single, working dog owner

[msincredible]

Agreed on an adult dog as the way to go. If you can find a couple of dogs that get along well that might be even better, as they will keep each other company. Sometimes rescue groups have pairs that are bonded and they want to adopt them out together.

I ended up in a similar situation for a few years after getting divorced and moving out of a house. My ex didn't want our 2 whippets, so I found an apartment that would let me keep them. I was single at the time and working, and also had a busy business travel schedule (25-50% travel).

It wasn't ideal, I wouldn't have chosen to get new dogs at that time, but I made it work. The dogs kept each other company when I was gone at work, and I lived close by so that I wasn't gone too long during the day. They get a morning and an afternoon run/walk to tire them out and keep them happy and out of trouble. I had a friend that I would trade dog care with when I traveled.

When I moved out, my ex was of the opinion that I should have gotten rid of the dogs, but they have done well with me and been happy. It can be a bit tough on your social life, but for me it was well worth it.

[Becky]

I love the idea of adopting an older (post-puppy) dog! We adopted Cody when he was ~6 months, and that was perfect. He was old enough to physically hold it once he became reacquainted with housebreaking.

I'm going to slightly hijack this thread, and I apologize in advance, but I think it's a somewhat relevant hijack. For those of you who work away from home and have dog(s), what do you do about weeknight riding? I'm interested in getting more riding in, but I feel badly about racing home from work, and then racing back out to ride. The cats couldn't care less as long as my thumbs can still open a can of cat food, but the dog really is more in tune with my/our comings and goings. I feel guilty

With my schedule as it is now, Sundays are about the only day for long rides, plus some weekday and Saturday commuting.

Thanks in advance (and be kind- I feel badly enough already).

[badger]

I have petfinder.com saved on my favourites and go to it almost daily. I see pages of beautiful dogs and want to take them all, but alas, I only have an 800sq ft condo.

I wish I could put a dog door but it's just not feasible. And most little dogs can't hold it in for 8 hours, so my other option really is a bigger dog. Chevy had no troubles holding it in for about 10 hours, though I felt so guilty when he had to hold it that long.

The dog'll get walked every morning and after work. I know that a tired dog is a happy dog. I'll also try to go home for lunch most days and I might be able to bring the dog to work once in a while.

Thanks for all your input. I was getting so much negative feedback from people around me telling me I shouldn't get another dog because of my schedule. But aside from work, the dog will be with me everywhere.

As for long rides with dogs - maybe you can get one of those kiddie carts that you attatch to the back of the bike? the dog can run with you for some of the ride but when s/he gets tired, they can hitch a ride behind you? I often thought of doing that with my old guy but I think that would've freaked him out.

[Blueberry]

badger-

Just wanted top add to the chorus who think you would be an awesome doggie parent - sounds like you know what it takes, and you're willing to commit. I have a golden and, though they are generally known for being high energy, all he does is sleep. All day. I didn't work for a while, and discovered he had no interest at all in me during the day. Shoot, I have to wake him up in the AM to get him to go out - he's just as soon sleep in!

No easy answers on the weeknight riding - my dog doesn't always get 2 walks a day (we have a fenced yard, and he doesn't like hot weather at all). So...I don't feel too guilty. I would say ride, and then do a short-ish walk with the pup as a cooldown.

CA

[tulip]

I work at home, and I'm amazed at how much my dog sleeps and just lazes around during the day. I give him an hour's walk in the morning, and after that (and breakfast), he snoozes in his crate for a few hours. He then gets up, stretches, and moves to a dog bed in the livingroom for a while. He'll get up to drink some water, and he always barks at the mailman. Since I'm home and leave the back door open, and he can open the screen door by himself, he goes into the back yard and finds a sunny spot and snoozes some more. He'll bark at passersby occasionally, too, but mostly he's not doing much. At lunchtime (mine), I usually work on some obedience with him for about 10-15 minutes, and then he goes back to resting. About 4pm he starts getting antsy, wanting to go on a walk. I take him out between 5 and 6 for a 45-minute walk, then he gets dinner, and then for some reason, he's full of energy and wants to play in the backyard. We either play chase or I kick an old soccer ball and he goes nuts. Then he watches me intently as I make myself dinner, and falls asleep between 7 and 8. What a life!

[Becky]

Tulip, your description of a dog's day made me laugh

[GLC1968]

Tulip, your description of a dog's day made me laugh

Me too!

[ACiveE]

Have you considered a doggie day care? I have multiple friends who pay monthly subscriptions to doggie day care (muuuuch cheaper than per visit for them) and they drop their dogs off each day while they work. Their dogs come home totally worn out as they've been running around all day long.

Just an idea. If you can afford it, I would suggest looking into it.

[nancielle]

I'm a single pet owner who works all day as well. I adopted Chloe (it'll be two years ago in July) from a local rescue. She was two years old at the time. I took some vacation time when I got her so that I could be there as she adjusted to her new surroundings. She gets walked three times a day (5:30 am weekdays, a little later on weekends, again when I get home from work and a final walk at 9 pm.) She's pretty much a slumbering slug the rest of the time. Sometimes after dinner she'll want me to play with some of her toys with her or she and the cat will chase each other through the apartment.

I deliberately did not get a puppy (athough the thought of having one was tempting) because I knew I would not have the time to spend with it during the day.

[elk]

Badger

I mostly agree with the others.... with a Caveat. Don't fall in love with a Border Collie or an active Aussie or any dog that has alot of energy and need for interaction and activity.

Most dogs will adjust to the lifestyle in which they find themselves....but the right match is important. It's not just a matter of age, or even breed...but temperament and needs.

A retired greyhound (one who safe with cats...many aren;t) would be perfect....a soft couch and 10 hours of uninterrupted sleep is heaven to them. A pug, a basset, an Irish WOlfhound...mastiff types (Rotties) and sighthounds often do well.

A soft couch and 10 uninterrupted hours of solitude and boredom is hell to 99% of border collies, aussies, papillons, most of the sporting breeds, terriers and other herding dogs....even my rather laid back and lazy rough collie would end up barking a lot.

It's totally possible....with the right dog.

[badger]

thanks, Elk. I do look at certain breeds, but even within those breeds there are exceptions. But that being said, I'm not looking at any of the herding breeds, and it's not my choice to look at terriers as they have a pretty strong prey-drive, too, but these dogs from Taiwan tend to mostly be of the basenji/terrier types.

I'm very cautious about the temperament, I would say that is the primary quality I'm looking at. Calm, gentle, friendly, and easy going. My old dog was mostly-rottweiler, and yeah, all he did was pretty much sleep all day and all night.

I really would hate to have a dog come all the way from Taiwan and find that our energies are all wrong. I do need a calm dog indoors but are able to keep up with the occasional runnin, hiking and camping type of lifestyle. Still processing it all and it will be a decision I won't be making lightly.

On another note, I volunteer at the SPCA hospital and I'm fostering a little schnauzer with a broken leg for a few weeks. Hopefully he'll get me in the doggy frame of mind and routine. I won't be keeping him, even though he's cute. He's still very young (about 8 months) and is cute, smart, and small. he'll be adopted just like *that*. I want a dog that most people would pass up. A diamond in the rough, so to speak.