Long Working Hours - Can You Still Have A Dog?

[jacqui835]

I have a friend who lives with her partner, and they want to get a dog. They have both had dogs before, and understand how to raise them. The issue is that they are both professionals, often working over 10 hours a day. They are however, both quite young and energetic, and exercise daily after work, so I am confident in saying the dog would get at least an hour of exercise a day.

Does anyone in this sort of situation have a dog, and if so, how do they make it work? Odds are I will one day be in this situation as well, and frankly I think my dog would be fine with it, but he is already over a year old and well trained and has a deep relationship with me. This couple would be adopting a new puppy...

[Odin-Genie]

I have a friend who lives with her partner, and they want to get a dog. They have both had dogs before, and understand how to raise them. The issue is that they are both professionals, often working over 10 hours a day. They are however, both quite young and energetic, and exercise daily after work, so I am confident in saying the dog would get at least an hour of exercise a day.

Does anyone in this sort of situation have a dog, and if so, how do they make it work? Odds are I will one day be in this situation as well, and frankly I think my dog would be fine with it, but he is already over a year old and well trained and has a deep relationship with me. This couple would be adopting a new puppy...

I and my OH work similar hours. However, we have two dogs who are mostly inside and keep each other company. They also get 60-90 minutes of exercise everyday after work. Then they spend the evening with us and most days sleep on our bed. I am usually complemented on how happy and relaxed my dogs are. So yes, I do think it can be done. But in such situations, I would always recommend two dogs, though, of course, they should not get both dogs at the same time.

[Bilbo Baggins]

I do not have a problem with peoples long hours and would happily sell to them.

But I know lots of others have very fiery opinions on this subject. You can find other threads.

Personally you have to work to be able to support your dog as its family.

[Scarlet]

I don't think a puppy will cope with these hours-10 hrs + travelling time.

Puppies also need 3 feeds a day for a few months.

I wouldn't do it.

[Gemelo]

My dogs are sometimes left for 10 plus hours each day.. not often, but they cope fine.

We get around the three feeds a day by leaving our puppy inside, with a kong and chicken wing for lunch, or if we are not going to be as long, she gets fed before work, after work, and supper after our dinner.

There is no way we would be able to leave work to feed her, we live too far away, and we have noone to feed while we are away, Works for us!

We couldn't afford to have four dogs if we both didn't work, Im sure alot of people couldn't.

[Winterpaws]

I personally don;t have an issue with it

They might have to find a breed that is independent and doesn't mind being left alone but other than that it would be fine. As long as they interact with it when they get home etc etc

My guys are sometimes left from 5am - 9pm when I work down in the office. But they pretty much live indoors with us when we are home so they seem to cope OK with the days where they are left outside

[Teebs]

Mine have been left a lot longer than 10 hours, I do have 2 but they spend a lot of time sleeping!

[raineth]

I think it could be workable with the right breed (and maybe eventually getting another dog of the right breed).

But also if they are willing and able to employ the services of a good dog walker. While a pup might not actually need the walk a dog walker could probably be employed to provide the a meal, and some company or a game to break up the day; and weather permitting a walk.

[macka]

I think it can be done provided they have plenty of quality interaction with the dog when they are home. I would also suggest two dogs would be better. Perhaps they could look at adopting an older dog and once it is settled in and trained to their liking, then looking at getting a puppy down the track. Puppies are so much easier when you already have a well-behaved older dog in the household.

One thing they should consider as a young couple is will they still have adequate time for their dog(s) if they decide to have children down the track?

[TerraNik]

I don't think it's an issue either. As long as there is lots of quality time spent with the dog when they are home. For us, when we are away the whole day (7am-6pm), as soon as we get home to when we go to bed is spent with the dogs doing something - whether that be training, cuddling, walking or playing. They get a good 5 hours every night!

Just because someone is home or has short working hours, doesn't mean they are going to spend time with the dog.

[~Anne~]

If they chose and independant breed then it would be fine, once the dog has become an adult. However, a young pup needs far more stimulation in my view. I have re-homed many dogs to professionals who work long hours. The easiest and simplest solution for them was to hire a dog walker. Dog walkers are cheap and can come once, twice or 10 times a week to walk your dog. If they are unable to provide this, I'd recomend getting 2 dogs.

[Nic oh lah]

I think it can be done, but in terms of looking for a dog, perhaps suggest that there are plenty of people rehoming adult dogs that already have an idea of their personality and may be able to match them with a dog that is quite secure being alone for that long. I work 8.30-5, somedays i'm home for an hour in the middle of the day to see my dog, but other days not, and she's fine, but we got an (almost) adult dog who is happy to entertain herself throughout the day if she doesnt see us, and is then ready for an hour of excercise in the evening, whether it be walks, or the dog park - and then she sleeps on our bed with us for a few hours till she eventually gets put outside so we can move in our own bed! (I've told hubby i'd love a great dane, and he said we can't afford to feed it AND construct a 10ft wide bed ).

