Is it possible?

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Beezer

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Sorry if this has been asked before, but I just want a sanity check ...

OH and I both work full-time office hours, both really REALLY want dogs. Always have. OH still pines for the GSD he grew up with. Ideally we'd have two Siberian huskies (one each to work with), but more likely to be Rhodesian Ridgebacks (reading up on Siber-pets, I understand two together can be a bit vocal and we're definitely in suburbia so mindful of neighbours. Also, I get the impression that if you let them off the lead for a run, they're not disobedient as such - they fully intend to come back when called ... just after they've had a look round the next corner. And the next after that, etc. Is that a fair assessment, Sibe owners? And would Rhodies be any different?). Both of us see the whole point of dog ownership as working with them, so plenty of exercise and mental stimulation, definitely heaps of training. Very aware that working breeds need activity and something to engage the brain.

Here's the thing though. Because we both work full-time we've always assumed ownership would be completely out of the question and opted for cats instead, who are happy to snooze away whilst we're at work. However, friends have all gone ahead and indulged their desire for a dog despite keeping full-time hours. They've gone for Dobermans, ESS and a collie-cross, so still active dogs, and they all 'seem' happy being alone all day (no mid-day dog-walking service). Is it ever do-able? Are we being over-cautious? Are we right to think having a dog will be a retirement gift to ourselves or could it ever work out? Could a working breed ever be happy left to its own devices from 8:30 am to 6pm?

PS:- An entirely theoretical question as the two orange moggies we now have wouldn't want to house-share and have a good few years in them yet! Just really want to know if we've made the right decision or not ...
 
I think you can definitely have a dog and work full time, BUT:
- I would opt for a more laid back breed. Huskies are probably the most demanding dogs there are and you would need to devote a huge chunk of your life to deal with their requirements which may not be possible with a job. I don't know much about RRs, but personally I would not chose a working dog for this kind of lifestyle, while do-able in some cases, you would be making it all more challenging.
- you would need to commit to early morning and late evening walks in all weathers and personally I would prefer to see a lunch time break with a dog walker, but on the plus side there are plenty of dog walkers around so it shouldn't be too much of a problem to arrange that.
- I would not get two puppies together as they will be a lot more difficult to train. Either go for one puppy and another 12-18 months later, or for two older dogs that are already used to each other.

Other than that go for it and enjoy your dogs!
 
Thanks BooBoos - that's really helpful. Although OH grew up with a dog, we'd both be very much first-time owners so the heads-up on our breed choice perhaps not being the greatest for novices is much appreciated. Good intentions and book-reading don't always make up for experience. It's great to hear that, whilst it may take a little more organisation and effort, combining dogs with full-time jobs isn't an impossibility. As I mentioned, we've now got the orange moggies installed so dogs would be a fair few years down the line, but good to know it's do-able. And I guess the time could be usefully spent volunteering at a shelter to get some hands-on.
 
Personally I wouldn't even think about leaving a dog for that length of time. Especially a puppy. I think you would come back to loads of mess to clear up and possibly a lot of chewed furniture.
Working breeds need stimulation to occupy their brains, and they won't just want it when it suits you I'm afraid.
As for the choice of breeds, i really don't think either are first time owners type of dogs.
I agree that a lot of reading needs to be done. They are both big dogs and if not trained correctly could make life quite difficult.

I think it is a great idea to help out at a shelter. I know dogs trust have a list of people who come in to take the dogs for walks. That might be fun and give you a bit of experience.

My biggest concern though is expecting a dog to be on it's own for that length of time. Could you go all that time without needing a wee? I know my dogs breeder wouldn't sell a dog in these circumstances, nor would dogs trust.
 
That's why I'm asking though - I thought it was a complete no-no and had resigned myself to a dog-free life until either retirement or working part-time could be an option. Just having made that decision and then seeing colleagues leap in with no apparent problems made me wonder if I was being overly pessimistic.
 
*Suddenly understands why 3DEs always seem to have a contingent of RR owners on constant course-walk from dawn 'til dusk*

Thanks all for the useful advice everyone. So ... dog + full-time job = do-able with commitment, lunchtime dog-walker and complete abandoment of ambitious but rubbish breed choices! Plans being hastily revised downwards from 2 young pups to one old codger from a rescue centre!
 
If you are totally set on a Siberian husky (and this will involve turning your life upside down and inside out - they really are a lifestyle choice, not just a dog!) then I would advise contacting SHWA UK and SHCGB Welfare - the latter I know have several older dogs in at the moment and they would be able to advise on whether any of them were suitable to be left for that length of time.

