Do any of you own a dog, yet work 9-5pm.?

Question

I am thinking about getting a small dog, but am worried because I work 9-5pm. Would it be ok to leave it in a kennel in the garden? Or what do you usually do?

Answer 1

I have a house dog. A Shihtzu. She weighs 9 lbs. She is at home all day with her toys only. (and a peepee pad by the door) I walk her every morning then we hit the back yard when I get home. This is our routine and she lives with it. She is a dog. It's all she knows. She lays on the top of the sofa so she can see out the window and is always their when I pull up. She is content to lay around alot. That's her personality. Especially when it is real hot. They can't take the heat. Weekends, when I am home, she plays a little but snoozes or just rests a lot. She is healthy and happy. Just look for a dog that doesn't require lots of exercize. Jack Russells are small dogs but they would go bonkers staying inside and alone all day. Min-pins also are very active. So shop around and read the personality traits before you buy one. About the kennel in the garden; No way would I do that to any dog. It just gets to hot here and they would be rained on and have bugs around their food. But that is my preference.

Answer 2

You'll notice that everyone who leaves their dog indoors for that length of time is sensible enough to realise they need a toilet.
You intend to keep your dog outdoors so I guess that mess indoors is an issue. There are welfare issues with outdoor kennels.
If you chain the dog, the chain must not be able to wrap around anything, also your dog must not be able to jump over anything like a fence or he'll throttle himself.
If the dog is loose the yard must be dog proof; many dogs can scale a 6 foot fence with no problem. They can squeeze through small gaps and dig and chew their way out.
Your dog must have access to shelter from the rain and heat, and water at all times.
Your yard will turn into hard packed dirt with holes dug in it and it will smell of pee. In hot weather it will stink because you aren't there to clear up the mess.
Your dog may become distressed at being left alone and bark all day, how will your neighours react?
Your dog will still bark at the door, the postman, other dogs; you won't be there to tell him to stop.
Its not much of a life for a dog, he will get bored.
It would be better if you could find a neighbour to leave your dog with during the day for a small fee.

Answer 3

Yes. But take your time before you deside to do this.

Kennel in the garden sounds nice. I'd like that if I were a dog....uhm... I kinda am ;-) It should be the normal place to be for the dog. Sleep in the kennel should be every night. You can not just put it in 'lock up' for work. Your dog will really get to hate that. When you are around he can walk free, just be sure it will not assosiate the kennel with being alone.

Be sure he is at home there before you go to work. I mean invest time to let him get used to you and his/her/its new suroundings before you leave the dog alone. Don't get the dog on a mondag night and go to work the next day.. thats asking for a lot of trouble. Mad neighbours to boot.

Be sure you get a dog (species and personallity wise) that can handle being alone for that length of time.
Most smaller dogs are real REAL company-fanatics. They will go bonkers when you finaly get home but will be misarable all day.

TAKE YOUR TIME. Again for the dogs and your sake. Don't go; "OH, that one is so cute!!" and take it right home. It may be but go back a day or so..even a week later to check it again.
Be sure you are ready to take the dog home. 'Ripping' a dog from his family (if it's a pup) is very stressfull. Before you know it the little blighter is sleeping with you in your bed. Then the kennel was just a good plan but never will be used..trust me on that.

Answer 4

Well, My parents go to work at around 7 and during the school year I'm gone at 6:30. I get back at 4:30 and they get back much later. we have a german shepherd so we made a 50' by 50' kennel for him outside. He has a nice doghouse in it that he sleeps ing when we're gone. You wouldn't need such a big one for a small dog, but big enough for it to run around. Just take him out as soon as you get home and make sure you play with it enough for it too feel loved! And it should be!

