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Dog Owners: Advice Please - 3/4/2010 2:55:35 PM
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bloomwhereplanted
Posts: 45
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We would like to get a dog but the main problem is that we are gone from about 7:30 am-5:30 pm with no chance to let a dog out. Is it too long to expect a dog to "hold it"? My daughter LOVES golden retrievers and I have been promising her one for a while but between the added costs and the time issue, haven't gone through with it yet. We have 2 cats but they are pretty well self-sufficient. My question is: how long are you away from your dog(s) and what kind of advice do you have about the time and/or expense issue?
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RE: Dog Owners: Advice Please - 3/4/2010 3:07:16 PM
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manda59
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From: Hampshire, UK
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quote:
ORIGINAL: bloomwhereplanted
We would like to get a dog but the main problem is that we are gone from about 7:30 am-5:30 pm with no chance to let a dog out. Is it too long to expect a dog to "hold it"?
Yes it definitely is way too long. And even if you had someone coming in mid-morning and mid-afternoon to take it for a walk, what about its need for companionship? Dogs are very different from cats. Cats are fine with their own company, dogs need human company.
I personally don't think a dog should be left alone for longer than 4-5 hours, and even that is an amount that needs to be built up to, not just imposed. Unless of course you adopted an older dog who was already used to being left in the day.
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"Manda – I can often skip posting 'cause she's got it covered!", sen10tious, July 2010
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RE: Dog Owners: Advice Please - 3/4/2010 4:26:38 PM
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RedRabbit
Posts: 162
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quote:
ORIGINAL: manda59
quote:
ORIGINAL: bloomwhereplanted
We would like to get a dog but the main problem is that we are gone from about 7:30 am-5:30 pm with no chance to let a dog out. Is it too long to expect a dog to "hold it"?
Yes it definitely is way too long. And even if you had someone coming in mid-morning and mid-afternoon to take it for a walk, what about its need for companionship? Dogs are very different from cats. Cats are fine with their own company, dogs need human company.
I personally don't think a dog should be left alone for longer than 4-5 hours, and even that is an amount that needs to be built up to, not just imposed. Unless of course you adopted an older dog who was already used to being left in the day.
Cat's are more social then you expect and may cope with loneliness for awhile but after a time it will break their hearts and even they will act out their frustrations after a period of time. Dogs - never leave them alone for that long.
My personal feeling is a pet, better seen as an animal companion, it just that a "companion". They are like a young child and if you can't leave a child alone all day why would you leave an animal the depends on your companionship and attention.
Sorry Bloom, I would not advise you to get a pet only to leave them locked in a cage / pen or house for 10 hours five days a week. I see that as cruel thing to do and since you are asking I suspect you sense this too. I don't think anyone who loves animals really desires to be cruel but sometimes folks don't think it through and they are more focused on their needs more than they are about the animal they are adopting into their family. Please give this more thought. And think about in in terms of 14 years of care and commitment to a life that will give you all it's love and loyalty and how you want to nuture that.
~EA
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RE: Dog Owners: Advice Please - 3/4/2010 4:31:15 PM
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trainfan
Posts: 4491
Joined: 7/26/2007
From: The land of confusion
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quote:
ORIGINAL: bloomwhereplanted
We would like to get a dog but the main problem is that we are gone from about 7:30 am-5:30 pm with no chance to let a dog out. Is it too long to expect a dog to "hold it"? My daughter LOVES golden retrievers and I have been promising her one for a while but between the added costs and the time issue, haven't gone through with it yet. We have 2 cats but they are pretty well self-sufficient. My question is: how long are you away from your dog(s) and what kind of advice do you have about the time and/or expense issue?
That is too long for a puppy to "hold it" but not too long for an adult dog. My Golden waits that long to go out and sometimes longer. The collie I had growing up would go out literally twice a day. If you took him out more than that he would look at you as if to say "why am I out here".
Goldens do like to play, so make sure you play with him or her a lot when you are home.
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RE: Dog Owners: Advice Please - 3/4/2010 4:50:24 PM
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kohls356
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I don't think I would get a dog if it was going to be alone for 10 hours a day. Dogs are pack animals and like to be with their family. I know you daughter would love to have one but in the end it isn't fair to the dog.
