Spiro Posted December 25, 2012 Share Posted December 25, 2012 Hi Everyone Thought I would post here. My wife and eye have started thinking about getting a puppy, however we both work full time. After having a think about it we are starting to think maybe we should get a 1 yr old rescue dog, or from the pound. We are interested in getting a jack russell, or other small dog. My wife did have a jack russell cross foxy when she was growing up. Just wanted to confirm is it really basically impossible raising a puppy without someone coming home each lunch time? We had thought about use a crate type of enclosure, but thought in the long run it really would be too hard for us to come home each lunch, Any info or opinions would be great. thanks Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pretty Miss Emma Posted December 25, 2012 Share Posted December 25, 2012 I work full time and currently have a nearly 9 month old Border Collie who I got at 8 weeks old, and I was at work doing full days when he'd been home about 5 days (and there were 3 half days there at the start). It is definitely possible to raise a pup when you work full time. BUT you need to think about it and plan it and be prepared that when you are home you need to prioritise the pup. In all honesty they do a lot of sleeping, but when they are awake they do need something to keep them entertained. I made sure that I had plenty of different ways of dispensing food and that seemed to keep Hamish entertained enough. But I did make a very big effort with his training and socialisation when I got home from work. Also weekends were taken up with puppy pre-school, social visits to many places, and socialisation with the "real world" that I wasn't able to give him after work. In saying all this, I did get an exceptionally easy going pup. He has been a delight to live with since day 1! The exact opposite of my older girl, I think she would have been a lot more trouble if I'd been working full days from the moment I got her (I was lucky I was on holidays when she came home). So if you were going to get a pup from a registered breeder I'd certainly be having a conversation with them about getting them to choose the right pup for you that would cope best coming in to a home where it will have significant time on it's own. And be prepared that there will be some breeders that will automatically say they won't sell you a pup because you won't be home with it, but there are also those out there that are willing to talk to you and help you through ways to manage your situation. I think getting a rescue you may also encounter some of the "leaving alone" problems initially. If you don't know the background of the dog you may end up with a dog that has never spent significant time alone and therefore there is a possibility of requiring a great deal of training to get it used to time alone. So it would depend on how you go about getting a rescue dog as to whether or not that would actually work out. Good luck whichever way you choose to go! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sandra777 Posted December 25, 2012 Share Posted December 25, 2012 An older dog certainly sounds like it would fit your lifestyle better. No it's not impossible to raise a pup without a lunch time visit, but it's certainly going to make everything to do with the pup's training much more drawn-out. If you leave the pup inside it will learn to toilet inside because it has no choice, if you leave it outside (probably not an option in most places) you run a big chance of it learning to bark at all sorts of random things. I would suggest either a rescue or if you want a specific breed, contact breeders as many have to part with an older dog that hasn't worked out for breeding or showing. I say rescue rather than straight out of a pound because with a dog from a good rescue you will get some idea of it's temperament and training, a dog from a pound could be just a nightmare waiting to happen, a rescue dog will have at least had some screening for temperament issues and probably some training. Good luck with your search - don't be surprised though to come across the belief that if you are away from home for more than 2 minutes per day you are a "bad owner" - some people have very unrealistic standards Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mackie Posted December 25, 2012 Share Posted December 25, 2012 (edited) I worked full time with an 8 week old but had the luxury of lunch time visits for about a month for toilet (mainly this), food, play and training. A young puppy is such a rewarding experience in the longer term and if you do decide to commit to puppy and take leave/holidays for that initial few weeks, make sure you routinely leave the house for extended periods - almost as if you were working with visits. EDIT: That said, my boy was a lifestyle changer. I knew this before I started and couldn't be happier Edited December 25, 2012 by mackie Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
