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missymoo
LIF Infant
Member since 1/08 215 total posts
Name:
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Dog Owners who work full time
what do you do with your Dog during the day? Do they stay in your house? A cage? do you have a doggy door??
We really want to get a dog but both work full time and just do not feel it is right to leave the poor dog alone for 12 hours  we don't know what to do.
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Posted 9/30/08 3:07 PM  |
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mikeandjess
LIF Adult
Member since 10/07 2278 total posts
Name:
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Re: Dog Owners who work full time
honestly, if the dog is going to be alone for that long, I wouldn't get one. Unless you have a neighbor that can come and feed the dog or hire a dog walker?
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| Posted 9/30/08 3:18 PM |
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missymoo
LIF Infant
Member since 1/08 215 total posts
Name:
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Re: Dog Owners who work full time
Posted by mikeandjess
honestly, if the dog is going to be alone for that long, I wouldn't get one. Unless you have a neighbor that can come and feed the dog or hire a dog walker?
ya that's how we feel. It's just too long not to be home 
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| Posted 9/30/08 3:27 PM |
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GioiaMia
Let's Go Rangers!
Member since 1/07 14818 total posts
Name:
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Re: Dog Owners who work full time
Posted by missymoo
what do you do with your Dog during the day? Do they stay in your house? A cage? do you have a doggy door??
We really want to get a dog but both work full time and just do not feel it is right to leave the poor dog alone for 12 hours we don't know what to do.
12 hours is a LONG time. I have a friend who is away from her dog for 8 hours and has a dog walker come for a half hour walk and half hour play in the middle of the day.
We are lucky because DH can bring Brutus to work. If we had to leave a dog alone for that long I don't think we would have gotten one.
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| Posted 9/30/08 3:28 PM |
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Diana712
RIP my beloved Brother Richard
Member since 5/07 6710 total posts
Name:
Diana
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Re: Dog Owners who work full time
This will be just as horrible for you.. Trust me.. The guilt you will have would be unbearible.. Its not enjoyment when you feel guilty.. Its bad.. I cant even leave my dog for 5 hours without flipping out!
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| Posted 9/30/08 3:31 PM |
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zoe282
We have our miracle!
Member since 8/08 3634 total posts
Name:
Jen
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Re: Dog Owners who work full time
How about a small dog that can use wee wee pads. I work from home but my sister has a dog and it stays home during the day. It can go to the bathroom on pads during the day. I guess it's tough when you are gone from like 9-5 but i think most of the world has to do that right? I have a bunch of friends who's dogs are home during the day themselves....I'm just lucky to be home with my dog..
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| Posted 9/30/08 3:51 PM |
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TheLorax
LOVE
Member since 2/06 5581 total posts
Name:
Suzanne / SuzBride
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Re: Dog Owners who work full time
Teemu goes to Doggie Day care. It can add up ($$$), but it is worth it IMO!
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| Posted 9/30/08 3:54 PM |
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Kara
Now Zagat Rated!
Member since 3/07 13217 total posts
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They call me "Tater Salad"
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Re: Dog Owners who work full time
Posted by missymoo
Posted by mikeandjess
honestly, if the dog is going to be alone for that long, I wouldn't get one. Unless you have a neighbor that can come and feed the dog or hire a dog walker?
ya that's how we feel. It's just too long not to be home
Yes, this is the exact reason why we don't have dogs right now. We're gone a minimum of 12 hours most days and out and about on the weekends, too. As much as we miss having dogs, right now just isn't the right time. 
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| Posted 9/30/08 3:57 PM |
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lucyloo
nope
Member since 1/06 9758 total posts
Name:
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Re: Dog Owners who work full time
12 hours is a bit long unless you can get someone to walk it during the day.
We are usually gone 9 hours and she is fine. Sometimes 10 hours and she is anxious by that point.
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| Posted 9/30/08 4:22 PM |
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timanda
Puppy Love
Member since 6/08 1627 total posts
Name:
Amanda
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Re: Dog Owners who work full time
My puppy was a gift, that I really should not have ever been given. I work f/t and it was horrible leaving her alone starting from the first full day after I got her.
For one thing the guilt I felt was tremendous. It broke my heart to see how desparate she was for affection and attention because she spent most of her time alone. 
