dog owners --how do you do it?

[arai 0]

I've been looking at getting a dog recently and am wondering how everyone with jobs does it? I've done a lot of research into the dogs I've been looking at, and I have no doubts that I will be able to meet their exercise needs. I mountainbike, run, and generally do a lot of outdoor activities. and can take them for walks in the mornings and evenings. my question is about in between that. I work 9-5 mon to fri. there has to be other people in this situation that have dogs. Do you find that being able to spend time in the mornings and evenings enough? it would be just me looking after it.

if I got a puppy I would likely take some time off work so I would be around more often, and would even consider some kind of dog day care so when the dog is young it will get both social interaction with other dogs and a bit of a watchful eye.

I'm still a ways off actually getting one but I am curious to how everyone else who has a regular job deals with the responisbility of taking care of a dog.

I've got my eye on a few breeds right now with these two popular with me right now anyway.

any input greatly appreciated

[Nightingale 0]

Smaller dog that requires less exercise.

[squirrel 0]

I have 2 Boxers and a border collie mix. I was lucky, and was able to travel/work with my dogs with me all the time. Now, I am a home builder, so they come with, or I am not gone for more than a few hours at a time. All I can say is run them often, treat them like you would treat yourself, and hopefully you have a yard they can lounge around in on nice days. When I am gone all day, the boxers always take something outside of the house and put it in the yard!

________________________________
Where is Darwin when you need him?

[ExAFO 0]

Get one of These.

Illinois needs a CCW Law. NOW.

[laceysocks 0]

I now have an 80 lb lab that is 3 years old. From what I have been told, she is one of the best mannered labs.
My trick? I got her at 7 weeks old and took her EVERYWHERE. She slept in my room, was always at my side, even if I went to the store to pick up milk. Of course, she still thinks that she is an 80 lb lap dog!! I also worked, and a kennel during the day is a great idea, if you live in an apt. I had a house, so I put a kiddie pool in the back yard for her when I was at work. I also had a friend who would drop off her dog during the day. Dogs tend to be destructive when they are bored, so a playmate is always a good idea. If you think you can handle it, then get 2. I treated her like she was a kid, and when she was fully potty trained I put in a dog door.
Hope this helps!

***********************************
Live Life, Get Paid and Get Laid!
If you touch it.....it's your responsibility!!!

[Flygurl 0]

First, be careful in what breed you choose. Be sure that you have sufficient time to provide appropriate care needed for that dog. Not all dogs have the same requirements.

Many of my clients have behavior problems that stem from lack of exercise and/or environmental issues.

Doggy day care can be a great "outlet" for a dog a few days a week. Choose the facility carefully, they are not all a good place for your dog.

Where do you plan to keep the dog while you are away?

________________________________________

"One out of every four American's are suffering from some form of mental illness. Think of your three best friends. If they're okay, then it's you."

[airtwardo 7]

I don't know your situation...

Age, housing type, married etc...

There are a LOT of things to take into consideration before you get an animal.

Time is only one...

You will hopefully 'know' when you're ready...it does take considerable commitment to keep a doggie healthy and happy.

That being said, why not adopt one from a shelter?

There are plenty of 'quality' dogs that are already 'broke it' and desperately need your care before the inevitable euthanizing.

For that matter, you may be able to find a 'foster care' group that will be grateful for you taking care of an animal until it can be placed...may give you insight as to whether you can do it 'full time' with your own.

We have two pure breed and one mutt that currently allow us to live with them.

All rescues, we've had as many as five here at once...assisting a local group that places them.



Whatever you do...be sure!

It's heartbreaking to see any dog that doesn't get the care it needs and deserves.

Can't tell ya the number of dogs around 'here'
that people buy for 500.00-1,000.00
and 6 months later dump it off at the shelter.

They had no idea what to expect, and aren't willing to give what's needed.

~ If you choke a Smurf, what color does it turn? ~

[squirrel 0]

  Quote

I now have an 80 lb lab that is 3 years old. From what I have been told, she is one of the best mannered labs.
My trick? I got her at 7 weeks old and took her EVERYWHERE. She slept in my room, was always at my side, even if I went to the store to pick up milk. Of course, she still thinks that she is an 80 lb lap dog!! I also worked, and a kennel during the day is a great idea, if you live in an apt. I had a house, so I put a kiddie pool in the back yard for her when I was at work. I also had a friend who would drop off her dog during the day. Dogs tend to be destructive when they are bored, so a playmate is always a good idea. If you think you can handle it, then get 2. I treated her like she was a kid, and when she was fully potty trained I put in a dog door.
Hope this helps!

i agree! my border collie mix has "separation anxiety" until paired up with my wifes boxers. now, he is relaxed, he has friends! and, we have a kiddie pool too! try throwing some feeder gold fish in there, my boxers go nuts, trying to catch the fish!

