I want a dog
I've been thinking of getting a dog for awhile, I'm looking for a bit of help with the logistics. I've never had a dog before and would probably look at getting one from a rescue home.
Firstly, I live on my own and work shifts, earliest 7-3 and latest 2-10, now I have no problem taking the dog for a walk before & after work, its just the inbetween bit. Ideally I'd like to have a dog flap in my kitchen thgat allows a dog in and out to the garden at it's leisure, but obviously this limits the size of the dog I can get. So saying a dog flap is out of the question, my options seem to be roaming around the house all day (which I wouldn't really want unless I'm home) or the garden (my preffered option), would this be fair on the dog? My garden is medium sized, I'd buy a kennel and make sure it has food/ water/ blanket etc. I also have a garage that I don't really use so could sort it out for a dog to go in and out of there, I wouldn't mind getting a bigger dog flap for that as there's no valubles in there.
Secindly, what sort of weekly/ monthly cost would I be looking at for maintaining a dog? eg food, insurance, grooming, vets fees and any other potential costs.
Any help greatly appreciated.
Firstly, I live on my own and work shifts, earliest 7-3 and latest 2-10, now I have no problem taking the dog for a walk before & after work, its just the inbetween bit. Ideally I'd like to have a dog flap in my kitchen thgat allows a dog in and out to the garden at it's leisure, but obviously this limits the size of the dog I can get. So saying a dog flap is out of the question, my options seem to be roaming around the house all day (which I wouldn't really want unless I'm home) or the garden (my preffered option), would this be fair on the dog? My garden is medium sized, I'd buy a kennel and make sure it has food/ water/ blanket etc. I also have a garage that I don't really use so could sort it out for a dog to go in and out of there, I wouldn't mind getting a bigger dog flap for that as there's no valubles in there.
Secindly, what sort of weekly/ monthly cost would I be looking at for maintaining a dog? eg food, insurance, grooming, vets fees and any other potential costs.
Any help greatly appreciated.
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We feed him on RAW food we buy it in bulk (30 packs for £18) which lasts us about 60 days (he has half a pack per day) so approx £9 per month to feed him plus his treats and bones!
I would say 8 hours is too long to leave a dog even if they have access to the outside though some dogs may be quite happy to be left (others not so).
We pay pet insurance of £30 per month for him and also healthy pet club of £10 per month and that includes all his flea/worm treatments and health checks etc...
I love my dog he is great but to be honest they are such a tie that I wouldnt have another!! always feel like your having to rush back for them and he can be a complete pain in the arse at times!
My dad goes up in the day to see to ours while we are at work so we are lucky (my dad goes more for the break from my mum i think!).
Also any rescue worth their salt wouldnt rehome a dog with someone that works 8 hour shifts its just too long.
At least you're putting some actual thought into this rather than just diving in & getting one!
Do you want to explain why you want to get a dog if you're away from the house a lot?
That's not meant to be critical.
My new dog is a little pup, he's full of energy and so much fun. I live on my own, and a friend calls round during the day to take him for a walk and a play in the fields. He's never on his own for longer than 3 - 4 hours at a time. I also have a cat who just about tolerates the puppy, so he does have companionship.
You might be best posting this in the pet forum. There are some lovely posters there.
There have been several animal programmes that have rigged up cameras to see what home alone dogs get up to when their owners are out at work. The owners are always distressed by what they see - the dogs are very upset, whine, cry and bark. Dogs don't make any distinction when you leave for an hour or eight hours. They still don't like being on their own.
I have more free time than you, and I would love a dog, but I would not dream of it because it is cruel to leave a dog alone for that length of time. And this might be even worse with a rescue dog. I would strongly urge you not to get a dog, think of the dog rather than what you want.
If you are still determined, you should look into doggy day care. It is expensive but if you really want a dog and you care about its welfare, do loads of research before hand. Sorry to be all preachy, but I just don't think your circumstances fit being a dog owner at the present time.
Yep. I recommend this. It'd also work as training and get some experience what it's like looking after a dog. And possibly finding a nice dog.
Indeed. Many dogs end up in rescue homes because owners don't understand dog psychology. They're pack/social animals, and usually don't like being left on their own for too long.
It's not the cost of having a dog that's the biggest consideration though, it's the time. Dogs are social animals that require companionship. I'm at home quite a lot, as is Mr Python as we both work from home, she is OK when we go out for a few hours, but we wouldn't leave it any longer than 4hrs. I can see right at this moment how unhappy she is as Mr Python is away on business for a few days, and she won't "relax" until he is home. She roams the house looking for him, stays in bed a lot, and waits by the door at night expecting him to come home. And that's with me here!
Instead of "I want a dog" think about what you can offer a dog. Many rescues won't rehome to someone that works just because it's emotionally hard for the dog to deal with. However if you had relatives or friends that would help out whilst you're at work, that may be a way forward.
this post saddens me, cats are lovely and a lot of fun and they don't mind being left on their own for long hours
They are vermin and should be culled.
At least dogs can be taught to respect boundaries and understand the concept of 'trespass'.
My god, the horrendous cat bashing that is usually reserved for the pet section has seeped into this thread?
It has nothing to do with the OPs question, so take your bitter c£&# elsewhere, it's tedious. ;-)
maybe you should buy a greenhouse to grow vegetables in that way cats won't be able to get in and shit on your lettuce lol
Well, from your name, you're obviously biased
I'm not normally a cat person, but having had to sit one, I discovered the simple joy of cats + boxes and cats + a laser pointer hidden inside a tennis ball on a bit of elastic.
It's why a lot of dogs end up in rescue shelters. Dogs are social and have the intelligence level of a small child. Most people wouldn't think of leaving a 5-7yr old kid locked up for 8-10hrs a day and social services would have issues if they did. Dogs are much the same. If they're not socialised properly, or left on their own too much they'll suffer and become a lot harder to care for.
Even if you are around, owners still have to understand dog psychology. They like to have an established hierachy, so if you don't assert yourself as the alpha, they'll be harder to manage. If you don't socialise them, they may snap at other dogs or people.. And then there's bitches. I've only ever had dogs, because bitches in heat have a one-track mind of their own..
Great post.
Pretty much sums it up.
Ex-racing Greyhounds are my bag.
We work different shift patterns, allowing me or the missus to be around our hound most of the time, dogs thrive on your company, love and attention. Simple