Working couple can we get a dog ??

[Kendra]

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Hi all, my partner and I have been considering getting a dog for a while now however we both work. I work in retail and my partner does shift work therefore both patterns are quite eractic. I work varying shifts between 4 and 8 hours this could be from 7am to 2 for example or 2 to 8 at night, i have a extemely varied week with two days off. My partners shift pattern is even more strange working 12 hour days, 4 nights on, 3 days off, 3 days on, 1 off, 3 nights on, then a week off every month. With our work hours being all over the place it does usually work out that one of would be home about 3 days of the week. However there will be days where the dog may be left for 7 hours at a time alone.. i would consider looking into other measures such as doggie day maybe twice a week if i had to. Has anyone got any experince with a fulltime working household and a dog ?

I must add we have both had dogs previously so do have experince but i just want to make the right decision. Also if anyone had any breed recommendation for dogs that dont mind being alone for some of the day that would be great thankyou !

 

[JoanneF]

Many people with dogs work and arrange dog walkers for the days they are away for around 7 hours. The main issues would be toilet training a puppy who would need to be taken out hourly until trained (but you could bypass that if you rescued an older dog) and separation anxiety (which you could prepare for by training). Retired greyhounds are real couch potatoes if that might be an option.

 

[Ruth_F]

Suggested this to another couple who work. Get 2 slightly older dogs and then they are company for eachother. In fact, 2 rescue greyhounds could be left for be several hours if they had access to a garden. Hounds in general are less human centred and will be perfectly happy being left with a canine companion. The same cant be said for dogs like collies, labradors etc.

 

[Josie]

I would say the same as @JoanneF - I personally don’t agree with leaving a dog by itself for that length of time (anything after 4 hours max) but if it’s only for a couple of days then getting doggy daycare shouldn’t cost you a fortune?

The puppy element is tricky. They definitely need lots of attention, wee/poo breaks, training etc.

Rescuing an older dog that can suit your lifestyle would definitely be a good idea!

 

[Kendra]

Thankyou for your responses, as for the puppy side of things we would of course be insuring to have a few weeks off for house training ect.

I can see where everyone is coming from with the greyhound idea and although I dont mind rescuing an older dog my first choice wouldnt be a grey hound as when I am off I would like the dog to be able to go everywhere with us in the car on long walks in the forest and on the beach, even of im out at my mums on a sunday i would like the dog to come with me and play with my mums two dogs. Even a dog that would be able to come on doggie freindly breaks.

I would love to go conpletely part time just to have more time for the dog but we are both young and will most likely be working full time for the forseable future. But I do not want to get a dog which will be unhappy with us as its not fair

 

[JudyN]

I have a lurcher the size of a very large greyhound and he comes with us everywhere. Although greyhounds can manage on limited walks, they will take - and enjoy - pretty much as much as you can offer. They may or may not want to play with your mum's dogs but that would depend on the individual, as it would with any breed.

I'm not sure I'd agree that they're less people centred than other dogs, though that would depend on their previous history. They may not leap into your arms, aim for full body contact and smother you with licks, but that eye contact, the beat of the tail on the floor (or more likely the sofa), or the head resting against your leg are just as much a sign of devotion. Sadly a lot of owners think their sighthounds can be a bit cold/aloof because of this.

They can be prone to separation anxiety, though, even if in pairs, so this is something you'd need to consider when looking at individual dogs.

 

[poptart]

I would say avoid cocker spaniels! They are very people oriented and don't like being left. My neighbour has a border collie and it howls a lot when she leaves it. Any intelligent dog will play up if you leave it alone for long periods. They get bored and bark themselves hoarse or take up redecorating the house to occupy themselves.

My first cavalier spaniel was fine when we left her, and she was thick as two short planks. But my current one isn't like that at all, so there's quite a variety even within a breed. Cavs don't need a huge amount of stimulation and exercise, but they love to go for walks or visiting too, so that might be worth a thought. Assuming you can find a litter, they seem to have become rare in recent years!

If you're thinking of getting a pair do look into the downside as it can be problematic too.

 

[Violet Turner]

If you are considering it consider and older dog as they can be less trouble and you could also enquire in a walker if not then i would recommend a Dog not a puppy as they will need more looking after and training... How Long Can You Leave A Dog Alone? Breeds, Tips and Solutions (Half way down page) Oldies Club – Helping old dogs find loving homes. Homes & volunteers needed across the UK.

 

[Ruth_F]

Separation anxiety is something you would have to consider. As @JudyN pointed out, all dogs can get this.
I have more experience with scent hounds over sight hounds and they are such pack animals many dont think they are on their own if they have a doggy friend to be left with. It isnt they arent attached to their human pack its just we are less essential to their wellbeing than a dog who has been bred to be our constant companion like a lab, collie, poodle etc.
Not sure I would recommend a scent hound as a first dog as they are hard work in other ways like getting a recall being an 'interesting' exercise verging on pointless. Although if, like me, having Snoopy dogs is your hearts desire ...

 

[Kendra]

Separation anxiety is something you would have to consider. As @JudyN pointed out, all dogs can get this.
I have more experience with scent hounds over sight hounds and they are such pack animals many dont think they are on their own if they have a doggy friend to be left with. It isnt they arent attached to their human pack its just we are less essential to their wellbeing than a dog who has been bred to be our constant companion like a lab, collie, poodle etc.
Not sure I would recommend a scent hound as a first dog as they are hard work in other ways like getting a recall being an 'interesting' exercise verging on pointless. Although if, like me, having Snoopy dogs is your hearts desire ...

We would absolutely have loved to get a beagle however would not consider getting two, well maybe after a year I would consider getting a second one. Its just my parents dogs that im talking about we got at the same time and it was a diasater in terms of training.

We have both had dogs, I a rottweiler and my parents have jugs (jrt x pug), these were mine but couldnt make them leave my mums house now at there age. And my partner an akita. Therefore it wouldnt be our first dogs.