Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:NO. If you cannot ensure that your dog is being walked once within the time frame when you are gone then no.

I do not see how a pet sitter "is not an option" for you but if you cannot cough up some extra money a month for a walker then do not adopt.

Did you see the part where OP is a single parent and WOHM? I don't know about YOU, PP, but I pay $1700 a month for child care. Not much left for a sitter even for my children. I can imagine how a pet sitter can be "not an option" for a person whose budget is different from my own. Can you?

I think that's the point. She has no business adopting a dog if she doesn't have the means to care for it properly.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:NO. If you cannot ensure that your dog is being walked once within the time frame when you are gone then no.

I do not see how a pet sitter "is not an option" for you but if you cannot cough up some extra money a month for a walker then do not adopt.

Did you see the part where OP is a single parent and WOHM? I don't know about YOU, PP, but I pay $1700 a month for child care. Not much left for a sitter even for my children. I can imagine how a pet sitter can be "not an option" for a person whose budget is different from my own. Can you?

Then what is such a cash strapped, busy person even doing considering a dog? They cost money: vet visits, food, supplies. Then there is the time investment: walks, play time, etc. Moat dogs cannot simply be crated and left alone for 12 hours, and even if they can, it is still not right, no matter how people try to convince themselves their dog is "just fine." They're not.

So no, OP< don't get a dog.

Anonymous wrote:NO. If you cannot ensure that your dog is being walked once within the time frame when you are gone then no.

I do not see how a pet sitter "is not an option" for you but if you cannot cough up some extra money a month for a walker then do not adopt.

Did you see the part where OP is a single parent and WOHM? I don't know about YOU, PP, but I pay $1700 a month for child care. Not much left for a sitter even for my children. I can imagine how a pet sitter can be "not an option" for a person whose budget is different from my own. Can you?

This is how dogs end up in shelters in the first place.

Well, I work 12 hr shifts and my dog is crated while I'm gone. She does fine. I walk her and play with her a lot but not all dogs have that kind of energy level. You can also teach a dog to use a litter box.

PPs are all correct: you are away too long for the dog to go without a walker or other relief. But beyond that, I'm going to assume you also do not have time for intensive dog play- or walk-time in the evenings (I apologize if I assume wrongly). Even sedentary dogs are social and need social interaction. Lonely bored dogs develop behavioral problems like chewing, barking, soiling the house, etc.

If your goal is to save a shelter dog, or to enjoy the company of a dog, consider donating to or volunteering at a shelter. There are a number of no-kill shelters in this area that can take on more dogs if they have more money. These organizations always need volunteers for adoption days, dog transport, socialization and training, etc.

Anonymous wrote:I have been thinking about adopting an adult dog. Problem: I am a single parent and I WOHM. I leave my house at 7 15 AM and often don't get home until 5:30 or even later if it's a night where the kids have an activity.

I would like to adopt a dog that would otherwise be destroyed from a shelter, so I imagine being adopted by me is better than the fate that awaits it But, is it fair to the dog for me to adopt him/her if I am home so rarely? A pet sitter is not an option.

I realize much depends on the breed and the dog's temperment. But, is my wish to adopt a dog just unreasonable and unfair to the dog? Should I just forget it?

Thanks.

No, not fair. Do not proceed.

NO. If you cannot ensure that your dog is being walked once within the time frame when you are gone then no.

I do not see how a pet sitter "is not an option" for you but if you cannot cough up some extra money a month for a walker then do not adopt.

You don't appear to be a good candidate for owning a dog.

Anonymous wrote:Even adult dogs have difficulty holding a bladder for more than 10 hours. So, you'll have to solve the riddle of letting the dog out during the day.

Dog walkers typically charge about $15 a walk. So, that's $75 a week.

Doggy Day Care is about $500 a month.

If those expenses fit into you budget, along with the other expenses of having a dog (vet, grooming if necessary, toys and food), sure, go for it.

I agree with this.

If you cannot make arrangements for the dog to go out during the day with someone, then do not adopt a dog.

No, I don't think you should. Imagine adding another half hour to your morning routine. And imagine making your dog "hold it" for 10-12 hours or more while you're out of the house, plus another half hour or more while you make dinner and eat with your kids. unless you can afford a daily dog walker ($12-18 per walk) or doggie daycare, you should skip it. Dogsit for a friend for a month and see how it goes, but don't just adopt a dog without a real trial run. Ignored and under exercised dogs have behavioral problems, and you'll be setting all of you up for failure.

Do you have middle or high school kids in your neighborhood that you trust? you could hire one to walk the dog after school.

Agreed that this is a long time for a dog to hold it.

Even adult dogs have difficulty holding a bladder for more than 10 hours. So, you'll have to solve the riddle of letting the dog out during the day.

Dog walkers typically charge about $15 a walk. So, that's $75 a week.

Doggy Day Care is about $500 a month.

If those expenses fit into you budget, along with the other expenses of having a dog (vet, grooming if necessary, toys and food), sure, go for it.

No, go for it! So many pets need homes. You may need to get a dog walker or install a doggy door.

I have been thinking about adopting an adult dog. Problem: I am a single parent and I WOHM. I leave my house at 7 15 AM and often don't get home until 5:30 or even later if it's a night where the kids have an activity.

I would like to adopt a dog that would otherwise be destroyed from a shelter, so I imagine being adopted by me is better than the fate that awaits it But, is it fair to the dog for me to adopt him/her if I am home so rarely? A pet sitter is not an option.

I realize much depends on the breed and the dog's temperment. But, is my wish to adopt a dog just unreasonable and unfair to the dog? Should I just forget it?

Thanks.