Hi all, It's been a good couple of months since I've last posted here, I hope everyone is doing well. I am feeling a little desperate so hoping some of you can give me some advice. Penny is now 6 months old and doing great, however our lives have taken a bit of a sudden change and the opportunity for me to teach has arisen, it was something we didn't foresee when we got her. We are trying to consider our options and whether it is fair to keep her, or if she should be re-homed (which makes me very sad). What I need to try and understand is what are the demands that I must meet to ensure she is happy if she does stay. I am able to walk her in the morning, and then leave for work. Through the day she will then need to stay at home for up to 10 hours, but during this time I can have someone visit her twice to play and go in the garden for a run around, 30 mins ish per visit, maybe a little more or less. I will be able to leave her toys, a stuffed kong etc, and then walk her and give her attention when my partner and I return home. We will of course spend more time and make a fuss of her on the weekends. Is this adequate? or would the right thing to do be to re-home her so she can have the time she needs. Ultimately we need Penny to be happy, even if it means making the hard choice. Cheers all Tom P.S We are also considering sending her to doggy day care for 1 day per week too, but can't afford much more care than 1 day per week + the 2 visits at home per day.
Re: Life changes.. Wow exciting times in your house and congratulations on your new opportunity On to your question...... the answer is that old chestnut...it depends....on your dog and on you. There are plenty of dogs that cope with their owners working full time and plenty that would not. In my personal opinion dogs need company and stimulation throughout the day. I sometimes leave Riley all day and try and make sure someone comes in every 3 hours or so. This is unusual though and I'm not sure what he'd be like if we did it 5 days a week. There was a thread on this topic a little while ago, some strong feelings but some really good thoughts and insights. Have a read and see if that helps your thought processes: http://www.thelabradorsite.com/forums/index.php/topic,2328.0.html
Re: Life changes.. Hello there It probably does depend on the dog. If she is happy and adjusts to that routine, it's fine. You could try and see? Before you make a decision? My boy has to cope with really random routines. Sometimes he is with me all day, sometimes he is on his own going out with a dog walker, sometimes day care. I'd say if I had to leave him for 10 hours, he'd be better off having an hour's walk with other dogs in the middle of the day, then I'd know he would snooze the afternoon away. But that's just my dog, yours might be completely different. There is a fair bit you can do to get them to settle at home alone - chew toys (masses of food stuffed toys, loads of different ones, containing most of their food allowance, not just one chew toy) getting them used to you leaving and good things happening, having them spend time relaxing where you leave them when you are at home etc.
Re: Life changes.. Hi Barbara, Thanks for your reply. I thought that I may be unintentionally opening up a debate with no right answer. I had a quick browse over some of the posts on the other thread and naturally am drawn to the ones which favour keeping my pup. I am just torn apart by the situation. I feel helpless/irresponsible/idiotic, but understand I couldn't predict the future. The thought of giving up Pen is probably the one of the hardest things I have ever had to deal with. I just don't know what to do. Tom
Re: Life changes.. Hi Tom, I sympathise, my work could change any time and giving up Riley would break my heart. I think the message to take from the other thread is twofold - don't rush into anything and where there's a will there's a way but it might be a LOT of work You have a few things to your advantage....she's not a baby, you have a couple (or more) daycare options and you have a bit of time to get her used to the changes and assess how she's managing. Best of luck with your decision
Re: Life changes.. Hi Tom , I cant really add to whats already been said , what it boils down to is each dog is an individual and therefore act differently in these situation . I just wanted to say take your time , I can really sense the sadness in your posts and hope whatever you chose to do works out for the best, for all of you .
Re: Life changes.. Sorry you're having this awful dilemma. It sounds like all you want is the best for your dog and like others have said - you can't predict the future. I'm not sure my dog would cope being alone for 10 hours everyday as i'd imagine she'd be lonely (i'm no expert about dogs - assuming they get lonely) but they are adaptable and there are things you are/can do to play it by ear. There's a programme on tv this week about dogs being left in the house while owners are at work! Might be worth looking out for it. Also, would a companion help? Two dogs are probably the worst idea ever but just putting it out there. My dog goes to stay with my niece who has a chihuahua and they are bosom buddies. I'm sure someone more knowledgeable than me will be able to say if its a workable idea or not. There's a dog tv channel coming on apparently too! It's obviously a common issue. Good luck and congrats on your new job xx
Re: Life changes.. Don't despair Tom, many people manage to work full time and keep a dog, and if you are determined and can guarantee her a couple of runs out with other people during the day, it will probably work. But I would encourage you to get her used to being alone slowly. Good luck!
