Can/should I bring a dog into my life?
December 22, 2016 8:34 AM Subscribe
I find myself wanting a dog but am not sure it's a realistic to fit into my schedule as a person that works full time and lives alone. I'm envisioning an older or even elderly dog from an animal shelter- my only requirements are at least medium sized and short haired. I had a rescue greyhound as a kid who was PERFECT, but I'm aware they're not really typical dogs.
Please tell me if my life is dog-compatible:
Goals for dog:
-Snuggles/company at home
-Go hiking with me on days off, give me a purpose to go on walks around my neighborhood
-Some amount of deterrent to break-ins
Dog Environment:
-I work a 10 hour shift 4 days a week, getting home at lunch is possible but difficult.
-I have a house with a largish well fenced yard and a dog door
-Live in a VERY dog friendly city where they're welcome at cafes, bars etc.
-Not opposed to dog daycare, but 4 days a week would be expensive and kind of silly, IMO. Help from neighbors/friends is possible but I would prefer not to rely on it.
I have considered another greyhound, but they can't be outside in a fenced space unsupervised (so using dog door is out) and would not be very happy hanging out on the hard floors of bars/cafes/breweries unless I hauled a dog bed along with me.
Goals for dog:
-Snuggles/company at home
-Go hiking with me on days off, give me a purpose to go on walks around my neighborhood
-Some amount of deterrent to break-ins
Dog Environment:
-I work a 10 hour shift 4 days a week, getting home at lunch is possible but difficult.
-I have a house with a largish well fenced yard and a dog door
-Live in a VERY dog friendly city where they're welcome at cafes, bars etc.
-Not opposed to dog daycare, but 4 days a week would be expensive and kind of silly, IMO. Help from neighbors/friends is possible but I would prefer not to rely on it.
I have considered another greyhound, but they can't be outside in a fenced space unsupervised (so using dog door is out) and would not be very happy hanging out on the hard floors of bars/cafes/breweries unless I hauled a dog bed along with me.
Can you get a dog-walker rather than doing doggy daycare? I'd do just one walk with a dog-walker per day, around mid-day, and would think that's fine for most dogs.
posted by soren_lorensen at 8:47 AM on December 22, 2016 [12 favorites]
posted by soren_lorensen at 8:47 AM on December 22, 2016 [12 favorites]
It may seem counterintuitive, but also consider adopting a bonded pair. They're hard to adopt out together, and often risk being split up (heartbreaking for dogs that have already landed in a shelter/rescue situation), but they'll keep one another engaged and happy while you're gone at work. Yes, it's two dogs instead of one, but it could solve a lot of your concerns about being away and having to deal with a single dog being lonely, frustrated, or anxious.
posted by quince at 8:54 AM on December 22, 2016 [28 favorites]
posted by quince at 8:54 AM on December 22, 2016 [28 favorites]
We have a rescue greyhound and love her so much. I would suggest reaching out to a local greyhound group and seeing if they have any that aren't too crazy and would fit a first timer. Ours was relatively trained and she loves hiking and cuddling. She also loves fenced in yards to run laps in while we watch. I also usually find that there are very supportive local greyhound listservs or forums, so perhaps you can find a walker or playgroup for those 10 hour days. That's how we found a local boarding place that gives discounts to greyhounds cause she loves them so much :)
posted by inevitability at 8:55 AM on December 22, 2016 [1 favorite]
posted by inevitability at 8:55 AM on December 22, 2016 [1 favorite]
Of course your life is dog compatible. Dogs sleep most of the time, so a dog walker would be perfect. And if you're getting a dog from the shelter, the life you'd be giving her in your home is way better than it would be there. So everyone wins.
(I'm writing this with my former shelter dog on my feet. She's exactly the type of dog you want, 'cept she's fluffy as all get out.)
posted by mochapickle at 8:58 AM on December 22, 2016 [2 favorites]
(I'm writing this with my former shelter dog on my feet. She's exactly the type of dog you want, 'cept she's fluffy as all get out.)
posted by mochapickle at 8:58 AM on December 22, 2016 [2 favorites]
It can't hurt to talk to the folks at your local animal shelter to see if they have any dogs that would be a good match for your lifestyle. I have an old basset hound and she pretty much meets all your requirements - I hear they are very similar in temperament to greyhounds, just without that regular burst of energy - but shelters are full of snuggly mutts, too.
