Are you Single + working + have dog... Advice wanted

dowie · 27 Jul 2015 at 13:05

Unluckyalf said:
I have 2 dashchunds and I leave them both in the garden during the day. It seems to be the norm for this part of the world. I certainly wouldn't be too happy leaving them indoors during the day. They spend much of their time chasing lizards and other critters around the place. They have the carport for shade and plenty of water.

They probably only get taken to the beach for a walk once or twice a week

That's the thing if you've got a big garden and two or more of them then it shouldn't be an issue... they can run around and have the company of each other. Tis surely more of an issue if there is only one of them as they're not going to play, chase stuff etc.. by themselves.

413x · 27 Jul 2015 at 13:27

Looks Like something I will need to tick some boxes for

Least there is a clear path of musts and desireds

I need to find a job compatible with what I want
Save my years holiday for getting the dog settled

Money wont be an issue as I don't really do much.

So it might turn out a puppy is better as you can use holiday to get them used to your routine (providing I can nearly always go home for lunch)

thep02 · 27 Jul 2015 at 13:33

Trusted key holder, family or v v v v good friend to go and feed, water and walk the dog either for a bit of cash, use of amenities or love.

Dave M · 27 Jul 2015 at 13:49

bignev72 said:
Border Collies are one of the worst dogs to leave on their own apparently as they need constant stimulation and companionship due to their intelligence.

Your brother is lucky he has got his dog into this routine without his house being destroyed! I would imagine the three walks a day does help though because dogs will often sleep/rest during quiet times and then burn all their energy when they're out.

His dog before was also a border collie (bitch that time, his current is a dog) and was also fine - in fact he worked miles away then so was out of the house even longer!

I think routine and lots of love/attention/exercise when you are there is the key.

If you want a dog, work full time and have an active social life - don't do it, you won't have time and there will be no regular routine. My brother always puts the dog first, so apart from working hours the dog gets his full attention and lots of walks. He doesn't have to make time for the gf or kids or going the pub.

It's worth considering how much of a commitment you enter into.

413x · 27 Jul 2015 at 14:04

The above is very much me.
No kids, gf, social life
I wouldn't consider it if I was busy

Street · 27 Jul 2015 at 14:39

Dave M said:
His dog before was also a border collie (bitch that time, his current is a dog) and was also fine - in fact he worked miles away then so was out of the house even longer!

I think routine and lots of love/attention/exercise when you are there is the key.

If you want a dog, work full time and have an active social life - don't do it, you won't have time and there will be no regular routine. My brother always puts the dog first, so apart from working hours the dog gets his full attention and lots of walks. He doesn't have to make time for the gf or kids or going the pub.

It's worth considering how much of a commitment you enter into.

Our BC is great in the house. I leave at 9am but am not back till 8pm. The missus leaves at 7.30am but is back at 4pm and can come home for dinner most days. He tore up the lino in the kitchen, but it was coming up in one corner anyway and he targeted it and he is only a puppy. I walk him for an hour in the morning and evening and the missus takes him out for a play in the afternoon. He's got bags of energy while we are out and about but in the day I think he just sleeps when we aren't there. We usually spend one day at the weekend doing something with him and when he's older I'll take him out to Snowdonia with me as I'm over there most weekends.

Craig321 · 27 Jul 2015 at 14:43

I'm now single al4x said:
Just interested if anyone on here owns a dog and is single and works.
And how do you make it work to be fair to the dog.

I'm aware that at the very least you should be able to come home at lunch and see the dog, pay him/her some attention
And that a rescue won't even entertain you unless this is the case.

I'm also guessing you need a fairly fixed job in terms of location and no unexpected trips or overnight meetings.

I'm seriously considering making some significant changes so I can have a dog. But it would be just me and the dog.
I would need a job change as the main problem is the random overnights. (which is obviously unacceptable fit a dog)

How easy do you find it?
How limiting?
And is there anyone who manages it with a non 9-5 job?

Thanks

It's the very reason I don't have a dog or a cat. I would love one (or both

), but I work 9-5 and it'd be unfair on the animal.

Street · 27 Jul 2015 at 14:44

Craig321 said:
It's the very reason I don't have a dog or a cat. I would love one (or both ), but I work 9-5 and it'd be unfair on the animal.

I had a cat before my missus lived with me and I was out all day. To be honest I think he preferred the quiet when I was out of the house.. Lazy animal!

