Posted: Tue Mar 06, 2007 4:13 am Post subject: First dog - is my situation ok for a dog?
Hello! I have just joined this site in the hope of finding information about labradors from real people who own them. Ive done a lot of research on the internet, and I would appreciate any advice if anyone has the time!
Currently, I am living in Japan teaching English. I have always wanted a dog, but obviously I have to wait a bit! My contract ends in August when I will be returning to the UK (Reading), so I am looking to get a dog around this time.
I will be back at uni doing a year of teacher training, then hopefully I will qualify to be a teacher.
I wanted to know the opinion of others about getting a dog when myself and my boyfriend will be in full time employment. Initially, I will be spending 6 weeks at home untill I start my course so I can use this time to help the dog settle in and take him to training classes etc. Then, I'll be at uni, but this is by no means full time work! After this, I will be a teacher, but there are lots of holidays and not much commuting so I will be home early. Do you think it is possible to have a dog with this situation? If so, is it best to get a puppy or rescue an adult dog?
From reading your post I think i'm right in saying you'll be at home full time for 6 weeks then most of the time for dogs first year?
If so, then I don't think that's too bad, as that would give you a whole year to train and let pup establish being at home alone for periods.
On the other hand raising a pup may mean you miss out on some of the fun social side of teacher training and may be hard to juggle both uni work and playful pup at home. Plus, im assuming you have no idea what your work situation may be when you start teaching (commute time etc)?
Then there's where you would be living to take into consideration, flat/ house, owned/rented - I'm assuming you still have lots of uncertainty?
You would probably need to be prepared to find and pay for additional support when you both work full time (dog walker / day care) - a dog cannot be left alone all day.
It is possible, probably not the worst care situation for a dog but due to the level of change not ideal either.
I have stayed at home with Basil for 11 months as we knew we were moving to Singapore. I am now thinking of going back to work but to be honest his maturity has dictated when that has become possible.
It would be pretty hard if you got to the end of your year training then felt he wasnt ready or didnt want to leave him home.
Sorry i'm waffling, I think it's doable if you're prepared to be very committed and make some sacrifices. I'm sure others would disagree with me though
In my opinion, I wouldn't leave a puppy at home on his own for five days a week and I think that if you get a puppy and spend a full six weeks with him you'd agree! I've only left Toby at home on his own for 8 hours which was when I couldn't get home from work due to a number of reasons and everyone I rang to go in and see him wasn't available. I felt absolutely awful when I eventually got home as he hadn't been given anything to eat and hadn't been out for a wee Sorry am rambling!!...
I think you need to get yourself back in the UK and think about your living arrangements and possible uni/work scenarios before you make your decision to get a puppy. Also, maybe spend sometime with a puppy who's about 12 weeks old or so just so you understand how they behave and see if that would fit into your lifestyle? If you do decide to get one and you and your partner are both out of the house for 8 hours or so a day, then in my opinion, you would definitely need someone to go in at least once a day to play/walk him and feed him as puppies need to be fed 3 or 4 times a day at regular intervals. I now go home at lunch time on the two days I work and also my Mum or neighbours/friends go in twice a day to play with him and let him out for a wee. This takes a lot of organisation and can cause slight panic when it doesn't go to plan! If you don't have anyone to ask, then you can lookinto paying someone which may be an additional puppy expense...
Puppies can also cause a lot of damage if they're left unattended if you don't crate train them (have you considered whether you will use a crate or not??) and if you do use a crate and leave them alone for long periods, they then can cause havoc when you let them out as they have been inactive for so long. If this is happening everyday at, say, 4 o'clock you may get really frustrated with him...(this is experience talking!!) hehe...Just another thing for you to think about...
Sorry if I've come across as bossy or anything as I'm not the most articulate person on the planet and just type/say what come out! hehe...
I'm sure there are lots of other people on the forum who will give you their opinions/advice too!...
Hi and welcome to LF - Sorry I can't advise either - as I've only really worked p/t and been home most of the time with my 2 (only 1 now)....
I do agree with Sarah and Michelle if you both work f/t you will need help in walking and caring, not ideal but you can't leave a little one on their own for a long time. They are quite demanding when little and need lots of attention and training too....it's a huge committment owning a dog... you also have to think about who's going to have them when you go on hols too? Mine don't go to kennels we have always had a house sitter, so they are in the own environment - for me its a must...and very important
Good luck with your move back to UK and please let us know how you get on
I took the 1st week off work & got Jansen into his new routine.