Also puppies require so much attention, time and energy to teach them proper behavior and train them correctly, and for me at least it was impossible for me to train her efectively with such a small amount of time with her. You might do fine with this though, depending on the type of dog too.
Just something to keep in mind.
ETA: I couldnt and still can't afford day care for her. But I've heard its great for dogs if you can afford it. That would be the way to go!
Message edited 9/30/2008 4:44:32 PM.
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| Posted 9/30/08 4:43 PM |
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Prettypit03
LIF Infant
Member since 3/08 179 total posts
Name:
Jenn
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Re: Dog Owners who work full time
I have been able to leave Blue with the run of the house since she was 5 months, I think mainly because our "first fur baby" Mercedes, taught her the right thing to do. Now that Mercedes is gone it is taking her a while to do the normal things she used to, eat, sleep, bark, but not going in the house "stuck". The puppy, Trinity on the other hand just turned a year and still needs to be crated because she still goes in the house and is very mischievous!!!!!! She is the smartest and dumbest dog you will ever meet. I dont see 12 hours as too excessive only because if you are home from 9pm and wake up at 9am (like on a weekend) and the dog doesnt go out during that time period then work shouldnt be an issue. Sorry if I rambled a little....
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| Posted 9/30/08 4:46 PM |
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mom2mgn
Love my family
Member since 2/08 2267 total posts
Name:
Christine
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Re: Dog Owners who work full time
Our dogs stay home alone. They have each other and the cats to keep them company. Honestly, even on the weekends when I am home, all they do is sleep all day. They are excited when we come home but I don't think they miss us during the day.
I do have to add, when we first got them, DH worked off hours so he was home a lot. It wasn't like bam, they are home 10 hours by themselves. We had to build up to that
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| Posted 9/30/08 4:59 PM |
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greenfreak
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Member since 9/06 11483 total posts
Name:
greenfreak
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Re: Dog Owners who work full time
We have a midday dog walker so that Brinkley is never alone or without exercise for more than 5 hours. And he's 9 months old already. Not to mention, today is the second day of this and he chewed the crate pad today!  
Doggie Day Care sounds interesting. It would have to be the same or less in price and be very close to my house though. The closest one I see is in Port Jeff. 
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| Posted 9/30/08 8:50 PM |
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Re: Dog Owners who work full time
Lilly is in her crate for about 6-8 hours (depending if I have anything going on after work that I need to stay for). She's totally crate-trained and will not "go" in there, but by the time I get home, she will be very anxious to get out. If it's a late day at work for me, I totally stress out about getting home to her.
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| Posted 9/30/08 8:58 PM |
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Gertyrae
Peace out Homies!
Member since 5/05 20046 total posts
Name:
Gerty ®
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Re: Dog Owners who work full time
Misty is alone every weekday for a minimum of 11 hours...and she's fine.
She has full run of the house (she was crated until last summer) and does nothing but sleep all day.
I do make sure to take her for a nice long walk/run in the morning so she doesn't have pent up energy and I let her out back to go "peepee" last thing before I go to work.
I don't think we are being bad parents, she is one of the happiest, well-behaved and loving weimaraners I've ever met, so we must be doing something right.
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| Posted 9/30/08 10:36 PM |
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luckysmom
Yes it is! Going as planned:)
Member since 6/07 5339 total posts
Name:
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Re: Dog Owners who work full time
Porter is in his crate(I call it his Co-op b/c it's so big) from 6:45 Am to about 6:30pm and Lucky is gated in the kitchen. Both of them are fine. We take them out as soon as we get home. They eat, and then goout. I also work 4 days so they are alone four days a week. The day i am home and on the weekends they are NEVER crated or gated. They come to my parents with us and just hang out with us.
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| Posted 9/30/08 10:42 PM |
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Goobster
:)
Member since 5/07 27557 total posts
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:)
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Re: Dog Owners who work full time
Posted by mikeandjess
honestly, if the dog is going to be alone for that long, I wouldn't get one. Unless you have a neighbor that can come and feed the dog or hire a dog walker?
I personally agree. Dogs need companionship, and puppies could never go alone that long. My dogs would be out of their minds if left alone 12 hours a day. They actually are very needy and can't even handle more than 4 hours a day alone.
To the OP, I understand you want a dog. We wanted a dog for years but actually did not get one b/c of these reasons, only it would have been 8 hrs, not 12. We finally got our dogs when we would not have to leave them alone for more than 4 hrs a day....
