i retire.
It is a lot of alone time for a social animal.

 

[JoanneF]

Have you thought of volunteering with a rescue centre, or participating in a scheme like Borrow my Dog (where people walk dogs for their owners)?

Then, you could get your dog ”fix” without the commitment.