We both work 9-5 though, I would be worried about leaving a puppy at home alone. He has his heart set on it, but I am more skeptical and would like to do some reseach on the matter from people who have full time jobs and have a dog at home. Would it be fair on us or the dog?
2006-09-15 04:44:15 · 49 answers · asked by Gem 1 in Pets ➔ Dogs
I bought one for my other half - we were both working full time
- we adored the dog but for the first year we had to come home
during the day as he got so bored he chewed everything in sight!
Luckily we then had a neighbourt volunteer to let him out into the garden and take him for walks so the problem was solved.
That dog was amazing, we loved him to bits - he died when he was 16 years old and life just was not the same without him -
sadly no other little yellow lab could hold a candle to him so we
never had another - but still cant pass a Lab without stroking those velvety ears and getting beasten by that big old waggy tail
- my advice ; Labs are mans best friend but dont be too houseproud!
2006-09-15 05:00:56 · answer #1 · answered by random 3 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Hi
Labs are great familiy dogs,..but as puppies they need a LOT of time.
I had a chocolate lab myself. I would not recommend a Lab if you are gone a lot,, at least not a puppy.
Maybe an adult lab?
Lab puppies will chew anything they can get their teeth on and chew through a lot as well. Each puppy is different of course but
If you already know you will have to leave him a lone a lot I wold not recommend a lab... or aybe not even a dog of any kind for sure not a puppy of any kind.
Solution if you are set on getting a dog
Either get an older one already been through the puppy stage or
Maybe get 2 so they can keep each other company. 2 are not double the trouble and actually will help keep each other out of trouble.
But be prepared when you are home and off work to spend every waking minute trtaining and being a companion to the dogs because Labs need that personal companionship with thier owners.
I hope this helps!
Wismom
2006-09-15 04:51:58 · answer #2 · answered by Wismom 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I need much more info to give a fair reply, but here go's.
If you have a number of very, VERY reliable friends/family who will promise, and then make good on that promise, to help care for the animal then perhaps its do-able. The Animal will need someone to visit it at regular intervals through the day during the first 5-6 months, you WILL find things chewed and ruined no matter how carefully you pack them away! If you have a small terrace house or a semi then you will need understanding neighbours...IF YOU LIVE IN A SMALL FLAT DO NOT EVEN THINK ABOUT IT... A lab will make a lot of noise at first, you do not want to come home to find the RSPCA waiting for you with a policeman!
On the plus side, having Visitors coming to visit the animal will help in socialisation training...IF DONE CORRECTLY... if the poor thing gets a visit from a different stranger every other day the animal will go quite MAD.... you have been warned!
perhaps a tall hound (whippet, lurcher, greyhound) or smaller working breed would be a better then a loud and very boisterous Gun Dog... Labs are great and loving dogs, I go shooting with three of them on a regular basis, but they def. are not my first choice for a house dog.
2006-09-15 05:18:57 · answer #3 · answered by Zarathustra 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Don't get ANY dog unless you can be certain you can get home every lunchtime to check it and take it out . Leaving it all day as you suggest is extremely unfair on the dog-they are very social animals, no one should get any animal unless they can give it the care they need. I work for an animal charity and am tired of seeing people getting dogs on a whim without thinking through the full consequences. If you want a pet then a cat is a more suitable choice for your circumstances. I work similar hours and do own a dog but I am always at home in the middle of the day to take care of him. There is no way I would leave him >8 hours without company and he is a very well behaved dog! Please do not underestimate how much of a responsibility a dog is.
2006-09-15 08:57:27 · answer #4 · answered by teaser 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Good question and I'm glad you've asked.
BUT
Puppies need A LOT of attention, so no, it wouldn't be fair to get a pup of any breed, sorry.
If you could get someone to walk the dog or at least let it out at lunchtime then an older dog might be able to cope with that. Maybe go along to a rescue and explained the situation.
Even then though, rescues tend to err on the side of caution and not many would rehome to you.
You probably could get hold of a dog one way or another from a dodgy breeder, there's plenty around, but I wouldn't advise that for yours or the dog's sake. Whilst you might be lucky and have no problems, the chances of having problems are too great to seriously think about going along that route.
Sorry if this dampens your spirits but better that than to end up with problems further down the line.
And well done on having the courage and sense to ask first.
2006-09-15 07:08:34 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
No definitely not a good idea, unless you can get back at lunchtime and usually this only works with mature dogs. Labradors are known for there nice temperament but boredom could turn them into a house destruction unit and\or a noise creation machine for the neighbours. Seriously don't do this its not fair on the naturally sociable household pet, if you must have a fury Friend get a cat, they are much happier with this sort of set up. I love dogs but after seeing what happened to one of ours once no-one was around during the day I wouldn't want any dog to have to put up with it. The dog was given to my Friends mum and settled down again afterwards.
2006-09-15 04:56:22 · answer #6 · answered by pete m 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Labs are the greatest but they do have lots of energy especially as puppies. The only problem you would face is puppies have a hard time holding it that long. Their bladders are still developing. You could always consider doggie day care or perhaps you have a family member or good friend to stop by a let the puppy out for awhile. If not maybe try a rescue group for Labs and adopt a sightly older lab (even a couple of months) that could go a little longer. As long as you give your Lab lots of exercsie and attention when you are there you will all be happy.
2006-09-15 06:20:20 · answer #7 · answered by TritanBear 6 · 0⤊ 1⤋
if you go on the RSPCA website or any sort of dog site you can read through consequences of getting a puppy, as they try to make people see the reality of having a dog. There is a lot of expense involved: they are kept in a pen in the home usually (otherwise chew everything) poo and wee all over the place, dog-smell, dog hair, it will whine at night, it will need to be house trained, will need injections, micro chips, pet insurance, space for dog bed, future vets bills, walks and attention. But they are adorable! so i spose if you fall in love with the puppy - bound to happen - then you wont mind all the things i mentioned.
I thought about getting a puppy for me and my boyfriend and realised i wasn't ready to have that commitment, especially after a friend got one and i hear about the amount of work and time it takes looking after one, my friend goes home at lunchtimes when at work to clean up the dogs poo. Nice.
2006-09-15 05:11:17 · answer #8 · answered by Estee 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
No,daft idea.
Would you leave a kid at home all day alone ?
a dog is a social animal
It wouldn't be doing the dog any good, not even if you get a rescue (as it might have stood the chance of going to a better home ). So whats it for then ? Your entertainment probably.
So, if you can accept that its selfish and deep down you really don't care about the dogs welfare because you are willing to imprison it all day, sure go get one.
Make sure you name it Trophy
No need to say more really
2006-09-15 04:55:28 · answer #9 · answered by Michael H 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I guess there's travelling time on top of the 9-5.A puppy needs company if it's to be trained and socialised. Also,winter's coming-are you really prepared to go out in the cold and dark to exercise the dog?Also,why a Lab?dogs homes full of non-pedigrees.PS-my mate's dog cost him over two grand by chewing cables and carpets while he was at work
2006-09-15 05:00:10 · answer #10 · answered by russki1947 1 · 1⤊ 0⤋