Lonely Loneliness

First-time dog owner question – leaving a puppy alone

Question:

Hi. Thanks for the comments. I have always been around dogs all my life but have never owned one. I thought this is the next logical step for me. I have read up on dog ownership, a few different breeds and raising a puppy, so I know the responsibilities required of a good dog owner. If I can arrange for a dog sitter, or for a relative/friend to come visit my house for a few hours during the day I’d get a puppy. Otherwise I’d go with your suggestion of getting a rescued dog. My home has a large fenced backyard and a big patio for shade and shelter. My only constraint is the fact that I work full time. I wonder though, are full-time workers meant to own dogs? Rest assured that I will think this thoroughly before embarking on such a big decision. So there’s the possibility that I may not get a dog afterall. Appreciate the feeback so far. Marcus.

Response:

Hi Marcus,     Everything you said in this post is true, but your last statement is the truest — anything for unconditional love!!!!  You sound as if you are really a dog lover and someone who will go the extra step for his lifetime companion.  Any dog would be lucky to have you as his dad.  I say go for it! P.S.  Have you considered doggie day care? — Linda, Maggie Mae & Ziggy ^..^  ^..^ ICQ # 48822566

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Hi Melanie. Thanks to you and Linda, I know that owning a dog while working full-time is possible. However, the conditions must be right. Like being able to be home during lunch time or paying a dog-sitter for 5 days a week. Or having a less busy life. I realise choosing a rescue dog won’t neccesarily make it easier. There’s the possiblity that it has to be re-housebroken and retrained. The dilemma and joy of it all. It is really like having a baby, you should expect to change your life for it and not the other way around. Pain in the ass? Yeah, but anything for unconditional love right? Marcus.

Response:

I realise choosing a rescue dog won’t neccesarily make it easier. There’s the possiblity that it has to be re-housebroken and retrained. The dilemma and joy of it all.

Actually, if you get a dog from a rescue organization (rather than a shelter), it will probably have been living in a foster home.  They should be able to tell you EXACTLY how well housebroken, and obedience trained, it is. Janet Gunn

Response:

Hey Linda. Thanx for the vote of confidence. Nope I haven’t considered doggie day care but now that you and another poster (Bill) has mentioned it. I just might. I hope it’s affordable to me. I’m gonna be doing a lot more research – visiting the day care centres and talking to the breeders in my area, and also the various dog clubs around. Marcus. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Hi Marcus,    Everything you said in this post is true, but your last statement is the truest — anything for unconditional love!!!!  You sound as if you are really a dog lover and someone who will go the extra step for his lifetime companion.  Any dog would be lucky to have you as his dad.  I say go for it! P.S.  Have you considered doggie day care? — Linda, Maggie Mae & Ziggy ^..^  ^..^ ICQ # 48822566

Response:

Hey Linda. Thanx for the vote of confidence. Nope, I haven’t considered day care but since you and another poster (Bill) has mentioned it I just might. I hope it’s affordable for me. I will be doing a lot more research on this – talking to breeders in my area, the day care centres and the various dog clubs around. Marcus. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Hi Marcus,    Everything you said in this post is true, but your last statement is the truest — anything for unconditional love!!!!  You sound as if you are really a dog lover and someone who will go the extra step for his lifetime companion.  Any dog would be lucky to have you as his dad.  I say go for it! P.S.  Have you considered doggie day care? — Linda, Maggie Mae & Ziggy ^..^  ^..^ ICQ # 48822566

Response:

When I get home, I’ll have all the time for it. I’d like to keep it outdoors so it won’t trigger the house alarm, but which is the preferred method?

I think confining the dog indoors is best.  I would like, however, to strongly suggest that you get a second dog.  Dogs are pack animals and are not happy spending large amounts of time alone.  I have two dogs myself and find that they are much less prone to distructive behaviors and are much less noisy than "only child" dogs owned by my friends.  Most of the really annoying things that dogs like to do they do out of boredom and loneliness, I think. M.