McBain · 27 Jul 2015 at 14:50

I'm in a similar boat, single, difference being I work away 3 days a week so that's obviously the end of that. Always had dogs in the family, it sucks not having one around

kaptainmarc · 27 Jul 2015 at 14:52

I have 2 dogs which are left alone in the house for 9 hours everyday in the week. I asked the neighbour to keep an eye on them and he never hears a sound and they pretty much sleep all day and play with each other.

I would never have a dog on its own left all day but if they have each others company they are fine. Both my dogs are very happy. HOWEVER they are small dogs a chihuahua and a pomeranian X papillon so they aren't very energetic dogs

CJonny · 27 Jul 2015 at 15:19

If you really want to do it get a dog walker that will come round out lunch and take the dog out for a bit. You will just have to weigh up the pros and cons and make a decision that way.

Elixir · 27 Jul 2015 at 15:27

I'm now single al4x said:
The above is very much me.
No kids, gf, social life
I wouldn't consider it if I was busy

Are you not intending to be busy within the next 15 years? I'd be careful about making any impulse decisions given your recent posts in the relationship thread, it would be wise to take a few months before doing anything about this.

Munky1080 · 27 Jul 2015 at 15:31

Elixir said:
Are you not intending to be busy within the next 15 years? I'd be careful about making any impulse decisions given your recent posts in the relationship thread, it would be wise to take a few months before doing anything about this.

Don't want to sound harsh, but this man speaks the truth.

With that being said, I live alone, and have two kittens. I work 9-5, but they get lots of attention outside of work. I am fairly certain they sleep all day and play all night. Also, I have two, and they're joined at the hip and do everything together. I'm glad I have a pair, though, as leaving an animal indoors alone all day seems rather cruel. This way they have something else alive to play with while I'm out.

hood1971 · 27 Jul 2015 at 16:39

I send my dog to doggie day care. They pick the dog up around 9am and drop off at 4:30pm. The dogs have access to 2 acres of land, and there is someone there all the time to supervise, normally between 10-15 dogs there are any one time. Costs £15 a day, which translates pretty well when you consider that a dog walker charges £10-£13 for an hours walk.

413x · 27 Jul 2015 at 16:49

Some responses

This definitely won't be a snap decision. There's a lot of things I need to do to make this happen and be fair to the dog.

And yes this does come off back of other thread. But if anything I feel I'll go backwards in terms of social particularly. I don't want kids which kind of makes a relationship more unlikely. Also my ex was a good match for me. And I'm stubborn in that I won't settle for someone.
I'm not that sociable Either

Without being too dramatic I could well be (realistic) alone a long while.

But I have a lot of empathy for Animals, and unfortunately or fortunately this has been amplified with past events.

It would probably help with my underlying depression issues too (a dog)

Aside, a dog is a very 'achievable' companion. A partner is not. And in my situation even less so

dowie · 27 Jul 2015 at 17:00

Maybe more workplaces should allow dogs... tis quite common in the armed forces for people to bring their dogs to work - obviously not on exercise/operations but in offices etc...

Street · 27 Jul 2015 at 17:09

dowie said:
Maybe more workplaces should allow dogs... tis quite common in the armed forces for people to bring their dogs to work - obviously not on exercise/operations but in offices etc...

Burt comes in to the office with me some days, he usually sniffs round for a bit then sleeps most of the day!

arknor · 27 Jul 2015 at 17:25

cats don't mind being alone they couldn't care less about you not being there.
I think it's unfair to leave a dog alone for 8 hours or so they clearly don't enjoy it.

just look at all the youtube videos with titles like what your dog does when your not home

maxilive · 27 Jul 2015 at 17:31

Yeah I probably wouldn't go for a dog as they need someone to be around or at least something going on if not they will get rather uptight.

A cat on the other hand is perfectly fine during the 9-5 as long as you pop home for lunch everyday and are around on the weekends/evening and hopefully have people around weekly so the cat can have visitors too. Cats are generally okay alone but you would still want there to be activities for it when you aren't in the house. Plus lots of attention in the evening when you finish work if you want to have an actual pet

arknor · 27 Jul 2015 at 17:33

meh cats just sleep or watch out the window at birds and stuff.

I don't think you really need to go home at dinner time, the cat likely won't even bother to come and see you entering the door

Cats seem under the impression that you are in fact the pet in the relationship