espinay2 Posted December 25, 2012 Share Posted December 25, 2012 Every pup I have ever raised has been raised while I worked full time. Can be done for sure. Food-wise you feed in morning, leave with a nice big juicy raw meaty bone to chew on and/or stuffed kong toy during the day, feed when you get home and them maybe a snack again a bit later. An outside pen/run is ideal as the pup is secure and contained but can get important sunshine and toilet at will. When you get home you can then bring the pup inside and perhaps have a crate inside for sleeping in at night. The important thing if you are out all day is to give the pup the attention and training it needs in the morning and evening (when dogs are naturally most active anyway). If your pup is to be inside during the day you can attach a pen to a crate. The crate is the bed and the pen is the play/eating and potty area. on my phone now but will post a link to a great little booklet a little layer which explains the setup and how to use it in relation to house training etc. When you first bring the pup home be sure to establish the routine of leaving the pup alone for a period of time right from the beginning. Pups who are brought home on holidays for example and have constant company for their first weeks often fare worse when it comes to separation anxiety than those who get used to being on their own from the beginning. Make leaving and returning a non event too. This is harder for you than the pup! I think as owners we can suffer plenty of separation anxiety ourselves when there is a new pup at home and we have to be at work lol! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
persephone Posted December 25, 2012 Share Posted December 25, 2012 Every pup I have ever raised has been raised while I worked full time. Can be done for sure. Food-wise you feed in morning, leave with a nice big juicy raw meaty bone to chew on and/or stuffed kong toy during the day, feed when you get home and them maybe a snack again a bit later. An outside pen/run is ideal as the pup is secure and contained but can get important sunshine and toilet at will. When you get home you can then bring the pup inside and perhaps have a crate inside for sleeping in at night. The important thing if you are out all day is to give the pup the attention and training it needs in the morning and evening (when dogs are naturally most active anyway). If your pup is to be inside during the day you can attach a pen to a crate. The crate is the bed and the pen is the play/eating and potty area. on my phone now but will post a link to a great little booklet a little layer which explains the setup and how to use it in relation to house training etc. When you first bring the pup home be sure to establish the routine of leaving the pup alone for a period of time right from the beginning. Pups who are brought home on holidays for example and have constant company for their first weeks often fare worse when it comes to separation anxiety than those who get used to being on their own from the beginning. Make leaving and returning a non event too. This is harder for you than the pup! I think as owners we can suffer plenty of separation anxiety ourselves when there is a new pup at home and we have to be at work lol! Agree, agree , agree...especially the bolded bit. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
espinay2 Posted December 25, 2012 Share Posted December 25, 2012 Ok here is the link to info. Looks like they have changed the website a bit and you now need to log in to get it, but easy enough to do. Go to this website: http://www.dogstardaily.com/ and look at the article on 'errorless housetraining' as it explains the setup if the pup is to be inside while you are out. I still suggest having the pup in a secure enclosure outside though if you can (providing the pup with adequate shelter/shade etc etc of course). You can get a reasonably priced dog run at www.vebopet.com.au for example or even ebay. (something even those who are renting/don't necessarily want a permanent structure can use) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MarieEvans Posted December 26, 2012 Share Posted December 26, 2012 If you're going to get a new puppy, then I think you're going to have a difficult time getting to and from work to feed him during lunch break. That would be fine if you live close by, but if not, well, that's a different question. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
minimax Posted December 26, 2012 Share Posted December 26, 2012 I raised a puppy whilst working full time and she had no problems toilet training, but she was trained to use pee pads as well as outside. I don't believe it's an ideal situation, but she turned out fine! She was a naturally early riser so we'd play for a while and as she was getting ready for a nap, I'd leave for work (I altered my hours when I found out she was an early riser, no point hanging around in the morning if she had gone back to sleep!). When she woke up there was a Kong or bone waiting for her, she'd wrestle with that for a while then fall back asleep. Rinse, repeat, then I'd be home and we'd play or go out or do some training until bedtime. It was intense, but it's do-able if you're committed. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Spiro Posted December 26, 2012 Author Share Posted December 26, 2012 Ok here is the link to info. Looks like they have changed the website a bit and you now need to log in to get it, but easy enough to do. Go to this website: http://www.dogstardaily.com/ and look at the article on 'errorless housetraining' as it explains the setup if the pup is to be inside while you are out. I still suggest having the pup in a secure enclosure outside though if you can (providing the pup with adequate shelter/shade etc etc of course). You can get a reasonably priced dog run at www.vebopet.com.au for example or even ebay. (something even those who are renting/don't necessarily want a permanent structure can use) thanks for the info, interesting reading but it does make sense. It seems to imply you can raise a puppy properly when working full time, by giving it food int kong chew toys instead, lots of other good points too. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Her Majesty Dogmad Posted December 26, 2012 Share Posted December 26, 2012 (edited) I'd recommend a dog of 4+ for full time workers and get a rescue dog that's been assessed in foster care as being OK to cope alone for long periods. Personally I would never have a puppy or dog under 2 yrs of age and leave it alone for 9-12 hours a day. From my experience those that do often encounter behavioural issues associated with loneliness. This can be breed specific but I still would not do it, even if it seemed a breed might be ok with it. Edited December 26, 2012 by dogmad Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
