should i get a Dog???? Opinions please

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clairencappelli

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Ok so i grew up with dogs but my now ex husband ( horah! ) who didnt want one has gone so i have the choice to get one if i like.

Now im looking into praticalities and costs before i do anything.

I work mon + tues 9.30 - 3.00 and with the school run would be out from 8.30 untill 3.30 and weds i work a long day from 11am-8pm but have an hours lunch at 3 so would go home and let the dog out etc.

Thursday and fridays i dont work so im at the yard all day more of less but my little chosen friend would come with me and if i was riding i would put him/her in my stable . We also have a private farm out back so would like to go riding with my dog as there are no roads ( would prob need to go to puupy school class for this tho lol ).

Saturdays id be with the dog but sundays i do compete so could be an issue as i wouldnt like to leave a dog all day from sometimes 8-4 ish although my mum and dad live close by so would let it out for me OR i could have them as long as they dont mind being in the box when im riding as my lorry is nice and cool in the summer.

I am on my own so id love a small dog for company but want to know costs of ins etc and food and if people think my life would suit a dog. I do have 2 kids who are 7 and 10 to.

Id LOVE a jack russell as i only have a 3 bed terranced house with a small garden and i dont want a big dog of something that requires lot of exercise - it can excerside it self down the yard and while im poo picking to some degree haha.

2 dogs arent an option but do you think my lifestyle would be suitbale for a little 4 legged friend?
 
Just a personal opinion, I think you are out and about a bit too much for a single dog, I think you would have problems with boredom for the dog which could turn distructive.

On saying that, when I was much younger I worked and had a dog, but then again I had chewed everything! That was before indoor crates were even thought of!

I would prefer one of my pups to go with someone who was at home a little longer - or perhaps have your parents have him/her when you are out?.

Jack Russels are working dogs and not couch potatoes, so need plenty of stimulus and exercise, more than the average 'little' dog.
 
I there - I'm inclined to agree with Whitewood. You sound as though you really care about the wellbeing of any dog you have and I do think it would be on its own rather too much. It is easy to underestimate just how much dogs suffer from solitude - "getting used" to being alone is not the same as being happy with it! I would be inclined to postpone the idea until either you circumstances change or you feel you could have two dogs. It still isn't ideal to leave two on their own too much but at least they wouldnt' suffer from solitude.

Not an easy decision, I know!
 
i have a jack russell, they do require a LOT of exercise. i work 6 hour shifts, either 8-2 or 2-8. when working mornings i get up at 5 so that jelly has an hour and a half walk inthe morning, off lead and then 1.5 hours walk when i get home. if i work afternoons then i take her out for as long as i can in the eve but all morning before i go. they are excellent little dogs but are prone to issues if they do not have enough exercise.
on the plus, jelly is great to go riding with- she's not a terriery as some i've met and will stay very close- but that is just lucky, you couldn't garentee that. jelly is great to be left, but again she has a routine where she understands that i will return.
maybe a lower enegery dog could work if you had your parents popping in and out when you work longer hours (i don't personally think 9-3 is a problem if the dog is happy to settle) maybe think about an older rescue dog? personally i don't think leaving a dog for 6/7 hours is too bad BUT it does depend on the dog. when i get home i am greeted by either a sleeping jack russell or a stretching/ yawning jack russell! but not all are the same.
 
Lots of people, myself included, are away from the house in the day (with work or other commitments) and have perfectly happy dogs, and as such I am not going to preach that you shouldn't have a dog whilst you're working.

What I would say, however, is that introducing a pup into this routine might prove tricky- apart from anything else because they need to go to the loo every 3-4hrs
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...Don't be discouraged though, you could get an older dog with a bit more bladder control!!... how about this one??...
http://www.dogsblog.com/category/jack-russell-terrier/
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i think getting two dogs, for each others company, would be best if you were going to leave them alone for a few days a week. it might be good getting a dog run too, so theyre not in the house all day, especially when you first get them (theyll probaby chew everything up lol ).
 
In general I think it matters more what you do with the dog, when you're with it, rather than how much time it is alone. You have a better chance of getting an obedient dog that doesn't run off, if you do things with it when it is with you. All dogs doesn't need that you train competition obedience but doing a few things, like wanting it to sit and wait for a while, turn right when you turn right, during the walk/while you're outside is always good. But if you think of it as if after puppy class, you'll be able to f.ex. go and poo pick the field and the dog will entertain and exercise itself, you're probably right, it will entertain itself but I wouldn't count on it to stop entertaining itself when you want it, it might even be out hunting and be way out of earshot when you want to leave the yard and go home to your children...