I would expect the answer to be no, however. As a breed they're prone to separation anxiety to begin with and are extremely well equipped to destroy your house and everything in it. :p

Put it this way, I currently work part time but will be looking for full time work in the latter half of 2012. I am already allowing for the fact that a good chunk of my wages each month will be going on daycare (not just a walker). :o
 
My partner and i were both working full-time when we adopted a pair of adult greyhounds, i'd nip home during my lunch hour to take them out to the loo. They could manage a full day & i do know other owners that do that, but i don't feel its healthy for them on a daily basis. Greyhounds are in general a lazy breed that enjoys sleeping for hours, which they also do while i'm home and don't need as much exercise as many breeds so its easy for me to fit it in around work. I think what people deem acceptable for their dogs can vary a lot and not all dogs will cope with being left all day.
 
i have six rhodesian ridgebacks, i agree that a young pup can not be left alone all day, that would lead to disaster and is def not fair on the puppy. you can not expect a dog to grow up to be well adjusted with a limited amount of company

however if you are getting two and you have outside space for a kennel and run, then i think two pups with lots of toys could manage.

it is not ideal and when young they are fed 3-4 times a day, but although active dogs when out, they are just as happy to lounge around all day.

not sure if i would like any of my pups going to a home where they would be on there own all day though, no one has ever approached me for a pup when in full time employment, there is always someone at home or they are in a position to take the dog to work.
 
Thanks BC and CC - I think that's decided things for us.

We're still talking a few years in the future, but when the opportunity comes then it's great to know we needn't automatically assume that a full-time job rules out dog ownership completely - just it will need us to consider our choice of companion very carefully and get proper provision in place for our working hours. I'm obsessive with forward-planning so this is all part of an 'If I can actually have a dog (singular now, no multiple puppies - thanks Booboos!) then I need to learn and research' game plan.

Absolutely in love with Sibes, but absolutely NOT going to go for anything we can't provide a happy and fulfilled life for. They do look amazing, but that's not the deal-clincher for us - I think we just love the 'come on, let's go do fun stuff!' attitude they seem to have 'cause that's exactly what we'd want to do with them - we definitely want to do more than a quick bladder-relieving walk round the block at the end of the night! Like ChestnuttyMare says though, we can't expect them to put that attitude on hold until we/dog walker arrives to give it an outlet. It sounds like the breeds we're drawn to just aren't going to fit in with our current lifestyle or experience. Maybe eventually though, eh?!

Great to have a forum like this that helps people realise they can make dog/full-time job work, but comes with real-life-experience caveats that prevent bad choices and unhappy dogs. Thanks all.
 
I wouldn't rule out a calmer, older GSD. They are available, especially through places like GSD Vigil and Biggsd (they have their own forums and are very friendly) or breeders who have older stock that haven't made the grade for show or for work.
 
Beezer said:
Thanks BC and CC - I think that's decided things for us.

We're still talking a few years in the future, but when the opportunity comes then it's great to know we needn't automatically assume that a full-time job rules out dog ownership completely - just it will need us to consider our choice of companion very carefully and get proper provision in place for our working hours. I'm obsessive with forward-planning so this is all part of an 'If I can actually have a dog (singular now, no multiple puppies - thanks Booboos!) then I need to learn and research' game plan.

Absolutely in love with Sibes, but absolutely NOT going to go for anything we can't provide a happy and fulfilled life for. They do look amazing, but that's not the deal-clincher for us - I think we just love the 'come on, let's go do fun stuff!' attitude they seem to have 'cause that's exactly what we'd want to do with them - we definitely want to do more than a quick bladder-relieving walk round the block at the end of the night! Like ChestnuttyMare says though, we can't expect them to put that attitude on hold until we/dog walker arrives to give it an outlet. It sounds like the breeds we're drawn to just aren't going to fit in with our current lifestyle or experience. Maybe eventually though, eh?!

Great to have a forum like this that helps people realise they can make dog/full-time job work, but comes with real-life-experience caveats that prevent bad choices and unhappy dogs. Thanks all.
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What a flippin' sensible person you are :) Some real good advice above. I think you are right that the deal clincher can't be because you think the breed is gorgeous. There are people i know who went and got a st bernard, yep, gorgeous but life is so difficult. he is so masive and playful that the girl can't take him out on her own. If we meet them on our walk the 2 of them have to hold on and it is like a tug o war team with their heels dug in to hang on to him :D Saying that, they have now gone and bought a puppy which they have to walk seperately. What a lot of work some people make for themselves.
Someone mentioned greyhounds, they are beautiful and big lazy creatures who will lie about the house all day but are always up for a walk, a lot can't be let off the lead tho or they will chase anything that moves and you really won't be able to run after them lol.
Anyhow, whatever you decide on in the future I am sure you will have fun with it. What a pity other people don't put more thought into making the decision. good luck with it. x ps in the meantime would the moggies not let you put leads on and go for a walk? :D
 
Beezer said:
*Suddenly understands why 3DEs always seem to have a contingent of RR owners on constant course-walk from dawn 'til dusk*

Thanks all for the useful advice everyone. So ... dog + full-time job = do-able with commitment, lunchtime dog-walker and complete abandoment of ambitious but rubbish breed choices! Plans being hastily revised downwards from 2 young pups to one old codger from a rescue centre!
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Love it :D
 
Oh cack - I'd typed out an epic reply covering everything and it's suddenly disappeared! Anyway, the precis version is:

2Greys - thanks, greyhounds sound like they might be happy if we also factored in the lunchtime dog-walker (I certainly couldn't go 8hrs straight without a 'visit' - can't expect to walk into a puddle-free house after that length of time. Way to go, mid-day dog walker!). Thought they would need a lot of exercise and friend's mum's ex-racer was a lazy freak of nature, but maybe not!

