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[quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous]Do not assume you can take the dog everywhere and set your life up so you don't have to. This includes:

- other people's houses, including family
- restaurant patios
- the grocery store
- coffee shops

Surprising number of people adopt dogs and then are surprised that they can't just have the exact same schedule they had previously because the dog needs company, to be walked, to be fed on a schedule, etc. The solution is not that the dog just travels everywhere you go. You will have to adjust, even if it means leaving gatherings early or changing when you do your grocery shopping so it doesn't coincide with a time the dog needs to be walked.[/quote]
Thanks for this! We definitely don’t feel entitled to or even plan to bring the dog to public places like that.

DH and I actually spent the day yesterday out and about, visiting a friend, running errands, and going out to dinner—we were gone from like 11-7–and we both commented about how we’d have to adjust once he’s here.

But at the same time, people work 8 hour days, so how does that work? Maybe our weekend day isn’t any different than a work day, other than, as you said, food and likely potty schedule. I guess we would have just come home and did a walk and food before WE headed back out for our own dinner?

Curious, what do long weekends like this look like?[/quote]
We don’t leave our dog all day at work, then expect him to use the bathroom so we can go out again for  dinner. Then expect him to sleep well at night. 
You will need to change expectations if you want him to be successful. 
[/quote]
I have to disagree with this and wonder why you’re saying this at all? To scare the OP?

We definitely work all day, leaving around 8:30 and returning home at 5:30ish, and there are days (not often, but they exist) where we go out in the evenings, too. You really want the OP to believe that people who own dogs are in for the night after work? No. We have kids sports, doctor’s appointments, family obligations, errands, and a plethora of other things, and we do them. Sometimes that means late night walks, or sacrificing down time between things to walk the dog, or otherwise give it attention.

If what you’re saying is true, hardly anyone would own a dog, and we know that isn’t true. [/quote]

Hire a dogwalker to take your dog out mid-day if you're working 8:30-5:30 on a regular basis. Hire them to come back on the days you're out at night for kid stuff or recreation.

That's what responsible owners do.[/quote]

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