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Basically I want to know is it fair to own a dog even though one works full time, 5 days a week??

2007-06-20 23:34:25 · 22 answers · asked by Spence 3 in Pets Dogs

It would be taken for long walks before and after work. I am just concerned about how long it can hold its bladder for. I wouldn't want the dog spending hours uncomfortably holding its bladder until I got home.

2007-06-20 23:41:49 · update #1

22 answers

I also work full time, 5 days per week.

I give my dog a short walk as soon as I get up, then another last thing before I go to work.

When I get home the first thing I do is walk him. He also gets a longer walk later on, then another short walk before bed. He copes well with that.

If you are planning to get a dog, I'd recommend an adult dog rather than a puppy. Adult dogs are often less demanding of your time than a puppy (plus they have larger bladders!).

Do you have a friend or neighbour who would be willing to let your dog out for a toilet break at lunchtime? Alternatively - you might want to hire somebody to walk your dog at lunchtime.

Most rescues will not rehome to anybody who would leave their dog for more than 4 hours without a toilet break (they will err on the side of caution rather than risk having the dog returned), but if you show that you've planned for that (and there's a dog that's suitable for you) then some might allow you to have one of their dogs.

(btw - I worked different hours when I got my dog from rescue - by the time I changed jobs my dog was well settled and coped extremely well with the change)

If you're in the UK, this link should be helpful in finding a rescue near you - just click on the part of the map that's closest to where you live:

http://www.dogpages.org.uk/index.htm

2007-06-21 06:07:16 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 1 0

To answer the basic question, alot of dogs can't hold it for a whole 8 hours, regardless of what these other answers say. Dogs have bladders just like we do. How long can you hold it? Now drink some water and ask yourself again. A good housetrained dog will try to hold it as long as it can, which can lead to bladder infections and other complications. If you are planning on leaving your dog alone for that long, maybe you should consider puppy pad training instead. At least your dog would be comfortable. But this is not the only thing you need to be concerned about. Some dogs don't do well on their own for that long a time and get into mischief. You could find yourself coming home to shredded clothing, chewed shoes, or even chewed moldings and drywall off the walls. This can be caused by boredom or separation anxiety in your dog. A dog is a living thing with a brain, so please consider all the aspects and not just the maintenance part of owning a dog. You could check into dog walkers, or maybe a family member could get involved in checking on the dog. Can you go home for lunch once or twice a week? The bottom line is dogs are very social creatures and need to be with their people. They were never meant to be alone.

2007-06-21 09:22:39 · answer #2 · answered by anne b 7 · 0 1

I bought a 'pound puppy' (well, a full-grown dog, actually) even though I own my own business and work 5 days a week. My reasoning was that the dog would be better off being with me for PART of the day than being with no-one (and trapped in a concrete cage) ALL day. If your time is limited, this may be something to think about!

My dog is extremely active, and so I have to be responsible about exercising him when I get home or he rips the place apart out of boredom the next day while I'm out. Another approach would be to get two dogs, if you have room, so they can entertain each other while you're out- but that may mean double trouble if they get up to mischief.

He has no trouble 'holding on' in the 9 or 10 hours I'm away- he's NEVER made a mess- but he's a fully grown dog. A puppy would be less likely to be able to hang on.

Try to get an independent sort of dog rather than a sook. Some dogs do pine when their owner leaves them (small dogs seem to be particularly bad about this). Mine is a velcro dog when I'm home (ie he sticks to me!!), but when I'm out he just curls up on the bed and is quite happy to recharge the batteries so he's ready for his late afternoon romp with me when I get home.

I KNOW he's happier with me than he was in the pound, so I don't feel at all guilty for being at work.

2007-06-21 08:19:21 · answer #3 · answered by Cassandra C 2 · 0 0

Puppies certainly wouldn't be able to hold there bladder all day long, not only have you got the housetraining issue with a pup but you also end up with chewed furniture etc, scratched doors, because as your puppy grows so does his boredom levels!! Dogs need to be interacted with constantly as there social animals and to deprive them of this every day, 5 days a week, isn't fair esp on a puppy. Many rescue centers dont rehome to full time workers, however if your adament on getting a dog, then i advice you to go for an older dog 6+ years that is out of the iniatial chewing, peeing, howling stage. An older dog can adapt more easily and would be happier to sleep during the day, esp if you gave it a good walk before work. Truthfully speaking though, i think you should wait untill your present working circumstances change.

