STYLETHREAD -- LET'S TALK SHOP!

Maat · Kenneth Cole

Does anyone work full time and have a dog?

halleybird · Hermes

yep -- Sully is crated and Halley just hangs around the house. They aren't alone more than 7-8 hours, and my MIL sometimes comes by & checks on them, but they would be fine without, too. It's really not a problem as long as there's no major separation anxiety (Halley has had that before).

IMO it is MUCH easier if your dog is a bit older, say, 3+. But the good news is that shelters and foster homes are full of adult dogs who would be just fine! A good foster home can tell you how they behave when someone's gone.

Honestly, even in the summertime when I am home all day, they don't want to play with me. They just want to sleep anyway.

boobaby · Kate Spade

I live alone with my doggie and work full time. My brother sometimes walks him if I'm going to be late. You could hire a dog walker to come in the afternoon. They typically will walk the dog for 20 minutes, I believe. Doggie daycare is a good option, but not every dog enjoys it. My dog hates puppies and doesn't like when bigger dogs dominate him. He's more into people than other dogs.

To be honest, whenever I stay home from work or stay in on a weekend day, I find that my dog likes to lounge and nap. If I want to take him outside in the middle of the day, I literally have to drag him out of his bed.

The one thing about having a dog and living alone is that it really puts a damper on after work activities. I have an hour commute, so I never feel comfortable going shopping or for drinks with coworkers, etc. unless I can get someone to walk and feed him for me. I also feel a little guilty coming home and then leaving right away after taking care of his dinner and nightly walk. He really craves attention when I come home from work, whether it's play time or cuddling on the couch. I feel like I have to give him my time after I've been at work all day.

joy0302 · Kate Spade

We got out dog when he was just 5 months old from the SPCA and we started him off in a crate while we worked, we are gone 10 hours a day. When he was in the crate he would just chew on his toys and sleep. Since he has gotten older we can trust him, he is no longer trying to eat all the plugs that are plugged in, so we just leave him in one bedroom. Like Halleybird said, he just sleeps all day even when we are home during the day.

Elle · Hermes

Would you consider a cat instead? Much more suited to being home alone all day, and usually less destructive if they're upset because they're alone! Or maybe you could volunteer at a local shelter to come play with and/or walk the dogs a couple nights a week, and be open to taking one home if you really clicked with a particular dog?

IMO getting a puppy when you live alone and work full time is a bad, bad idea. Getting an older dog wouldn't be as bad of an idea, but they're still alot of work (sometimes more so!) depending on the situation they lived with previously. It would likely still require you to come home midday for awhile, go on walks morning and evening, and enrolling you both in some obedience classes - grown dogs with separation anxiety or who are bored can be mighty destructive.

Mr. Elle and I both had dogs growing up, all the time. However, it's a very different story being the primary caregiver for a dog (pup or grown). We've had our puppy for 2 weeks now, and I would absolutely be apeshit crazy out of my mind if I didn't have someone to hand her off to sometimes! It's such a huge lifestyle change. I know I sound awful and preachy! But rude awakenings after the fact are so hearbreaking for everyone involved ....

Good luck!

member · Hermes

Elle wrote:

Mr. Elle and I both had dogs growing up, all the time. However, it's a very different story being the primary caregiver for a dog (pup or grown). We've had our puppy for 2 weeks now, and I would absolutely be apeshit crazy out of my mind if I didn't have someone to hand her off to sometimes! It's such a huge lifestyle change. I know I sound awful and preachy! But rude awakenings after the fact are so hearbreaking for everyone involved ....

Good luck!

I couldn't agree w/Elle more. Maybe an older, trained dog would be ok, but getting a puppy when you lived alone and work full time would be a bad idea IMO. Just like Elle, my SO and I just got our puppy 2 weeks ago, and I seriously cannot imagine raising/training him on my own. I'm already always tired and exhausted and I have SO to help relieve me. It's a lot of work and they demand a lot of attention. I don't think it'd be good for you or the puppy if you wouldn't have someone most of the time. An older dog might be a better way to go for you. Obviously people do it, girls on this board included, but it definitely changes your whole life - you cannot just come and go as you please anymore. Good luck!

boobaby · Kate Spade

shopchicago33 wrote:

Elle wrote:

Mr. Elle and I both had dogs growing up, all the time. However, it's a very different story being the primary caregiver for a dog (pup or grown). We've had our puppy for 2 weeks now, and I would absolutely be apeshit crazy out of my mind if I didn't have someone to hand her off to sometimes! It's such a huge lifestyle change. I know I sound awful and preachy! But rude awakenings after the fact are so hearbreaking for everyone involved ....