Re: Life changes.. Thanks all for your comments, it's given me some really useful things to think about. I just got off the phone with a lady who runs a small dog day care business locally and she was very helpful. She offers a half day service where she would collect Penny, take her out for walks with other pups and tire her out, as well as give Pen great socialisation with other dogs for 4 hours a day (just to clarify that's not a crazy 4 hour walk, but as part of the time). She suggested that two half days per week would probably be adequate in meeting Penny's needs, with family popping in twice per day on the other days. I am also going to use toys to deliver some of her meals to keep her occupied. I should have mentioned earlier that we have had days where we have left her before for around 8 hours with someone coming in every 3 hours ish and she has been fine. It's usually my mum who comes over and she gives her loads of play outside and Pen is normally crashed out when I get home. But the obvious issue is that now it is going to be regularly 5 days per week and maybe a little more than 8 hours. I feel positive though that this could be a way in which we are able to stay together. It's going to take hard work. We will create routine and have to manage our time, but at least with both Faye and I teaching we get lots of holidays, in-fact I just added up the weekend days + holidays and it adds up to almost half the year. I hope it can work, I really really do. Thanks so much for your support and honest advice all of you, it helps so much. I'll try and find some time later to put up a couple of new pictures, she seems to be getting so big. I read one of the other posts about weight... I thought Pen was getting heavy at 22kg but some of you have giants on your hands . Thanks again Tom
Re: Life changes.. Good luck with your new job. Most dogs are adaptable - Harley is 11 weeks old is is happy to see me go to work as she knows it means kong time . Give it a go and see before making any rash decisions. Having family pop in on a regular basis is fab. If I can't get back home at lunchtime, I'm lucky to have a neighbour pop in to play for a bit. Fingers crossed all works out for you
Re: Life changes.. I'm sure you can make it work We are working folks. Lilly has had a routine of being left for 4 days a week, initially for 6-7 hours, then latterly more like 8 and sometimes now almost 9 hours. We started this from when she was around 14-16 weeks, so it may take Poppy a little to adjust, but it sounds like you have put a lot of thought into this. In fact, it sounds like she is actually going to be quite busy!! We are at the stage that even before we all leave in the morning Lilly has taken up position on OUR bed waiting to snuggle into our pillows : When we come home and I stop the car outside I can see her head popping up off the bed to look out the window. When she sees its me she leaps off and welcomes me at the front door! I may have said before, but....she has the bladder of a camel! As I said...... I'm sure you can and WILL make it work
Re: Life changes.. I'm sure you can make it work too. My hubby and I both work full time (well, I have every second Friday off work). Obi goes to all-day day care on Mondays and Wednesdays and on Thursdays he has a half day with a different company very like the one you describe - a walk then doggie play time (he gets picked up and dropped off on Thursdays). The other days he is home alone inside the house. Obi is quite a lively dog but he can certainly handle a few days a week at home alone. He has a lot of activity with us on the weekend as well. He has a daily morning walk of about 45 minutes on weekdays. Our previous dog was at home 4 days a week - that was before daycare was invented. On the other weekday he was at a friend's house, playing with their dogs. He had daily walks, several obedience/flyball classes a week and long weekend walks. That worked fine for him (though these days I would've signed him up for a couple of half days of day care as well). Your plan to have the two half day daycare sessions sounds good. That, plus daily walks, weekly classes, lots of time spent with you when you're home and the opportunity to be inside the house as much as possible will all quite likely work just fine. Give it a try I would put the thought of re-homing out of your head at the moment as it's distressing and probably not a road you need to go down at all.
Re: Life changes.. [quote author=drjs@5 link=topic=2909.msg30496#msg30496 date=1381955602] We are at the stage that even before we all leave in the morning Lilly has taken up position on OUR bed waiting to snuggle into our pillows : [/quote] LOL, same here. When we get home we come into the house and have to shout out to wake up the dog (who is snoring on our bed).
Re: Life changes.. : : Sweet really. I do warn all my patients with allergies to keep their distance from me though ;D
Re: Life changes.. Tom,you sound like you are really thinking about ways to overcome the changes that are afoot,Rachael is right,try it.....you won't know until you do,It's probably unsettling as life isn't as you envisaged it but with the thought and preparation you are putting in,I an sure Penny is going to be fine . Best wishes Angela
Re: Life changes.. Thanks all for your kind words. We are definitely going to give it a go and cross our fingers it works out. From everything people have said it seems it is realistic that it can work out. As I said before my primary concern is for Penny. In some ways she will benefit from aspects of our new lifestyle, such as group walks with other dogs to play with, which she will love. It's a tough position to be in, one I don't think you can appreciate until you have and love a dog. I'm also going to sign Penny up for some evening obedience classes, we couldn't complete the course before as she got kennel cough from another dog there (regardless of having the inoculation ). She is generally okay with most things but I can't seem to stop her pulling on the lead, and although we are making progress with her jumping up at us when we come in, she still tries to floor any other potential friend she meets. Anyways, thanks again all. Tom P.S. any advice on the pulling/jumping you think might help is welcome, just any little things that may have worked for you.