And obviously Kongs are fantastic for giving them some entertainment, and Sophie generally gets walked in the morning also, so when i do pop home for lunch, i usually find her sleeping anyway!

[megan_]

They could hire a dog walker to feed and play with him when he's a puppy. When he gets older they can take him for walks etc. That is what I did with my boy and he is happy and well adjusted.

[Miss BeRidgierent]

Maybe they could get an older dog if they really want one. One that isn't a puppy and doesn't need care for regularly. Research a breed they want, most breeds have a rescue organization they could contact to see if they have any older dogs looking for homes.

Edited January 13, 2010 by Miss BeRidgierent

[Monah]

I'm lucky as I have not ever had to do this. I know many people do and the dogs are fine

I know mine would not cope. The only dog I've had who would have coped was a cattle dog. I suppose they are an independent breed.

I agree that an older dog may cope best. But if they have their heart set on a puppy, a very independent breed would be the go. Personally I find most gun dog breeds would not be suitable. I have a book on PWDs which could be about all puppies which says on EVERY page: out of sight=in TROUBLE. I think this is very appropriate for most puppies.

This may be really stupid, although it is an honest enquiry,but how do people toilet train a puppy when they are out all day?

As long as they are very prepared for what a puppy is capable of when left alone for a long period, and have tolerance and understanding and realise that this behaviour CAN sometimes go on for up to 2 years (maybe show them on of our many 'destructor' threads ) , then I do think an older dog may be best.

What is more important, the puppy or her best shoes? :p

THe other thing to think about is that although ATM they may think they will do something with the dog daily, what about when they are really tired after a long day? And also, will the dog be indoors when they are home and have interaction, or be outside on it's own? Will they be spending most weekends socialising and being out for many hours?

It really depends on the humans, I know many young couples who work and have puppies and put in the time when they are at home etc., and others who get frustrated that the dog needs it's needs met when they are home, and end up with a barking, unhappy, ill trained dog that they decide is too much work after a year or two Dogs can be very tiring, if you do work long hours (and most of us do), you need to REALLY REALLY want one and understand what having a 'dependent' means.

Dotty, that is a great way of making sure the puppy's needs are met

Miss Beridgerient, yes often breeders have slightly older dogs needing homes too. We've always had fantastic luck with older dogs and had them for many years. ;)

[OSoSwift]

I would be thinking a young adult would probably be the best way to go.

I had Rommi from a baby puppy and I was at home so could spend all the time she needed and it was great. I got Lewis at 8 months, ad though still very young, he was already housetrained, lead trained had lovely manners and was very easy to integrate compared to looking after a baby.

My next dog would probably be a puppy, but I am quite sure that having a baby puuppy, a 4 year old and a 2 year old would have been much more stressful than a 8 month old puppy with the above.

Yes it can be done, but they will need to spend quite a bit of time when they are home walking/training/interacting with their dog.

[sas]

In the real world in most cities throughout Australia most people are away from home 10 hours a day.

You can get a feeder on a timer so pup can have its' lunch time meal, so that isn't a problem.

Pups sleep a huge amount of the day, so just making sure pup has interactive toys and activities whilst it is a awake and then when you're home make sure the pup is getting rules & boundaries + mental stimulation.

Edited January 15, 2010 by sas

[Pockets]

Yeah it can be done

I work from 8.30 - 5pm roughly

I get up at 5.30am every morning to run the dogs before I go to work, and from the moment I get home its all about the dogs my dogs are happy, healthy and well adjusted

I agree, just because someone is home majority of the day doesnt mean that they spend time with the dog, it comes down to needing to work to be able to provide for your best mate

[Odin-Genie]

I don't think a puppy will cope with these hours-10 hrs + travelling time.

Puppies also need 3 feeds a day for a few months.

I wouldn't do it.

My dogs managed fine when they were puppies. Of course I initially took 15 days off to make my first puppy feel settled. During this time we left him alone for a few hours and gradually increased the time. I also left midday meal for him in treat balls which kept him occupied as well.

I have a secure yard, so he had access to the backyard through a dog door once he was old enough to use it. Before that he stayed inside and toilet training was with newspapers!!!

[J.H.M]

Apart from my current staffy, all my other dogs have been left at home as puppies for longish hours, and all coped very well on 2 feeds a day one in the morning before I left for work (dry food) and then a meal after a walk in the afternoon (raw meat based) when I got home from work.

I havent seen any difference in development body or temprament with my current dog and my previous dogs. So personally I don't see the big deal from my experience.

They were always left with toys to play and a couple of water bowls.