Should people who work and commute -- and are gone 10 hrs a day, 5 days a week -- have a dog?

Question

As a breeder, I've been asked this question by potential puppy buyers, and I am totally against it. It's just not the right time in their life; puppies need TIME -- so do dogs! Can these PEOPLE go TEN HOURS without going to the bathroom?? Why do they expect their dogs to? What do you think?

Edited to add: the most recent request I've had like this is from an unmarried couple that live in an apartment: no yard.

I would also be concerned that an "outside" dog (if there were a yard) would bark and upset neighbors; an outside dog is also vulnerable to theft, the elements (my breed isn't suitable to outdoor life, at least not in the long term) picking up parasites, and fights with stray animals; if not other dogs, cats, opossums, and raccoons can scale a fence. Besides, an untrained dog out in the yard is more of a "cow in a pasture" than a companion.

Just because somebody *wants* something, they should have it --- even if it's not in the "thing's" best interest?

Answer 1

I agree with you totally. When I was breeding afghans, no one got one of my puppies if they were gone for that long. I'd make exceptions for experienced dog people who had someone to walk the dog during the day. Stick to your principles!

Answer 2

I think for an adult dog 10 hours is definately pushing it, but possible if when you do get home (and before you leave for work) that dog is your #1 priority. For a puppy? No. Doggie daycare is an option here but physically and emotionally a puppy just can't handle being alone that long. We're gone for about 8.5 hours a day with our two adult dogs and that's pretty much the outside limit for them. We can't ever just decide to "go out after work" because our dogs need us to come home ASAP and walk and spend time with them. After all that, once the dogs are feed and exercised and ready to hit the sack, then we can go out if we want.

Working a normal full-time (gone for 8-9 hours a day) and having an adult dog is fine if you do it right and concentrate on the dog in your off hours. But working a demanding job or one that has you out of the house a whole lot is probably not a good dog household. A puppy, just physically, has to be let out every couple of hours or it will learn to go in the house. I don't get the obsession with puppies. They take just an enormous amount of work and attention to raise and not everyone has that to give. So get an adult dog!

Answer 3

I don't think its that bad...IF.

1. The dog/puppy has access to the outside...such as a doggy door, big fenced in yard(and a shelter if the dog can't get back inside.

2. Access to food and water.

3. Toys to play with...something to keep the dog active.

4. This is a must....once you get home...don't leave the dog outside....you must take the time to play with the animal, otherwise what the point of having a dog. I work all day and my dogs stay home....but they are with me from the time I get home to the time I leave for work again....I spend at least 2 hours a day just playing with the dogs....more on the weekends....

5. if you live someplace where you can't leave the dog outside our give it access to the outside then hire someone to walk and take care of the dog while you are at work....

As long as the animal can keep busy and is not locked in a crate all day then they will be fine. I hate people who lock their dogs up in a carrier all day.

Another thing that I like is I always have had two dogs....so when they are outside while I am at work they have a play mate....I have a large fenced in yard...the dogs can run around....they even have their own kiddie pool....they love that when it is hot.

Answer 4

YES you are able to keep a dog (but not a puppy!) and a full time job away 10 hours a day no problem. What you need is to live in a home though with an attached garage and a 'doggie door' We have no problems leaving our dog outside with his dog house in a small fenced area attached to our garage and there is a doggie door to the garage in case it gets cold, rains, etc. It is a bit of a pain cleaning up the poop from the enclosure but at least he does not have to hold it. Most dogs love the job of 'guarding' your home when you are not there, so let them be dogs and don't let your job stop you from having a wonderful pet! I would of course recommend against this if you are living in an apartment and there is no possible way for your dog to get outside. But then again my neighbor has very small dogs that use 'pee pads' and they are very good at doing that when they are inside alone while owners at work. So I suppose this answer is situational. Just be sensible such as don't leave a huge amount of water for the day and your dog will most likely not have to pee until you get home. Dogs can hold it longer than humans. I give my dog about 2 cups of water (cold!) per day when I leave for work. Good luck!

Answer 5

The only way I would ever allow this with my own puppies is if they had someone *reliable* that would come over to train and spend time with the dog every day, more than once a day, while they are gone. Or, even a doggie day care once the puppy was grown and fully trained. Thankfully, I've never had to deal with this problem... There's usually a child that comes home from school, a spouse that can come home during lunches and breaks, a retired grandparent that they can stay with during the day, etc.

If someone told me "The dog will be at home alone for 10 hours a day, five days a week...", I'd send them out the door with no puppy. Puppies *especially* cannot be left alone for that long, and adult dogs deserve better, too. Dogs aren't weekend toys, for crying out loud.

Never be afraid to turn someone away if their lifestyle doesn't measure up to what you want your puppies to have!

Good question, and all the best to you!

Answer 6

I am also a breeder and will not sell to homes where the dog would be left alone for that long.

There are a number of issues--first, dogs are social animals! They do not enjoy being left alone all that time. Lots of behaviour issues occur in dogs that are by themselves for long periods of time.

Second, why does this person even want a dog? Its not like they will have any time for the dog--when you get home from work, you are tired. The last thing they want to do it walk or play with the dog, comb it, feed it, etc etc.

Third, if you are gone 10 + hours a day, when will you have time to get the puppy trained?? Puppies need consistency to become house trained and learn manners.

I think you are right about the issue.

Answer 7

I breed english springers. I'm not overly concerned about the bathroom thing. Dogs can hold it over night for 8-10 hours. I would be more concerned with the lack of attention this dog is getting. It will become bored and restless. It could turn into furniture attacking monster, because it has nothing else better to do. If they have a cat or another dog this would help, because the dog would have a buddy to play with.

Answer 8

I think 10 hours a day is pushing it. If someone is away for the standard 8-9 hour workday, I think that's OK if someone comes home at lunch to spend time with the dog, or has a friend come over to let it out. However these people should get older dogs, not puppies who are just developing and need more attention.

Answer 9

Do these people have a backyard? Granted we arent gone for 10 hours a day, but when we leave for work we leave our dogs in the backyard. We felt safer about leaving the puppy because we had an older dog, but either way, Our dogs would be fine by themselves for 10 hours a day, not that we do it. In this heat we make sure if we cant get home to let them in, we have someone else let them in. When the puppy was smaller, that means he had to stay in his crate until we got home, but at least he was cool. I do not agree with crating the dogs for 10 hours at a time, I say if they dont have a backyard (that's safe) then no, it's not the right time.

Answer 10

You would be denying the majority of the population the priviledge of enjoying a dog. I have three dogs, all raised from puppies. I've always gotten my puppies in the fall, when the weather is nice in my area, and they all stayed in small (10' x 10') pens with the adult dogs while I was at work. My dogs are also obedience and house trained, all accomplished even though my husband and I work.

Should I sell my horses too, just because I have a job?

Answer 11

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