I'm probably going to get blasted here, but I'm going to say it anyway. I don't think anyone gone for 10 hours a day should have any kind of dog! It is not fair to the dog
spoke
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I'm probably going to get blasted here, but I'm going to say it anyway. I don't think anyone gone for 10 hours a day should have any kind of dog! It is not fair to the dog
spoke
I agree Spoke. That's why I was trying to find out how other people had managed bringing dogs to work with them. There is no way I would leave a dog alone for 10 hours. I'm trying to figure out a way that I can bring a dog to work with me for the times that my husband is not home or can't take care of it. Right now he's not working but he might get a part time job.
If I don't have a way to manage the situation without leaving the dog for long periods, I won't be having a dog. As it stands, my employers are supportive as long as I can mange it such that the dog is not disruptive to the work environment. I was originally thinking I would have to bring a puppy in every day with me because my husband did not want to be saddled with puppy rearing. But now that I'm thinking more on the lines of an adult dog, he's more receptive.
Thanks for voicing your opinion, it's a very good point.
Hi,
One thing to consider in bringing a puppy to work is that if your gym sells food of any type, it may be against health code to have a dog in the building. This is the case at the gym I train at.
Also, it seems really unfair to bring a puppy into a home where one of the adults doesn't want puppy responsibility and the other works a lot. Puppies need A LOT of attention and care. To believe that a puppy may not be disruptive when in a break room is a lot to expect. My sister has Mastiff's as well and they like to chew and potty everywhere like most pups do. Another option might be to take the pup to doggie daycare during the day so it is well cared for and even potty and obedience trained. Pups don't train themselves so this could be really helpful for you because it doesn't sound like you have the time to take the pup to a classes. I did this for a few weeks while we lived in a motel during construction of our house. It was extremely helpful and my puppy loved it too.
If you have never had a puppy before, you might have unrealistic expectations about potty training -- it's not fun at all and can take as little as a few weeks and up to a year to accomplish. Pups need to go out several times an hour before they understand why they are going out at all. It seems as soon as you take them out and bring them back in, they tinkle on the floor. :( They are like human babies, they need love and training. I have a saying that it's a good thing puppies are so cute because if they weren't no one would want one because they are so much work! That said, I have two Goldens that are thankfully well beyond the puppy stage and very well trained in obedience. When they get a few years older, I'll be getting a third. :)
Good luck on your decision and if you have any training questions, feel free to ask.
Kenda
There are ways to make it work. I always have more than one dog, so they keep each other company. And I have a dog walker come every day at noon to take them for a long walk. My dogs seem happy, and they sleep all day anyway.Quote:
Originally Posted by spokewench
I agree that no dog should be left alone for 10 hours.
So here's where things stand
a) I've pretty much given up on the puppy thing
b) If I got a dog (ie adult) it would stay home when there was someone to take care of it, like my husband and/or neighbors
c) I don't see needing to take it to classes, I've trained several adult dogs for advanced obedience and am well grounded in behavioural techniques, I would do the training in the evenings or when I have time during the day.
d) at times when there was no one to help at home the dog would go to a sitter or come with me to work (I don't work at a gym, I work at a PT clinc but we have a gym area with lots of room where I could keep the dog during working hours while I am with clients, between clients or while doing paper work the dog could hang out directly with me in my office.)
e) part of the reason I'm choosing a bullmastiff is that they tend to sleep anywhere from 10 to 18 hours per day, have low exercise and grooming needs.
f) bullmastiffs can have aggression issues - especially with other dogs, I'm aware of this (I have owned one before that had some issues) and am willing to take the necessary precautions should something like this arise.
Am I still missing something?
I think you've got it all together, girl. You go. :)
I have very specific things I do and do not expect from my canine relationships. Many "dog" people would not agree with some of them. I don't care. Our lifestyle flexes to includes dogs. We have very happy, healthy, well-behaved dogs who I am proud to own. It all works for us. Do what works for you.
Karen
Wahine, I think you're set on go. :) As long as the patients (and boss) don't object to having one big love bug hogging the gym, I think it's a viable plan.
Kerrybelle, I could kiss Casey's little nose. :)
Just one lucky dog! :)
Kenda
LOL, I've been looking. :D
There's a possibility down in Eugene. It's a 3 hour drive. DH and I are discussing it.
Wahine, when you finally do get a dog, will you start a new thread please? I've mostly stopped reading this one, excpet when I see that you have posted.
Thanks!
V.
Definitely V.
This is the aspect that bothers me.Quote:
Originally Posted by Wahine
Is this grown dog going to react badly if you are in the bathroom and the dog is in your office and a stranger suddenly walks in?....or worse yet, if some little kid enters your work place when you are not right there with your dog at the moment, and runs up squealing to pet the doggie?
How will you prevent this if you are not with the dog every second? You can't really control other people's unexpected movements in your workplace.
Bullmastiffs' are people dogs, they love people! They tend to be aggressive towards other animals not people. It would probably be apparent when first meeting the dog if they had any issues with people.
A German Shepherd is more likely to do something if the owner isn't there, because they are protective of their space. Bullmastiffs are protective of their owner.
+1 what Kerrybelle said. Also, if you're adopting an adult dog, they are evaluated and you would know before getting the dog if there was a people problem. Attacks on people are far more likely with many other breeds. The issue is with other dogs.
Not only that, the dog would not have free run of the office, when not with me it would be crated or kenneled in a quiet space. My clinic is set up that I am not unexpectedly interrupted by a patient/child/whatever, they have to get past reception first.
Gsds, like people, come in all flavors of temperaments. Of my 4 dogs (3 of which are german shepherds) the australian shepherd is the one who will clean your clock if you try something stupid. Like the bully, German shepherds prefer to bond with one person in the family. Unlike the bully, they *have* to have a job to do or else they will create one of their own, which usually isn't a pretty sight. :eek:Quote:
Originally Posted by kerrybelle