You'll also want to think about costs and the kind of impact pet ownership will have on your day to day life. Older dogs come with higher vet bills and they can rack up crazy fast, plus the occasional boarding fees. If you're mainly a homebody or will just be spending your time at dog friendly places, that's one thing, but if you like to stay out late or vacation a lot, you'll have to adjust.
posted by galvanized unicorn at 8:59 AM on December 22, 2016 [1 favorite]
You'll also want to think about costs and the kind of impact pet ownership will have on your day to day life. Older dogs come with higher vet bills and they can rack up crazy fast, plus the occasional boarding fees. If you're mainly a homebody or will just be spending your time at dog friendly places, that's one thing, but if you like to stay out late or vacation a lot, you'll have to adjust.
posted by galvanized unicorn at 8:59 AM on December 22, 2016 [1 favorite]
Thank you for posting, and for really taking the time to consider your capacity as a potential dog owner/guardian.
Ditto cakelite on 10 hrs a day 4 days a week being a lot for a dog to handle - even for a greyhound, who spent a lot of time kenneled if it was part of the racing industry.
Additionally, greyhounds are sprinters, and - with a few exceptions I've known - usually not hardcore hikers.
That being said, a fully mature greyhound's high tolerance for down-time MAY make one a good fit, if you are willing to invest in a daily or twice-daily visit from a dog walker rather than doggy day care. And, not all greyhounds are in the same place at the same time in their energy levels/exercise needs. A 1-2 year old who washed out in training or at the track is likely to have dramatically different temperament/needs than a 7 year old brood mama; younger greyhounds can actually be quite a lot to handle.
While I really, truly, totally appreciate what the inclusion of a dog brings to one's life, it's important to note that domestic dogs are wired for companionship. They are pack (social) animals. There are definitely dogs who are chill with being 1. a solo dog, and 2. away from their people for extended periods of time, but they are the exception to the rule.
Also important is to acknowledge the need for canine "employment." Fully mature greyhounds are often easygoing on this front, and many consider holding down the couch cushions in a deep sleep a full time job; however, the "average" dog - if not given adequate/appropriate employment by their owners (exercise, cognitive engagement, stuffed+frozen Kongs) - will find a job to do, and I can almost always guarantee it will be a job you don't want them doing.
posted by sutureselves at 8:59 AM on December 22, 2016 [1 favorite]
Ditto cakelite on 10 hrs a day 4 days a week being a lot for a dog to handle - even for a greyhound, who spent a lot of time kenneled if it was part of the racing industry.
Additionally, greyhounds are sprinters, and - with a few exceptions I've known - usually not hardcore hikers.
That being said, a fully mature greyhound's high tolerance for down-time MAY make one a good fit, if you are willing to invest in a daily or twice-daily visit from a dog walker rather than doggy day care. And, not all greyhounds are in the same place at the same time in their energy levels/exercise needs. A 1-2 year old who washed out in training or at the track is likely to have dramatically different temperament/needs than a 7 year old brood mama; younger greyhounds can actually be quite a lot to handle.
While I really, truly, totally appreciate what the inclusion of a dog brings to one's life, it's important to note that domestic dogs are wired for companionship. They are pack (social) animals. There are definitely dogs who are chill with being 1. a solo dog, and 2. away from their people for extended periods of time, but they are the exception to the rule.
