To dog or not to dog that is the question....

leflynn

leflynn

Well-Known Member
Joined
13 September 2010
Messages
2,905
Location
Oop Norf
Visit site
Arrgh I know I shouldn't have looked and I shouldn't have messaged the lady with the gorgeous litter of puppies but I did! I have spotted a beautiful Parson Jack Russell terrier puppy (10wks) and I know if I look he'll come home with me but I am having serious guilt trips about it.

I feel guilty because I work all day he'd be a house dog, walked before and after work unless my OH isn't working and he would hang out with him. I work 9-5 mon to friday and can't get home during the day to let the dog out/walk as I work 24 miles from home. Sadly the neighbours I know work during the day too so getting one of them to let him out isn't an option at the moment.

I've owned a dog before when I was teens/twenties and know they are a big commitment which might be what is making me hesitate, time talking dog walking in the vile weather doesn't bother me (it may bother the dog!).

Any thoughts?
 
blackcob said:
What you've described wouldn't be impossible with an adult dog but is absolutely incompatible with a 10 week old pup.
Click to expand...

leflynn said:
I guess I know that really! Shame he isn't older :(
Click to expand...

I'm sorry, but however I'd like to encourage you, the b_c is right. It would be verging on negligent. One small window though, if you drive to work, then it may be that your pup could stay in the car and be let out upon loo/tea/meal breaks. Many years ago, I did it, and it worked, and it was a terrier, and I overlooked the damage to the car's internals, but we got there, eventually!!

For now though, we have the summer coming up, so perhaps not the best idea. Sorry.

Alec.
 
Alec Swan said:
I'm sorry, but however I'd like to encourage you, the b_c is right. It would be verging on negligent. One small window though, if you drive to work, then it may be that your pup could stay in the car and be let out upon loo/tea/meal breaks. Many years ago, I did it, and it worked, and it was a terrier, and I overlooked the damage to the car's internals, but we got there, eventually!!

For now though, we have the summer coming up, so perhaps not the best idea. Sorry.

Alec.
Click to expand...


To me thats as bad as being locked in a crate all day but WORSE.....theft...hot car/cold car/boredom

at least at home a dog is in familiar surroundings

(coming from someone who wont leave their dog alone in the car EVER)
 
Sorry but reading the title of this thread made me wonder what on earth the content was going to be about... :o

OP I would suggest it's not a good idea unfortunately - unless you can perhaps get a dog sitter or such like?
 
Just to say I will be planning on doing this at some point, but with an older dog. I have wanted one rescue dog for months now, and its killing me not being able to get him until my job changes - argh! :o
 
Alec Swan said:
I'm sorry, but however I'd like to encourage you, the b_c is right. It would be verging on negligent. One small window though, if you drive to work, then it may be that your pup could stay in the car and be let out upon loo/tea/meal breaks. Many years ago, I did it, and it worked, and it was a terrier, and I overlooked the damage to the car's internals, but we got there, eventually!!

For now though, we have the summer coming up, so perhaps not the best idea. Sorry.

Alec.
Click to expand...

I'd thought about it but it's just not right for a puppy, no consistency and not able to train, I still have the same guilt trip with an older dog in terms of them being left on their own, hence for the years I've had this argument with myself I've never got a dog.
 
Some breeds are suited to being left longer than others and if you were prepared to pay say a dog walker to do some walking for you? Would perhaps a rescue dog be an option for you? Jack Russell have their own Rescue as most breeds do - they may be able to provide you with an older dog who doesn't mind being left alone for longer periods? There are a few people on here who happily leave their dogs all day while at work, its not ideal but its better than being stuck in a rehome centre. Just a thought
 
I did this absolutely fine from 8weeks old with Bracken AND Chloe. We just accepted mess for longer-but both were clean by 4months. It wouldn't stop me getting a pup if everything else was right ( breed, health etc) xx
 
leflynn said:
I'd thought about it but it's just not right for a puppy, no consistency and not able to train, I still have the same guilt trip with an older dog in terms of them being left on their own, hence for the years I've had this argument with myself I've never got a dog.
Click to expand...

