Working and puppy ownership

Hi all,

My question is pretty simple - is it possible to successfully raise a puppy if you are in full time work?

Assuming you are willing to do all you can to care for the puppy well - coming hime at lunchtime / obviously providing exercise & stimulation when you are there etc - how young a puppy would you consider?

Tricky one, it depends very much on the breed and personality. It would be very hard to toilet train a very young pup if it is left alone for long periods. But if you get an older pup or dog that isn't used to being left, that can cause all sorts of problems.

yes it is do-able...but a pup really needs you when it needs you ...as far as comming home at lunch,thats ok ,but in my opinion its not enough,most pups are taken at 8weeks and i feel that to early also ,3 to 4 feedings a day while they are8 to 20 weeks,a sitter for the first few months would be ideal IMO,someone to check up on the little ones....time and effort gives you the dog you would like and if thats in your cards ,so to speek,than a pup should do good ...many folks here at dogsie,have had pups while they work and im sure you can also ,BIG RESONCIBILITY........and if you feel it would be taxing, i would not bother untill your situationn changes,or a dog sitter/ walker ,can help..oh if your working 12 hour days ,than....... NO...IMO...respectfully phil

It is possible but it is harder work.

I done it - but then on my days off, the dogs come first regardless - it makes up for the time they are left.

Would i do it again though - probably not. I didn't like leaving mine for as long - though if i want a dog, i have to work.

You will manage if its what you want - you just have to work out what works best for you.

yes its possible - but not ideal

I would say you would need to take off at least a couple of weeks at the start to get the puppy settled and gradualy get it used to being on its own - and then have a sitter comming in every couple of hours for the first month or two building it up


Its not just the amount of time it would be in on its own, how would you have the time to make sure it had all the early socilasation it needed??
THose 1st few weeks were soooo hard, up in the middle of the night to was poo off the puppy, out to the loo many many times, planning trips to places, puppy classes, vets visits, washing machine on non stop, being uber tidy to make sure there was nothing for the pup to chew, watching like a hawk

wow and I think Mia was difficult - nothing to them 1st few weeks with a tiny puppy

If I were working full time in the situation you describe I don't think I would consider a puppy at all.

There is a reason why so many young dogs... 6 to 18 months are in rescue centers...... They need lots of care and attention through the teenage stage, and once the cuteness of a puppy wears off people soon get rid.

A puppy needs huge amounts of attention, training, exercise and most importantly socialisation............. someone who works 9 to 5, 5 days a week just can no provide this.

I think people should ask WHY they want a puppy? An older rescue dog can be just as good if not better for many situations.


Our rescue dog (we have had her 2 months now) is 8 months old, and she is hard work, constantly getting in to mischief, boisterous and noisy. She chews everything in site and just this morning we were woken up at 5:15am to find a huge hole in our leather sofa.

We love her to bits and I can not imagine leaving her alone for hours each day, the only option would be to crate her, which is cruel and very selfish IMO................

i work full time , Mav my last pup, was 6 weeks

it is doable, we worked and had a pup, a springer pup at that, yes the housetraining took longer, yes all our spare time went on the dog, but we now have a well adjusted 3yr old springer

I work full time and have always done so, I have also had several dogs in that time from puppy hood (normally between 7 and 12 weeks) it is hard work to bring up a puppy in those circumstances but it is possible. It does however mean that you have to sacrifice things like - lunch time, evenings out that don't involve doing something with the dogs, lie ins etc but in the long run it's worth it if you have the time, energy and commitment.

I personally don't feel it is right to leave a puppy under 3 months for any extended period. To me, that is the vital time for housetraining, training generally and bonding with the puppy. Each to their own though