Good luck!

I couldn't agree w/Elle more. Maybe an older, trained dog would be ok, but getting a puppy when you lived alone and work full time would be a bad idea IMO. Just like Elle, my SO and I just got our puppy 2 weeks ago, and I seriously cannot imagine raising/training him on my own. I'm already always tired and exhausted and I have SO to help relieve me. It's a lot of work and they demand a lot of attention. I don't think it'd be good for you or the puppy if you wouldn't have someone most of the time. An older dog might be a better way to go for you. Obviously people do it, girls on this board included, but it definitely changes your whole life - you cannot just come and go as you please anymore. Good luck!

I got my dog when I was 25, broke, single, new to the city, working full-time, etc. He was 3 months old and I was his third owner because he was bad to the bone. Oh yeah, he was also a violation of my lease. Needless to say, it was very trying and possibly not the best idea I've ever had, but he was shelter bound and I knew he needed patience and love and not everyone would be so understanding. I'm pretty sure he would have been adopted because he was cute and a puppy, but there was a high probability he would have been returned. I can't stress enough how bad he was (and still is at times).

I used to joke that he was lucky he was so cute, otherwise I would kill him! But in the long run, it was so worth it. I love him so much and am so glad I didn't think too rationally about the consequences.

luckylily · Gucci

There are literally millions of dogs in the country who are home alone during the day and it isn't a big deal. Our dog stays in our bedroom during the day and the cats have the rest of the house. Mitch just sleeps all day. He likes his routine. In most places, there are lots of option in terms of dog walkers and doggie daycare if you want to try that option.

I don't think the home all day thing is that big of a deal for most dogs. The bigger deal is how much time you can put into it. Like can you reasonably come home right after work to let the dog out and exercise them? And, since you dog is alone during the day, it isn't really fair for you to leave them alone in the evening too. I *really* wanted a dog right after I moved out on my own, but I was the type of person who was going out 4 or 5 nights a week. I waited on the dog because I wasn't quite ready to sacrifice my social time yet.

So, my point is that it depends more on how much of your free time you are willing to devote.

BTW, we adopted Mitch when he was 18 months. That really worked well for us because he was old enough to hold it through the work day, but still had a lot of crazy puppy-like qualities. Animal shelters tend to be over run w/ dogs between 1 and 2 years old because that is the time when they are pushing boundaries and owners can get frustrated. Adopting a dog at that age and working through training is extremely fun and gratifying, IMO.

Kelly · Hermes

My dog lives with my parents now, but I was her primary caregiver since I got her in 7th grade, and I also worked after school the whole time so I wasn't home for more than 8 hours many days, and when I move into a new house this summer (my apartment doesn't allow dogs) I'll bring her with me there.

However, without a yard I don't think I'd be able to do it. Even when she moves into my house with me this summer, we'll live close to my parents and I know I'll drop her off in her old yard (she has a big fenced-off section of her own that she lives in now). And I know she'll have somewhere to stay if I know I'll be gone all day, without having to worry about rushing home to let her out to go to the bathroom. If I kept her inside my house, I wouldn't be able to handle always being home to let her out to pee. But on days when I won't be gone for more than 8 hours, I'm sure she'll stay in my house. I'll just have to keep her in the bathroom or get a baby gate to keep her in the kitchen. She has a crate, but she's not a huge fan and I don't like to keep her in it more than I have to.