Also important is to acknowledge the need for canine "employment." Fully mature greyhounds are often easygoing on this front, and many consider holding down the couch cushions in a deep sleep a full time job; however, the "average" dog - if not given adequate/appropriate employment by their owners (exercise, cognitive engagement, stuffed+frozen Kongs) - will find a job to do, and I can almost always guarantee it will be a job you don't want them doing.
posted by sutureselves at 8:59 AM on December 22, 2016 [1 favorite]
From what I understand, a weirdly great choice for apartment/often away living is Great Danes. I know, I know, they're huge dogs, but from what the people with them in NYC said, they're super lazy dogs - they'll go for a walk with you when you want them to, but they really enjoy sleeping a lot and don't tend to mind being alone for a while if you get them older.
posted by corb at 9:08 AM on December 22, 2016 [2 favorites]
posted by corb at 9:08 AM on December 22, 2016 [2 favorites]
Oh, just a couple more things on greyhound veterinary idiosyncrasies - a friend once very aptly called them "the homeschool kids of the dog world."
- Their physiology is not the same as the average dog, which can affect bloodwork/diagnostics/anesthesia/surgical considerations. Sometimes it can be a challenge to find a greyhound-competent vet, but many vets are willing to work with clients and learn as they go. The Greyhound Health Initiative is a great resource for blood values, post-surgical bleeding, and anesthesia guidelines.
- They have a high incidence of dental disease - daily brushing and yearly cleanings are in their best interests.
- They have a high incidence of osteosarcoma (OSA).
- They have a high incidence of corns on the pads of their feet.
- They have a medium-to-high incidence of idiopathic seizure disorders.
posted by sutureselves at 9:12 AM on December 22, 2016 [1 favorite]
- Their physiology is not the same as the average dog, which can affect bloodwork/diagnostics/anesthesia/surgical considerations. Sometimes it can be a challenge to find a greyhound-competent vet, but many vets are willing to work with clients and learn as they go. The Greyhound Health Initiative is a great resource for blood values, post-surgical bleeding, and anesthesia guidelines.
- They have a high incidence of dental disease - daily brushing and yearly cleanings are in their best interests.
- They have a high incidence of osteosarcoma (OSA).
- They have a high incidence of corns on the pads of their feet.
- They have a medium-to-high incidence of idiopathic seizure disorders.
posted by sutureselves at 9:12 AM on December 22, 2016 [1 favorite]
Gabby in Norma Klein's Give Me One Good Reason lives with 2 Great Danes in a studio; I infer that Klein knew someone who did.
My mother has left her greyhounds on their own in my parents' fenced big backyard; though not for 10 hours at a time.
posted by brujita at 9:21 AM on December 22, 2016
My mother has left her greyhounds on their own in my parents' fenced big backyard; though not for 10 hours at a time.
posted by brujita at 9:21 AM on December 22, 2016
You might want to volunteer at a shelter for a while. You'll get some of things you desire (I volunteer at a shelter that encourages volunteers to take dogs out on long hikes and city walks), while also seeing how often dogs are given up once their anxieties about being left alone come to the surface. A big yard isn't a substitute for companionship, and unless you're interested in a bonded pair as mentioned above and/or daily dogwalks/daycare services, this might not be the best time for you to bring a dog home.
posted by late afternoon dreaming hotel at 9:26 AM on December 22, 2016 [3 favorites]
posted by late afternoon dreaming hotel at 9:26 AM on December 22, 2016 [3 favorites]
Most people with jobs leave their dogs home alone 9-ish hours a day, and you’ll have three day weekends together! While it would be nice if every dog could have the “perfect” home, only alone for short periods, tons of exercise, etc., very few actually do. And lots of adult dogs sleep a lot, and lots of adult dogs really enjoy sniffing around a yard a lot.
You might want to go for a rescue group rather than a shelter, because they usually know the dogs’ personalities better (so would help you find one that’s a good fit) and often have a trial period of a few weeks.
posted by metasarah at 9:45 AM on December 22, 2016 [18 favorites]
You might want to go for a rescue group rather than a shelter, because they usually know the dogs’ personalities better (so would help you find one that’s a good fit) and often have a trial period of a few weeks.
posted by metasarah at 9:45 AM on December 22, 2016 [18 favorites]
Older or elderly dogs might not be compatible with hiking, but they'll enjoy regular walks. And they'll have the companionship and cuddles part covered! I also endorse the bonded pair suggestion. That way when you're gone, they are still with their pack rather than alone.