2007-06-21 13:52:50 · answer #4 · answered by Heavenly20 4 · 0 2

if you have taken him/her out first thing, they could possable keep bladder full till luch time. But, some dogs are better than others, mine go a lot during the course of a day. I dont think you should leave your dog alone more than 4 hours, but, people have to work, things dont pay for them selfs. Some dogs are better being left a long compared to others, i have chihuahuas and they don't like being left, but ( i dont no) if a different breed like a lab may be fine.

2007-06-21 07:23:45 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0 0

If you do insist on getting a dog, I would seriously consider checking out the area for a local dog walker, they will come in around lunchtime and take the little fella out for a good play with other dogs, so not only will he be shattered he'll also be getting properly socialised which is VERY important. Check that the walker is insured and has suitable qualifications tho. Plenty of my friends have dog walkers for their dogs as they work full time and I tend to find that they have the dogs that seem to be most happy and relaxed in any situation esp. when meeting new dogs. Good luck.

2007-06-24 08:31:39 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0 0

If dogs could talk, they would say five minutes, maximum. They are pack animals and want to be with their pack, especially the leader (which hopefully is you). But we don't live in the wild any more and you can't take your dog hunting with you or to the modern day equivalent - the office.

So dogs get left in the garden or house for several hours and as long as their owners provide for their needs (food, water, shelter, toys) the worst that might happen is that they get bored and dig a hole in the border or shred the sofa.

If only people who didn't work could own dogs, how many countless millions more dogs worldwide would be put down every year? Rhetorical question. It may not be fair on the dog to leave it while you go to work, but if it's well provided for and the only other choice is for the dog to go to the shelter - it's a no brainer!

2007-06-21 06:50:36 · answer #7 · answered by PuppyPrince 6 · 4 2

Well, it really depends on the type of dog you have and how it's trained.. You might get a dog that is fine alone or you might get a dog that tears up things when left alone too long... If you go out of town often and can't take your dog, it could be a problem... Our dog is crate trained, she's in her crate when we are not home.. If we feed her and let her out before we go anywhere, we've left her in the crate for 5-6 hours.. Sometimes if it's not too hot/cold we leave her outside in a fenced yard and as long as she has water she's fine... I would say if you work full-time you should get up 1-2 hours earlier than normal to feed/walk and spend time with your dogs and plan on when you get home on doing the same...So, if you feel you can get up walk, feed and let the dog out to do it's business than "maybe" you should get a dog... Also, think about where you live... If you live in apt, house etc....where is the dog going to sleep, eat etc... Also, if possible save some money for vet costs, dogs can get expensive and need special care at times as well as grooming, food and toys. Think about it and good luck

2007-06-21 06:47:11 · answer #8 · answered by pebblespro 7 · 1 2

You still don't say how old the dog is. My puppy is eight months and can hold it all night - i.e. from 9pm until 7am - with no problem (I know that because when I let her out in the morning, she goes for her food first and often doesn't actually wee until about 20 minutes or half an hour afterwards).

If this really bothers you, consider leaving your dog outside (obviously with shelter) while you're at work. Millions of people do this with no problem, I'm one of them.

2007-06-21 22:37:34 · answer #9 · answered by aussiepom 3 · 1 0

I personally don't think it's fair to leave a dog alone all day, every day. In fact, I refused to let a pup go to a new home because of this. The potential owners were out from 8am til 6pm and my pup was used to a relatively busy house, plenty of noise and company and, of course, playing with it's littermates. To then place it in a home all day, alone, I thought was cruel, not to mention, how on earth would the new owners possibly have the time and inclination to house train the pup.
Some older dogs from a rescue centre that have been used to their previous owner being out at work, may be able to cope. But, again, I feel it's unfair. Why get a dog if you can't spend quality time with it.

2007-06-21 07:12:54 · answer #10 · answered by Ysanne 5 · 1 2

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