-- Edited by ttara123 at 08:41, 2007-04-15

Elle · Hermes

I'm not trying to trivialize your relationship with your dog ttara123, but IMO the kind of primary caregiving you did for your dog when you were 13 isn't quite the same as what Maat's situation would be. At 13, you can't drive to take the dog to the vet or buy it food, can't pay for vet bills when they're needed, it's not your responsibility to arrange adequate care if you're going out of town, and I'm sure if someone did beat you home that they wouldn't have let the dog pee on the carpet instead of letting him out for you. There are other people around, and even if they're not caring for the dog as much as you are, they can back you up when needed - even if it's as simple as "Hey, watch the puppy for 2 seconds so I can pee!". It's the total lack of any backup system whatsoever that makes being a single new dog owner rough. You have a great situation where you'll have know the dog that will be living with you for it's whole life, you know it's background and training, it's habits, etc. Not quite as much of an adjustment period ....

Another thing to consider is travel, which was one of my main holdouts. If you have someone in mind that would be willing to live at your place or take the dog to theirs if you'll be out of town, or if you'll need to find a reputable place to kennel the dog. I don't know if you go on vacation or have to travel for work often, but even arranging care for our cat has been difficult at times (and they don't require much!). I'm a little afraid what finding care for a dog is going to be like, and what it might cost if we're forced to kennel.

Kelly · Hermes

Elle wrote:
I'm not trying to trivialize your relationship with your dog ttara123, but IMO the kind of primary caregiving you did for your dog when you were 13 isn't quite the same as what Maat's situation would be. At 13, you can't drive to take the dog to the vet or buy it food, can't pay for vet bills when they're needed, it's not your responsibility to arrange adequate care if you're going out of town, and I'm sure if someone did beat you home that they wouldn't have let the dog pee on the carpet instead of letting him out for you. There are other people around, and even if they're not caring for the dog as much as you are, they can back you up when needed - even if it's as simple as "Hey, watch the puppy for 2 seconds so I can pee!". It's the total lack of any backup system whatsoever that makes being a single new dog owner rough. You have a great situation where you'll have know the dog that will be living with you for it's whole life, you know it's background and training, it's habits, etc. Not quite as much of an adjustment period ....

I do get what you're saying Elle, but even at 13 I did pay for my puppy's food, vet bills, boarding, and training, and was in charge of all of those things. Of course, however, I did need help actually getting to the vet from someone who could drive. I know that's young and usually you can't work until you're 14, but I've been working for my dad at his business since I was 9 and was full time during the summers at 13 and ever since (obviously the jobs I did at 9 and 13 aren't what I do now, though, and obviously back then I didn't have many other expenses so I could spend that money on her smile

). I know that being a new single owner would be super tough, though, which is why I say I wouldn't do it without a yard so that I don't have to rush home so the dog can pee and I don't have to freak out if I have to stay late at work, etc. She was always in the yard during the day because I was completely in charge of taking care of her and I was at school/work all day. I know that without a yard I wouldn't be able to have a dog all by myself, which is why I said that's the only way I'd be able to have a dog by myself.

Edited because I can't type today worth anything!

-- Edited by ttara123 at 01:32, 2007-04-16

-- Edited by ttara123 at 01:44, 2007-04-16

JoceyBaby23 · Gucci

We have two dogs and got both of them when they were 9 and 10 weeks old. During their first 6 months with us, one of us would come home to let them out at lunch time. Other than that, they were (and still are) home alone in their crates for 9+ hours a day. One is a Yorkie-poo and the other is a Poma-poo. I think it helps to have a small dog. They dont need near as much exercise as big dogs. And we come right home from work and play, play, play. Also we will take them to the Dog Park on the weekends.

I feel like I am an exceptional "parent" and do not see a problem with getting a puppy when you work and live alone. As long as you are willing to commit the majority of your free time to your "baby", everything will turn out just fine.

Elle · Hermes

Jocey - IMO you and your SO getting a puppy is a different (more manageable) situation since you were able to split the responsibility as needed ......

needsfashionadvice · Kate Spade

Me and my DH got a baby Boxer almost a year ago now and I would have gone absolutely crazy if I had to do it alone. Sometimes DH would have to go on weekend trips and I would dread taking care of her alone so much. They're just so much work and have so much energy! She still has a lot of energy as a matter of fact. I didn't know that Boxer's are called the Peter Pan's of the dog world (because they stay puppies for so long) until AFTER I got her lol.

We both work full time so she's in her crate during the day (even though she's 1 now, she'll still pee in the house if left out of her crate during the day but she won't use the bathroom in the crate) so one of us STILL has to come home for lunch everyday. I think she could make it a full 9 hours if she had to, but she drinks so much water that I would feel really guilty making her wait that long.

