Hi guys! I've just signed up to your great forum as I've recently moved out of my family home and out on my own, and I'm very interested and excited to have a furry friend to live with me! Firstly, I've done a lot of research on the subject and have been slowly crossing certain breeds off the list of potential pals. And after doing this research, the Labrador is a breed that stands the test. The reason I'm here asking if a Labrador will suit me is because of my unique work hours and housing structure. I work early morning shift, so I'm up at 3am to get ready for work, and I'm ALWAYS home BEFORE midday. This means I have an abundance of time to spend with my pal ALL afternoon! Being close to a dog park, a Lab would get so much daily exercise with me they would be exhausted! (I'm also a very active person). Though these hours also mean that I'd be away from the house for this time, this could raise an issue. My unit isn't exactly big, it's a 2br with an open living area so there's lots of space, I even have a small courtyard out the back, but no traditional "yard" or grass. I also share a wall each side with two other units (so I'm one of three, and I'm the one in the middle). I'm worried about the chance of a Labrador suffering seperation anxiety and/or barking a lot during my absence, can Lab owners here possible provide some insight? I'm sorry for the long essay, but in summary, I have a small 2br unit that shares walls with other units, I'm at work during the morning for 6 to 8 hours, but home all afternoon and evening, I have an active lifestyle and have a LOT of love and exercise to give to a dog, and I'm wondering if a Lab suits my living style. Any thoughts? Thanks for reading guys Josh.
Hi Josh and welcome to the forum. Good for you for planning all this out beforehand rather than getting a puppy then panicking. My first thought is that you are still out for a "days work" and therefore will still need to deal with all the puppy training, potty training etc and probably need people in to help with comfort breaks etc. We often talk about using dog walkers and daycare and that isn't going to be easy with your work hours. So....are you thinking that the time you are at work is going to be "bedtime" for your puppy? You still have to sleep so there will still be another bedtime for you even if you are otherwise active. Hmm. It's still going to a challenge. No one knows whether you will have a calm dog or a dog that will howl the house down and rip up the floor with anxiety. What is your previous experience? And have you thought about an older rescue dog who may be more of a known quantity? Jac
Hey Jac! Thanks for your reply! I've definitely done a lot of research as I don't want to rush into getting a puppy and then be overwhelmed and regretful. You're basically spot on with what you said, I'm sort of viewing my time at work as my dogs "bedtime". Is it crazy to think that a lab would adapt to these times as it grows older? I was more leaning towards a puppy from a nearby reputable breeder as I wanted a dog that I could grow up with from a very young age, but would also consider a rescue dog, it would be a lot easier to determine which could stand some time home alone and those that couldn't, so that's definitely something I need to consider! My previous experience has always been with people in the house that were always around, eg. Dogs I've had in the past as a youth were never home alone, this is the first time as I'm moving out on my own. I'm quite happy to take some time out of work to dedicate myself to 24/7 supervision in terms of potty training, etc. I have some more research to do methinks! I appreciate your reply Jac!
Welcome to the forum Josh from Hattie 9 years and our rescue boy Charlie 6 years. It's always lovely to read about prospective owners thinking about how they will accommodate a puppy or rescue dog and not having to deal with things when they go wrong. 6-8 hours is a long time for any puppy to be left alone, especially Labradors who are extremely sociable and love their humans. Do you have any friends or family that could come and let your puppy out for toilet breaks, to play and keep it company throughout that time? Also when you get home from your shift won't you need to sleep, your puppy will be awake? Lots to think about but you are thinking about it which is extremely sensible. Keep in touch x
Welcome @joshua.shaw18 from me and my big yellow boy Pongo in South Wales. Just wanted to say well done for thinking this through so well before jumping in - whatever you decide to do, any dog you choose is obviously going to have a happy time with a really thoughtful owner. Good for you!
