Is it unfair to have a dog when you work full time?

Answer 1

Many people work time and have a dog. You will get a lot of negative answers about this, but it is workable if you are willing to research and plan ahead before getting your dog.

Make sure the dog you get meets your lifestyle. You don't want a border collie if you are going to be gone all day and are a couch potato when you are home! However, if you have the time to walk/jog with it every morning and evening, come home during the day (or have someone come over) to play and walk the dog and do daily training with it, then it may be feasible.

Yorkies do not require much exercise, and are great because you don't have to worry about walking them every day. However, all dogs are pack animals and do not like to be left alone.

If you would like, email me at [e-mail] and I can help you choose a dog to fit your lifestyle by asking you some questions, finding out what qualities in a dog you are looking for, and help you design a routine that will work for you and your dog.

I highly recommend adopting, and http://www.petfinder.com is a great place to start your search.

Answer 2

I would say it depends... on several things, do you have a yard for the dog to stay in during the day? Or would you keep it in a cage inside (unfair).. Are there places for the dog to get out of the weather (heat, cold, rain, whatever) if it is kept outside during the day. Maybe you could handle getting two dogs so that they can entertain one another? Will you be willing to devote most of your time to the dog when you ARE home... take it for walks, play, train and most importantly love! It also depends on the breed and size that you get too... certain breeds would not be a good idea just because of specific personality traits. Also, puppies need much more attention and love than an adult dog... you may consider adopting a dog that has had some training and is either close being or is completely out of the "puppy" stage...

I have considered this question myself, I LOVE dogs and have always wanted one, but I live in a small apartment and work full time as well...So I got a cat instead =)

Answer 3

Well, I hope not, because I do. I have two dogs, though. I often feel guilty because on weekdays I am gone from 8-10 hours, and of course I sleep 5-8 hours a day, too....

I used to live with other people who would walk the dog during the day, but now I don't.

However, I think MY particular dogs are okay. They are adult dogs and are not very hyper. My Westie, especially, is pretty laid back (Westie's are known for sleeping up to 18 hours a day) and I have a Jack Russell... he has more energy, but he plays with the Westie and his toys when I'm gone and he gets lots of exercise when I'm home in the evening.

Of course, pottying is a problem. I use puppy pads and they go on those and I clean it up. I have no problem with this becasue they also go outside when I take them and it's less stinky than a litter box. (They are also both afraid of rain, so we use puppy pads in these instances, too)

I've tried doggie day care, but my Westie sleeps most of the time and the Jack Russell doesn't like other dogs.

I also don't kennel my dogs... I don't have a problem with crating them, they just don't need it.

And really, what was the other option for my dogs? I mean, it's possible THEY would have gone to another owner, but that just means other dogs wouldn't have been adopted. Maybe they would have had to stay at the boarding place or with their foster parents who also have 20 other dogs (they wouldn't get much more attention that way) or worse.

I love and appriciate my dogs, they have food, water, a warm bed, and a loving owner. Besides there aren't enough people in the world who work at home or don't work at all to take care of all the stray dogs in the world.

Answer 4

Hi. I would say it depends on how long you are out at work. If you leave the house at say 8:30 and are back at home by 6 and you walked it in the morning and evening then it wouldn't be too cruel. It does however also depend on the breed of dog you get, how lively it is and how much exercise it needs. If you have an enclosed garden it would be better and also if you could have two dogs to keep each other company then that would be good too. If you aren't willing to commit lots of time outside your working hours to your dog or have a long commute then you'd be better off with a smaller or more independent pet like a cat.

Answer 5

Is it unfair for people to have kids and work full time ? It's a stretch but people manage same goes for a dog if it is fed, walked and cared for I don't see a problem .No one has a text book lifestyle but we all cope,as long as the dog is not been harmed I don't see the problem you can get someone to look after it during the day, just like people have child minders , If people said that parents had to stay with a child or work full time be honest none of us would be here now :)

Answer 6

depends on the circumstances i know some one who has a dog and works full time but the neighbour takes the dog for walks three times a day and lets him out as well i think the only unfair thing for the dog is he only sees his owner a few hours a day

Answer 7

If you can afford a dog walker or know someone who can take out the dog on a consistent and regular basis, and have a large enough space for the dog to not feel confined when left alone, and if you can spend enough time with the dog when you get home from work and when you are off of work, then it should be fine, but remember, dogs do not like being left alone, and when left alone they can do some pretty destructive stuff, especially as puppies.

Answer 8

It depends on several things. One is the breed you have - some dogs just can't tolerate inactivity for that long. The other is how much time you have to devote to the dog before and after work and weekends. If you spend a lot of quality time with your dog, walking, playing, grooming, training when you are home, it's not unfair at all to have a dog and work - millions do it.

Answer 9

Yes, unless you have someone living at your house during the day. If you have an apartment then you should deff. not have a dog if you work full time. Dogs need to be let out to go to the bathroom during the day (or they will go in your house if your not home) they need to be fed, and walked....if you get a small dog you might be able to bring it to work if you have your own office and it if it is quiet. Also dogs need a lot of space so if you get a dog make sure you have a big front yard/or back yard.

Answer 10

Yes

For obvious reasons such as dog needing to go to the loo.

But breed of dog is also an issue here. Some will be affected by being left more then others.

Some need loads of exercise and may take it out on the furniture or the walls. Some need company and will pine and be sad.