Since she's a medium sized dog (50 lbs right now), I can't take her anywhere with me. My parents won't allow a dog that size to stay inside so every time I go to their house I have to board her. It gets really expensive if you board at a decent place and get a decent sized room and get play time and everything. I paid $70 just for an overnight stay at one place!

scarlett · Marc Jacobs

FH and I are getting a female lab puppy this spring. We put down a deposit about two months ago, and the litter is due mid-May. We are both really excited but also really getting nervous! We have unusual work schedules (me: 1 - 9 pm, him: 4 - midnight) so it might not be so bad during the day, but I think we'll need a dog walker for evening. We've both wanted a dog for years and are ready to give up some social flexibility, and also it's nice to have someone to share the work with. But yeah, we're nervous.

beachgirl · Kenneth Cole

I work full time and have a pomeranian. She is kennel trained and it's never been an issue. I leave anywhere from 7:30 - 9:00 in the morning and don't get home until after 6, sometimes even later. I take her for a walk in the morning before I leave and in the evening when I get home, and on the weekend I try to do longer walks, or take her to the dog park so she can run and have fun. It really has not been a big deal with her - she loves her kennel and goes in there on her own all the time. I leave animal planet on for her during the day!

Maybe I'm misinterpreting, but some of these posts have seemed extreme and to be saying that unless you have a SO or have money to hire a dog walker, or pay for doggie day care, and can go home at lunch everyday than you shouldn't have a dog. I think that's crazy! I couldn't imagine not having my Pom and working full time with her has never been an issue. Everyone always comments on what a happy dog she is, and is amazed at how she'll just go right in her kennel on her own.

When I have to work late, or if something ever comes up, I do have a close friend and family and even my ex I can call and have go over and walk her. It's maybe once every 6 months, if even, that it will happen though.

JoceyBaby23 · Gucci

beachgirl wrote:

I work full time and have a pomeranian. She is kennel trained and it's never been an issue. I leave anywhere from 7:30 - 9:00 in the morning and don't get home until after 6, sometimes even later. I take her for a walk in the morning before I leave and in the evening when I get home, and on the weekend I try to do longer walks, or take her to the dog park so she can run and have fun. It really has not been a big deal with her - she loves her kennel and goes in there on her own all the time. I leave animal planet on for her during the day!

Maybe I'm misinterpreting, but some of these posts have seemed extreme and to be saying that unless you have a SO or have money to hire a dog walker, or pay for doggie day care, and can go home at lunch everyday than you shouldn't have a dog. I think that's crazy! I couldn't imagine not having my Pom and working full time with her has never been an issue. Everyone always comments on what a happy dog she is, and is amazed at how she'll just go right in her kennel on her own.

When I have to work late, or if something ever comes up, I do have a close friend and family and even my ex I can call and have go over and walk her. It's maybe once every 6 months, if even, that it will happen though.

I TOTALLY agree with you Beachgirl. DH and I share the responsibilities of the dogs because we can.. NOT because we have to. I would be more than capible of taking care of them if I was single. As long as someone is prepared for the commitment, you will make it work.

shopgirl82 · Chanel

beachgirl wrote:

Maybe I'm misinterpreting, but some of these posts have seemed extreme and to be saying that unless you have a SO or have money to hire a dog walker, or pay for doggie day care, and can go home at lunch everyday than you shouldn't have a dog. I think that's crazy! I couldn't imagine not having my Pom and working full time with her has never been an issue. Everyone always comments on what a happy dog she is, and is amazed at how she'll just go right in her kennel on her own.

i agree. i know everyone is just trying to make sure you are aware of everything that goes into having a dog, i still think it's still very realistic to do it by yourself, and as lucklily mentioned, tons of people do it everyday.

i'm happy nobody's sugar-coating their responses to make it sound like it's a breeze, but i also feel like it's not as unrealistic to do it on your own as it appears.

i also think a lot of it depends on the breed. age is also a factor, but again, i know plently of people who have handled a puppy on their own without having a nervous breakdown.

good luck, and let us know what you decide! i

puppies and everyone on this board is making me EXTREMELY jealous with their new babies. aww