Dog Community

We want a dog SO much....advice?

Posted : 11/16/2006 9:12:46 PM

Background Info:

My wife and I both want a dog DESPERATELY! We both grew up having dogs, and I had one when I lived on my own...up until about ten years ago.

My dog-loving history has included a shepherd mix, two beagles, and a greyhound. My wife's has included a golden (retriever) and a black lab.

The Current Situation:

We commute about an hour each way to work. We are both (public school) teachers, and I also teach college part-time. The problem? Two days of the week the dog would be alone for 11-12 hours (40 weeks of the year). Other days it would be between 4 and 7 hours at a time.

The Future:

We plan (God willing) to have our first child 1-1.5 years from now, after which I will continue to teach college part-time, but leave full-time work to stay at home to raise children. At that point having a dog is a no-brainer.

Back to the Present:

I've waited 10 years for another four-legged friend and I just can't stand being without one! I know that it simply makes sense to wait until we have children, but I (we) want canine love!

Issues:

Can a dog go that long without going to the bathroom? Perhaps some...

Is it fair for a dog to be alone that long? More fair than the dog otherwise not finding a home and being put down?

Would the breed make a difference? Our first choice is another greyhound, but the right medium-sized (yes, smaller than a greyhound) mixed-breeed with short hair would work.

Ideas/Feedback?

Does anyone think this could work, or must we continue waiting?

I'd be glad to offer more specifics if it would help.

I thank you for any and all thoughts on the matter.

nyiceprincess

Posted : 11/16/2006 9:16:37 PM

Maybe thoes 2 days a week you could send him to doggie daycare or hire a dog walker?

jones

Posted : 11/16/2006 9:31:18 PM

I gather from your post you plan to adopt... I think it is possible for you to get a dog if you make arrangements for those two days a week. Daycare, a dogwalker, even a doggie door if that were feasible. I don't think the long alone time 2x/week is a bad situation for a dog as long as s/he has potty access on those days. I know some dogs can hold it for 12 hrs but I'm not sure doing it regularly would be very healthy. Seems to me a greyhound is a good choice, or if you go for a mix it should probably be a calm/older dog who doesn't have high exercise needs. And of course a dog that's been tested with children since you plan to start a family. Good luck, hope it works out!

Adam Wilner

Posted : 11/16/2006 9:50:11 PM

It is my opinion that you should wait. For you, your wife and the dog. A year and a half is not very far away. It will be here before you know it. Trust me on this one; Right now you and your wife need to go play. Go have fun, travel be free. The moment you have kids your life will be 100% different. Then you will understand what tied down means. That is a good time for a dog. I also feel that it is not fair to the dog.

grab01

Posted : 11/16/2006 10:03:32 PM

I don't think that time limit would be a problem a few times a week. And if, as stated above, you could have a dogwalker on those days or a dog door, all the better. My two are alone for longer periods now and then, and there are times they dont' ask to go out for that period of time on my days off when I'm home.

This is, of course, assuming that you are adopting an adult dog.

mrv

Posted : 11/17/2006 7:35:47 AM

Another option not listed, is a safe and secure indoor outdoor kennel run. This can be accomplished off the side of a garage. The kennel run needed to be roofed and floored. For noise issues, an auditory based bark surpression device can take care of that. Use gravel as the kennel flooring and it drains and also acts to keep toenails shorter. If the kennel is in the back of the house, in a fenced yard, it should be secure in a good neighborhood.

The kennel run will need an insulating dog door and an inside area that is well insulated etc. An adult dog from a breed rescue club would be my suggestion. That opens up lots of possibilities and you have a much better idea of the temperment coming into your home. Get the dog well ahead of your child so routines, training etc can be well established before the stress of baby care is added to the mix. My dogs ended up being the equivalent to baby walkers for Jerilyn.

teach

Posted : 11/17/2006 8:36:02 AM

Thanks for all of the thoughts & ideas. A doggie door isn't really an option, nor is an indoor/outdoor kennel. Our cellar is semi-finished, has many more windows that most cellars (there is a good amount of natural light), and is a nice area. That would likely be where the dog would stay during the day.

Our preference, for a variety of reasons, would be an adult dog, 1-4 years old. We would adopt, either from a shelter or rescue group.

With regard to traveling, "having fun", etc.: We have been married 7+ years and do indeed travel. Much of our travel consists of camping, and a dog would certainly be a welcome part of that.

Keep your thoughts and ideas coming!

Adam Wilner

Posted : 11/17/2006 9:11:33 AM

Teach,

I don't know much about it but I think that if you introduce a dog to a household that has a child the dog sees that as the way it is. If you have the dog first- when the baby comes home the dog may view that as an intruder and not like it as much. As I have said, I am no authority on this but there are a lot of folks here that are so hopefully they will chime in.

7 years will seem like yesterday once you have kids. [

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houndlove

Posted : 11/17/2006 9:28:01 AM

I think it can be done and I don't see a problem with doing it now, though actually a better time may be this summer when you can really have a lot of time to acclimate your new dog. A weekend is not enough! Maybe Christmas break?

A dogwalker I think would be a must on the long days, just for the dog's sanity. We are gone for about 8-9 hours a day, and think that's pretty much tops for most dogs If we have to be gone any longer than that ever, I go home first during the day and walk and visit. Not necissarily for potty purposes, but just for psychological reasons.

If you go through a breed rescue that has dogs in foster care, you can find a dog who has already been tested around children. There's lots of things you can do to introduce a dog to a new baby and I don't think that should be a reason to wait.

lorib

Posted : 11/17/2006 10:17:52 AM

If you can do doggy day care, I think this would be fine right now. My last dog was part of the family for nearly ten years before our kids arrived. She knew her place int he pack and there was never an issue as to who was in charge. The babies were just "puppies" who needed protection! She did her job for another six years and was a perfect guardian and buddy for them.

Adam Wilner

Posted : 11/17/2006 11:25:59 AM

See, I told you that I am clueless. [:@]

I used [linkhttp://www.shihtzuandfurbabyrescue.com/]http://www.shihtzuandfurbabyrescue.com/[/link] They were Top Notch.

Susan Chandler

Posted : 11/17/2006 12:17:42 PM

Can a dog go that long without going to the bathroom?

Simply answered: No... could you? I couldn't. I think you both are prime for getting a new member to your family but you definitely need to take care of those two days, either doggie day care or have a friend come in and just let the little one out. It is doable tho.

jones

Posted : 11/17/2006 12:20:54 PM

Another option would be adopting a small breed dog and training him/her to an indoor litterbox.

Susan Chandler

Posted : 11/17/2006 12:22:48 PM

Actually, the litterbox idea is an EXCELLENT one! Ever thought of that? I mean that sounds perfect!

Adam Wilner

Posted : 11/17/2006 12:38:16 PM

NO. Don't turn it into a cat.[sm=rofl.gif]