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RE: Dog Owners: Advice Please - 3/4/2010 5:11:45 PM
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bloomwhereplanted
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So then, what do people do with their dogs when they have to be gone to work? I mean, you have to make a living to pay for the food and vet bills. We would be home in the evenings and on weekends to let the dog play and get exercise, but you can't be home all the time. What do you do?
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RE: Dog Owners: Advice Please - 3/4/2010 7:08:41 PM
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trainfan
Posts: 4491
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From: The land of confusion
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quote:
ORIGINAL: bloomwhereplanted
So then, what do people do with their dogs when they have to be gone to work? I mean, you have to make a living to pay for the food and vet bills. We would be home in the evenings and on weekends to let the dog play and get exercise, but you can't be home all the time. What do you do?
You play with them when you are home. When a dog is young you may have to keep it in a crate but once they are older that is not needed, my dog has the run of the entire house during the day.
Not sure why someone has to walk a dog in the morning and afternoon. I guess so they "go". Here's a hint never, never train a dog to go potty on walks! Train them to "go" in a specific spot, mine is trained to "go" in his pen outside on concrete, in fact mine is trained not to go potty on walks. My neighbors dog has to go for a walk to go potty and no matter how bad the weather is, how late it is or how he feels he has to walk to the dog b/c that the way he trained it to go potty. So he may be out on a mile walk with the dog when it's 2 degrees outside with a -20 windchill which isn't good for him or the dog.
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RE: Dog Owners: Advice Please - 3/4/2010 7:09:28 PM
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garsyt
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Definitely do not get a puppy. Puppy's NEED a lot more of an owners time and energy than an older dog would.
However - My parents have a breeding and kennel business and before this took off for them it was crucial that they both work. At this time they did not have any kids at home. They would leave by 5:30 AM and not return before 3PM at least 5 days a week, except when puppies were involved and then one of them would use personal time off or they would hire help. Their dogs did well, but they were able to get in and out of the indoor kennel and to the fenced in outdoor kennel and there were always at least 2 dogs around all the times.
Puppies require training and time and that takes time. Around here we have two dogs. A 5 year old Puggle and a 14 week old Pug puppy. The longest they are confined to their crates is at night time. When we are gone they are crate trained, BUT are never left alone for more than 5-6 hours at a time. And their crates are positioned that they can see each other as well. 10 hours is a mighty long time for anyone or anything to "hold it."
As for the walking- I don't routinely take my dogs for walks. However I do get them outside daily for some exercise. Some breeds require more exercise than others. Goldens need more exercise. Pugs - not so much.
Maybe your daughter could spend some time volunteering at a local shelter to get her dog fix, until such a time as when you are able to spend more time at home.
Blessings,
Garsy
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RE: Dog Owners: Advice Please - 3/4/2010 8:21:52 PM
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manda59
Posts: 7689
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From: Hampshire, UK
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quote:
ORIGINAL: trainfan
Not sure why someone has to walk a dog in the morning and afternoon. I guess so they "go".
So that they can get exercise, wear their claws done on the pavement (sidewalk), meet other people and dogs, enjoy all the different and varied smells, and generally enjoy your company.
What kind of dog do you have, and how old is he/she?
_____________________________
"Manda – I can often skip posting 'cause she's got it covered!", sen10tious, July 2010
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RE: Dog Owners: Advice Please - 3/4/2010 8:51:06 PM
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trainfan
Posts: 4491
Joined: 7/26/2007
From: The land of confusion
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quote:
ORIGINAL: manda59
quote:
ORIGINAL: trainfan
Not sure why someone has to walk a dog in the morning and afternoon. I guess so they "go".
So that they can get exercise, wear their claws done on the pavement (sidewalk), meet other people and dogs, enjoy all the different and varied smells, and generally enjoy your company.
What kind of dog do you have, and how old is he/she?
Walking here at this time of year requires that dogs paws get the road salt washed off.
I have a 6 y.o. male Golden Retriever, who is too smart for his own good.
