Is it ever OK?

H

Hedge_pig

Well-Known Member
Joined
20 March 2007
Messages
399
Visit site
I work full time and live in a flat with no garden. Would it ever be OK for me to take on a dog? Obviously I would be looking for an older rescue dog (or 2) rather than a puppy, and would walk before and after work and possibly get a dog walker to go over at some point during the day. I would never take on a dog if I thought I couldn't give it a happy home for life, which is what has put me off so far but I really miss having a dog around (my parents have 4).

Does anyone work full time and still have dogs? The thought of not having a dog until I retire is really depressing.
 
We have two dogs and my OH and i work full time. he works shifts so it can range from one day to four days a week they are on their own. On those days i go home at dnner time and walk them. so it is doable, depends on the dog as well. Some adapt to beng on their own. i gues having no outside space could be more problematic - n that you wll have to be organiswed to take them out for regular loo breaks and no where for them to lie in the sun or mooch around.
 
Plenty of people keep dogs in flats no problem, but you'd have to be prepared to walk several times a day in any weather, come what may. But then I know lots of dogs who just get shut in a garden rather than a walk so your dog would be better off than many :)

The only concerns I would have, would be if the dog had an upset tum or sickness and you would not be able to leave a back door open for frequent trips outside. Also, if you were delayed in getting home, would someone be able to get the dog out for a walk at short notice?
 
I actually know loads of people who leave their dogs from 8 in the morning till 6 at night and when I say I have to go home because the dogs have been alone for four hours they look at me like I am mad.

I personally think it's better for dogs to be in a loved home even if they are left alone for 8 or 9 hours than be in rescue kennels or PTS. Other views may vary.
 
My dog lives this exact life and shes super happy. However, rescues will, 99% of the time, NOT rehome to you with that lifestyle so you will have to look around. xxxx
 
Yes! As long as you are committed to giving the dog enough exercise i think thats grand.

Lots of rescues will re home to you just go to the smaller ones and maybe be prepared to travel. There are thousands of different ones spread all over th UK.
 
This is a dilema for me too - we'd love a dog but both OH & I work full time and too far away to come home at lunchtimes.
If you can get someone to look in every day during the day or even better take the dog for a walk it mightnt be so bad.
We decided not to get one at the moment - just down to current personal circumstances though.
 
Many years ago when oh and i first got together we lived in a tiny one bed flat....with 2 Cockers!! I got/took/stole custody of the dogs from my previous relationship and we had no choice. We had no garden and had to walk them AT least 4 times a day. As soon as you got up, literally. They were then left all day while I was at work (7.30 to 4.30) walked again as soon as I got home, then again after dinner and a quick one again just before bed. It was fine, got us fitter!!
 
Well educated guess would also say that you must go out to ride/do/see your horses so pooch would also get time out at the yard. I now work from home and am only in the office 1 day a week but I can be out for stretches on other days on client visits -mainly in the city. I have a dog walker who comes in at lunchtime regardless of where I am. If I am going to go out after work then I pay a girl from the yard to come in after work and sit with my dogs for a couple of hours so they have company. It works well! And while I do have a big garden, there is not a chance in hell my dogs would be running in and out all day when no one is at home. This is because, while it is heavily staffie proofed (and regularly checked - we have chickens at the end of my garden!) I would not be able to relax thinking that they could get out or be stolen. See if you can really commit to the dog walking etc, and of course, no getting out of the loo walks (!).. maybe you could see if you could foster a rescue to see how you get on first?

also meant to say as I don't know where you are - a short term "fix" could be to offer to walk dogs at your local rescue. There is a large one near me and the regulars also take the dogs for days away/short breaks. All to help socialise the dog, get more information and in turn, this makes them easier to place in a new home.
 
Our dogs (now 9 y/o Goldie and 11 y/o GSD, had both from puppies) are left from around 8.30am to 4pm every weekday. They are walked twice a day, and tbh now I'm home from uni I see their routine - sleep sleep sleep play sleep sleep!! We leave the radio on for them and we've never had any problems whatsoever.
We are in a house, but I can't see the problem if you are willing to give the time for exercise :) xx
 
I think so to. I live in a flat with my terrier and he is the happiest dog ever. He gets lots of walks, and time at the yard. So at home he is happy to sleep and mooch around. What floor do you live on? I am on the second floor and we have a garden downstairs, but he very quickily learnt to stand by the door and then we would fly down the stairs, he never didnt make it!! he has had bad tummys before but just cried to go out and we just run to the door!
 
my dogs left from 8.40 to 6pm 5 days per week and is fine!! most days I come home at lunch and walk her which she loves!! my sister used to live in a flat with her dog he was hard to toilet train but other than that was fine!!
go for it!!
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top