________________________________
Where is Darwin when you need him?

[squirrel 0]

and, i have also quit great jobs due to the fact that my dog would be alone too long...so, its a life choice.

________________________________
Where is Darwin when you need him?

[MikeForsythe 0]

  Quote

how do you do it?

Simple, my dog goes to work with me. She also jumps with me.

Time and pressure will always show you who a person really is!

[gmittar 0]

Ridgebacks are awesome dogs, I have friends with them and while they're awesome they also have some special requirements that you should really be very familiar with before you consider one.

That being said, having a kennel/cage for the dog in the day is a GOOD idea. Dogs are not people and they don't get bent out of shape for being contained when you are not around. In fact, if trained early, they associate it with a sense of security and are really much happier with the sturctured environment that a kennel/cage provides.

This is of course assuming that they get the attention and excersize that they need when you are around.

|>.<|
Seriously, W.T.F. mate?

[shropshire 0]

Have you asked yourself - Why do I want a dog?
Companionship, fashion...other...

We did have a single dog once (probably wouldn't do it again) - but she was old and slept most of the time.. Now we have 2 (Springer/Collie crosses) and they're great company for each other and us. We both work, me mon-fri & wifie works shifts, so the girls are never on their own more than 3 days straight.

Larger dogs (or so I've found) dont need more exercise or bigger houses... Our Dobbie would curl up under the stairs when she wanted to be alone and the girls (especially a few years ago) need to go for a lot of long hard walks/swims. Also, something really small, like say a Jack Russel tend to be hyper-active and need to be out, working a lot....

Which breed to go for? Well, if it's not a fashion statement, the breed shouldn't matter.... the individual personality should..... (difficult if you are after a pup tho' - then you need to meet both parents to guage). We have re-homed all of ours, and they were passed puppy stage (but you can still train them or them you!). We didn't going looking for make/model, we went for charachter (and found it with spades!!). If you go to a re-homer, you will just know when you meet the right dog (sounds strange, but it's happened every time)... Some will ignore you and then go right up to the person next to you and visaversa....


Good luck.

(.)Y(.)
Chivalry is not dead; it only sleeps for want of work to do. - Jerome K Jerome

[gmittar 0]

Tony,

Many breeds of animals have a tendency for specific personalities. And early puppy/kitten hood treatment aside, those tendencies show clearly.

So breed does matter. Want a nervous dog? Get a chijuajua, etc.

|>.<|
Seriously, W.T.F. mate?

[shropshire 0]

Sure they have traits... both of our girls are similar in some ways and 180 different in other, even important ways..... for example Ellie (the mom) loves cuddles (even from strangers) yet Millie (her daughter) does not and will even grawl (she'll seek you out when she needs attention).

These are important character difference, what you wouldn't initially see in a pup.

(.)Y(.)
Chivalry is not dead; it only sleeps for want of work to do. - Jerome K Jerome

[ROK 0]

I have two Ridgebacks and have raised them both from puppies.

They are without a doubt the most unique dogs I have ever had the pleasure of living with. Very very intelligent quick learners, and they are great with all the kids in the neighborhood. I raised them with love and kindness as family members.

My advise is to not leave them alone the first few weeks when you get one. Puppy day care is great, but check the place out first to make sure that they aren't just kept in a cage all day. Keep in mind that they will pick up the bad habits of other dogs that are around them, like barking.

You'll find that they crave you more than anything else.

I have five acres and a good size house. I'd be hesitant to keep mine in an apartment!

[Scoop 0]

This is the very reason I haven't got the German Shephard I want. Its not fair on them, they are very energetic dogs that need to be outdoors really. They are happiest when they are working.

I hope to be a dog handler in a few years and that will be my oppurtunity then. Working with the dog as well as taking it for runs keeps it fit and entertained.

With a working dog you can walk away on your time off and leave it at home without any probems. They also need time to relax if they've been doing 7 night shifts in a row with you.

So I guess I'll have to wait
I'm not really into small yappy dogs. I love the GSDs so much as they are amazingly loyal, strong, clever dogs

[peregrinerose 0]

I work long days and have 3 dogs. rott/lab mix, greyhound, and cattle dog. All are adoptees. Have you considered adopting a mutt? Another good option is greyhound. They are extremely lazy animals and do just fine by themselves, either in a crate (they are used to a kennel all the time) or without one. There are a lot that needs homes, cost about $200 to adopt one (that includes spay/neuter).

Having a pack of dogs actually made our lives easier.. they entertain each other so much that we don't need to work as hard at it, plus there are no separation anxiety issues at all. The dogs all learned from each other, so training was a bit easier too.

Ours go to the dropzone with us and live in our trailer with us on weekends.

Jen

Do or do not, there is no try -Yoda

[warpedskydiver 0]

there are several sites you can go to that have a prog that will match a breed of dog to your lifestyle and level of activity.

