Would this set up work? Advice please

[JVB]

Hi

I am looking into the possibility of having a dog again (had two growing up) and would like advice on whether this arrangement would be suitable and of any breeds that would be best?

I work from home most days but am out on the road 2 days a week. So the puppy/ dog would have company the rest of the week, once old enough would come to the horses twice daily, has a big garden etc.

My OH, although would love a dog is not keen on investing loads of time into it so it would be down to me to look after it.

On the days I'm away would it be enough for the dog to be walked in the morning(very early), then have a dog walker come at lunchtine, to have a dog flap put in either kitchen door, or to have some sort of set up in the garage - again dogflap to garden, and big bed in garage? and then be walked of an evening?

We also have two cats so there would be company of a sort as they are both quite lazy and like the indoors!

Breed wise was thinking of something like a cocker spaniel, any other ideas?

Thanks!

 

[jendie]

I think that wouldwork out OK, so long as you could rely on the arrangements on the days when you are away from home plus, of course, emergency cover for when you are unexpectedly away. Cockers are mega lively. How about something like a Clumber, Field or Sussex?

 

[Gooby]

I think your set up sounds fine to me. If the days you are out you will be getting a dog walker in at lunchtimes then I don't really think a dog flap is necessary. What is the longest time that the dog would be left on its own for? If the OH doesn't want to invest a lot of time then it may be better to get an older dog, ie. not a puppy as they can be hard work and maybe get something that already has the basics (house trained, walking on a lead, recall) as this will make your life a bit easier and you can just do the finish touches to their training as it were

 

[JVB]

Realistically, it could be left for up to 5 hrs, although on saying that my parents live very close so would love the chance to come and walk it/ let it out so it could be left for much less than this.

Reason for getting a puppy is that my cats are very timid and semi feral and I think it would be easier for them to accept a puppy rather than a grown dog - again if prople have experiences of scared cats doing well with adult dogs would love to hear about it!

 

[jessicahulme]

Personally if you're leaving doggyo for a while & have the room I'd look at having a kennel & run set up in the garden - mine's 8ft x 12ft with a covered run, concreted, drain in etc and dog very happy out there when out at work all day

 

[JVB]

[ QUOTE ]
Personally if you're leaving doggyo for a while & have the room I'd look at having a kennel & run set up in the garden - mine's 8ft x 12ft with a covered run, concreted, drain in etc and dog very happy out there when out at work all day

[/ QUOTE ]

Gardens not totally suitable for a run as is on different levels so not really enough flat space to have a run big enough - would it be an option to let it have the run of the garage with a dogflap into the garden?

Also, how do people manage with puppies, I've read they need to be let out every two hrs - how long does this stage last for?

Thanks!

 

[Gooby]

It depend at what age you get the pup. When I was house training mine they were let out every half an hour and this was extended as they grew and were able to hold it in for longer but this varies on the dog. Mine were 8 months before fully house trained but some dogs manage it a lot quicker than this. I would worry about dog having free run of the garden unless I was completely sure it couldn't escape. I thought my garden was dog proof until I got my 2 as pups and it is unbelievable the small spaces they manage to squeeze themselves through! (or the small spaces they make for themselves to squeeze through!)

 

[camilla4]

[ QUOTE ]
Realistically, it could be left for up to 5 hrs, although on saying that my parents live very close so would love the chance to come and walk it/ let it out so it could be left for much less than this.

Reason for getting a puppy is that my cats are very timid and semi feral and I think it would be easier for them to accept a puppy rather than a grown dog - again if prople have experiences of scared cats doing well with adult dogs would love to hear about it!

[/ QUOTE ]

JVB it may be that your cats would find it easier to adapt to an adult dog that was used to cats rather than a puppy, whcih will inveitably be rather more bouncy and inclined to want to play or chase.

 

[soloabe]

Yep i would say that could work.

But i would suggest an older dog.

Puppies and scared cats don't mix well at all.

Puppies are bouncy and unpredictable and will invariably be interested in the cats where as an older dog who has been around cats will not give a hoot and leave them to their own devices.

 

[Patches]

I agree. My Cocker puppy is terrorising my cats, and they were used to my old Cocker.

Don't see much of them at the moment, although they are starting to get a tad braver and actively seeking Harvey to chase back.