It sounds like you've reached the right decision. It's a bummer, I too have been dogless on occasions, and I didn't enjoy it either. The trick, I suppose, is putting the dog's needs before our own, and consoling ourselves with that. It's still a bummer though! ;)

Be patient, it'll come to you one day.

Alec.
 
Quick answer as on my phone. What you are describing is not suitable for a young pup I am afraid OP, and I very much doubt a decent breeder would sell you a pup to be left this long. Perhaps consider an older dog with a dog walker coming in halfway through the day.
 
Just a thought op one of my daughters co workers walks dogs for the RSPCA, she choses the uglies,oldies and dogs that havnt been out for a walk in a week. My daughter has also put her name down to do the same and is waiting for her references to be checked out, the only downside to this is because my daughter is soft hearted we may end up with another dog.:rolleyes::D
 
Agree this set-up would suit an older dog better.

What's the issue with a car Noodle? My young one comes with me pretty much everywhere and overnights in his crate/back of the van, when I am not working/obv not to the pub/parked in secure etc :p if the dog is well exercised, well ventilated, has a chew or something to keep them occupied, mine hasn't carked it yet and he gets out and about.
It is as 'familiar' to him as the house and he may as well be 'bored' with me in the car than in the house when I am not there...
 
CaveCanem said:
Agree this set-up would suit an older dog better.

What's the issue with a car Noodle? My young one comes with me pretty much everywhere and overnights in his crate/back of the van, when I am not working/obv not to the pub/parked in secure etc :p if the dog is well exercised, well ventilated, has a chew or something to keep them occupied, mine hasn't carked it yet and he gets out and about.
It is as 'familiar' to him as the house and he may as well be 'bored' with me in the car than in the house when I am not there...
Click to expand...

Ive heard too many stories of dogs being stolen out of cars etc...

I dont live in a rough area, its quite nice but i still wouldnt do it! nor ever leave her tied up outside the shop!!

(my dad left my dog tied up outsid the shop once...i dont think i spoke to him for 2 days..) :D (theft)

Just my feelings..... she has a secure cage in the car but id rather she wasnt left in the car :)
 
I guess you would need to see my vehicle/crate set-up to understand and I am not talking about walking off and leaving him for hours on a blazing hot day...not that we have experienced summer for quite some time where I live....
I agree, would never leave a dog tied up outside a shop and as for theft, well, good luck with that :p
 
CaveCanem said:
I guess you would need to see my vehicle/crate set-up to understand and I am not talking about walking off and leaving him for hours on a blazing hot day...not that we have experienced summer for quite some time where I live....
I agree, would never leave a dog tied up outside a shop and as for theft, well, good luck with that :p
Click to expand...

no i know - somoen i know has air con in the back of his van for his dogs - it amazing! so yeah there are exceptions

we are talking joe blogs with a hatchback tho!

and theft - my little spaniel is worthless money wise btu everything to me... :)
 
CaveCanem said:
I guess you would need to see my vehicle/crate set-up to understand and I am not talking about walking off and leaving him for hours on a blazing hot day...not that we have experienced summer for quite some time where I live....
I agree, would never leave a dog tied up outside a shop and as for theft, well, good luck with that :p
Click to expand...

If it has air con set up or you leave the back open fully then maybe not so bad, but other than that it only takes 20 mins of 20 degree heat to start to cook a dog inside out in a car. It doesn't need to be hours on end - in my experience.
 
Oh I know, my mother was on the scene when a dog died at a show, it is not something I take lightly. Just think it is worth having dogs used to travelling as much as they can, spending some time alone in a different setting to home, prepares for all eventualities :)
 
Is it possible to take the dog to work with you? At least until its older and able to be left at home? Maybe I just have an understanding boss but I quite often turn up at work with one of the dogs with me. If the weather is rubbish they happily stay in the car in their crate and get a run round our private car park on my breaks and a walk at lunchtime. If the weather is warm (or freezing cold, boss says its to cold for them lol) they come up to the office with me and sleep by my feet.
 
