Me and my partner are looking to get a chocolate lab (still in the early stages of research). But my partner works away a lot and I have a full time job, so I am worried that a lab may get bored alone all day.
I have plans to convert our double garage into a huge play den it can have the run of a rather large garden during the day while I'm at work?
Would this result in a rather destructive lab?
Any suggestions as to what I can do, as am desperate for a dog but want to make sure I can give it what it needs?
I'm not sure those plans would work to be left all day in a converted garage/garden is not ideal
Really, you'd need to be having someone come in up to 4 times a day whilst the puppy is very young, they do need to go out for tiolet and there is no way you can toilet train a puppy if you're not there
Do you like your garden? cos it wouldn't remain much of one with a puppy left to his own devices
You've come to the right place for help and advice, well done on doing your research before getting your puppy, shows that you have the dogs best interest at heart
I would be reluctant to allow my dog access to the garden when i'm out mainly because of the chance of him being stolen
I don't work full time but i know that some on here do and they find ways around it by having a friend/relative go in to the dog throughout the day to let him out or employing a puppy walker etc just to break the dogs day up. Would it be possible for you to go home at lunchtime if you work nearby?
Also, remember a puppy will need to go to the toilet alot more often than a full grown lab and will need feeding 4 times a day to begin with.
Have you thought about rescuing a dog? again he/she would still need to be let outside during the day but its just another option.
I'm sure lots more people will be along with advice for you
u have definately come to the right place and just the fact that you're asking whether this is right for you is a step in the right direction.
My OH works mon to fri and i work shifts but we are extremely lucky to have OH's mum come in several times a day when we both happen to be at work.
ITs hard when they are a puppy as they need alot of attention and work to teach toilet training etc. If a dog was allow free access to a den and a garden it would be very hard to toilet train. Labs love to be with people and altho Coal copes on the days we both work, he then gets 4 days of me all to him self before i go back on shift for another 4 days. He's alot happier when i'm around.
If i were you i'd wait for your situation to improve.. i know its hard when you really want a dog but the situation just isn't good... i waited years for it to be ok.
Have you considered a different breed as i know labs are highly social whereas other breeds might cope better but you'd still need to pop home or get some help whilst the pup is small
hope that helps
____________ Sam, Coal & Finn
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Yeah I thought that would be the case. I work a long way from home so leave around 7.30 and am home by 5. My partners parents live a few doors down and are home all day. They are willing to look after a more adult dog along with their german shepherd during the day, and I can pick it up at night.
But would this not be confusing for the dog? And I'm not sure how the two dogs would get on!
To be honest, I really would wait until your circumstances are more suited to having a dog. Dogs do get very bored left on their own - there are only so many kongs and bones that can occupy them in a day; and unlike people they really don't make their own entertainment. Rather they exhibit boredom and stress by being destructive and unruly. That aside there is always the worry of what would happen if they got into trouble or hurt themselves when you weren't due back for some time.
I know some people manage with friends, neighbours and relatives dropping in, but it is a big ask - particularly when you have to really rely on it. Some dog sitters offer day care, but then the quality of this varies enormously from the excellent (and expensive) to the very poor.
Don't mean to be a total misery but you'll enjoy a dog much more when the circumstances are more propitious.
As you can see this really is a great place to come to for all the information and answers to the questions you are asking
We personally waited until I was able to firstly go very part time work wise and then I gave up work completley last year to enjoy bieng with my Boy 24/7 ...But as I say that was a personal choice and It suited our circumstances....... I had waited years to be able to feel ready to take on the responsibility of my Bundle of Labby Mischief and He has been the love of my life since
we have waited 12 years before getting our pup (had dogs before but when they passed on and then our circumstances changed and although we wanted another sooo much felt we needed to be with it during the day)
a personally don't think it would be fair to get a pup but the rescue dog and your parents seems like a good idea
Hi and welcome to LF!
I think it's a great that you've asked for advice and lab owners' thoughts on this before going ahead.
A puppy needs bags of attention - not just walking, but toilet training, training in general and play. All of this has to be supervised too.
Labs are 'people dogs', they adore company and a lab that doesn't have a fair amount of company is a sad lab.
I waited years and years before I got a lab because like you, I asked first and realised that my situation wasn't ideal with me and OH out at work all day.
I had wanted and ached for lab since I was very young. The circumstances came right eventually when I started working part-time for 2 hrs per day. Even with those few hours it was still hard with my pup needing lots of stimulation, training, socialisation and the stuff I've mentioned above.
Imagine this; you've suddenly become a human toddler owner and the needs are pretty much the same attention wise. Then within a couple of months you have a 'kevin' on your hands And with a lack of attention from the both of you because of your work situation then you can bet your sweet life it will be 10 times harder.
I hope that helps and judging by the way you asking the question, you'll make the right decision for you, OH and a future pup.
Even after owning two labs I would never get another if I had to be away from the house for more than 3/4 hrs daily or a couple of block full days.
I even make arrangements for someone to come in if I'm taking the kids away for the day!
Good luck!!
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to be left all day in a converted garage/garden is not ideal 
cos it wouldn't remain much of one with a puppy left to his own devices 
Hi and Welcome to LF 