Also consider a dog door!


Another thing is considering a breed that is very active but loves to loaf as well ( German Shepherd )

[warpedskydiver 0]

Scoop you should see my dog you would be in love with him...except I will say this up front NO YOU CAN"T HAVE HIM IF I DIE! since all my other friends ask...( Caz especially )

[demoss99 0]

I had a Rhodesian Ridgeback female while I was in law school. Feel free to PM me if you have questions about their behavior/needs. They are great dogs, very loyal and are extremely intellegent requiring a good amount of stimulus and training. They are also somewhat territorial and leary of strangers - something to think about depending on where you live.

I have always crate trained my dogs. We have a lab and a Border Collie now. We both work and have also used doggy-daycare.

"I know you believe you understand what you think I said, but I am not sure you realize that what you heard is not what I meant."

[jdthomas 0]

Arai
My sister has a ridgeback and she is awesome.

My girlfrined and I have a rescue dog that is a black lab mix, but I call her breed All American as we all are a mix here.

Anyway, I think it's great that you are wanting a dog, our's has been a blessing to our lives.. but I wish you would consider a recue dog as there are so many wonderfull dogs at a local shelter that would be fatihfull to you and fill all of your needs!

Please at least look at your local shelter first before deciding on a what kind of dog you want.

Joe

www.greenboxphotography.com

[windcatcher 0]

Whatever you do Arai, please make sure you spend enough time with your dog. Too many people get dogs as pets and don't really want to provide the exercise, affection and playing that a dog needs.

Mother to the cutest little thing in the world...

[Spdoat 0]

Dogs do take a lot of time. I show Arabian horses as well as skydive. Our 10 month old puppy does make things a bit more difficult when travelling (where to put the dog when skydiving/showing, etc.) but a good doggie day care can also be a wonderful option. I print out a list of daycares to where I'm travelling just in case I need some help when I go alone. You sound like you are dedicated to putting the time and effort into this dog. I know many dogs who enjoy their days around the house (with a doggie door) that do just fine in the yard/house while owners are at work long hours. After the dog is 9-12 months old, I wouldn't worry about it having to be alone during the day if you spend time with it before and after work and during the weekends. Right now ours doesn't have to stay at home alone much but we are looking at getting a second for companionship when she will have to be alone more. We are looking at more work for travelling and such but I'll tell you the most important thing about dogs... all the work you put into them comes back to you ten fold. It is worth every moment of work to have a dog in your life. There are so many dogs and puppies needing homes at rescue shelters that I hope you consider this but if you are dead set on having an AKC then at least spay/neuter them so there isn't that chance of having unwanted puppies. I know dogs aren't for everyone but there is no way I could not have a dog in my life. They are a wonderful addition.

Christina

I love my husband!

[skybytch 273]

Good on ya for thinking hard about this before making the decision! I feel that getting a dog is a commitment to have and care for it for it's entire life; being very sure that you're ready for that kind of commitment is important.

I got my best buddy, Molly, a Border Collie, a bit over 6 years ago when she was 18 months old. My son already had Dixie, a Border Collie/Dalmation mix, at the time. Part of why we got Molly was so Dixie would have company while we were at work/school. When I moved to Florida I took Molly with me and she's been an "only dog" ever since.

If you don't have your heart set on a puppy I'd highly recommend getting an older dog. Molly had already been through obedience school when she joined our family; since both of the humans in the house were gone often that made things much easier for us.

While we were in Florida she was with me pretty much 24/7 (an advantage to being the boss was that I could bring her to work with me). Since she'd spent most of her time in the company of family or Dixie before that, the socialization she got being at the shop was great! It was quite interesting how much she changed while we were there; when we got back to California after a year in Florida my son commented that she was a totally different dog than she was when we left.

She does best being left alone while I'm at school or at the dropzone when she gets a walk/run in the morning and loads of attention when I get home. Most of the time I'm not at home now she spends sleeping (another advantage to an older dog!) - unfortunately we aren't in a place where she can be outside while I'm not home. The biggest issue we have now is that she'll knock over the kitchen trash can occasionally.

She loves to go hiking with us (pic below is from a backpacking trip we took last year) and to chase my b/f when he rides the bike.

Something else to consider is vacations. Do you have someone close by who would be willing to watch your dog while you're away? Or are you willing/able to only take vacations that you can take the dog with you on?

If you're willing to make the sacrifices needed, a canine buddy will add sooooo much to your life. I highly recommend it!

[Shawndiver 0]

As I volunteer at the local humane society here I made the mistake of foster homing an eight year old white labrador that arrived from another shelter. Of course I fell head over heels for her, but had many of the same concerns you have. The good news is that my parents (who only live 3 miles away) fell in love with her as well. Needless to say she is now adopted and every morning on the way to work I drop her off at my parents where she is spoiled rotten!

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