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Post by oliverdickens on Dec 20, 2014 17:14:41 GMT
Hello everyone My reason for signing up is to get your advice. I currently rent a house with two friends, we are all mid twenties. I'm out the house from 7.30 till 5 (most days) my housemates both work shifts. Is it wise for us to get a dog? Obviously it would get walked morning and night. Any help/advice much appreciated Cheers
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Post by scallywag on Dec 20, 2014 19:01:45 GMT
Personally I would say no, its not fair to have a dog cooped up all day, you say it will be walked morning and night but how much company will the dog have during the day ? You can't just leave it to its own devises. Shift work is fine but... take it the night shift will be sleeping during the day ?
Not wanting to offend but you did ask.
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Post by beaglel1fe on Dec 20, 2014 19:36:29 GMT
Hi!
I don't think it would be fair on the dog really - it needs lots of time to be house trained and socialized which can't really be done with shifts like that. It can't be house trained nor socialized with that much time alone and could get lonely.
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Post by orpheous87 on Dec 20, 2014 22:16:24 GMT
Hi Oliver, What kind of shifts do your housemates work? I work 7.30 - 3.30 every weekday, but also still live with my parents and my mam works various shifts meaning that she often doesn't leave the house till lunchtime. This, in turn, means that the dogs are only left for 3 hours or so. My parents and brother also all have a day off each week, so the dogs are with someone more than they're not (if that makes sense). There are odd days when we're all out at the same time, but these are few and far between and our dogs are used to it now. If you look at rescue, you may well find a dog that's been used to being left for a few hours at a time and I would say that this would probably be a better choice than a puppy. Puppies definitely need a lot more company/supervision/interaction than an older dog might (not that they don't need company of course). I guess I have a slightly different POV to scallywag and beaglel1fe, though they have made very valid points. It is possible to work and have a dog, but it really does depend on the length of time the dog will be left alone.
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Post by oliverdickens on Dec 21, 2014 7:37:19 GMT
Cheers guys for your advice. My housemates work roughly 8 till 2 some days, then midday to 9 other days plus usually one of them has a day off or two a week. I guess I'd have to talk to them about there hours and rotas first
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Post by benki263 on Dec 21, 2014 13:48:40 GMT
I am a new member too. Welcome you
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