New Dog

[Sharen Hatchling Find all posts View Profile Close Sharen]

I live in a single parent family where my mom is a doctor. She really wants to get a dog because she wants an excercise companion and someone to greet her and be with her when she gets home from work.The big problem is i dont think we have the time to take care of one. It would be alone for 6 hours atleast everyday and for a active family with no stay-at-home family members it seems the dog would not lead a very happy life.Dont get me wrong, i love dogs but i dont think we can support one.....How can i convince her thats its just not a good idea!!!And if she does how can i keep it from being miserable!!Thanks in advance

[kerryclair Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close kerryclair]

Do you have a yard - where would the dog stay during the day? Is this an apartment?

A dog, with another dog as a companion, could be very happy at home 6 hours a day and then getting to go for a run or exercise with your mom at night and/or in the morning, etc.

I do not think this is an undoable situation.
It depends on how much exercise you can give the dog and where he will stay during the day.

[Sharen Hatchling Find all posts View Profile Close Sharen]

We live in a moderate sized single story home with a fairly large backyard. The dog would most likely stay outside but it would be possible for us to arrange indoor acomodations if we had to. But the big problem seems to be that the dog would be alone for mostly six hours on weekdays and maybe eight one or two days everyweek and it might not be possible to get two dogs.

[kerryclair Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close kerryclair]

Well Sharen I have to be honest, it depends on the dog. For some dogs that would be way too long. For others, as long as the rest of their time was quality, it would be just fine. ESPECIALLY if they had a little friend to play with...

My main concern is about the dog staying outside - do you mean 24 hours? Always outside? THAT is a really bad environment for a dog. They do not bond properly when they live outside full time and you may have training and other issues. Or did you just mean while you guys were not home the dog would be outside?

[kerryclair Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close kerryclair]

To add to that,...some dogs live in shelters. They are there all day, 24 hours a day in a run. Some have a scheduled day set up that they will be euthanized.

Some see a human being for maybe 5 minutes a day at feeding time.

For them, your place sounds like a dream.
Your mom sounds like a dream.

So if it is a case of loving a dog and welcoming them into your life, or leaving them sit there and be put to sleep because there are not enough homes...well, that dog might just not think 6 hours is too long to go without you.

Just a thought...
If your mom does get a dog, please consider rescue.

[Sharen Hatchling Find all posts View Profile Close Sharen]

No no the dog would be outside possibly for the time we are gone, all other time he would be wherever we are. Thank you for all the help and I will really take it to heart.

[kerryclair Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close kerryclair]

Sharen, let us know what you decided!
Keep us posted.

[Sharen Hatchling Find all posts View Profile Close Sharen]

Well it looks like might be getting a poodle/labrador mix from a breeder. We checked all the shelters in our area and they dont have any dogs that arent on rserve right now.......................ill keep you updated

[Sharen Hatchling Find all posts View Profile Close Sharen]

Ok well we went to a poodle breeder. Very nice breeder, very nice place,somewhat freaked out dogs(that was the toy poodles atleast), very cute minature poodle puppies. I looked the breeder up and she has a very good rep. When i mentioned labradoodles she gave me this speech about why they are the lowest scum on this earth. I am still opting for a labradoodle or shelter dog though!My mom is prabobly going to win this battle so we might end up with a minature poodle which isent the end of the world.............

[RedyreRottweilers Cub Find all posts View Profile Close RedyreRottweilers]

Please realize that anyone crossing labradors and poodles is ignorant, and can in no way have the best interests of either breed at heart.

Crossing these 2 dogs was done as an experiement for guide dogs in Australia. The breeding program was disbanded after they found it impossible to get second generation dogs to breed true as to coat and size.

Choosing the breeder from whom you buy your dog is one of THE most important decisions you will make in the lifetime of your puppy.

Please take the time to educate yourself, and choose wisely.

Good breeders screen well, show their dogs, do all health testing, sell ONLY with a signed legal contract, require spay/neuter of all pet animals, are members of their respective National breed clubs, and keep their dogs in a clean and healthy environment without overcrowding.

