Wanna-be first time dog owner

B

black_n_white

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OH and I would like to get a dog once we have our own house (hopefully in the next 6 months to a year). OH grew up with a dog in the family. I've never had one but have been around dogs at the yard from a young age and we have dog-sat for various friends over the past few years.

Obviously a dog is a massive commitment so I want to be as prepared as possible. So a couple of questions:

Thoughts on working full time with a dog? We'd come home at lunchtime so he/she wouldn't be on their own all day. Honest opinions please! I'm interested to know about different methods and routines.

Aside from reading and researching various breeds what else can we do to prep and gain experience?

Thanks!
 
I've had dogs and worked for years. I had an arrangement with a friend re lunch calls or used flexi to come back home myself. Until recently I always had 2 though and I think that's well worth considering. Maybe it's my background with horses but to me leaving a pair with each other feels a mile different to when I leave my old dog alone (his partner died and he's not suitable to introduce a new dog with - also 14yrold). The only downside of a pair is that if you ever take one out alone you notice when you get back that it's not you but the other dog that gets the big greeting. I never had a problem not being the love of their lives, I felt better knowing their main companion was always there while I worked and enjoyed their bond to each other.

There are pairs available to rescue as pairs and they're hard to home.
 
I had dogs before I left my parents' house, I took two of them with me when I moved out and last year had two puppies. My OH and I work full time - sometimes 12hrs a day. My mum, dad or brother come over to let them out once or twice a day when we're at work. Admittedly mum and dad had the puppies until they were 3 months old, but that was more because my OH's little girl was in hospital and we were going straight from work. Two puppies together is very hard work, especially if you're not there. I knew this before hand having done it before and decided to keep the 2 girls (I bred them), however I had to admit defeat that we weren't able to give both what they deserved so one now lives with one of my best friend's in-laws. So I'd advise going for a couple of older dogs from rescue .

I wouldn't leave one dog on it's own for that length of time though, although my old girl probably wouldn't care lol she just sleeps all day any way.
 
Thanks both. That's really helpful. I've also been reading the thread about rescue centres which is useful. I'd assumed there was no hope of us rescuing due to full time work so it's heartening to know this is an option especially re an older dog or 2 being more suitable.
 
Some rescue centres can be funny about rehoming to people working full time, they must think no one works.

Would recommend a breed rescue if you've got something specific in your mind
 
I would be hesitant about buying two puppies together - aside from "double trouble" you risk them bonding with each other and less with you, and becoming inter-dependent which can make them more difficult to train - especially as you're not experienced with training yourselves. Older dogs from a rescue, I imagine the problem is less evident. Breed rescues also tend to be more realistic about owners who work.

I think picking a sensible breed is the way forward. Something quiet which will be happy sleeping while you're out and not be hyperactive ;) i.e. not collies or working-types! Maybe something like greyhounds (plenty of those for rescue!) or lap dog types. We used to have a cavalier that would happily be left at home all day (let out at lunch). Mind you, my collie before current collie was happy to be left all day too.
 
I think being left alone for long periods would be tough for a pup - lack of mental stimulation etc but something a little older should be ok with lunchtime check/walk, if you have an enclosed garden you could maybe fit a dogflap into your back door:)
Why not have a look around at what rescue organisations are in your area and offer yourselves as dog walking volunteers - that way you would get to meet many different breeds and characters whilst doing a very good deed, and maybe even find your perfect 'friend' that way;)
 
If you want a puppy, you won't really be able to leave it for more than 4 hours. Having two at the same time will just be more trouble and it won't benefit the dog that much as they don't bond with the owner as well.
 
aS rescue I would certainly rehome a dog into a househole where the day was broken up with a dinner time toilet break, we have plenty that would suit that arrangement including a labrador, border terrier, greyhounds, rotweillers, varied x breeds and a shih-tzu, so quite a range there. We just rehomed a bichon and a whippet that would also have have fit that bill:) so certainly there are option for you.
 
If you have satellite TV, then I would highly recommend watching as many episodes of The Dog Whisperer (with Cesar Millan), channel 528, as possible. He's also got great books. I agree with everything that he says/does.