Thanks for all the positive input guys! I'm definitely putting a lot of thought into this and not rushing into it which is what I feel a lot of people do, and then end up regretting their decision and give their puppy to a shelter. I feel like if I went the route of rescuing a dog from a shelter instead of getting a puppy, I may be able to find the perfect pooch that isn't too hyperactive when they're left alone. This might also be a good idea in terms of initial training, I would always devote as much time as possible to training and loving my dog, but things like toilet training might be a little easier with a mature dog. The last time I had a dog was when I was a teenager and I'm 26 now, I would LOVE to give a furry friend a great loving home, but I understand that if my work life balance couldn't accommodate one, I would never bring a dog into a home where it wasn't taken care of. Any thoughts on a rescue dog vs a puppy? Have a lot of people here rescued dogs over getting puppies? Thanks for all the advice guys, I REALLY appreciate it! Josh
Hi Josh we have quite a few members on her who have rescues - currently and previously. Not all are plain sailing. Often they are IN a rescue because a previous owner can't cope with them. I think this is quite typical of 6-18 month old labradors in particular which is when their stroppy hooligan teenage behaviour can become unmanageable (not every lab, but a fair few!). A good rescue will be careful about who they re-home to, and in fact many will not, absolutely never re-home to a working individual or family even if they have access and funds for dog walkers or daycare. Certainly in the UK. A great shame as many looking for a rescue are organised and have well thought through the consequences of a pet. I think you are US? (your use of unit and yard make me presume that....could be wrong!) and I have no idea at all about rescues in the US or other areas of the work, many are just glad to move an animal on I would be guessing. Being a single parent to a puppy can be pretty tough. Being a single parent to a stroppy teenager can be even tougher! An older dog could be a possibility but why are they in rescue? Good to get a history. Even better to have a "try before you buy" approach. It may be worthwhile sounding out some rescues in your area. Probably NOT a good idea to go down and have a look right off, as you may well bring a dog home there and then and that isn't in your master plan I suspect! Its the eyes....... Are you looking for a lab, or considering all breeds? I'm sure I read in Pippa's new book (the Choosing a puppy one) that dogs like greyhounds and whippets are pretty much couch potatoes when not out exerciseing, though do like a chase so need exercise in safe areas. In fact, have you heard of/read Pippa Mattinson's "Choosing the Perfect Puppy"? You might find it actually quite useful to help decide where you are going here. jac
If you can take the first month off work and then arrange someone to pop in in the morning for an hour (say between 7am and 8am) and are prepared to cope with interrupted sleep for a fair bit (outdoor pee trips) then I think a puppy is do-able. I'd also consider other more couch-potatoey and less people focused breeds though, as drjs@5 suggests.
My first dog as an adult was a rescue (an adult springer spaniel). I'd say if you go down the rescue route, the key thing is to find out why the dog is being rehomed. My springer had a gorgeous nature and her only problem was obsessive food stealing, yet she'd had four homes before me. To me the food thing wasn't a problem -I couldn't cure it but managed by just never leaving food within reach -yet to her previous homes it had clearly been a big issue. So I'd say ask what problem the rescue has and think about whether it's something you can live with. On the other hand, a puppy could work with a bit of support in the first year.
Our First Lab, Ginger, was a 4 yr old rescue. She was a wonderful dog, and very well trained. We never really understood why she ended up at the humane society, but the story was that her owners were leaving the country and could not take her. She could have adapted to your situation quite well, and she was home alone some days with no problem. We got to see her grown up temperament before we took her so that helped a lot. She also had two young kittens to watch over. They grew up thinking she was mom. The Oregon Humane Society is pretty picky about who they give dogs to. They whole family has to come to the pound and be interviewed. We would not have gotten Ginger if we were a day later. Dogs that look healthy and well behaved don't stay long. Obviously problem dogs are much more available. You have to look at each dog to see if they fit your lifestyle. Labs can be very laid back quiet dogs once they are grown. Ours will play hard when they can, but often just lie around and sleep it there is nothing to do. Since then we have had two puppies, but we were home to take care of them. They would not have done well as pups if we had to be gone 8 hrs each day. After 6 months or perhaps a year it might have been ok, but it depends on the dog, and there is no way to know when you start with an 8 week old pup.
Your routine won't work for the tiny puppy months - but there are ways round that if you are prepared to pay for puppy care, although you'd still need a fair slug of time off work at first. If you can get through the puppy months, and it would be very important to you that you had a quiet, settled dog that didn't bark, then you could cope so long as you could employ a dog walker for an early morning walk. My adult dogs would cope with your routine without problem. They stay in bed anyway until about 8am, then have a walk (with a dog walker because although either myself or OH are at home we are working), and they would then cope easily until midday. Although, whether they would stay in bed until 8am if I got up at 3am, I don't know. I stay in bed as late as I can at any opportunity, and my dogs have adopted the same habits. I do also suppose it depends what time you are going to bed. My two have last wees etc. at about 9pm, then they sleep through to 8am.
