dogs and work

A

at work

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How do people who work go about finding an adult dog to adopt? I am likely to be in this position in a few months, as my girl is showing her age now and I can't imagine life without a dog.

Apart from working full-time (big issue for some, I know) I'd say I'm a good dog-owner, with 20 years experience of sharing my home with dogs. I adopted the dog I have now, but was only working part-time back then.

I know plenty of people do work and own dogs (of course, I'm one of them) and I would like to take on another rescue when the time is right, but I'm anxious that rescue groups won't want to know if I'm honest about working.

How did others who work done find the dog for them?
 
I think a rescue would home you an older dog that was ok to be left on its own, you def would not get a puppy.

If you are in situation where you can get a dog walker then that would go in your favour.

Good luck!
 
If you work full time, then you'll find that most rescues will turn you down - we had the same problem. As it was, we managed to find one rescue that did agree to homing a small adult dog with us, though that was only due to the huge amounts of dogs they had that were desperate for homes. Try the larger rescues and see what they say (they may agree to a certain type of dog, considering your experience), otherwise you're probably best off searching through for sale ads. On websites like Epupz there are often older dogs who need rehoming for various reasons.
 
We have and do rehome older dogs to working families....but we do ask for arrangements for the dog to atleast be let out at lunch time to perform their business and made up with longer walks in the morning or at night when returning home....we have alot of more mature dogs that are more than happy to spent their time snoozing on their beds, that are happy in their own company.
 
I have never actually had a rescue dog and I only work mornings...but....I am on a four week course at the moment and am away all day. This is quite a shock for my dogs!

They both share a kennel which is in the garden and basically I just leave the kennel door open and they have the run of the garden (its pretty dog proof). As soon as I get home I throw on my jeans and take them up on the moors for a walk.

Despite this sudden change in their lifestyle, I have seen absolutely no change in their behaviour, eating or anything at all.

Lets face it just about anyone's circumstances can change unexpectedly and surely there must be a clause in the contract that allows you to take the dog back if its not working out (not that you would want to I am sure)

Good luck and let us know how you get on.
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Thanks for everybody's replies. I would want an adult dog - I'd love a puppy but agree that my lifestyle is unfair to a pup, so that isn't an issue.

What I don't currently have is anyone to let my dog out in the middle of the day. Ideally I would but, for various reasons, including issues she had when she first came to us, a routine where she was undisturbed has worked better. She's always walked before and after work.

If having someone to let a dog out at mid-day was considered essential for a new dog, as I've no family or non-working friends living locally enough to do it for me, I'd have to pay a dog walking service. I'd do that but then always wonder (a) if they actually bother to turn up and (b) if they do turn up - at what time? They can't have (say)20 dogs on their books and walk or let them all out between 12-2pm. Not much point if the dog is let out minutes after I leave for work or just before I get home! Just my suspicious nature showing, perhaps.

Sad if it's right that to find my dog I have to go through the classifieds rather than an rehoming centre.
 
I have never really understood the reluctance for rescue homes to expect someone to be at home all day before taking a dog, surely a loving home of any sort is better than being stuck in a cage and outdoor run all day and night. There are so many thousands of unwanted dogs looking for homes they should be biting the hand of anyone who has a good home to offer. Not all dogs want to be walked for hours each day, some ask nothing more that a sofa and a bit of peace.

You sound like a loving and responsible owner and I hope someone is sensible enough to see that. Good luck.
 
I can full sympathise as I was in the same position a year ago. Our old girl was quite content being left at home all day whilst we were at work.

We had her PTS late last year and a few months ago felt it was time to bring another dog into our lives. As you say, most of the re-homing kennels won't entertain you if you are working full-time, however we have adopted an ex-racing greyhound - the Retire Greyhound Trust have much more flexible 'rules'.

Our girl is well suited to being on her own - given the choice she would sleep for 23 hours a day! On a day off I can forget the idea of a lunchtime walk! Ofcourse, not all hounds are suited to being left all day, but a greyhound may be worth thinking about.
 
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