Things I should consider before getting a dog?

[Dan Goddard]

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I am thinking of rehoming a dog in the next few months and I feel like I would provide a good home, but I am looking for outside input on whether it seems reasonable in my situation.

I am in my mid 20s, at the tail end of a medical degree and will graduate as a doctor around this time next year. I currently live with 4 other people in the same situation and that won't change in the foreseeable future. My hobbies are all outdoor-based things like photography (mostly), fishing, camping and hill walking, and I frequently go away for 1-3 days at a time exploring the Scottish highlands (I live in Glasgow). I've had dogs all my life until I moved away from home and have included them in things like this, which works really well! I would love to have a dog around the house and also one that could come away with me in the hills and things.

My concerns so far are:

- I live in a flat in the city, with only a shared garden, but right on the doorstep of a huge park. This means I could take the dog out regularly very easily but I couldn't allow him to roam in and out of the house freely.

- I will inevitably have to work long hours and so I can't be around home all the time, especially during the week. This is mitigated somewhat by the fact that I live with 4 other people who have different shift patterns, all of whom are more than willing to help out and want a dog in the flat! This means even when I'm not around, there will usually be someone in the flat to walk and feed the dog. Failing this my girlfriend lives a 5 minute walk away and would also love to have the dog for a day!

- Dogs can be expensive - I am in a situation currently where I think I would manage to afford vet bills, food and other costs, but until I get a job next year I may end up being reliant on my parents still if there were any large bills.

Q. The main thing I am looking for is input on is any other logistical issues I've not thought of and that I should consider before trying to re-home a dog? Do people think it seems reasonable to re-home a dog in my situation or not?

 

[JoanneF]

I think you have taken a really positive approach by thinking these things through in advance. You have covered the bases in terms of care and cost. Training and behaviour are also important; if you are rehoming a dog the rescue centre will be able to tell you a bit about your dog before they pair you up. Size and age may be important as that will determine how much exercise your dog will need but again that will form part of the matching process. If your flatmates are all going to be involved in helping with your dog, consistency of approach in training will be important but none of these things are red flags, just things to think about.

I suppose the only other thing to add is that we will want pictures and updates!

 

[gypsysmum2]

You seem to have most bases covered.

Do be aware that some dogs need to go out in the middle of the night. My rescue dog has a limited bowel capacity. It is not lack of house training, he, due to a Giardia infection in his youth, just cannot cope with a loaded bowel and needs to visit the garden (or leave a deposit on the dining room floor).

Some rescue centres will not re home to people who work or are out for much of the day.

Given your circumstances I think you would need a laid back character in your dog to cope with being left and being handled by different people. Your flat mates would need to be on board with your methods of training and handling. If, for instance, you don't like jumping up, getting on the furniture etc are they going to confuse the dog by allowing/encouraging these behaviours. it will not be the dog's fault if he displays unwanted behaviour because someone else allows it.

Do consider pet insurance.

There will be issues to start with. Most dogs take a while to settle in.

Given that your circumstances could dramatically change in the next few years why not consider taking on an older dog? They are often overlooked and often come with less baggage than their young and boisterous kennel mates. There is a website, I believe, called the "Oldies Club"?

Hope you find your prefect companion!

 

[EmmanuelleChaix]

Hi Dan,

Very good to think about what is involved in having a dog. It impacts on you, your surrounding, and of course on your dog.

If you need specific guidance and also if you decide to try and rehome your dog, let me know we will advertise for you on our website if it helps a little.

Let me know either way what you decide!

 

[Raven oaktree]

I'm not so sure on your situation many rescues would allow you to rehome ..mainly because of your work hours and although there are other people in the house they are just flat mates as opposed to family and things are quite likely to change regarding their living arrangements in the course of the animals life time. Why not wait till you have finished training and know where you will be working and what ours etc..my best friend is a vascular consultant so I know only too well the hours that are put in at work ..and she has had to move for work.so her living arrangements have changed.. As regard affording bills..well to be honest you shouldn't really be thinking of your parents as a back up plan..ii would never have a dog without insurance because I never want to be in a position of not being able to afford bills ..your dog ..your responsibility in my very humble opinion..

I also wouldn't imagine to have the time needed to devote to training a youngster at this stage in your career ..pups need lots of training ..on going training as they go through different stages and fear periods of their young life and its not fair that your house mates be jointly responsible for this ..for them or the dog because I doubt very much everyone will sing from exactly the same hymn sheet so to speak and that will just confuse a dog that is trying its best to please..its hard enough with 2 people in the mix..my hubby is a nightmare for spoiling my youngster and all it does is confuse her ..maybe waiting till you can be fully financially responsible for the dog and wait till you have finished your training so you have a better idea of living arrangements and working hours/commitments