JulieT is right, you will need a lot of support in the early months if you get a pup. I have three dogs here at the moment, my friend's Lab is with us while she's on holiday. My brother lives with us for three days a week and he leaves the house very early. None of the dogs or pups have woken when he leaves. I think you would have to go out quietly, like he does - he uses his phone torch rather than put the lights on.
As someone said further up, consider other breeds like greyhounds. We had a greyhound as our first dog and they are fantastic dogs that despite what some people may think are very cuddly. Id recommend them to anyone. The only thing i would say is that although they are major couch potatoes and do love to sleep all day long they are fairly susceptible to seperation anxiety. If you think about it, the rescues are often from racing backgrounds so will have mainly been in kennels surrounded by other dogs until they are retired. Then they are in rescue centres, again surrounded by other greyhounds and occassionally people. To then go into a home, where they are expected to learn to toilet outside (again, often a really big task regardless of the age. You have to treat them like puppies), its a massive shock to them. Our boy struggled continuously and it was so difficult to manage. But, if you find a good rescue centre they will pair you up with a dog that they know can cope with slightly longer periods, and generally let you foster for a month before being committed. Its in the interests of you and the dog.
If you are in the US, being single and employed doesn't need to rule you out as an adopter. Humane Societies can be more picky or they can be total free-for-alls, depending on the jurisdiction. Considering that you are looking for a dog who can adapt to your lifestyle, I would suggest that you DON'T start with a Humane Society or animal control shelter, but look into your local rescue groups which keep their available dogs in foster homes. Being able to talk to the foster family will give you a much better idea of how a dog will act in your own home. Dogs understandably have much different behaviour in a shelter kennel than in the home. Also a rescue group will see you more as an individual than ticking boxes in a check list. Regarding @drjs@5 comment above, you also need to be cautious about the reputation of the rescue group and do your due diligence. There are rescues (and humane societies) that WILL tell you anything to move a dog. This isn't malicious - they are trying to save animals after all - but it isn't in your best interest either. There are usually pet fairs on the weekends in places like Petsmart (I'm assuming you are in the US) and this is a great chance to visit a few times, see if there are people there you like, see what their dogs are like. You will get a good gut feel. Hint: the more they grill YOU about what you can offer a dog the better they are. If you feel like you've just been through a police interrogation, that's a keeper! Purebred rescue in the US can be notoriously picky about who they adopt to, but you could also try your local Labrador rescue. I agree wholeheartedly with @Aimee Lawrence on the greyhound idea if you aren't yet 100% certain on Labs. I was looking into fostering them when I left the US and they seem wonderful - VERY calm indoors, even right off the track. A very healthy, long-lived breed and primo cuddlers. So many need fostering that there is also the "rent to own" option of fostering before you decide. Even if you decide your foster isn't your forever dog, you will have learned a lot about what works for you and helped a dog in the process. Good luck!
We have a rescue dog, Charlie a Labrador x Pointer who we adopted at 9 months, he has been very, very, very difficult to train which is an understatement, he is now 6 years old. Be very certain you know as much about the dogs background as possible or you could end up in an even worse situation then getting a puppy. Most Labrador or Labrador crosses are sent into rescue from around 6 months to 18 months due to training issues. We were not told any of this until months after he came to live with us and frankly we were totally mislead by the fosterer. We looked into his eyes and we were hooked Don't make this mistake. We love Charlie to bits and he is part of our familyfor the rest of his life, no doubt, he has been worth every single second of the enormous amount of training we have done and still do, literally thousands of hours, but if you don't have the time it would be a nightmare for you. There are of course rescue dogs that just slot into life and are never an ounce of trouble and will be your best friend. I agree totally about a Whippet or Greyhound, lots of them where I live and they are wonderful, they don't need the amount of exercise people think they need, they are calm and gentle Keep talking and thinking which is great. A dog is out there for you that's for sure xx