My dog never sleeps, very anxious (ya never know how a dog's personality will turn out to be), and he literally stands by our back door for as many hours as we are gone. It's heartbreaking. Yet my girl dog, same breed, will nap and is just fine with being alone for a few hours (never would I attempt more than a few, I get them a babysitter if it's going to be more than 6 hrs). That's why we got my girl dog, b/c we felt terrible leaving our boy alone b/c he is so needy.
Message edited 10/1/2008 3:17:45 AM.
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| Posted 10/1/08 3:08 AM |
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Goobster
:)
Member since 5/07 27557 total posts
Name:
:)
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Re: Dog Owners who work full time
Posted by zoe282
How about a small dog that can use wee wee pads. I work from home but my sister has a dog and it stays home during the day. It can go to the bathroom on pads during the day. I guess it's tough when you are gone from like 9-5 but i think most of the world has to do that right? I have a bunch of friends who's dogs are home during the day themselves....I'm just lucky to be home with my dog..
Keep in mind, it's not just about where will they poop, pee or when they will eat though. Animals have needs for much more than basic care, such as companionship, love and attention that are very important in the care of a dog, ESP puppy. Many small dogs are very anxious and needy, and would be tortured if alone that long everyday.
Message edited 10/1/2008 3:18:51 AM.
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| Posted 10/1/08 3:12 AM |
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Gertyrae
Peace out Homies!
Member since 5/05 20046 total posts
Name:
Gerty ®
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Re: Dog Owners who work full time
Posted by mikeandjess
honestly, if the dog is going to be alone for that long, I wouldn't get one.
See, I don't think this is a fair blanket statement. Our dog is totally fine with being left alone for that long and always has been.
If the dog gets enough exercise and is given plenty of love and attention when you are home - it's not that much of an issue.
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| Posted 10/1/08 6:59 AM |
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mikeandjess
LIF Adult
Member since 10/07 2278 total posts
Name:
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Re: Dog Owners who work full time
Posted by Gertyrae
Posted by mikeandjess
honestly, if the dog is going to be alone for that long, I wouldn't get one.
See, I don't think this is a fair blanket statement. .
that's fine, my statement was my opinion. I understand others feel differently. I'm basing my opinion on my situation with my dog. I'm not condemning others for leaving their dog along for 12 hours, if it works for them and their dog then great but the OP asked for our opinions and what I posted was mine.
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| Posted 10/1/08 8:15 AM |
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sleepie76
enjoying every minute
Member since 12/07 3881 total posts
Name:
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Re: Dog Owners who work full time
My dog can go 12 hours a day.
I wouldn't recommend a puppy for 12 hours. if you get a dog from a shelter, they can usually tell you if the dog is used to being home all day.
In my experience, Older dogs are calmer and can handle 12 hours no problem.
Most people work full time and have dogs.
We have a dog house & if it's a nice day they stay in the backyard.
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| Posted 10/1/08 8:34 AM |
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Goobster
:)
Member since 5/07 27557 total posts
Name:
:)
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Re: Dog Owners who work full time
Posted by sleepie76
I wouldn't recommend a puppy for 12 hours. if you get a dog from a shelter, they can usually tell you if the dog is used to being home all day.
In my experience, Older dogs are calmer and can handle 12 hours no problem.
Most people work full time and have dogs.
We have a dog house & if it's a nice day they stay in the backyard.
I def agree, no puppy can go 12 hours a day alone. Older dogs are generally calmer however keep in mind, some breeds (esp some small breeds) never lose their energy even into old age. Just going based on my neighborhood, even though most people work full time, most cases people work different shifts than their SO. Or they have at least one family member who does enter the home before 8 hours. For ex, my neighbors young teen daughter or son usually come home from school and walk the dog, etc, so the dog really isn't alone for 8 hrs.
Not disputing you or your situation, or saying it doesn't work for you. 
Just want the OP to know, one would only know once they already have the dog a long time what they dog was capable of handling to still remain happy and well taken care of. You just never know what the dog's personality will be like. My dogs could NEVER handle being in a backyard for any length of time alone. They eat junk off the floor constantly, would bark constantly. In my situation, leaving my dogs out would be torture for them and my neighbors for that matter. It could also pose a danger for dogs to be left out alone (encounters with animals where they could get injured, or stolen, etc).
