[doganjo]

Can't you bring 'it' into work sometimes or leave it in the car so you can take it out at lunchtime, or is it possible that your work allows you to provide a dog crate somewhere. 
 
I can see what you mean, there are lots of homeless dogs in the world and wouldn't it be better to have one in a home with lots of fun at weekends and a bit of fun during the week, maybe two smaller dogs would keep each other company.
 
Good luck JMB.

I agree with the sentiments here.  Two dogs definitely better than one if you have to leave them.  But remember a dog can die in a hot car in 10 minutes, so better left at home in a kennel and run with non-eatable toys, preferably with someone checking them a couple of times while you are away.

[happygolucky]

Often we get dogs when we are at home all day then things change, then we have to either adapt our working life or make things safe for any dogs, that's the position I had and sometimes have now, its not so bad with an older dog providing there is a safe and dry sheltered area for them, also not in direct sun or in draughts, can be inside but be prepared for an odd accident and maybe a few re designed bits of wooden furniture or walls.
My house is pretty ideal, nice sheltered yard with padlocked gates and not seen from the road, so I can leave them for a while quite happily provided they get quality walks and interaction, a lot of people have dog walkers now, they are not too costly and much cheaper than child care  , some times a neighbour can also pop in!!! Its very difficult but not out of the question to have a dog and a job!!!!  Mind you, I hate going out to work everyday, my dogs are OK about it but I miss my walks

[in the hills]

  JMB .... been thinking about your doggy dilemma.


Really think you could make it work for you and a couple of dogs. I had forgotten that my smallholding neighbours recently took on a new dog. They did have a dog that they homed from a traditional rescue centre. No problems with their cattle, chickens,geese, etc. When this dog passed away, they wanted an older rescue dog once again. They now have a cocker spaniel ..... a retired sniffer dog from a couple who live locally who train and work in the industry of guard, sniffer and search dogs. Josie was of course fully trained and obedient and has made herself right at home. The couple think she is great .... affectionate and very easy. The hard work of training has been done and because the couple who owned her were local, she was already sound around stock. I know that she came to them on a trial basis too ..... so they could see how they coped with her( neighbour has MS). They have also rehomed GSD etc. locally and again successfully. Josie is more than happy to lie for a few hours either in their cottage or in her outdoor kennel. She had always been a kennel dog so quite used to it. The only thing she does incessantly is bring you her tennis ball ..... that was her reward when a working girl. 


 

[plumseverywhere]

I had a collieXspaniel when I was still nursing and used to ask people to pop in on her but she still ate the house out of boredom so I had find her a happy home.
Now, I'm working from home and have Murphy who is a terrier crossed with ?border collie?! (but who knows!!) and I have to keep him occupied a lot, walks, mental stimulus, companionship. In fact the only time we have a problem is if he finds a loose 'lino' floor tile at night in his utility room and he'll pick and peel at them 
Be nice to have a rescue dog like you say JMB, they'll have been assessed so hopefully you'd have a good idea of what their needs and requirements are but like Anne says, its also good to have a clear idea of breeding...

[doganjo]

Hi Lisa 

[plumseverywhere]

Hi Lisa 

Helloooo!! 

[zoe_emma]

We have an eleven year old rescue greyhound called troy, and a nine year old overweight rescue lurched called gyp who has recently gone blind.
We work full time, however different shifts so they are usually only home alone four or five hours. They do longer occasionally but I wouldn't do it every day.
Troy refuses to go out for walks if it is cold, wet, windy or dark, and sometimes just because he would rather stay on the sofa. Gyp will go out at any opportunity but has to be talked to the whole time so she knows where you are, leading to people referring to me as the mad dog lady 
Neither shows any interest in cats rats or mice and gyp actually ran away from a deer that jumped out near her before her sight went despite having been bred to work them. She is a deerhound x 
They really are worse than toddlers, and I had gyp from a pup so can't blame anyone else. Having said this, I think rescues are the best in the world.

I know our local RGT are always very helpful, if you like Greys why not ring and talk to them?