If you mainly want something for company and cuddles, have you considered getting a cat? They're much better at entertaining themselves. Personally in general I think that if you have one dog that needs company because it is bored and you get a second dog, you'll only end up having two bored dogs, keeping each other company while they're either waiting for you to entertain them or doing mischief together.
If you want a dog but worry about it being alone, how about getting a puppy and a kitten? Or an older dog that is used to cats and a kitten/older cat that likes dogs?


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My hours a week total 19 and i didnt think that was that much?

I really dont want to commit to 2 dogs.

I already have a cat but hes hardy faithful lol, he will be petted when he feels like it but other times will not be so willing.

I know lots of people work full time with dogs and they seem happy but am i being unfair to want one with my routine?

For the next 6 weeks while the kids are off school im on 6 weeks late shifts which is just 4 hours an evening so id be there with the dog all day for not and would be able to get some toilet training etc done.
 
As I said, what matters to me is what you do with it, when it is with you. If you're willing and have the time to really do things with your dog and not just have it with you as company, I don't necessarily see any problem with you getting a dog. However, since you don't want a dog that requires a lot of exercise (otherwise they might get mischievous ideas), I would consider other breeds than JRT's, because personally I would definitely describe JRT's as an energetic breed.

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I have two JRTs and although they love their exercise and can run and run forever, they also love their sleep and will sleep for 22 hours of the day. When we got them it was the summer holidays so we had time to train them. Then they were left in a huge crate from 8.20 to 3.20 at the longest, sometimes there were shorter days and very very very occasionally longer.

Since I lost my job last year they have had a lot more company - and to be honest I don't thing they are any happier than they were before.

When I was younger no one thought about these things and if you wanted a dog you got one (not that we had any as my mother can't stand animals). I sometimes wonder if this 'new' way of thinking about leaving dogs alone for too long is something to do with why so many dogs are not adopted.

Don't get me wrong I try very hard to do the best for my dogs and know that they are loved and spoilt rotten.

I will probably get shot down for this - but if you can provide a loving home and you are willing to deal with any consequences and wont look to rehome the dog if it gets hard - then go for it. My opinion is that I have taken on animals - 8 cats and 2 dogs - and they will always be my responsibility. I will do my very very best to look after them for the rest of their lives.
 
A very sensible approach and there was much sence in that.

Im the same with my animals ( 2 ginea pigs, 1 cat and a horse ) they are with my for life.

I have been looking at insurance and it looks liie its going to be around 9.00 a month.

Id love to take my pup to shows with me and to get her used to the horses. My horse is very used to dogs at the yard so she wont care less.

What size crate would i need for a JR - would a 30 inch be big enough of should i go for the next size up?

Also what are the costs of jabs and puppy trianing classes?
 
[ QUOTE ]
I have two JRTs and although they love their exercise and can run and run forever, they also love their sleep and will sleep for 22 hours of the day. When we got them it was the summer holidays so we had time to train them. Then they were left in a huge crate from 8.20 to 3.20 at the longest, sometimes there were shorter days and very very very occasionally longer.

Since I lost my job last year they have had a lot more company - and to be honest I don't thing they are any happier than they were before.

When I was younger no one thought about these things and if you wanted a dog you got one (not that we had any as my mother can't stand animals). I sometimes wonder if this 'new' way of thinking about leaving dogs alone for too long is something to do with why so many dogs are not adopted.

Don't get me wrong I try very hard to do the best for my dogs and know that they are loved and spoilt rotten.

I will probably get shot down for this - but if you can provide a loving home and you are willing to deal with any consequences and wont look to rehome the dog if it gets hard - then go for it. My opinion is that I have taken on animals - 8 cats and 2 dogs - and they will always be my responsibility. I will do my very very best to look after them for the rest of their lives.

[/ QUOTE ]

i totally agree, i got turned down for a rescue becuase i work 6 hours 5 days a week. no wonder there are so many dogs needing homes when a lot of rescues do not compromise.
we all know that animals to a certain degree are adaptable.
i would have had over half the daytime with said dog and evening and all night!
 
I have 3 Jack *couch* Russell *potato* Terriers
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and both my OH and I work full time. They spend more time asleep than running amock.

However they're not puppies and they have eachother. Perhaps you'd be better with a young adult.

That said, I'd like a puppy in a year or so's time and I know people who work full time and have happy puppies. As long as your aware there is more risk of a destructive pup/dog or that it could take longer to house train etc then I don't see why you shouldn't have one
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