posted by cecic at 9:52 AM on December 22, 2016
posted by cecic at 9:52 AM on December 22, 2016
I strongly suspect that a dog will be much happier with you, for as much time as you are able to give them at home, than in a shelter. A three day weekend! Evenings and mornings with a person who loves them unconditionally! My parents' dog does very well sleeping in his crate four days a week; he gets to go to Puppy School one day a week and he gets to go on So Many Walks when they are home. It sounds like you're in a great situation to have a dog, and in a dog-friendly city so you can bring the dog with you to go do things. I'd say go for it! You'll make some doggy very happy.
posted by ChuraChura at 9:58 AM on December 22, 2016 [6 favorites]
posted by ChuraChura at 9:58 AM on December 22, 2016 [6 favorites]
Throughout my entire life, my dogs have been home alone while I worked my usual M-F 9-5 jobs. They've been absolutely, positively fine and live blissful, love-filled lives. Can you afford food, vet, toys, paper towels? If yes, that plus the fact that you have put so much thought into this question prove to me that you will absolutely be a boon to an older shelter dog's life. :)
Post pics. :)
posted by kimberussell at 10:05 AM on December 22, 2016 [6 favorites]
Post pics. :)
posted by kimberussell at 10:05 AM on December 22, 2016 [6 favorites]
My dog grumps about being left home but like I tell her, it beats the shelter. And she gets tons of walks and attention the rest of the time. Weather allowing she comes to work and hangs out in the car, which she adores. It seems boring and uncomfortable to me but dogs are not people. When we had two dogs she was much happier staying home though.
posted by fshgrl at 10:33 AM on December 22, 2016 [3 favorites]
posted by fshgrl at 10:33 AM on December 22, 2016 [3 favorites]
With a daily dog-walker and the right dog (i.e., not a super-high-energy or highly task-driven breed), this is doable. I wouldn't leave a dog home by itself for ten-plus hours straight, though.
posted by praemunire at 10:35 AM on December 22, 2016
posted by praemunire at 10:35 AM on December 22, 2016
It's good that you're thinking about this. I don't think it would be cruel to get a dog in your situation, but I do think it's non-ideal for a dog to be alone so much, and it's good that you're thinking about ways to mitigate that.
It's a big responsibility and you should think about it for a while, but I would seriously consider a bonded pair. It's really hard for rescues to place pairs, so you'd be doing a good deed. You'd need to put some effort into making sure both of the pair are low-maintenance, of course, but it would solve some problems.
posted by waffleriot at 10:45 AM on December 22, 2016 [4 favorites]
It's a big responsibility and you should think about it for a while, but I would seriously consider a bonded pair. It's really hard for rescues to place pairs, so you'd be doing a good deed. You'd need to put some effort into making sure both of the pair are low-maintenance, of course, but it would solve some problems.
posted by waffleriot at 10:45 AM on December 22, 2016 [4 favorites]
My anecdote is that when the partner and I both worked office jobs is that the dogs were pretty chill with us being gone during the workday but we're really unhappy if we were gone 6-9 pm, which is when they were expecting to interact with us. Being gone before and after that time wasn't a problem. One of the dogs is a crate-lover and the other one was what we in livestock call an "easy keeper."
My current dog panics in a crate and is a problem when left alone. In foster, he jumped a six-foot fence to be with his people. The reason he was surrendered to foster was that he couldn't deal with being in a crate all day and his then-owner got promoted and started working dramatically longer hours.
One of the reasons he has a problem being left alone is that my partner and I mostly work from home so it's part of his routine. And dogs love routine.
So YMMV.
posted by stet at 11:11 AM on December 22, 2016 [2 favorites]
My current dog panics in a crate and is a problem when left alone. In foster, he jumped a six-foot fence to be with his people. The reason he was surrendered to foster was that he couldn't deal with being in a crate all day and his then-owner got promoted and started working dramatically longer hours.
One of the reasons he has a problem being left alone is that my partner and I mostly work from home so it's part of his routine. And dogs love routine.
