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preowner
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Location: USA
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11-02-2009, 06:26 AM

Pre owner question

Hi,
We're looking into getting a dog to our 2 kids- 10 and 14 and 2 cats house. We're out of the house, working-studiying etc. approx 7 hours a day.
Is there a dog breed/mix of breeds that might fit us?
is it impossible to leave a dog for so long?
fyi - we do not have a fenced yard.

thanks in advance for you advice
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Hali
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11-02-2009, 08:22 AM
Hi there and well done for asking questions before just rushing out to get a pup/dog.

Dogs are very sociable creatures and 7 hours alone each day for the average dog would not be fair. However, depending on your commitment to any dog, it may be possible.

I would say for the dog to stand a chance of being happy with being left for so long, you'd have to make sure
(1) that apart from the 7 hours you are at work, it was with you all the time, actively partaking in family life and getting lots of walks/exercise/mental stimulation. If you have lots of social commitments which would not involve the dog then I would suggest that you don't get one as its very unfair to be left all the working day and then a lot of your free time too.
(2) subject to (1), to make it work you would have to arrange for a dog walker/friend/neighbour to pop in and spend some time with the dog during the day.
(3) before leaving the dog for the day you would have to make sure that you gave it a good walk.

Dogs require a much larger commitment in terms of time and energy than cats do - I would say compare it more to having another 2 year old child in the house.

And also remember that an unhappy dog will cause problems - it is likely to be destructive in the house; chewing/messing etc.

But sharing your life with a happy dog has amazing rewards and if you are prepared to put in the commitment, the dog will pay you back in love, affection and 'entertainment' (mine never cease to make me smile) tenfold.

Good luck with your decision.
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greyhoundk
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11-02-2009, 09:23 AM
Hi, i agree with the above - its not fair to leave a dog for that long on its own.

As said, you would have to get someone to go in and take the dog out or at least let it out for a wee, but boredom could manifest itself in destructive behaviour.
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Jessica
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11-02-2009, 10:06 AM
Well, i work, im out from 8:30 til about 5pm in the week. My job is very local to my house, just a 5 minute drive! So i come home at lunch time and take everyone out for a short walk and a stretch of their legs!!

I also give them a walk in the morning. Depending on how early im up they either get about half an hour or an hour in the morning Then after work they get a nice long walk. Im surrounded by fields which is handy as they can have a good run off-lead.

On a friday my mum finishes at 12 so she picks my dogs up from my house, takes them to hers and takes everyone out for a nice long walk through the fields and woods which is lovely for them

So, it is definately do-able, but you will certainly find that you have to fit your life around making time for your dogs. When im home the dogs are out with me. Everyone except the puppy has free run of the house (except for the upstairs!) so they're not crated all day or anything. Mine seem quite happy with this arrangement
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ClaireandDaisy
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11-02-2009, 10:14 AM
Is the dog for you or the children? (sorry - not clear!). It`s just that an elderly dog who would be happy to snooze all day may not be active enough for teenagers, and a young dog you would be up for fun and games may not able to be left.
Maybe a mature dog with a dog-walker midday? Or a really good walk in the morning before you go to work?
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magpye
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11-02-2009, 01:19 PM
It's not impossible, but it would take a lot of commitment from all of the family.

With no fenced garden you will have to walk the dog twice a day minimum every day without fail... 10 and 14 are too young to walk a dog on their own, even if you got a small dog, you have to consider what if a loose dog ran up, could they deal with the possible attack from a larger breed, they would need an adult with them or nearby at all times.

Then there are puppy classes, socialisation. Dog sitting or kennels if you want a holiday. A new dog needs a minimum of two weeks solid to settle in. Best if someone takes a holiday. There will be accidents, there will be destroyed treasured possessions, there will be wees and poos on the carpeting. There will be tears and illness and heartache...

But then there will be laughs, there will be fun, there will be great family moments, trips to woods and beaches you may never have gone to otherwise. There will be a furry shoulder to cry on and licky sympathy on tap for all teenage and adult dramas and silly waggy goffiness to share your joys...

Only you can truly now if your family is ready for a dog... visit your local rescue centre and see what they say. What do they recommend for a person in your place. Maybe your perfect dog is sitting in a kennel somewhere right now waiting for you to come and get them...

Maybe cats are better for your lifestyle... If you want that trainable focus but without the stress have you considered a ferret?
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preowner
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11-02-2009, 03:26 PM
Hi all,

Thanks very much for your fast replies.
A few clarifications -
1-the dog is primarily for the kids. Or better to say, due to them asking fo it.... although I know for sure who will bare the work in the long run...say from a month or two after getting it.
2- I suppose this wasn't serious but- I do not consider a ferret or the like, as I don't see it as a potential pet. Just my opinion plus, this can be a real 'party' together with 2 cats
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Hali
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11-02-2009, 03:54 PM
Originally Posted by preowner View Post
Hi all,

Thanks very much for your fast replies.
A few clarifications -
1-the dog is primarily for the kids. Or better to say, due to them asking fo it.... although I know for sure who will bare the work in the long run...say from a month or two after getting it.
2- I suppose this wasn't serious but- I do not consider a ferret or the like, as I don't see it as a potential pet. Just my opinion plus, this can be a real 'party' together with 2 cats
If the dog is mainly for the kids -do you know anyone with a friendly and trustworthy dog you could 'borrow' for awhile?

My neighbour's boy had been on at them for months and months to get him a dog. we 'leant' them our old boy Kip (he went to spend each day with them over half term). Our neighbours made their son responsible for getting up to take Kip for a walk (though they went with him) and to play with Kip every day.

It only took the week for the son to get fed up and realise that he preferred going out with his friends to playing/walking the dog. The boy no longer pesters his parents for a dog and I'm happy that I have potentially saved a dog from ending up in the rescue shelter when they decided they didn't want it.
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preowner
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11-02-2009, 03:58 PM
Great idea. We thought of semi-fostering one at one point as well.
If we're at it already, does anyone think of the right breed to suit our situation?
thanks much
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