To get a dog or not?

[Anonymous]

We live in the city, small townhouse with a small backyard. Work two FT jobs and are out of the house from 7:30am-6pm every weekday. I really want one, but am concerned I'll need a daily dog walker and about the price of boarding.

If you are in a similar situation and have a dog, do you:

*Employ a dogwalker? If so, who and how much does it cost/week?
*Have a boarding service you'd recommend? How much does it cost?

TIA

[Anonymous]

We got a dog about 3 weeks ago. I can tell you that it's basically like adding another child. I definitely, definitely would not do it if you are out of the house 12 hours a day. It's not fair to the dog. Between DH and I and the nanny, someone is home every week day, and I still feel very stressed with the addition of the dog and wonder every day if we made the right decision.

Having someone come in once a day to walk the dog WILL NOT be enough. You will also go through a period when the dog gets housebroken to your house and you will need to be home or crating the dog and training the dog. You can't simply bring the dog home and leave the dog.

[Anonymous]

Agree with the PP, because of this:

Work two FT jobs and are out of the house from 7:30am-6pm every weekday.

It is mean to leave a dog alone for most of an 11-hour day. Dogs are social animals, they need way more interaction than that.

Don't.

[Anonymous]

Okay - I hear you. Sorry - this is a repost b/c I thought my first didn't go through.

[Anonymous]

OP, why do you "really want one"? It doesn't sound like you have a dog owner lifestyle (away from home, etc). Please do yourself and your neighbors a favor and resist the urge.

[Anonymous]

Does everyone who owns a dog work from home or not have a commute?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Agree with the PP, because of this:

Work two FT jobs and are out of the house from 7:30am-6pm every weekday.

It is mean to leave a dog alone for most of an 11-hour day. Dogs are social animals, they need way more interaction than that.

Don't.

+1

[Anonymous]

I would not get one unless you can take the dog to doggy daycare every day for exercise and interaction.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Does everyone who owns a dog work from home or not have a commute?

Apparently. Who knew?

[Anonymous]

No. You do not have the time to devote to the dog.

[Anonymous]

Guys - OP here. I got it. You can stop now.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Guys - OP here. I got it. You can stop now.

Are you a noob? Of course this will continue for at least 5 more pages.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:We live in the city, small townhouse with a small backyard. Work two FT jobs and are out of the house from 7:30am-6pm every weekday. I really want one, but am concerned I'll need a daily dog walker and about the price of boarding.

If you are in a similar situation and have a dog, do you:

*Employ a dogwalker? If so, who and how much does it cost/week?
*Have a boarding service you'd recommend? How much does it cost?

TIA

Sounds like you might need a dog. They are truly life changing. Do you have a fenced in back yard?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Does everyone who owns a dog work from home or not have a commute?

Until your dog is about 2.5 to three years old--yes. Or they put the dog in doggy day care. I am definitely not one of these dogs=people posters, but I think it is cruel to leave a young dog alone for periods of more than 2-3 hours. They will become mentally and physically unbalanced by this. Agree that having a dog walker come by even a couple times a day for 20 minutes or so is not nearly enough. The dog is miserable.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Does everyone who owns a dog work from home or not have a commute?

Until your dog is about 2.5 to three years old--yes. Or they put the dog in doggy day care. I am definitely not one of these dogs=people posters, but I think it is cruel to leave a young dog alone for periods of more than 2-3 hours. They will become mentally and physically unbalanced by this. Agree that having a dog walker come by even a couple times a day for 20 minutes or so is not nearly enough. The dog is miserable.

This. DH and I got a puppy last year when he was working from home 100%. then he changed jobs. We arrange our weekly schedule around our dog- we each telecommute one day, which we rotate. On other days we either take the dog to doggie day care ($30 - and has been great for his socialization), or we have a dog walker come by. BUT if we have the dog walker come, then either DH or I will take the dog for a 3 mile run in the morning.

Our pup is super high energy and when he doesnt get enough exercise he is really a nuisance. It is OUR fault when he starts misbehaving because he has too much energy.