So YMMV.
posted by stet at 11:11 AM on December 22, 2016 [2 favorites]
Yeah, if I come home from work and go out again my dog is SUPER PISSED. Even if I walk her first. With my dog that manifests as pouting in the corner and pointedly ignoring me when I come home but some dogs eat stuff. Going out on weekend evenings is fine because we spent most of the day together and if I take her and she chills in the car that's fine too.
I would note that if I stay home she does not lay on my lap adoringly, not do we snuggle together on the couch. We play a bit until she gets bored, which never takes long, and I will sit on the floor and pet her for 10inutes or so while I'm watching tv before she gets up and pointedly moves out of reach. Then she goes to bed at around 8:30-9pm. By herself. But God forbid I'm not there for the 20 minutes of interaction she has scheduled between walking and bedtime.
posted by fshgrl at 11:57 AM on December 22, 2016 [3 favorites]
I would note that if I stay home she does not lay on my lap adoringly, not do we snuggle together on the couch. We play a bit until she gets bored, which never takes long, and I will sit on the floor and pet her for 10inutes or so while I'm watching tv before she gets up and pointedly moves out of reach. Then she goes to bed at around 8:30-9pm. By herself. But God forbid I'm not there for the 20 minutes of interaction she has scheduled between walking and bedtime.
posted by fshgrl at 11:57 AM on December 22, 2016 [3 favorites]
A lot of shelters are pretty good at matchmaking people with the right pets, so depending on what your local shelter(s) are like, they might be able to help.
We once adopted a kind of crotchety 13 year old dog who would have loved to have that much alone time during the week, so it's certainly not impossible. The downside, of course, is that older dogs develop ailments. Our guy was deaf, and he developed that creeping spinal paralysis that a lot of dogs get in their later years, so toward the end, he needed to be walked (and assisted with walking) five times a day at minimum, whether he wanted to or not. So keep that in mind if you decide on a chill elderly dog. Of course, it would be wonderful for an older dog to get a good home, but it would be very traumatic for them to get that home and then lose it because their family couldn't care for them in their later years.
Ten hours a day is a long time, but if you could hire a dogwalker and/or pop back in during lunch, I think that would be an excellent tradeoff for the three day weekends. The right dog might really appreciate a schedule of three days extra partying and four days extra naps.
And don't worry too-too much about breeds. Breed, in most cases, is largely cosmetic. A really well run shelter or a rescue will be able to tell you much more about individual dogs' personalities than breed stereotypes do. Plus they have all these fancy custom breeds that give you a far better range of choices than the basic models.
posted by ernielundquist at 12:00 PM on December 22, 2016 [3 favorites]
We once adopted a kind of crotchety 13 year old dog who would have loved to have that much alone time during the week, so it's certainly not impossible. The downside, of course, is that older dogs develop ailments. Our guy was deaf, and he developed that creeping spinal paralysis that a lot of dogs get in their later years, so toward the end, he needed to be walked (and assisted with walking) five times a day at minimum, whether he wanted to or not. So keep that in mind if you decide on a chill elderly dog. Of course, it would be wonderful for an older dog to get a good home, but it would be very traumatic for them to get that home and then lose it because their family couldn't care for them in their later years.
Ten hours a day is a long time, but if you could hire a dogwalker and/or pop back in during lunch, I think that would be an excellent tradeoff for the three day weekends. The right dog might really appreciate a schedule of three days extra partying and four days extra naps.
And don't worry too-too much about breeds. Breed, in most cases, is largely cosmetic. A really well run shelter or a rescue will be able to tell you much more about individual dogs' personalities than breed stereotypes do. Plus they have all these fancy custom breeds that give you a far better range of choices than the basic models.
posted by ernielundquist at 12:00 PM on December 22, 2016 [3 favorites]
Yes, I think you can provide a great home for the right dog if you're willing to hire a dog walker to break up the ten hour day.