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RE: Dog Owners: Advice Please - 3/4/2010 9:40:54 PM
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WasLostAmFound
Posts: 547
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I have 2 dogs. A 6 year old german shepard/schnauzer mix and a 9 month old german shepard/rottie mix. The pup is crated during the day, from about 7am to 3pm Mon-Fri. He has the run of the house otherwise. He's been crate trained since day one and has NEVER made a mess in his crate. He still sleeps in his crate (with the door open), he seems to like it! My older dog, we got as an adult and he has the run of the house all the time.
Yes, dogs are pack animals and having the 2 of them seems to make them both happy. We also have 2 cats who keep each other company.
I think I'd look for an older dog from a breed rescue organization rather than a pup..We got the pup after we had our older dog, and it's funny, but our older dog had a big hand in housebreaking our pup...the pup messed on the floor and our big dog "corrected" him! He never made a mess in the house again!!!
But...if you don't have the time or $$ for vet bills, grooming, exercising the dog, then maybe it's not such a good idea.
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Formerly known as NotDoneYet...but...God had other plans!!!! My new blog... http://retirednavywife.wordpress.com/
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RE: Dog Owners: Advice Please - 3/5/2010 11:00:09 AM
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bloomwhereplanted
Posts: 45
Joined: 2/24/2010
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Thanks, everyone, for you input. I know it is probably not too smart to get a dog but I just feel so badly for my daughter. She absolutely loves golden retrievers and I wish I could get one for her. I guess we will have to be happy with our cats for now and pray that someday things work out better for dog ownership.
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RE: Dog Owners: Advice Please - 3/5/2010 12:06:34 PM
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deermousie
Posts: 2688
Joined: 9/26/2007
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quote:
ORIGINAL: bloomwhereplanted
Thanks, everyone, for you input. I know it is probably not too smart to get a dog but I just feel so badly for my daughter. She absolutely loves golden retrievers and I wish I could get one for her. I guess we will have to be happy with our cats for now and pray that someday things work out better for dog ownership.
I'm afraid this is your best choice for now... Kohl was completely right in saying that dogs are pack animals - when they are alone it's like they are being punished. That's a miserable life. And a lonely dog can wreak havoc on your furniture.
You obviously love your daughter and want to give her what she wants, but until your situation changes a little I don't see a good way to have a dog. Fortunately, life rarely stays the same, so the time may come when you can have a dog.
If you have a secure fenced yard and a doggie door, you might be able to get two dogs, but that still involves spending time with both of them daily every day, walks, food, vet (shots, neutering, injuries, deworming, etc.) and it's a big time and money commitment. The doggie door may put you at risk of burglery (they bring kids to crawl inside and unlock the door).
My kid wanted a cat and we told her she could have one after we moved - in two years. She didn't chafe but patiently waited, and one week after we moved, she had a kitten of her own.  You might want to make a similar deal with your daughter: "When we have a way to be home every X hours and have the time and X dollars, you get a dog." And carry through immediately when that happens; it will teach your daughter a lot about faithfulness and love from you and that waiting can result in getting a heart's desire.
Consider getting a mature dog from a breeder - they sometimes get dogs back because of divorce and such - it could fix the puppy situation, and it might already be neutered and you know what the temperament is like (and it would probably be cheap). There are sometimes very good dogs in animal shelters, too. Just FYI.
May God bless you guys and give you your heart's desires!
_____________________________
People died to give you the Bible in your language.
Read it. Eat it. Dwell in it. Rightly divide it. Live it.
Laugh, dance, praise your God, and go read some more. And God bless you.
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RE: Dog Owners: Advice Please - 3/9/2010 10:04:28 AM
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bloomwhereplanted
Posts: 45
Joined: 2/24/2010
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Thanks, lily. I appreciate your input. I think I am going to pray about it and wait for a better time. We will enjoy the cats for now. One day, though, we will have 4 or 5 dogs (just kidding).
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RE: Dog Owners: Advice Please - 3/9/2010 1:11:33 PM
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kohls356
Posts: 710
Joined: 8/22/2007
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Leaving an animal alone doesn't have to do just with the potty issue. They get very lonely if left alone all the time. If it is occasional then that is ok but I know my dog would not want to be left alone for up to 10 hours every day.
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