Opinions pls, what to do????

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CPW

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Does anyone here have a puppy and work full-time????? Is it possible, is it unfair on the dog, if you are in this situation how do you manage it?

My Mum's border collie had eight gorgeous puppies seven weeks ago, I picked one after it was born and said if I could have on it would be this one, a big beautiful boy.

I have been brought up with dogs and love them, I have wanted one ever since leaving home.

The problem is I don't think it is fair for me to have one when both my husband and I work full-time - my Mum agrees.

I have a horse, so morning and evening the dog would be at the yard with me, would have loads of exercise and would be soooo loved! BUT, he would be at home all day on his own.

What to do????
 
Couldn't your Mum take it for you during the day?

Our dog spends 4 hours on his own, although when I was away he was alone from 8-5 with a visit during lunch and a good walk before and after my OH went to work. However he was fully house trained and used to being left by that point.

For a tiny puppy I wouldn't think it was that fair, but perhaps you could pay someone to visit during the day? I did it once for my Mum's friend who worked full time and had a new puppy, I just wanted to play puppies I didn't get payed anything
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I am really worried that Henry may not be able to come to work with me much longer
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If this happens he will be either left in the car when the weather is suitable (I know it doesn't sound great but it worked before he could come in, won't go into the details here though) and walked before, during and after or he will stay home, walk with me in the moring, with a kind neighbour during the day and with me again after work.

However I would like everyone to cross their fingers and paws that this doesn't happen! I would miss him
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For a tiny puppy I don't think this would work but for an older dog it can be possible. Could you look at rehoming an older dog instead?
 
My personal opinion is that if you work full time, then no - it's not fair to have a dog, and certainly not a puppy. A border is a whole other kettle of fish, and as you have experience of them you know how intelligent they are and how much stimulation they need.

I know that others disagree, but I certainly wouldn't have a puppy at home all day alone - although appreciate that the older dog may cope ok.

I just don't feel it's much of a life for them really.
 
This is a question I often ask too. I REALLY want a couple of greyhound puppies when I qualify and find a property but I'll be working full time and I'm just not sure it would be fair.

I know of someone who used to get a dog-walker to keep an eye on her dogs for a few hours.
 
I know a few people who have got away with it, but know of lots more who have had problems leaving a puppy home alone when they are out all day. Imagine it from the pup's point of view - one minute he is secure with his mother and his siblings, then he is taken to a strange place and left on his own for long periods of times without any human or canine company.
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It is not surprising pups then become destructive, or mess in the house, or howl and whine and upset the neighbours.
 
Having had a moan (actually more of a panic) to my colleagues, we are now working out a rota whereby our dogs will come in either for a morning or an afternoon at a time
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Phew, feel less panicky now!

I don't think a pup would cope but Splotchy has two healthy happy greyhounds who she has filmed - they snooze all day and are visited at lunchtime I believe.
 
When I got my dog as a puppy she was able to come to work with me thankfully but whilst she was still young I changed job and couldn't take her any longer so I used a boarding kennels locally and had her in as a day boarder until she was old enough to be left alone. It's still not ideal leaving a dog but it all depends on the individual dog, the house and distractions and exercise etc. A border collie would be harder to do this with unfortunately just because of their energy levels and could lead to behavioural problems. A greyhound on the other hand is much happier to blast away for 1/2 an hour then sleep all day!!
 
All you have to do is put yourself in the pups position really and ask if you would like it....and the answer would be no I expect. What a long long day with no company, interaction, pee breaks, food etc etc. But what about TWO pups and a kindly neighbour or one of these pop in services. We have one near us called Pets at Home who do drop ins and walkies, or make private arrangements. Lots of people work full time and have dogs but a youngster needs so much more attention
 
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I don't think a pup would cope but Splotchy has two healthy happy greyhounds who she has filmed - they snooze all day and are visited at lunchtime I believe.

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Thats me
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Yep, they have even settled well into new horrible tiny house (apart from waking me up at midnight last night to bark through the patio doors at a random hedgehog in the garden
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) so I am happy if they are happy
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Just a thought for the poster who wanted greyhound puppies... please, please consider rescues not puppies, they are so rewarding and lovely to have around
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Having said that I fell in love with a gorgeous whippet puppy at Hartpury over the weekend, it really made me want a whippet again
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[ QUOTE ]


Thats me
grin.gif
Yep, they have even settled well into new horrible tiny house (apart from waking me up at midnight last night to bark through the patio doors at a random hedgehog in the garden
mad.gif
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) so I am happy if they are happy
smile.gif


Just a thought for the poster who wanted greyhound puppies... please, please consider rescues not puppies, they are so rewarding and lovely to have around
smile.gif


Having said that I fell in love with a gorgeous whippet puppy at Hartpury over the weekend, it really made me want a whippet again
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[/ QUOTE ]

There you go, you'll even be safe from the Hedgehogs of Doom!
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