In that week I didnt spend all the time with him as I wanted to use this time to get him used to being alone.
We both work a 5 minute car trip away so there is no commuting time & I go home at lunch to check on him.
His house training required a little longer to get 100% but we got there in the end.
When we are at home he spends time with us & he goes training twice a week & when the weather gets a bit better & the evening lighter he will be going to agility.
He is a really happy dog & I think your situation sounds fine.
Please please please make sure when you do start looking for a puppy that the parents have been health tested, you can find really good advice on other topics about this.
I am no expert, even though we have had Kippa since a pup and she is now 9 and we have always worked full time.
For the first few weeks of her time with us, I took holidays, so essentially worked p/t, but while I wasn't there we had someone come in to see to her frequently.
Then we had a dog sitter, then my mum all day and now she goes to my fantastic neighbours every afternoon.
I personally, couldn't leave her on her own for more than 3-4 hours, even though she would probably relish the peace and quiet
I'm sorry that this probably won't help, but you are not on your own in trying to make a decision, there will be a lot of expert advice here. x
We are still in the thinking process, and will be for some time. Believe me, this is not something we are taking on lightly! We appreciate all the advice given to us.
I will be at home for the 1st 6 weeks, then at uni, which is usually a pretty light timetable compared to full time work so I will be able to come home and tend to puppy! I also plan to come home during lunch (we will be living very close). When I eventually get a full time job, again it will be pretty local so I can come home for lunch. The good thing about being a teacher is all the half and end of term holidays! So I can be with the dog!
But, we still haven't decided. If we do get a gorgeous lab puppy, we will buy him so many toys (esp mental stimulation ones like treat balls) and pay for a walker or dog sitter so he looks forward to something in the afternoon. I am also well aware of making sure the parents (and even further generations if possible) are hip and eye tested, and I'm very aware of the only bad trait of a labrador, his insaitiable appetite! We both love long walks, so he would get plenty of those at the weekend, and obviously a short walk every morning and a longer one in the evening.
Thanks again for so much advice everyone!
P.S. Am I right in thinking I only get to post 5 things in the forums until I have to pay for a subscription?
Hi and welcome to LF You are obviously thinking things out which is an excellent start - providing you can come home at lunchtimes - or get someone else to pop in once you start working then you should be OK.
When we first had Hally, both my partner and I worked full time, although I did work from home a fair bit. and we also lived next door to the school, so my daughter could come home at lunchtimes, and was also home from school by just after 330 - most of the 'school out' times, I would come home to find masses of kids there come to see the puppy great for socialisation I always made a point to ensure that she was never left for more than 4 hours alone and only missed this when my daughter was rushed into hospital - which was exceptional circumstances.
In contrast - someone has been here all the time with Clover - she settles very quickly on the rare occasions she is left and the neighbours confirm they don't hear her.
Both girls are well adjusted and very people orientated - but Hally is less demanding than Clover - whether that is a product of the different ways they were raised as pups I don't know.
Don't forget when you are looking for a pup to ensure that the breeders have ensured both parents have undergone all the health tests. More info on these can be found at:
Hi Nahatalie, You seem to have done a great deal of homework, and on the whole, in theory, know what you are letting yourself in for.... you know that problems could arise with working hours etc, and looked into the possibility of getting a walker/sitter etc... many people do this...
I dont like the thought of puppies going to homes where full time employment keeps owners out of the house for long periods of time, but in todays financial climate, needs must and it does work for many dog owners....
I dont see a real problem, possibly a few minor hiccups to begin with. Since your Uni. will allow much free time for you to adjust and work out a reasonable routine... By the time you are ready for full time work, pup will more than likely be a well adjusted adult, and you will have had ample time to work out all his needs for sitter etc... Once settled, you may find you have good neighbours etc...
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We both love long walks, so he would get plenty of those at the weekend, and obviously a short walk every morning and a longer one in the evening.
Not until he is at least a year old... Labs need to build up gently... as a puppy beginning with just 10 mins per day, and adding 5mins to every month.... ie: 3months = 15mins... 4months = 20mins etc...
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P.S. Am I right in thinking I only get to post 5 things in the forums until I have to pay for a subscription?
this is correct... but worth every penny... A friendly, family oriented forum, help, backup, and the occasional shoulder
So, welcome to the forum, and hope you stay with us...
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Sorry am rambling!!...
- Sorry I can't advise either - as I've only really worked p/t and been home most of the time with my 2 (only 1 now)....
great for socialisation 