espinay2 Posted December 26, 2012 Share Posted December 26, 2012 Considering that 90% of dog breeders, triallers and general pet owners I know work full time I would definitely disagree with that. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tdierikx Posted December 26, 2012 Share Posted December 26, 2012 I work fulltime and also foster pups for rescue... it's doable... *grin* T. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Her Majesty Dogmad Posted December 27, 2012 Share Posted December 27, 2012 Doable yes but fair - I don't believe so. Far better if they have a companion or some attention during the 9-12 hours the owner is out. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Clyde Posted December 27, 2012 Share Posted December 27, 2012 Personally, I wouldnt do it. As others have posted above it is doable but I would look for an older dog. I think a rescue dog is a lovely idea. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dame Aussie Posted December 27, 2012 Share Posted December 27, 2012 Considering that 90% of dog breeders, triallers and general pet owners I know work full time I would definitely disagree with that. Agree. If we followed that no one who works full time could ever have a puppy. For the record both of mine were left alone as I had to work full time and both are perfectly toilet trained, happy dogs with no seperation issues. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sayreovi Posted December 27, 2012 Share Posted December 27, 2012 (edited) Considering that 90% of dog breeders, triallers and general pet owners I know work full time I would definitely disagree with that. Agree. If we followed that no one who works full time could ever have a puppy. For the record both of mine were left alone as I had to work full time and both are perfectly toilet trained, happy dogs with no seperation issues. Exactly. I would love to stay home and raise a puppy, but too actually buy one and provide things, people do actually need to work full time especially if it's just one person. Plus just because someone is home, doesn't make them any better of an owner/puppy raiser than those that work. Edited December 27, 2012 by tollersowned Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Her Majesty Dogmad Posted December 27, 2012 Share Posted December 27, 2012 Dogs are pack animals, I don't believe it is fair to leave a young puppy on its own for 9-12 hours every day. You can all tell me that breeders etc don't agree with me and general pet owners don't either, but I have been working with dogs for over 15 years, talking to many people getting rid of their dogs or dealing with dogs who live alone and so on, and I've formed my opinion based on many years of experience. We'll all have to agree to disagree. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tdierikx Posted December 27, 2012 Share Posted December 27, 2012 Doable yes but fair - I don't believe so. Far better if they have a companion or some attention during the 9-12 hours the owner is out. Fair? My fosters get plenty of attention when I'm at home - and all of their new families are very impressed that the pups aren't anxious about being left alone... especially at bed time... *grin* The reality is that a lot of adopters will only have the one dog - so if the pup is content with it's own company from the get-go, then it's going to be less of a chore for the new family if they have to leave it alone for any length of time, right? Another reality is that a dog shouldn't have to feel the need for constant companionship... I consider those sorts of dogs to be (mildly) broken. T. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
minimax Posted December 27, 2012 Share Posted December 27, 2012 (edited) What do puppies do for most of the day? They sleep :laugh: If I was home, my puppy slept. If I was at work, my puppy slept. When I wasn't home she learnt to spend time on her own during the short periods she was awake so now she isn't a co-dependant 14 month old. [edited to add: ok, she's as co-dependant as a pug is meant to be ] If you spend every waking moment with a puppy, how does it learn to be alone? What happens when you do then want to go out and do some shopping or go for lunch and it has a meltdown because it doesn't know how to be alone? And just because someone works doesn't mean they are out of the house for 12 a day. Edited December 27, 2012 by minimax Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Create an account or sign in to comment
You need to be a member in order to leave a comment
Create an account
Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!
Register a new accountSign in
Already have an account? Sign in here.
Sign In Now