[mab]

some dogs can be perfectly happy left at home all day (2 dogs definitely better than one) - that said, if you are both out all day, all week, then that's a lot of time alone, and if the dogs are new to you/your home then you really need more time with them whilst they get used to your home/ routine. If the dog needs a lot of training then you really need a lot of time at home.


my dog stays at home without problems, but I don't work full time and I try to take her with me when customers allow.


my dog (german shepherd) was completely wild, uncontrollable and quite aggressive when I got her (at 4yrs old), but with training (a lot), she's fine with livestock (even newborn chicks - and she gets raw chicken every day to eat) and very well behaved with an excellent disposition. But I did spend a LOT of time with her that first year (newly self employed and had a lot of free time).


Don't know about greyhounds except that there are a lot looking for homes.
 

[ScotsGirl]

I won't sell any of my cocker pups to families who work full time. Working type dogs will destroy the house if not given enough stimulation and they get quite depressed.


I have had sight hounds, mongrels and spaniels and all trained not to touch livestock. I have even taken in the odd dog during holidays and they get the same lecture that chickens are not an easy snack! They soon learn that my grumble means to leave. Having said that I wouldn't leave them or my youngster alone with the hens.


The sheep and goats make it perfectly clear where they expect dogs to stay, now my dogs sit quietly by the gate unless I call them!


You could get a dog flap into a lockable room. I did that into back porch and dog could come and go when I was working full time. Garden was completely secure. I did also get people to walk at lunchtime but they get used to being left and I gave them good walks morning and evening.


Whatever you do don't get 2 pups from the same litter or at same time or training is a nightmare.

[Backinwellies]

Whatever you do don't get 2 pups from the same litter or at same time or training is a nightmare

i would go further and say dont get any puppys if you are not home all day .... how would you be able to train them.   Older rescue dogs maybe quite happy to sleep away the day.

[happygolucky]

Lots of people get a dog when at home all day then go out to work when its older...a lot of peoples cercumstances change, perticularly now with current job market, if you get a dog its ideal to spend some time while its getting used to the new environment and settle the dog in, many people who do not go out to work actualy spend a great deal of time away from thier dogs anyway, thats fine, as long as they are settled and have stimulus and walks regularly and are kept in a safe environment when they cannot get up to mischief or upset others or injure themself.  I also think most dogs are good up until they area a year old then they get a bit rebeliouse and can then get anxiety problems, in that case, I would be careful about rehomeing a 1 year old but a 3 year old is usulay more stable, its a bit like either taking a teenager into  your home or an adult!!!  If you cannot be at home, a good idea is puppy walkers, neighbours being paid a few £ to pop in and out and hopefuly a sympathetic boss, I could have easily taken my dogs to work and left them in the car while I visit people, but not in this weather...this meaning HOT and its not actualy hot today....so, basicaly, most people who get dogs are out the house for as long a period as many people who work.....I could easily return to work and be happy that my dogs are happy too...........and my  neighbours...so...go for not so  young rescues and make time to get them settled, buy some congs to stuff with treats, a good walk before you pop off to work and a good one when you get back...quality is always best, some people may be at home all day and just watch Jeremy Kyle

[doganjo]

Sandy makes a good point about dog walkers being a partial solution.  My next door neighbour's daughter has just started her own business doing that.  But it IS costly - £12 for an hour's walk per single dog, £18 if she takes two at a time.  And that is fairly standard in this area.

[happygolucky]

I sold a pup that had owners out all day etc but that pup has proven to be a little star of a dog, so wonderful, so it can be done........dog walkers are getting more and more popular, shame that Clackmannan council are not keen on people looking after dogs durring the day, I did give that a thought as I am  here all the time but was told I would need planning etc so sod that one,,,,,,shame!!

[doganjo]

Only need planning if you do home boarding. Gill isn't doing that, she is dog walking and no planning was required.

[Bionic]

You could get a dog flap into a lockable room. I did that into back porch and dog could come and go when I was working full time. Garden was completely secure. I did also get people to walk at lunchtime but they get used to being left and I gave them good walks morning and evening.

I had a dog flap, into a secure garden but never knew what I would find when I got home. One day, when he was nice and comfy on a chair on a divet cover I didn't recognise. It had been a windy day and it would seem that next doors cover blew over into our garden. He obviously took a liking to it and got it though the flap to sleep on. Another day he pulled down the curtains and curtain rail. Don't ask me how he did it but he got the whole lot through the flap. He must have spent all day working out how to get a 4 ft pole and curtains through a 1ft hole.