Since one of the reasons you want a dog is for walking and hiking, I'd recommend an adult but not elderly dog to make sure that you have some good active years together before the dog is likely to develop arthritis or other ailments. Maybe 4-7 years old seems like a good range, although of course it depends on the dog.
posted by Kriesa at 12:05 PM on December 22, 2016 [1 favorite]
Since one of the reasons you want a dog is for walking and hiking, I'd recommend an adult but not elderly dog to make sure that you have some good active years together before the dog is likely to develop arthritis or other ailments. Maybe 4-7 years old seems like a good range, although of course it depends on the dog.
posted by Kriesa at 12:05 PM on December 22, 2016 [1 favorite]
I'm generally in the two dog camp, but dog are adaptable if you're the alpha. Once when I was working 6/14s, my bullmastiff was stuck in the pickup from 6:15 to 9:45 except for two half hour and three 15 minute breaks, he was ready to go to work every day. (Even Sunday mornings, when I wasn't;)
posted by ridgerunner at 1:04 PM on December 22, 2016 [2 favorites]
posted by ridgerunner at 1:04 PM on December 22, 2016 [2 favorites]
Joining the chorus that says yes, adopt! It is ideal to have a doggy daycare even if only for a day a week because all that socialization and running around is fun and stimulating and good exercise for your dog. I also recommend a dog walker, again for the exercise and mental stimulation but it isn't necessary with your set up. Doggy day cares aren't all that expensive, especially if you aren't parking the dog there every day, and neither are walkers.
I'd steer clear of an elderly dog. Hikes and other such active behaviors are much more fun for the dog when it is younger and spryer. Go to the pound and find the young to medium young mutt that you click with.
Dogs do sleep a whole lot. When their owner is away for the day, and most of us are, that's pooch snooze time. So don't worry about this period alone at home as long as there are walks before you go and after you come home, and plenty of interaction when you are there.
I'd add that I've been a two dog owner and the dogs enjoyed each other's company but I don't think their experience of the day at home without us was very different from my single dog's experience. They, too, snoozed.
posted by bearwife at 2:07 PM on December 22, 2016 [1 favorite]
I'd steer clear of an elderly dog. Hikes and other such active behaviors are much more fun for the dog when it is younger and spryer. Go to the pound and find the young to medium young mutt that you click with.
Dogs do sleep a whole lot. When their owner is away for the day, and most of us are, that's pooch snooze time. So don't worry about this period alone at home as long as there are walks before you go and after you come home, and plenty of interaction when you are there.
I'd add that I've been a two dog owner and the dogs enjoyed each other's company but I don't think their experience of the day at home without us was very different from my single dog's experience. They, too, snoozed.
posted by bearwife at 2:07 PM on December 22, 2016 [1 favorite]
I was in a similar situation, and based on Metafilter advice, hired a dog walker who comes daily for an hour (even if I'm working at home). Her dog walker has been with us for close to a year now and Huggy stays with her when I travel for work. It's not for free, but they love each other and Huggy is a spoiled princess.
The rescue agency who found her was also great. I explained my situation and they brought me Huggy, a middle aged dog with arthritis who had been left to die after working as (most likely the world's worst) guard dog. She sleeps a lot, and a more frantic lifestyle would scare her. The agency also gave me the number of her walker.
posted by frumiousb at 2:07 PM on December 22, 2016
The rescue agency who found her was also great. I explained my situation and they brought me Huggy, a middle aged dog with arthritis who had been left to die after working as (most likely the world's worst) guard dog. She sleeps a lot, and a more frantic lifestyle would scare her. The agency also gave me the number of her walker.
posted by frumiousb at 2:07 PM on December 22, 2016
My dog hated doggy daycare so much they let her stay in the office until I could come get her. A friends dog was kicked out for "bullying the puppies". It's not for all dogs. Don't count on it being for your dog if adopted as an adult.
A dog door should be just fine for a well behaved older dog for 10 hours. I know lots of people with this set up and their dogs are very well taken care of. Walking a dog after a 10 hour shift though might not be something you're willing to do every time.
posted by fshgrl at 3:36 PM on December 22, 2016
A dog door should be just fine for a well behaved older dog for 10 hours. I know lots of people with this set up and their dogs are very well taken care of. Walking a dog after a 10 hour shift though might not be something you're willing to do every time.
posted by fshgrl at 3:36 PM on December 22, 2016
+1 to all the good advice here already.
