Home Alone - Dog

[Lonewolf]

Currently have two cats but since having moved into a house we feel it’s time to think about getting a dog. What holds me back is that we both work and we’d be away for around 8 hours per day. The dog’s welfare is obviously priority and being left home alone isn’t ideal, but I know from experience leaving a dog at home while out working can work.
I know there’s plenty of dog owners on here, how do you manage owning a dog and being away for most of the day?

 

[LiE]

How are you going to train the puppy if you aren’t home? Puppies need a lot of time and effort to get them to be well adjusted. An 8 week old puppy can only hold their bladder for 2 hours max.

 

[shifty_uk]

Dont do it, especially if you’re considering a puppy.

Being alone 8 hours of the day with no mental or physical exercise is nothing but cruel.

Yes I have strong views on this but I’ve been a dog owner for 8 years, brought a puppy through training, a rescue through training, you need commitment. What’s the point in getting a dog if you’ll only see them briefly in the morning then in the evening?

I only got a dog when my ex could work from home full time or they were dropped off at a relatives house for the day, which provided company and walks. Years after this, they come to the office etc.

 

[Deleted User 298457]

Cruel. Get a stuffed toy

 

[Mysterae_]

Get a friend or relative to pop in to let it out and give it some attention.

I hope you're not house proud - it'll will stink of the three Ps in less than a week.

 

[Junglist]

As everyone else has said, it's not a good situation.

We feel bad leaving Cali alone for anything more than 4 hours.

 

[shifty_uk]

Get a friend or relative to pop in to let it out and give it some attention.

I hope you're not house proud - it'll will stink of the three Ps in less than a week.

You can’t rely on others to let your dog out every now and then.

 

[Lonewolf]

How are you going to train the puppy if you aren’t home? Puppies need a lot of time and effort to get them to be well adjusted. An 8 week old puppy can only hold their bladder for 2 hours max.

Girlfriend and I would be on our holiday’s which between us would be over about a month

 

[FlapR]

Don't get a puppy. Get a rescue dog that's chilled out, otherwise it's cruel.

 

[builder22]

leaving a dog at home while out working can work

yeah - the dog's gonna be happy as **** when you get home but it's a bad idea, being locked in a house on any kind of regular basis is a bad idea

also...thread title making me think of the dog setting booby traps for burglars

 

[Mysterae_]

You can’t rely on others to let your dog out every now and then.

Totally agree.

Better idea - build a kennel and keep it outdoors while you're at work. You're neighbours won't mind that at all.

 

[shifty_uk]

Girlfriend and I would be on our holiday’s which between us would be over about a month

You cant train a dog in 4 weeks. I know that you’ll probably do whatever but sorry Lonewolf, I can’t agree that this is in anyway a good idea.

Don't get a puppy. Get a rescue dog that's chilled out, otherwise it's cruel.

8+ hours a day stuck in the house with no company is still cruel, the rescue could go to a family that provides it with company and frequent walks.

 

[FlapR]

8+ hours a day stuck in the house with no company is still cruel, the rescue could go to a family that provides it with company and frequent walks.

I don't agree or disagree but there are more dogs in rescues than people willing to adopt. The best solution would be to get a rescue and a dog walker for lunch times, or dog daycare which looks like great fun tbh.

 

[Dis86]

Terrible idea, just for your forum name alone tbh.

 

[shifty_uk]

I don't agree or disagree but there are more dogs in rescues than people willing to adopt. The best solution would be to get a rescue and a dog walker for lunch times, or dog daycare which looks like great fun tbh.

Thats a fair point, I’m not sure what the situation is with rescue shelters post covid.

There are day care centres a dog walkers in abundance now which is an option but it adds up.

I still dont agree

Edit: I retract my fair point statement, this is how dogs end up in rescue centres in the first place

 

[VincentHanna]

Not fair on the dog, don't do it.

I've got two dogs and work from home.

 

[LiE]

Girlfriend and I would be on our holiday’s which between us would be over about a month

Just not long enough. Also going from having you around all day for 4 weeks to not around much will cause separation issues.

I’m still training my puppy a lot each day after 3 months.

 

[Ahleckz]

Maybe a chilled rescue, where it goes to doggy day care everyday is an option. However, it’ll be pretty expensive.
Don’t get a dog and lock it in for eight hours. That’s a horrible thing to do. Think back to lockdown, did you enjoy it?

 

[FlapR]

Thats a fair point, I’m not sure what the situation is with rescue shelters post covid.

There are day care centres a dog walkers in abundance now which is an option but it adds up.

I still dont agree

If they're set on getting a dog the best option imo is save the 2k+ they'd spend on a cockerpoo or whatever it is everyone gets now and find a nice rescue dog then send it to doggy daycare. There's loads in Manchester and they have a brilliant time.

The dog walking/daycare thing adds up but it's still cheaper than a kid atleast .

 

[Lonewolf]

A rescue dog was an option I considered but without a history of temperament when there’s a child and two cats in the house…