How does this schedule sound for a dog- too long alone?

[fleabitten]

I would dearly love to have my own mutt and am trying to figure out a way in which I could do this.
I am a full time teacher and the dog's schedle would run something like this.
6-7am - run to yard with me (2 miles) and muck out.
8.30- 11.30 Left in back yard, with access to a kennel.
11.30-12.30 dog walker comes in to walk.
12.30 -4.00 Left in back yard until I come home then down the yard to ride out with me and Ernie the arab. Sleep in the house at night.

Is this workable? Feel free to be honest. I would never consider a pup, but maybe a rescue, possibly a greyhound...but then they are sighthounds and maybe couldnt be trusted to ride out off the lead.
I'm in a conundrum I've also been offered a lovely burmese cat.....

 

[mattilda]

sounds OK to me but would depend on the dog. Some do better on their own than others. Also I would never leave mine outside if I'm not at home. I'd be too worried about someone nicking them or letting them out.

 

[GinaGem]

Only thing i'd say is that it would depend what you mean by kennel - my greyhound cross gets cold in the house in the winter let alone outside! Also i do not trust her in the slightest around the horses having seen her chase instinct kick in while my horse was cantering in the school with my instructor on board (and it seems this will kick in randomly as i'd had her about 6 months prior to this with absolutely no probs around the horses!)

The actual routine seems fine though to me

 

[CAYLA]

I have just rehomed a greyhound to a farm with sheep, horses, cats and she will be kenneled when they are out at work and inside when they get home....as long as the kennel is of good materials and has suitable warm bedding, and you can also get a nice greyhound coat...then I think what you have to offer is fine.
They also rarely bark.

Greyhounds are not very suited to running along side a horse of a lead, if that is what u want...although some will do it im sure

if this is what u want maybe go for something with a little intelligence, maybe shaggy type lurcher g/houndxcolli, or a whippet x greyhound they are more bidable.
They would love the run to the yard, and generally they don't mind being kenneled or spending time alone, and they can live along side cats...mine do

 

[Acolyte]

[ QUOTE ]
Greyhounds are not very suited to running along side a horse of a lead, if that is what u want...although some will do it im sure

if this is what u want maybe go for something with a little intelligence

[/ QUOTE ]

Are you saying that perhaps greyhounds arent intelligent Cala?

Just joking

The routine sounds fine to me, but I know the rescue place where I get my greyhounds from specifies that they arent allowed to live in kennels - not sure whether they are just meaning 24 hours a day when they say that though

 

[CAYLA]

Erm...yes I am

did the rescue you adopted from...have them in kennels

We will rehome to people who want to keep then in kennels, as long as they are suitable in size and and of adequate material and not left out all the time, and our dogs come from homed environments as we don't kennel our rescues.

 

[sloulou]

Schedule sounds good to me

My dog is left alone from 8.30-11 am - then walked for an hour by dog walker - then left alone from 12pm-2.30pm then walked for an hour by dog walker and I get home to hinm just after 5pm.

He is totally fine with this as is 4 days a week

 

[BBH]

I was in the same boat as you, working F/T but wanting a dog , so arranged dog sitter but we were badly let down, she was supposed to come in twice a day and walk him but builder said she ate her sarnies in house and let him in garden only. Anyway moved jobs and is fine now.

PS Would never buy a dog to keep it in yard IMO they are family so live in doors only.

 

[Foxyfilly]

Agree about not keeping in kennels, greyhounds etc have miserable lives as racers. They love home comforts and sleeping on the sofa.

 

[Shannagolden]

Mine live in my kenels together whilst I'm out so they have each others company. Not sure about leaving it alone on yard tho. Dog walker sounds like a great idea but you would need someone trust worthy.

 

[wizzi901]

sounds fine, our pup is 8 months old and now has just the one lunchtime visit walk etc for an hour, with lengthly mooching at yard morning first thing and evening.

Bear in mind as a puppy (if you go that route) you wont be able to walk it as long to begin with...!

 

[MizElz]

Sounds more than fine to me. Our doggies (two Labs and a Border Terrier) are left on their own from 8.30am - 3.30pm most days, and are fine!

 

[prose]

Looks good to me. On the days when it's really bitter, you may want to keep her indoors or invest in a fleece coat with the neck cover (and maybe put another layer underneath, going from what I've seen of the shivery greyhounds and whippets over this way).

And for rainy days, how about this fetching yellow number (scroll)?