Response:

I think confining the dog indoors is best.  I would like, however, to strongly suggest that you get a second dog.  Dogs are pack animals and are not happy spending large amounts of time alone.  I have two dogs myself and find that they are much less prone to distructive behaviors and are much less noisy than "only child" dogs owned by my friends.  Most of the really annoying things that dogs like to do they do out of boredom and loneliness, I think. M.

Hi. Thanks for the tip though I really think that I should not get *two* dogs as a first-time owner. From the responses I’ve got, I think because I work full-time that it’s best for me to postpone this for a while. Unless I can arrange for a dog-sitter during the day or something. Pity though, since I work I can afford a dog financially, but I can’t afford a dog time-wise. Ironic isn’t it? Marcus.

Response:

- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Actually, I’m not sure I ever want a puppy — I quite like my adult rescue dog and would be happy to have more! : Rest assured that I will think this thoroughly before embarking on such a : big decision. So there’s the possibility that I may not get a dog afterall. : Appreciate the feeback so far. I’m glad that you’re thinking about it — so many people don’t. One last word.  If you are not .dying. to get a dog — if you don’t feel like you .have. to have one — then I wouldn’t get a dog.  They are a big, huge pain in the ass to have around.  You have to want one really bad for it to be worth it, but if you do, boy, is it worth it.

Hi Melanie. Thanks to you and Linda, I know that owning a dog while working full-time is possible. However, the conditions must be right. Like being able to be home during lunch time or paying a dog-sitter for 5 days a week. Or having a less busy life. I realise choosing a rescue dog won’t neccesarily make it easier. There’s the possiblity that it has to be re-housebroken and retrained. The dilemma and joy of it all. It is really like having a baby, you should expect to change your life for it and not the other way around. Pain in the ass? Yeah, but anything for unconditional love right? Marcus.

Response:

Hey Natalie – it is ironic. You need to work be able to afford a dog financially but then when you work, you can’t be with the dog all day long. The ideal situation is probably not achievable. The closest you can get is arrange for dog-sitters or the like. Even then, dogs inevitably have to be left alone one time or another. You can get a second dog to give the first dog some company. But then you are back at worrying about being able to afford it. It’s a vicious circle. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – The one thing that seems to have been lost in this debate, is not, which dogs are more ‘people dogs, or not’ but the fact that all dogs are pack animals. they are programmed to be part of a pack of some sort, wether human or dog, and suffer psychological damage if they are left isolated for long periods. Yes I know that some dogs cope, but what have they got in life? I will not sell my puppies to people who work long hours.They might be really nice people , to whom I would be otherwise glad to sell a puppy to. But the fact remains that, it is nobodys RIGHT to own a dog whatever the circumstances.

Response:

Hi Again Marcus,   Yes it’s a pity because you say you can afford it and you seems to want a dog badly.   Why don’t you try looking into Doggy DayCare? A Kennell a short distance from where I live has a steady stream of cars going into it in the morning with people dropping off their dogs just like a childrens day care center. While there they are walked, have play time and get to socialize with other dogs once their temperment and tendency’s are known.  My neighbor who works full time takes her Golden 5 days a week and "Dakota" seems to love it. I believe the charge is 10.00 per day. I’m sure there must be something like this where you live. Then, after your dog is trained and behaving the way you want and you have some experience, maybe you could then look into second dog to keep the first one company and you could drop day care. Maybe an older rescue Golden who is already housetrained and more laid back. I hope things work out for you. Bill – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I think confining the dog indoors is best.  I would like, however, to strongly suggest that you get a second dog.  Dogs are pack animals and are not happy spending large amounts of time alone.  I have two dogs myself and find that they are much less prone to distructive behaviors and are much less noisy than "only child" dogs owned by my friends.  Most of the really annoying things that dogs like to do they do out of boredom and loneliness, I think. M. Hi. Thanks for the tip though I really think that I should not get *two* dogs as a first-time owner. From the responses I’ve got, I think because I work full-time that it’s best for me to postpone this for a while. Unless I can arrange for a dog-sitter during the day or something. Pity though, since I work I can afford a dog financially, but I can’t afford a dog time-wise. Ironic isn’t it? Marcus.