We did this with nanook but have a dog walker come every day when I'm at work... I'm a teacher so its 38 weeks of the year multiplied by 45 pounds a week. So not cheap but nanook adores the doh walker and seems happy enough with the routine.
 
I think you already now and sensibly why you posted that this kind of set up is absolutely not acceptable to keep a puppy of that age, and as suggested any responsible breeder would/should question it and not allow a pup to go to someone with that kind of set up.

However a few options would be work around you OH days he can spend with him or a dog walker in, the only thing about a dog walker in at this age is that it's the time you ideally want to be spending time with your pup and teaching it and you won't want any bad habits at this age. Or take a dog over the year mark and use a dog walker and dog flap with secure penned off area on the bad door for toilet breaks.
The car is an option if you can get out frequently enough through the day for walks and toilet breaks and time spending with pup but as suggested it the hot weather you have to take into account.
 
CaveCanem said:
Just think it is worth having dogs used to travelling as much as they can, spending some time alone in a different setting to home, prepares for all eventualities :)
Click to expand...

It was doing this that absolutely transformed D's behaviour, IMO, because of her separation anxiety she had to come absolutely everywhere and do everything with me. As a result she's now pretty much unfazed by anything, loads, travels and camps well. Now I have the pair I tend to leave them home more and as a result R's progress has been noticeably slower. Must start taking him places despite the screaming. :o

It is worth approaching your employer to explore taking dog into office/leaving in suitably adapted vehicle in secure car park/flexible working with a longer lunch break so you can go home for an hour.

I start a new job soon which will eventually be working from home but for which they want me in the office full time for a few weeks prior to launch - as it's on a temporary basis they are giving serious consideration to allowing me to take the dogs. :) I've been very lucky with the job and situation but I know others on here take their dogs to the office too. (Yes, this is part of the Big Life Plan - it's all going well :D)
 
Will and a way...you have worked out that puppy won't work but an older dog might. I work full time, sometimes am out all day but have a great dog walker. Also have paid dog sitters as well. The trick is to be able to break up the day for comfort breaks. Mine also walk very first thing which helps and last thing at the yard. Now I have three rescue staffords of different ages and this works for them. However I pay my dog walker around £180 a month to back me up and she is worth every penny as she is 100 % reliable and gets staffords.
 
'I did this absolutely fine from 8weeks old with Bracken AND Chloe. We just accepted mess for longer-but both were clean by 4months. It wouldn't stop me getting a pup if everything else was right ( breed, health etc) xx ' Not acceptable at all-9 to 5 is too long for a young pup and to be advocating it is a very silly thing to do.
OP-if you are prepared to pay a dog walker to come in say 3 times a day for the first month to 6 weeks, going down to twice , then once it might work but it will be expensive?
 
SusieT said:
............Not acceptable at all-9 to 5 is too long for a young pup and to be advocating it is a very silly thing to do.
...........
Click to expand...

You're right, yet again, and presumably your next target will be those who go to bed, at 23.00 hrs, and don't get up until 07.00 in the morning. There's another lot who leave their dogs alone, for 8 hours. :eek::eek:

I'm with you, it's disgraceful! :rolleyes::rolleyes:

Alec. :D
 
No panic, I haven't bought/acquired any puppy or dog. I won't till I'm sure it's right, I'm not that cruel or selfish. Thanks for the advice and experience as it's always food for thought :)
If and when it happens I will probably rehome a dog rather than buy a puppy.
 
I've not had a pup since I worked with horses & could take them to work. But with current dog i'm out 8.30-5.30 Mon to Friday. My budget solution is to have a friends teen come round after school, the dog gets company, she gets some peace from younger siblings & she's a lot cheaper than dog walking services. She also gets to have her friends round if she wants & comes most days in the holidays.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top