What is your opinion of people working full time and owning a dog?

Question

I have a GSD. Me and my partner both work full time. My partner works close to where we live so he goes home at lunch time to walk the dog. He is also walked in the morning before we go to work and in the evening when we get home.

Why do some people on here not agree with people working full time and owning dogs? How can they afford to pay vets bills etc?

Answer 1

I have a 125 lb. GSD, I've had him since he was 7 wks old. I crate trained him. He's 2 now and is fully trained. He's NEVER messed in my house nor destroyed anything. We also went through 24 wks of obedience training...I highly suggest it, GSD's are very intelligent and can be a mence if not trained properly (as w/ any dog).

For the first year we had him in the crate while we weren't home but always put toys in his cage. During the puppy phase it's hard for them to hold their bladder so letting them out mid-day is a great idea--if you have the means to give attention mid-day--do it! I wish I worked closer to home for that reason!

Our dog is wonderful. We spend alot of time with him on the weekends and everyday when we get home from work my fiance & I ALWAYS do something with him if it's a walk or fetch--he always gets that important & much needed attention. He knows the routine and he sleeps alot..he's certainly a ball of energy when we get home but hey...he's be patiently waiting for us all day & is now ready to play.

I look at it this way...we have to work to afford him...the vet bills and $60 in food & treats every two wks is not cheap! The important thing is you DO NOT NEGLECT (not feed or never play with) or abuse your dog/animal...working is trying to better your quality of life therefore will better the animals...some people DON'T use their brain!! You're being right...don't let others make you feel otherwise, remember there is no vaccine against stupidity!

Answer 2

I have an answer for both sides.

1. I am a student and work two days a week and go to school for 10 hours a week. In that, I have the money to pay for vet costs, and if a huge emergancy comes up (say upwards of $1000) then it will come down to a payment plan, begging or my credit card. Either way, I like having a dog and not being out 40 hours a week because it gives me a lot of time to bond with my dog!

2. Last year I had a dog and went to school 20 hours a week and worked 30 hours a week. It was long and stressful and at times I didn't have $30 to my name. At the same time, I was able to walk her, take care of her and make sure she got all her checkups. It was really one of those things where I just had to budget around getting $80 dog food and shots every once in awhile.

Personally, I think that if people make it work for them, then they make it work. As long as you are able to get your animal fixed and up to date on shots and yearly check ups, as well as be able to afford good food, toys, and have time to walk and train the dog, then what issue is there? I understand that people don't work full time, but, for example, my rent and schooling is paid for me by my parents while I am in university, and that gives me the opportunity to own a dog without neglecting her in any way.

Answer 3

I've never understood the thinking that you can't have a dog if you work. Where in the world does that thinking come from?

I work full time and go to school part time. I also own 2 dogs and foster 2 dogs. Sure it's a lot of work for me: work all day, walk dogs in the afternoon, go to school in the evening, walk dogs when I get home, do home work, and so on.

It takes some time and effort on the human's part, but it is very easy to have dogs and work full time. If you're particularly concerned about your dog's well being, there is always doggy daycare and pet sitters to help you out.

As long as the time you spend with your dog is quality time, there shouldn't be any problems.

I think the people who say it's wrong to have a dog and work are the selfish ones. They don't want to "waste" their free time taking care of a dog. People who work and have a dog are very compassionate and are willing to put in the extra effort to making sure their dog is happy.

Answer 4

I'm sure that most people that own dogs work full time, myself included. I think it's fine. It's definitely helpful to have more than one dog so your pup is not lonely (we have 3).

Training a puppy is a lot harder when you work, but adopting an older dog eliminates that hassle. I actually trained a puppy recently with a full time schedule and it went well but was exhausting! Post again if you need tips with that.

Both my husband and I work full time. We also live near a park and make sure the dogs get in a run at least every other day. At bear minimum they get 4 walks per day.

I highly reccommend wee pad or doggie literbox training so your dog doesn't have to wait too long to go. Little dogs have the most trouble with this. Our 65lb. mutt actually holds it and wants nothing to do with wee pads.

As long as you make sure your dog gets exercise when you are at home, and some quality time with his/her master, working full time is not a barrier against dog ownership.

Answer 5

I guess the real question here should be, do I understand dog behavior and am willing to give my dog the exercise, food and home that all dogs deserve? If you are willing to take the time when you are home and exercise your dog, take him to the vet when needed, feed him regularly and love him, then yes, it is okay to work and have a dog! Whether you live on a farm, in a rambler or an apartment.

Dogs sleep most of the time their owners are gone and spend most of their time near you when you are home. Enjoy them while you are there and make them as comfortable and safe as possible when you are not!

Answer 6

Depending on where you work, some people can take their dogs with. Then there's also doggy daycare. Then there are people like you who can get home during the day to let your dog out. People who work full time can have dogs. It's not a problem.

Answer 7

My fiance and I both work full-time. Luckily, he has some flexibility with his job, and have "early" days and "late" days. The dogs are left alone from 6 - 9 hours each weekday.

One of the dogs goes to daycare once a week (one is dog aggressive and one is not yet spayed, so they can't go). On the weekends, they are NEVER left alone to make up for being alone all week. If both my fiance and I have to leave, my sister comes over to play with them.

Having dogs and working full-time is manageable. I'll tell you... with 3 dogs, there is no way we could not work full time and afford the bills they rack up!

Answer 8

Some breeds are actually okay to be left at home whilst the owner is at work subject to them getting exercise in the evening. The Japanese Akita is known for being good at this. You can leave this breed in and they don't bark or become destructive ( unless ) you don't walk them daily. Most people suggest walking in the morning before work and again at the evening but with Akita's in the evening is fine. The walk has to last at least an hour though. These dogs don't bark unless provoked.

Answer 9

I think it is perfectly normal for people to have dogs while working full time. I mean how many people out there can afford to just sit at home all day with there dog? I recently got a puppy and it's gets all the attention i can give it. I wake up early to play with her and walk her, come home for lunch everyday to feed her and walk her, and also play with her at night. I got this pup from a shelter and if it wasn't for people who have jobs and money that adopt these dogs then a lot of them wouldn't have a chance- they would die from illness or neglect. There are days i have off and my older dog just sleeps all day anyway- i mean it's not like they have to be played with 24-7, I think they like there breaks from us to from time to time. Coming home from work to your dog is wonderful.

Answer 10

me and my partner work full time and we have a 14 month old daughter and 3 boxers!!! i make sure when i come home we all go to the park and run around and they eat 2 times a day, as long as you make sure they have their excercise and attention than they will be happy! It is hard these days to get by without working full time. if everyone that worked full time didnt own dogs, there would be no dog lovers and no dog homes for them.......