Working + Owning a Dog

[Aggie]

I REALLY want to get a dog but so far I've made myself wait until I'm in a better housing situation. I at least want a townhouse with a half a yard before I get one. I'm still in a one bedroom apartment.

But even when I do get a bigger place, I'm hesitant to get a dog because I work everyday and I'm gone from 7am - 6pm during the week. I'm scared that's just too mean for the dog to be alone that much.

I was just wondering what your experiences have been as a working pet owner. I know a lot of you have pets and work so either reassure me that I can get one or shoot down my idea. I just want to have all the info before I get one.

Oh, and I want a big dog. I grew up with a Rottweiler and I loved her very much so I'm 99% sure I want another one.

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This message was edited by Aggie on 8-16-04 @ 3:50 PM

[TheMojoPin]

WORK that dog...

EW.

Dogs rule...but are a pain in the ass, especially if you have limited space and work fulltime. And hey, as much as you love that beast, everyone you know will know of YOUR house as the "smelly dog house." Houses with animals are just filthy and disgusting, no matter how hard the owners try.

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[Alice S. Fuzzybutt]

I'm away from 9am to about 6 each day. I'm crate training my puppy so there's little damage done to the apartment while I'm gone. I feel guilty leaving her alone for so long, especially because she's still a puppy and can't control her bladder as well as an adult dog. Poor thing tries the best she can. The SECOND I come home, I drop my bag, grab the leash and baggies, and let her outside fast. I have a park across the street from me so she gets to play with other dogs and run amuck. It's my favorite part of the day.

And, yes, my house smells like dog now.



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[wilee]

Aggie- I'm in the same boat. I want a dog too, but I'm away from 7am to 7pm. I agree that it isn't nice for the dog for their owner to be away most of the day. If I could get a job closer to home where I can run home and take the dog for a walk or something during lunch, that would be great. For now, I just have to spoil my friends' dogs. I always have treats for them in my car and they all know when they see me that they have a treat coming.

Oh, the size of the house isn't much of a problem. A dog doesn't care too much if it's big or small. The only problem I see is how much time you spend away from home during the day.

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[reeshy]

I've had Beagles all of my life...one of the least smelliest dogs around, cause of the short hair...My last dog, Annie, was usually home alone from 8am till at least 3pm when my son cam home...in the morning, before I went to work, I would walk her for a good 30 minutes and make sure she did her duty...We left her plenty of water(no food) for the day...My son had strict orders to take her for a walk when he got home from school......When I got home, I fed her ...she got an extra walk....and later around 10pm...My wife and I would take a leisurely walk through Pelham Bay Park with Annie just to wind down....It always did the trick....But dogs are alot of work...Either you love them or you don't!!!!

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[badorties]

i have a midsize corgi mutt of a dog and a pretty good sized apartment ...

she has free range of the place -- except we keep her off the couches and locked out off the bedroom ...

she seems to sleep all day, or just bask in the sun during the midday hours ...


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[UnknownPD]

I bring mine to work everyday. 60lb Chow Mix... to quote someone else's sig "Its good to be the king"

[GaryWyze]

[color=purple]You don't mention what kind of breed you're interested in, but assuming you're not thinking Mastiff or Dane, have you considered getting two dogs?

The work load really isn't that much greater and they will always have eachother for company. Or, at the very least, you could get a puppy and a kitten. They'll still have constant companionship, and you'll have less guilt about being gone all day.

As for cats & dogs getting along, my last dog Smokey the Dobe was raised side by side with the family cat (PC) and they got along perfectly. That cat thought he was more dog than most dogs.

However, even if you're not into this idea, I still say it's okay to get the dog. Leaving a pet alone all day is usually only a problem when they're accustomed to something else. But since he/she will be "trained" this way from the very beginning, it's not the worst thing in the world.

I've had dogs my whole life. It's more about the quality of time together, than the quantity. Where I live now, dogs aren't allowed, so say hello to Bart & Lisa (or O.J. & Nicole, I still haven't settled on the names yet). (http://img4.photobucket.com/albums/0703/mia21/014_11A.jpg) Lisa/Nicole is chasing the cursor even as I type. Bart/OJ is looking to be pet.

Pets rule!

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[JPMNICK]

i had a 180ish pound bull mastiff. it was great to have, but a LOT of work. now that he is gone, i could never imagine doing it again. there is always a mess, and I am neat freak. my mom used to vacuum 2-3 times per day every single day. and they do not even shed that much. the constant walking, feeding is nnoying. also, vacations become even more expensive when you have to put the dog up somewhere. it is hard, you have to be the right kind of person

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[JPMNICK]

you have to go with OJ and Nicole
that is hysterical


or Scott and Lacie

what?? to soon?


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This message was edited by JPMNICK on 8-17-04 @ 2:24 PM

[monsterone]

gary is right; 2 are easier to take care of than just 1. puppies, for the first 2 1/2 trs are a huge pain in the ass.

in college, i was kucky enough to have roommates that i could call to have them shit/ piss if need be. but i had no yard so it was 3-4 mile + walks a day.

if you can put up with it, do it.

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