I also think that two dogs would be better than one, if you're going to be away from home for long periods during the day. However, training two puppies together is not easy. A lot of people find it hard to train only one! It may be easier to get only one dog initially, to train him/her to a good level and only then getting a 2nd one. The 2nd dog will hopefully copy the 1st dog and follow his lead.

If you are going to get two, then don't pick two with strong/dominant personalities. You'll be looking for trouble if they always try to be 'top dog' and try to dominate one another.

It's important too to be realistic about the amount of exercise that you and your partner will be able to provide to the dogs. If you both can invest a lot of time EVERY DAY into walking and other exercising of the dogs, then it's fine to go for dog breeds with high levels of energy. However, do not ever choose dogs that require a lot of exercise if you're not prepared or able to give them enough exercise. Most dogs need at least one hour's exercise a day (split into separate walks for smaller breeds), but a lot of breeds need two or more hours of exercise a day.

To repeat what Cesar always says : the most important to a dog is exercise, also important is discipline, and less important is affection (including food, love/attention, etc.) Always in that order.

You're going to have to walk your dog/s for a good proper long walk before you go to work, so they're tired enough to be happy to sleep until lunchtime. You may only have enough time to let them out to do their business outside, and maybe a bit of playing/stretching in the garden, and that's it at lunchtime. Then they're going to have to wait for you to come back in the afternoon - and they then deserve a long walk again.

It may be helpful to you to do 'crate-training' for the initial month or so of having a dog. Get them to associate the crate with sleeping at night, and you may have to keep them in there at first during the day too. This is to keep them safe while you're not there to supervise them. Buy the biggest crate/playpen that you can afford! Obviously, if you have a suitable, safe alternative (like a kitchen where you can have baby gates at the entrances; or a big bathroom) then this is an option too. But you can't leave a puppy alone in the whole house/flat as they may get themselves into trouble.
 
A lot of rescue centres wouldn't even humour us as my mum and dad both worked full time and I was away at university despite the fact I was due to be home for good by the time we'd actually get a dog :( AND we already had a dog at home for company.
However some were willing to consider us due to us being experienced dog owners - I would definitely make sure there would be at least one toilet break or someone to go in and see to the dog(s) if you were to check with rehoming shelters and don't be too disheartened if they turn you down - just keep trying, some are willing to accept people with full time jobs, especially if they've seen that you have done your homework and are committed!

To be honest, it's definitely doable and from what I've seen, our girls do nothing but play and sleep all day anyway when my parents are out!!

So, our routine....
6-7am - both go out for a walk with my dad, then come back for breakfast. Dad leaves for work.
7.00am - 10 minutes play with bubbles before mum goes to work.
8.30am - I get up and leave for yard.
12.30pm - I get home, playtime for half an hour or so.
1.30pm - Dad comes home (at this point if I was still at uni there'd be nobody until now)
2.00pm - Dad goes back to work
4.00pm - Mum comes home
4.30pm - dinner
5.30pm - Dad home, another quick walk
7.00pm - treat time
then another walk with me evening time then bed about 9 for them.

The new dog we rescued (from our late dogs' breeders who rescued her from another family) was 12 months old when we got her, no training, no socialising etc and she has settled into our routine perfectly and is doing so well.
K x
 
I agree re. two. When I got archie the idea was that he'd occasionally be left for 2/3 hours while I was out but he has awful separation anxiety so although I can leave him for 2 hours and he can gaze out the window I couldn't leave him any longer.

I'd also go for a couple of slightly older dogs - 18 months up.

Two dogs will stimulate each other during the day and as long as they get a wee break and a walk morning and evening I don't see the problem.

How exciting....good luck!
 
Thanks everyone you've been really helpful.

Two older rescue dogs do sound like the way to go. I've done some research and found some local rescue centres that I'm going to call and see if we can go volunteer.

So excited!
 
I adopted my 2 adult greyhounds while i was working full-time and would pop home during my lunch break and the breed rescue was fine with this, although some have different policies. It was my choice to take on a pair, i felt happier knowing they'd had company during the day even if it wasn't necessary and could see us getting a second dog in future anyway.
 
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