Response:

Hi. Thanks for the comments. I have always been around dogs all my life but have never owned one. I thought this is the next logical step for me. I have read up on dog ownership, a few different breeds and raising a puppy, so I know the responsibilities required of a good dog owner.

Marcus, I’m glad to hear that you are being responsible about owning a dog. So many people aren’t, you know.  As far as a full time worker owning a dog, I did it.  For 4 years before I opened my own business, I worked fulltime. I left my house every day at 8:30 and returned around 5:30-6:00.  The first year, my Maggie, a terrier mix Benji lookalike,  stayed in her crate during the day and since I lived close enough to work, I came home and took her out on my lunch hour.  For years 2-4, I moved further away (not within walking distance), so Maggie had to "hold it" until I got home.  She did fine.  Now I own a dog grooming shop, so Maggie, as well as my new dog Ziggy, come with me every day to work.  Of course, not everyone is as lucky as I am to be able to take their dogs to work with them.  I like to think that for the years Maggie spent alone during the day, she was happy anyway.  You see, I rescued her from a shelter which had found her wandering the streets, hungry, dirty, and thin.  She now is well fed, is clean all the time (I’m a groomer after all!) and just the right weight. — Linda, Maggie Mae & Ziggy ^..^  ^..^ ICQ # 48822566

Response:

My only constraint is the fact that I work full time. I wonder though, are full-time workers meant to own dogs?

Yes, but not puppies, and not breeds/individuals that crave constant human companionship. It CAN be done, but you would probably be better off starting with an adult for your first "all mine" dog. In my (less extensive than many people on this list, so I am prepared to  be corrected) experience, hound types are less "People contact dependant" than retreivers.  This makes them more content to be left alone during the day, but may have other drawbacks (such as the desire  to wander). Sometimes two dogs will be happier than one, if it is "companionship" rather than "human contact" they crave. Janet Gunn

Response:

- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – My only constraint is the fact that I work full time. I wonder though, are full-time workers meant to own dogs? Yes, but not puppies, and not breeds/individuals that crave constant human companionship. It CAN be done, but you would probably be better off starting with an adult for your first "all mine" dog. In my (less extensive than many people on this list, so I am prepared to  be corrected) experience, hound types are less "People contact dependant" than retreivers.  This makes them more content to be left alone during the day, but may have other drawbacks (such as the desire  to wander). Sometimes two dogs will be happier than one, if it is "companionship" rather than "human contact" they crave. Janet Gunn

The one thing that seems to have been lost in this debate, is not, which dogs are more ‘people dogs, or not’ but the fact that all dogs are pack animals. they are programmed to be part of a pack of some sort, wether human or dog, and suffer psychological damage if they are left isolated for long periods. Yes I know that some dogs cope, but what have they got in life? Alone all day with a couple of hours company in the evening, then off to bed to sleep all night. Do we really expect our dogs to be asleep for around 20 hours a day,and not have a bowel or bladder function at all during the day? Would we expect this from our children? I will not sell my puppies to people who work long hours.They might be really nice people , to whom I would be otherwise glad to sell a puppy to. But the fact remains that, it is nobodys RIGHT to own a dog whatever the circumstances.

Response:

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Hi all. Am considering getting a Golden Retriever puppy. I work 8:30-5:30 Mon-Fri and was wondering when I leave the house that I’ve got two options: 1. leave the puppy indoors behind a playpen with an open crate, and water/food bowl (lunch), or 2. same as above except outdoors and under shade. When I get home, I’ll have all the time for it. I’d like to keep it outdoors so it won’t trigger the house alarm, but which is the preferred method? Thanks. Marcus.