About nine months ago, and informed by a lot of the previous dog-related AskMes, I adopted Blu (inc. mandatory picture tax). Not strictly a greyhound but close enough (75%, plus a little whippet and staffs).
He would suit you perfectly. First off, he sleeps like eighteen hours a day, easy. Laziest hound alive. He's pampered enough that I drop in on him every lunchtime, but I have to wake him up to take him for a stroll - he'd happily sleep right through a whole workday. And despite being a skinny little longdoggo, he's pretty chill about hanging out at bars and coffee shops. Especially if he can mooch around getting fuss off the other customers, but his local fan club is a whole other story. This time of year I sometimes put his coat upside down on the floor for him but usually he's fine.
tl;dr - Find a chill dog like a sighthound/lurcher, get a walker if you think they need it, use their coat as a blanket? But the right dog is definitely out there for you, and you're doing the best thing by thinking about all this stuff up front. Whoever you end up adopting, they'll love you I'm sure.
posted by A Robot Ninja at 3:45 PM on December 22, 2016 [4 favorites]
About nine months ago, and informed by a lot of the previous dog-related AskMes, I adopted Blu (inc. mandatory picture tax). Not strictly a greyhound but close enough (75%, plus a little whippet and staffs).
He would suit you perfectly. First off, he sleeps like eighteen hours a day, easy. Laziest hound alive. He's pampered enough that I drop in on him every lunchtime, but I have to wake him up to take him for a stroll - he'd happily sleep right through a whole workday. And despite being a skinny little longdoggo, he's pretty chill about hanging out at bars and coffee shops. Especially if he can mooch around getting fuss off the other customers, but his local fan club is a whole other story. This time of year I sometimes put his coat upside down on the floor for him but usually he's fine.
tl;dr - Find a chill dog like a sighthound/lurcher, get a walker if you think they need it, use their coat as a blanket? But the right dog is definitely out there for you, and you're doing the best thing by thinking about all this stuff up front. Whoever you end up adopting, they'll love you I'm sure.
posted by A Robot Ninja at 3:45 PM on December 22, 2016 [4 favorites]
Meant to add - Blu comes on plenty of long-ish walks with me, but isn't a hiker - I wouldn't take him into the mountains or anything like that, because he's lazy and too heavy to carry. But an afternoon strolling along the river and zooming around for a few five-minute spells is right up his alley.
posted by A Robot Ninja at 3:47 PM on December 22, 2016
posted by A Robot Ninja at 3:47 PM on December 22, 2016
It's great to see so many people here love their dogs who have no or little problem being left home alone for hours on end. I've volunteered in animal shelters since 1993 and can tell you that you're in the minority. Shelter workers get a little fatigued reminding people that of the most common reasons dogs are abandoned or returned to shelters--things like "too hyperactive," "barks too much," "pees and poops inside," and so on--are tightly correlated with separation anxiety.
We can understand both of these ideas at the same time, right? We can understand that most respondents here are responding positively in reference to their own dog, at the same time that people who've returned dogs for problems are less likely to respond, right? This is a good thing for a person considering adopting a dog to understand and consider.
OP, when in doubt just talk to the folks who work at the shelter or rescue group you're interested in. Ask them the same questions you've asked here. They're more likely to tell you helpful things like, "these dogs would be a bad fit for you, but these dogs' personalities are much more suited to periods of separation."
posted by late afternoon dreaming hotel at 3:56 PM on December 22, 2016 [1 favorite]
We can understand both of these ideas at the same time, right? We can understand that most respondents here are responding positively in reference to their own dog, at the same time that people who've returned dogs for problems are less likely to respond, right? This is a good thing for a person considering adopting a dog to understand and consider.