Again, just wanted the OP to see all sides of these situations before deciding. I personally find too many people don't look at all sides of the situation before getting a dog and the dog suffers the consequence. I give the OP credit for thinking ahead and asking us to share.
Message edited 10/1/2008 8:55:57 AM.
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| Posted 10/1/08 8:42 AM |
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greenfreak
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Member since 9/06 11483 total posts
Name:
greenfreak
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Re: Dog Owners who work full time
I agree that you can't plan for a personality. There are also environmental factors that can have an affect. The food they eat, the noise in the neighborhood...
Our general goal is to upgrade our dog from the crate to a room to the whole house. However, judging by his chewing/licking behaviors right now, we have a long road ahead of us. Perhaps when he is out of doggie puberty. 
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| Posted 10/1/08 8:55 AM |
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sleepie76
enjoying every minute
Member since 12/07 3881 total posts
Name:
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Re: Dog Owners who work full time
Posted by Goobster
Posted by sleepie76
I wouldn't recommend a puppy for 12 hours. if you get a dog from a shelter, they can usually tell you if the dog is used to being home all day.
In my experience, Older dogs are calmer and can handle 12 hours no problem.
Most people work full time and have dogs.
We have a dog house & if it's a nice day they stay in the backyard.
I agree, no puppy can go 12 hours a day alone. Older dogs are generally calmer however some breeds, esp some small breeds, never lose their energy even into old age. Just going based on my neighborhood, even though most people work full time, most cases people work different shifts than their SO. Or they have at least one family member who does enter the home before 8 hours. For ex, my neighbors young teen daughter or son usually come home from school and walk the dog, etc, so the dog really isn't alone for 8 hrs.
Just wanted to put this out there for the OP, so she can look at all sides of the coin...not saying it doesn't work for you. Just want to stress one would only know once they have the dog a long time what they dog was capable of handling to still remain happy and well taken care of. And one point I would like to make again is, you just never know what the dog's personality will be like. My dogs could NEVER handle being in a backyard. They eat junk off the floor constantly, would bark constantly, and keep in mind it can pose a danger for dogs to be left out alone (encounters with animals where they could get injured, etc).
True, but -
I'm gonna go out on a limb here and say that people on here with little dogs are saying no way, while people with larger dogs are saying it's possible. From what I've seen so far....
I'm not taking a 5 lb dog and putting it in the backyard, I'm putting a 75lb dog in a large fully fenced yard. On a nice day, he will actually prefer to be outside. You'll find him subathing on the lawn, running around the backyard with a toy, chilling in his doghouse.
i'm not sure what wild animal will come after a dog in the middle of the day on Long Island.
raccoons at night. But that usually is my dog chasing them, not them chasing my dog.
The poster would have to do research find out which breeds would be best.
Message edited 10/1/2008 9:10:29 AM.
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| Posted 10/1/08 9:02 AM |
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Goobster
:)
Member since 5/07 27557 total posts
Name:
:)
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Re: Dog Owners who work full time
Posted by sleepie76
True, but -
I'm gonna go out on a limb here and say that people on here with little dogs are saying no way, while people with larger dogs are saying it's possible. From what I've seen so far....
I'm not taking a 5 lb dog and putting it in the backyard, I'm putting a 75lb dog in a large fully fenced yard. On a nice day, he will actually prefer to be outside. You'll find him subathing on the lawn, running around the backyard with a toy, chilling in his doghouse.
i'm not sure what wild animal will come after a dog in the middle of the day on Long Island.
raccoons at night. But that usually is my dog chasing them, not them chasing my dog.
The poster would have to do research find out which breeds would be best.
I agree, seems like the trend (smaller vs larger and their needs). I do agree, most larger breeds are more calm than the little breeds.
As for animals, I meant anything at all... cats, squirrels, rabbits, birds, possums, chipmunks, etc, any kind of animal that your dog could get a hold of (and who might injure your dog trying to escape from the dog). My dogs did corner a bird twice while I was in my tiny yard with them and it was heartbreaking for the bird (luckily I chased them away from the bird and he managed to escape). But I have seen my dogs tag team up against a squirrel or rabbit and if I wasn't there, it would not have been a pretty sight for either one.
Message edited 10/1/2008 9:25:40 AM.
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| Posted 10/1/08 9:15 AM |
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