Good breeders ask potential homes lots of questions so that they can make sure their puppies are going to forever homes who are responsible and loving.

Some links for more information:

http://www.woodhavenlabs.com/breeding.html

http://www.rottie-l.org/questions4breeder.html

http://www.bonafido.org/findagoodbreeder.htm

Good luck!

[Sharen Hatchling Find all posts View Profile Close Sharen]

Thank you for the information, I now realize why everyone is so against the idea of labradoodles. I went to see the minature poodle breeder and the acccomodations for the dogs were very neat and clean. She says both parent lines for her dogs have had any genetic problems and she runs full genetic screening tests for all her dogs.She also gives a Five year hip and eye warrenty for genetic problems. The pupppies seemed very clean if not a bit shy. She didnt have any dogs available right then but she came very highly reccomended by the vet in our area. I looked at the parent dogs and both seemed like nice dogs.........if you have any more tips feel free!

[hoypinoy1234 Hatchling Find all posts View Profile Close hoypinoy1234]

8 hours is nothing. During the week, I leave my shepherd/collie mix alone for 10 to 12 hours and she's fine. How do I know this? I spy on her at work with my webcam. Her routine is sleep, get up, look around, lay down, sleep. Repeat 10 times until me or my GF comes home. Dogs lead very boring lives.

[RedyreRottweilers Cub Find all posts View Profile Close RedyreRottweilers]

8 hours is nothing. During the week, I leave my shepherd/collie mix alone for 10 to 12 hours and she's fine. How do I know this? I spy on her at work with my webcam. Her routine is sleep, get up, look around, lay down, sleep. Repeat 10 times until me or my GF comes home. Dogs lead very boring lives.

It is not OK in any way to leave ANY dog alone for more than 6 to 7 hours and not give the dog a chance to empty it's bladder.

10 to 12 hours is abuse IMO.

Dogs should NEVER be required to hold urine in their bladder that long.

:evil:

[Juanita-(Spirit-Rainbow) Cub Find all posts View Profile Close Juanita-(Spirit-Rainbow)]

Sharen,

I have to pose the question about where you live and what the weather will be like when you leave the dog outside. In places with extreme weather, especially, that's something to really think about. Here in Arizona and other parts of the Desert Southwest, summers are brutal. And while there are so many people who leave dogs outside "with some shade" and water even in the heat of the summer, I'm totally against that! On the other end of the thermometer, are the really cold winters in some places.

I'm glad your new friend will be with the family when you're home. They really enjoy that, and are so happy to be reunited in the afternoon/evening. :)

[Juanita-(Spirit-Rainbow) Cub Find all posts View Profile Close Juanita-(Spirit-Rainbow)]

hoypinoy1234 & Redyre,

My girls are really spoiled since I'm home almost all the time with them. I'm fortunate that I can work out of home, etc. And have done so for many, many years now.

I do remember when I first got Taffy (I) so many years ago. I was working and leaving in my own apartment at the time. Taffy and her cat-friend April, spent the day at home alone while I worked. And we all know, despite the "9-to-5" term, most jobs are a minimum of 8-1/2 to 9 hours. Add in drive time, and you're up probably up to at least 9-1/2 hours away from home.

While that may not be "ideal" it's not necessarily being cruel either. There are so many factors in any person's equation, imho. And some of it depends largely on the individual dog. Some of the smaller breeds, with the small bladders might have more problems. (side note here: the really small breeds can actually be trained to use a large litter box like a cat!) The English Cocker we rescued had to be confined to his crate whenever we were gone and at night, so the longer hours would have been more of a problem for him.

Some people hire dog walkers to fill in each day and solve some of this problem. . . .

Others install doggie doors. . . .

Bottom line, imho, is that it all depends, and depends on each set of circumstances. And as Kerry so eloquently put it, the hours alone combined with the family time can be soooooo much better than the alternative for so many animals. . . .