First, being in the house is preferable to being outside.  Where do you live?  What is the weather like?  Would the dog have shelter in the bad weather? Second, how are you planning to housebreak the dog?  If you leave it in a playpen, it will relieve itself whenever it wants and never get housebroken. Crate training is the easiest but if you’re going to be gone all day, that’s too long for a puppy to hold it.  How about hiring a pet sitter to come in several times a day? Third, and this should probably be first.  Have you done any research on owning a puppy?  Have you done any research on the golden retriever breed? Have you ever owned a dog before?  Please read as much as you can get your hands on before getting a puppy so you make sure this is absolutely what you want to do.  Otherwise, this puppy will end up just another unwanted dog in a shelter.  Good luck.

Response:

With those hours, it would mean you leave home at eight or earlier and return after six. That is way too long to leave a pup both for physical and emotional reasons.  If you can’t arrange for someone to come in during the day to keep the pup company and play with it, you are being very unfair to that baby.  You would be better off going to Rescue and getting a young adult, and hopefully one which is used to spending a number of hours alone.  Perhaps you might want to rethink it, and wait a while till you or someone else in your family has the time to devote to it.  Pups need attention and socialization, much as human babies do. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Hi all. Am considering getting a Golden Retriever puppy. I work 8:30-5:30 Mon-Fri and was wondering when I leave the house that I’ve got two options: 1. leave the puppy indoors behind a playpen with an open crate, and water/food bowl (lunch), or 2. same as above except outdoors and under shade. When I get home, I’ll have all the time for it. I’d like to keep it outdoors so it won’t trigger the house alarm, but which is the preferred method? Thanks. Marcus.

Response:

Hi Marcus,   Please don’t take this wrong but if you are going to be gone from home that long each day, a Golden is not for you.     Goldens are "people" dogs and usually don’t like to be alone, and this includes being left for extended periods outside in a yard or inside fenced off or in a crate. They have been known to find ways to escape such as digging under or jumping over fences, barking incessantly and jumping and whining at the door to get inside when they can’t find someone to pet them or pay attention to them. If you are going to away all day, 5 days a week, and want a dog who will be content to lay around or amuse itself all day instead of following you everywhere, even to the bathroom, then a Golden is not for you. Bill – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Hi all. Am considering getting a Golden Retriever puppy. I work 8:30-5:30 Mon-Fri and was wondering when I leave the house that I’ve got two options: 1. leave the puppy indoors behind a playpen with an open crate, and water/food bowl (lunch), or 2. same as above except outdoors and under shade. When I get home, I’ll have all the time for it. I’d like to keep it outdoors so it won’t trigger the house alarm, but which is the preferred method? Thanks. Marcus.

Response:

Hi all. Am considering getting a Golden Retriever puppy. I work 8:30-5:30 Mon-Fri and was wondering when I leave the house that I’ve got two options: 1. leave the puppy indoors behind a playpen with an open crate, and water/food bowl (lunch), or 2. same as above except outdoors and under shade. When I get home, I’ll have all the time for it. I’d like to keep it outdoors so it won’t trigger the house alarm, but which is the preferred method? Thanks. Marcus.

Response:

Your pup will be both safer in the house and the neighbors will be happier if it is not out in the yard learning bad habits best bet is in the house and have a dog sitter come in noon times for walking and cleanup and play better bet is to consider adopting from a golden rescue instead of getting a pup Nancy – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Hi all. Am considering getting a Golden Retriever puppy. I work 8:30-5:30 Mon-Fri and was wondering when I leave the house that I’ve got two options: 1. leave the puppy indoors behind a playpen with an open crate, and water/food bowl (lunch), or 2. same as above except outdoors and under shade. When I get home, I’ll have all the time for it. I’d like to keep it outdoors so it won’t trigger the house alarm, but which is the preferred method? Thanks. Marcus.

Response:

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