OP, when in doubt just talk to the folks who work at the shelter or rescue group you're interested in. Ask them the same questions you've asked here. They're more likely to tell you helpful things like, "these dogs would be a bad fit for you, but these dogs' personalities are much more suited to periods of separation."
posted by late afternoon dreaming hotel at 3:56 PM on December 22, 2016 [1 favorite]
I have a Great Dane and she is amazing. She sleeps a lot, never barks, and loves people/dogs. She also has extreme separation anxiety. I'm very lucky in that I can take her to work or work from home 4-5 days a week. The days I do need her to stay I take her to daycare. It all depends on the dog. Also, tldr so it might be in the comments but rover.com is excellent for finding dogsitters, dog care, and walkers near you.
posted by Marinara at 4:49 PM on December 22, 2016
posted by Marinara at 4:49 PM on December 22, 2016
I think you can make it work. Since you have a yard, you don't even really need a dog walker, so much as someone to stop by for 45-60 mins and give some pets and go out in the yard and play with the dog. That opens you up to more people, like some middle - high schooler after school, that you could offer the job to.
All dogs are different withthe hiking thing. I got a dog that loves camping, but is a lazy girl and doesn't like hiking. Also, she gets carsick and pukes in my car alot so it's added some travel considerations there.
posted by WeekendJen at 6:01 PM on December 22, 2016 [1 favorite]
All dogs are different withthe hiking thing. I got a dog that loves camping, but is a lazy girl and doesn't like hiking. Also, she gets carsick and pukes in my car alot so it's added some travel considerations there.
posted by WeekendJen at 6:01 PM on December 22, 2016 [1 favorite]
I have a retired greyhound, and he would be ok with that schedule. He spends most of his day asleep, grudgingly woke up mid-day for the dog walker before I abandoned that, and has to be forced to go out to use the yard to pee during the day. He loves short hikes (about 5 miles, I think he'd get tired above 10). Greyhounds can't be left outside for weather reasons, but I've definitely heard of other people using dog doors. I do try to bring him a mat if we're going somewhere he'd be laying on hard floors, and a fully flopped greyhound takes up a lot of floor area.
I do think he ended up being such a good match for me because I went with a rescue that picks the dog for you, and I was really clear about how a dog would fit into my life. I was also really thorough about going through "alone training" when he first came home. The first couple months I had a dog walker come mid-day on weekdays and made sure my schedule was really consistent. As much as he's ok with being alone, though, his favorite thing is being together with people.
posted by sepviva at 6:39 PM on December 22, 2016 [1 favorite]
I do think he ended up being such a good match for me because I went with a rescue that picks the dog for you, and I was really clear about how a dog would fit into my life. I was also really thorough about going through "alone training" when he first came home. The first couple months I had a dog walker come mid-day on weekdays and made sure my schedule was really consistent. As much as he's ok with being alone, though, his favorite thing is being together with people.
posted by sepviva at 6:39 PM on December 22, 2016 [1 favorite]
Ten hours alone is a lot for most dogs, although an adult / older dog used to being alone during the workday might be OK with that schedule if you had a mid-day dog walker. Since you do 4x10, you'd be saving one day of dog walker visits compared to most people on a 5-day schedule, which is kinda nice.
As for finding a dog, we had great luck working with a local rescue group. We told several people in the organization basically what we were looking for (in our case it was more compatibility with cats and not being too high-energy or requiring a fenced yard; a different set of requirements from you), and within a couple of months they steered us towards a perfect dog. Worked great and I think it's better to work on an "individual dog" basis than to try and work from assumed breed personalities or traits.
posted by Kadin2048 at 12:43 AM on December 26, 2016
As for finding a dog, we had great luck working with a local rescue group. We told several people in the organization basically what we were looking for (in our case it was more compatibility with cats and not being too high-energy or requiring a fenced yard; a different set of requirements from you), and within a couple of months they steered us towards a perfect dog. Worked great and I think it's better to work on an "individual dog" basis than to try and work from assumed breed personalities or traits.
posted by Kadin2048 at 12:43 AM on December 26, 2016
This thread is closed to new comments.
posted by cakelite at 8:40 AM on December 22, 2016 [7 favorites]