I really want dogs, but I work in an office all day, so is this a bad idea?

Question

I thought that if I got a couple of small dogs, they would keep themselves company, (pack style) while I was away. And if they were really little, they could even use a litter tray.
Why should owning dogs be the reserve of people who don't work, or have the luxury of working from home?

Answer 1

I think that you should be fine having dogs. I have 3 dogs at home and work full time as well. I've found that they do better in pairs as well. This way, they occupy themselves and are better socialized as well.

I would steer clear of puppies as you won't have the time to potty train them, but two adult dogs would be great for you I think. You'll probably want to crate them at least for a while so that they learn their boundaries and that you are sure that they don't have any issues with chewing furniture, etc.

Bookmom's idea is great too about looking at your shelter for pairs. We always have pairs of dogs at the shelter that would like to go home together. They are harder to place, but I bet you'd be able to find a great pair at your local shelter, who are already well socialized and get along great with each other.

Answer 2

You can own a dog and still work---it is owning a puppy that is a bad idea when you are gone for a loooong time.

Get an adult dog--or two---and you should be fine. You work regular office hours? Not something crazy like 7-7? or 9-5 with a 2 hour commute? You should be fine.

Make sure you exercise/play with the dogs in the morning and when you get home. Let them sleep in your room and hang out with them on the weekends.

Saying that only stay at home people can have dogs is over-the-top. There are plenty of adult dogs who needs homes.

Since you are willing to take 2 together you might even find a pair at a rescue group that were raised together and lived together all their lives and need a home together. Sometimes these pairs are the hardest to place and someone willing to take both would be a blessing.

To find a group go to www.petfinder.com

Good luck.

Answer 3

You absolutely can work and own dogs, assuming you do not work long shifts. The tricky part is getting puppies because they cannot be left for long periods of time.

I would highly recommend getting two to keep each other company and also getting an older dog. Even getting a 1 or 2 year old makes all the difference. Just plan on spending time with them every morning before work and every evening. Take them for walks before you go to work and when you first get home. This will help to ensure they get plenty of exercise (even small dogs need exercise...exercise is one of the major pieces of having happy, healthy pets).

Keep in mind that many dog owners do work for a living and are not all rich. Be sure when you start looking at types of dogs to consider the lifestyle you live when you are not at work, level of grooming etc. Even if you are going to adopt from a shelter, you should still research breeds so you have an idea of what you are looking for.

Some people who work hire dog sitters to walk and play with their dogs midday and some even send their dogs to doggy daycare. BUT you can own dogs and work without doing this. As a dog owner who works for a living, I do not have a dog sitter but mine get ample attention and exercise when i'm home.

Answer 4

I, too, work in an office and own dogs. I got my first dog when my husband and I were working opposite schedules so one of us was always home with the pup.

Then, I got a new job and started working days. At that point, I did have to get a second dog to help combat my Peke's separation anxiety, and they are best friends.

I do stop by on my lunch to let them out, but they do well even on days when I must skip lunch at work!

You may be best off getting an older dog, however. Pups are unable to hold their bladders long and are also mroe likely to be destructive if they become bored.

Visit your local shelter and ask about adoptions or check out petfinder.com.

Good luck!

Answer 5

It doesn't need to be - you can work in an office and have dogs, especailly if you have a couple together. They will keep each other company, but instead of trying to teach them about a litter tray, which might just teach them to mess in the house. Try and find a local dog walker who could come in for a while in the middle of the day to take them out. You could also crate train them. They will not mess in what they consider their bed area. Have fun with your pets.

Answer 6

It would be very unfair to leave any dog cooped up in the house all day for several hours. One good option is an outdoor run with shelter and heating for when you are at work. You'd have to be sure your dogs didn't bark continuously because you'd get complaints, and not only that, it's pigging annoying for anyone who has to hear it. Alternatively, do you know someone who could go to your home a couple of times a day to let the dogs into the garden while you're away?

Answer 7

I had dogs when I worked full time and I see no reason why people can't do it, especially if you want 2. BUT, you have to commit your evenings and weekends to them, because no matter what age dog you get or what breed, dogs are companion animals and it's not fair to any dog to expect it spend days, evenings and weekends alone. Getting 2 dogs is a great idea if you have the time to devote to training, grooming and exercising them.

It would likely be much smarter if you were to look for young adults rather than puppies. It's very difficult to housetrain young puppies (especially if you have 2) with no one home all day.

Answer 8

It depends...how long is all day? 8 hours? 10 hours? How many hours do you have each day for them? If you don't have time for them then you shouldn't get them simple. they are creatures that bond to you like you can even imagine. Puppies need lots of training and disipline day in and out to be good boys and girls in the house alone all day. You don't really want the 'pack mentally' to kick in do you? They will walk all over you and rip your house to bits. It doesn't matter if you have two or three shih tzu's or german shepards they will do things you don't want them to.

You should volunteer at a local shelter or doggy daycare to get your doggy fix and really think about it awhile before getting a pup or two.

I work at a doggy daycare I feel so bad for the dogs who get dropped off early in the morning and don't get picked up until late at night. There are quite a few that live this way every day. I'm not saying they don't have a good time there but all day is a longtime. By 6pm at the daycare you can see it in their eyes that they want to go home and see their human. People get dogs realize they don't have the time for them and push them off to a daycare b/c of the guilt they feel, and I think yes they should feel guilty. Please think about it.....

Answer 9

I would say it is a bad idea. Dogs especially pups need a lot of human interaction to be well trained,well balanced and well socialized. More often than not when someone has a "Bad Dog",it is really a dog that has not had adequate time devoted to it. I get that you would like to have dogs,but it can't be about your gratification only. You really have to take into account what will be best for the dogs too. If they are unhappy and unruly you will be unhappy too.

Answer 10

I would say go for it! I would do 2 of them so they could keep eachother company like you said. I know someone who litter box trained her yorkie and she works all day long also. You can still do it, but dogs are more dependent than cats you will need to be home a little more than usual, atleast while they are puppies anyway.