But, we don't let him sleep there. we made a much smaller kennel inside our garage and got our garage heated. So in the winter, he's nice a toasty warm! And in the summer we put a fan on for him at night. Before you just go and get the dog, remember to take about a week off or so from work to spend time with it and let it get used to you. You can't just leave it alone on the first day. And remember, if you keep it outside I would suggest getting a lock for the kennel. Just for temporary use just in case there's some sicko out there that would want to steal it. Then again, i fyou get a small dog you should probably keep that lock for a much longer time, if you get a big dog, like a german shepherd, you won't need it once they're older. People wouldn't dare come near it!
Another thing you could do is get an invisible fence for your dog. they only get a shock when they go too close to the border of your yard, and it doesn't harm them! It keeps them safe from wandering the neighborhood and getting hurt. We have it for my dog and he has never jumped the fence. If you want to take them out, though. You have to drive them out in a car, if you just walk them out (without the collar) it'll ruin their training. You can go to this site for more info:
http://www.invisiblefence.com
Good luck!
P.S.-Get a german shepherd! They are the greatest companions! But make sure you have a lot of room for it to run around in!

Answer 5

I have three dogs and I leave the house at 7am and get home around 4. My kids get home from school at 2:30 and let them out. They know the schedule and are fine. I can leave them home alone during the weekend also w/out any issues. They know they need to wait. If there is an emergecy bathroom needed, they go in the ktichen by the trashcan. Now when they were puppies, we let them out every 2/3 hours. I got them during the summer when the kids were out of school. They also stayed in a crate until they were a year old.

Answer 6

Hi
well, i have 2 dogs and work from 9 until very late at night sometimes, but i do work from home so i am with them all the time and take them for walks when i have a break.
But to go out and work from 9 until 5 and not get home in-between to take him out its not really fair he would need company and being stuck in a kennel all day with no one around isn't good.
What ever animal people get they should remember that it is always there for you in good times and bad it is always there to welcome you home he is always there to give you unconditional love. so please before you buy an animal just think if you can give the same back in return.
Sophie

Answer 7

Don't get the dog unless you can look after it. Leaving it for 9-5pm (or longer since you have to get to / from work) isn't a smart thing to do. Try a goldfish instead.

Answer 8

Ive raised a few dogs in my time , if its a puppy, You can kennel it to train it, also be sure to treat your dog when it does something good. nthey have paper training pads to put on the floor, best place is the bathroom floor it stays cool enough for the dog, and its quite for them, make sure you have enough water and foodfor them for the hours your gone..Do you have a dog now? See if yourdog material before getting one. see if you can dog sit for someone elses dog before you get one, first, you might be surprised to find that it's not a dog you want but maybe a cat.

Answer 9

Dogs are very ok with you being away, just as long as you play with it and give it attention when you are home. watch out that you don't get it started with speareation anxiety, lots of info available froma vet or trainer about that. A kennel for that long would need to be out of the sun! AND make it one that is more like a run, with a flooring that can't be dug up! Make sure its vaccines are up to date and make sure it is neutered!

Answer 10

Have you considered dog sitters? A kennel in your garden might be dodgy. There are some nasty characters about, dog thievong is on teh increase, not forgetting other nasties who might take extreme pleasure in tormenting your dog while you're at work. Then you need to consider the possibility of an accident as well!

Would your boss allow the dog to come to work with you? I'm suggesting this because i worked night shifts (I'm a nurse) and told my boss that i wasn't prepared to leave my dogs all by themselves while i worked. She agreed to let me take them with me on the night shift, on the condition that it didn't affect my work/residents/rest of the nursing/caring team.

My dogs proved the toast of the home where i worked as residents enjoyed their company, my dogs enjoyed the cuddles and we all (The whole team) found it made our night shifts a lot nicer! So after 1 week trial i was given the go ahead to keep them with me on shifts.

It meant they slept during the day (Same as myself) but they loved it!

I quit work after a long illness and am now only concentrating on pet bereavement counselling and dog psychology (Canine behaviour) and they come with me, wait in the car while i visit clients (I only take one a day) and of course ... The rest of my work i do at home so they're quite happy with it!

I know you would like to have your own dog but maybe you could sponsor one with Dog trust? Or help out in a shelter on your days off for a while? It would give you an idea of what to expect with a dog full time. I've seen too many people buying dogs because they really, really wanted them to then realise that wither they/or do couldn't cope with long periods of absence (While owner is at work).

So think about it. it mgiht not prove impossible if you had someone (Trustworthy and reliable) willing to doggy sit for you while you're working though best thing would be if you could take your dog with you! It would not only reinforce bonding but also enable your dog to socialise with humans!

Best wishes