Getting a dog

[Chasingcars]

My husband and I have been thinking of getting a dog for some time. My mum says it would be unfair as my husband and I work full time so the dog would be home a lot on its own - however there must be many families out there that own dogs and work?!
We have waited until we can financially support a dog and have a nice home and good size garden. We live near the beach, parks and fields so ideal for dog walks. We have both grown up with dogs and have family who have dogs too if we ever needed an expereinced dog sitter.
Any advise or suggestions from people who have had puppies whislst working would be welcome - especially about house training them in the early days! thanks

[linedancer3]

If you by any chance live near Halifax West Yorkshire there is a doggy day care centre there. My dog goes one afternoon a week while I am out for a long time and loves playing with the other dogs.

[lankeela]

I don't know any responsible breeder who would sell you a puppy if you are at work all day. As to house training, this is achieved by letting the puppy out frequently and staying out with it until it has been, each time it wakes up from sleeping, after each feed (at least four meals a day at first) and after playing (which they do frequently between sleeping). Apart from housetraining, being there to bond with the puppy and teach it how you want it to behave is vital if you are to have a healthy, well adjusted dog that you can take anywhere and be proud of, rather than come on here and ask for help with problems six or twelve months down the line. Why not volunteer to dog walk for a local rescue at weekends, if you want to spend time walking dogs.

Welsh, did Callie's 'squits' clear up ok? Rather surprised you don't feed any treats, they are a great way of training. They don't need to be unhealthy, you can get all sorts of doggy treats that she will enjoy and want to 'earn'.

[missprim]

I would agree with everything that's been said. My eldest daughter got a puppy and even though I went round everyday to let her out she still did her stuff in the kitchen before I got there and after I'd gone.On the days I couldn't go, my daughter would come home to find not just the mess from the dog but chewing everything she could get her teeth into.
Knowing this, my youngest daughter did the same and she is really regretting it. Her husband has to come home from work every lunch time to let the dog out as his place of work is near to where they live. Plus you have to take into account how lonely the dog would be.

[ladybirder]

Neither the RSPCA or the Dogs Trust will let you have a dog if it is to be left on it's own all day.

[ladybirder]

I wonder if the OP is going to come back to us on this. I do hope we have managed to make her think again.

[saxy_jag]

Agree with the others - not a good idea at all to have a dog if you both work full time. We're lucky now in that we both work part-time, but on the rare occasions we're both working all day then I'll take an extended lunch break and get home to let my dog out and spend some time with her. But then she's an older dog and happy to crash out on the sofa for most of the day. The same was also the case with my last dog.

When we first had our last dog, we did both work full time, but my mum was able to look after her at her house during the day, where she also had the company of my mum's and my sister's dog (sister also worked so the same arrangement was in place).

Until you're in the position where someone can be with the dog at least half the working day, maybe another pet would be more suitable. There's a chap near us who has a ferret that he takes out walking on its lead every day. The ferret is happy to be in his garden hutch/enclosure when his owner is at work.

[Kassee]

Just wondered if you could do a "dog share" - possibly there is someone out there who would love a dog - but cant afford one - doesnt want the responsibility - etc etc. May be an old person who would love the companionship of a dog every day, but be equally happy to say goodbye each evening - like a dog sitter. Maybe your mum ??

[gollysailor]

Dogs have owners. Cats have staff.