Couple of questions whilst I'm in fact-finding mode though - any accomodations I should make for a sight-hound if our primary off-lead exercise will be in bunny-rich and small-dog-rich fields? (Don't mind so much about the bunnies!). Could training overcome strong natural instincts? No point putting trouble our way if I can pre-empt. And one of the things I really want from dog ownership is the whole 'working together' thing - no specific activity in mind, but would love to just spend time working with my dog to learn something new. Would that suit a greyhound's temperament? (Not looking for competition-level skills, just something fun and brain-exercising to do together so a willing participant would be great. Quite happy if we're pants together if we're enjpoying it!).

Gwenllian - SIX RRs?! I almost heard snorts of coffee hitting screens when I casually mentioned wanting two young RR pups as an easier alternative to Siberian Huskies, and there you are with six! Would definitely want a dog who thrived rather than managed with the lifestyle I give him, so the advice you've given is really helpful in confirming that I have a 'dream' choice and a 'realistic' choice. It's really sounding as though the breeds we're drawn to are too much like putting a novice rider with a green horse, so when the orange moggies shuffle off (please though, not too soon!) then it's highly likely some laid-back rescue mongrel will have a nice life running rings round us 'first-time dog owners.
 
If you like large dogs nothing beats a GSD bred primarily for temperament as a pet dog (although as a fellow owner I am completely biased!). Very intelligent dogs that will be game for all sorts of activities whether you want to do training for fun or obedience or agility, if properly socialised very good with children, other dogs and cats, more chilled out and less likely to bark than some of the small breeds and definitely able to relax in between nice long walks.
 
An older RR may suit you very nicely. Our old girl that we lost last summer was the most patient dog I have ever met. She would have loved to be allowed to chill in the house all day.

They are beautiful dogs so I fully understand why they are on your wish list :)

It is so refreshing to hear (well.... read) someone taking advice on board and thinking about the dog before themselves :)
 
Huge thanks to everyone for some great advice and options. It's really appreciated. No doubt I'll be back here with a million questions when the opportunity to get our own fella finally arrives!
 
CaveCanem said:
I wouldn't rule out a calmer, older GSD. They are available, especially through places like GSD Vigil and Biggsd (they have their own forums and are very friendly) or breeders who have older stock that haven't made the grade for show or for work.
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OOOh Noo..not for me thanks..all those hairs and BIG hairy muddy feet as well, all your clothes would be like a yeti ,nooo,the easier life for me thanks!:o
 
Ha, thanks East Kent - I live with a bloke though, so I'm already accustomed to big muddy footprints, dirt, breakages and general chaos! If I could keep the dog indoors and pop Bloke in an outdoor kennel I'm sure I could reduce housework by 50%!

He did get a little misty-eyed at the thought that an older GSD could be a possible option. He adored his old childhood buddy and I must admit his Sully did sound an absolute saint. Not sure why we thought GSDs would be a complete 'no' for the full-time job/dog ownership combo but a pair of Sibe or Rhodesian pups would be any different! I guess that's the great thing about having a wealth of advice at your fingertips though - we've staved certain disaster off before it happens! Strange to think we hoped for two young pups and are now suddenly thinking that the best option will be talking to a breed shelter and asking if they honestly think a single older guy would be happy with what we could offer. It'll be a proper Circle of Win - we get the dog we've longed for, and some old stager gets a proper home and the opportunity to point out all the mistakes us novices will no doubt make!

Cheers, everyone!
 
Hi, both my OH and I work full time. OH leaves at 6.30am and I leave at 8.30am. OH comes home at 4.30pm and I return at 5.30pm but finish at 1.30pm on a wednesday and as I'm a teacher I also dont work for 13 weeks of the year! With our older dog we didnt have a dog walker and she was fine- totally chilled- never chewed on anything/never wee'd/never cried. Since we took on a pup however we have employed a dog walker who arrives at 12pm for half hour to play etc and we pay£9 per day for this so its not cheap but is essential for a pup who cant hold their bladder for 8 hours a day. Full time work does not mean you cannot have a dog but you have to be prepared to pay out for a walker if you want a young/active dog and you have to also be prepared to wake really early to walk that dog before work so they are cream crackered enough to sleep all day. We have had to change our lives and apart from a few days when its pooring with rain and the pressure of work is getting me down it is worth it. :)
 
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