I work a job that keeps me out of the house from 6am until around 7pm. I would love to get a dog, but I realize that they are pack animals and do not like being left alone. Are there any breeds out there that might be suitable for my lifestyle?
I work a job that keeps me out of the house from 6am until around 7pm. I would love to get a dog, but I realize that they are pack animals and do not like being left alone. Are there any breeds out there that might be suitable for my lifestyle?
11 Responses
2008 Nov 21
I would suggest not getting a dog at all. If you cannot be there for it, why bother? Maybe a cat, as they don’t need so much attention, or some fish. Granted, you don’t get the same satisfaction as you do with a dog, but the dog would just be lonely, and that may bring on problems in the long run.
2008 Nov 23
That depends on each indivual dog. Not a specfic breed. Do some more research like dogbreeds.com then take an evaluator with you to select your dog
2008 Nov 26
with you working 12+ hours a day, i dont recommend getting a dog, they take alot of attention, try a fish perhaps.
2008 Nov 28
You do have a few option if you really want to get a dog.
You can hire a dog walker to walk your dog 2x/day.
You can put the puppy/dog into day care. Some places have shuttle service so you can do half days.
You can alternate between the dog walker on M-W-F and day care T-Th.
But thats only if you’re bent on getting a dog.
The reason to get a dog is to spend time with it, train it, play with it. And if you’re going to be around the majority of the time it may be more beneficial to wait till your schedule is more accomodating.
2008 Dec 02
I have border collies I only have to take out twice every 24 hours to potty. I believe from talking to other people that the bigger sized dog can stay in longer than the smaller sized dog because a bigger dog does not have to go the bathroom as often because they have bigger bladders, ect.
2008 Dec 02
Honestly, it’s best for you not to get a dog if you don’t have much time to spend with it. You’d only end up with an unhappy dog who develops behavior problems such as destructiveness, boredom barking, housesoiling, or escaping the yard.
Since you love dogs, perhaps you might want to consider volunteering at a shelter if you have free time on the weekend? There are a lot of shelter dogs who need people to spend time walking and socializing them. That way, you could not only interact with a dog in a way that fits your schedule, but you could help increase a shelter dog’s chances of being adopted by working with it to socialize it.
2008 Dec 04
Yes, certain breeds like those in the sporting or working classes are more…high maintenence than others but the only way to find out is to do research on the breeds. Honestly though, I don’t think you should get a dog because you’re out of the house for 12 hours or so and you can’t expect your dog to be ok for SO long. Just imagine, how would you feel being left alone in a house for 12 hours day in and day out? And what about when you come home? You’re human so I know you’ll be tired after working so you won’t really be up to training or playing with your dog after you return. Besides a cat or fish, maybe you could try a bird like a parakeet perhaps? They’re pretty low maintenence but you could still get pretty involved with them when you have the free time. A canary would be nice too, although since you’re not home during much of the day, would probably wouldn’t get a chance to hear their beautiful song. Good luck though in finding a companion.
2008 Dec 05
Lots of dogs are left alone all day. One thing to consider is whether you expect a dog to hold itself all day or whether you have an area that you would be willing to clean up if it needed to potty. If you are looking for a puppy house breaking would become difficult because no one would be there to be consistent all day and puppies need to go often. From what you have said, we have no idea what types of dogs appeal to you. I would suggest staying away from typical terriers. (Not all dogs with the word terrier in their breed names fall into that category.) Terriers can tend to be more active than say spaniels, which tend to be lazier and might even sleep much of the time you are out. If you want a toy, and are worried about it being lonely, the Japanese Chin is a breed where people say they are like potato chips, “You can’t have just one.” Sometimes it is just as easy to clean after 2 small dogs as a medium size one, but that would depend on your set up and your living arrangements. Dogs often do like each other’s company (sometimes more than ours, I often wonder why we humans think that dogs need us more than other dogs, LOL) Anyway, things to consider are whether you will be able to care for a dog for it’s life which could be somewhere around 15 years. Then where you could keep it while you are not at home where it could not do so much damage that it ended up homeless. There is also lots of pet equipment that can make your life much easier and is not unkind at all providing the dog (or dogs) has/have enough space. Why not go to AKC.org and look at all the breeds and see what you are interested in? Aside from that watch Westminster on Monday and Tuesday night and look up more info on each one.
2008 Dec 06
As far as a dog that doesn’t mind being left alone and one who will do so without destroying your property–I would look into an older dog that has lived with older people or someone with a fairly sedentary lifestyle. You can probably get such an animal at a reputable shelter.
My greater concern is that the dog will likely need to be walked within that 13 hour period. A good house-trained dog will go 13 hours between trips outside, but it seems cruel to ask them to do it.
I have heard of doggy litter boxes for smaller dogs. This might be an option for you, but a smaller, younger dog (litter training probably not a trick to teach an old dog) will need more training and attention. If you get 2 dogs they will be happier, but your possessions will suffer.
2008 Dec 08
My Jack Russell Terrior is left alone for approx, 9 hours a day. But leaving them for more than 9 hours is cruel.. I don’t think you should get a dog.
2008 Dec 09
I dont know what kind you CAN get but I can tell you not to get an Italian Greyhound, they are not happy alone even for a minute! Are you just wanting this dog so you have someone to sleep with? You aren’t planning on leaving it outside all day are you? Cause if so, just get a dog statue. The lady next door has a dog that stays outside and I wonder why, why not just get a dog statue, youdont have to feed it or pick up dog poop and your neighbors dont have to hear it bark all day while you are at work