Can I get a puppy if I work 8 hours?
Thus leaving a puppy alone for 8 hours isn’t great for any four-legger regardless of age. While it’s technically possible for a young adult dog to hold on this long, a puppy needs frequent toilet breaks plus the stimulation of company.
2 Answers 2 Sorted by:
An adult dog, yes. A puppy, no.
As a general rule, you can expect a puppy to be able to “hold it” for about one hour per month (i.e. a 3-month old puppy can go for 3 hours without going outside). Of course, just because its possible for the dog to hold it, doesnt mean they are potty-trained which will take time.
You also want to consider what the dog will be doing while youre away. Will he be crate trained and stay in the crate? Will he have free reign of the studio? Either way you want to make sure the dog is getting enough physical and mental exercise while you are home so he doesnt become destructive.
As for breed restrictions, if youre gone for a long time regularly, you should look for a lower-energy dog. Shelters and rescues are a great place to find older dogs that may already be mostly potty-trained. Also consider hiring a dog-walker to come by and play with the dog.
Lots of people with jobs have dogs and the dogs are happy so its very possible. Our dog is alone for about 7–8 hours 4 days a week and shes perfectly happy, but we do a lot of training and exercise with her when we are home.
Thats ridiculous and not only absurd to insinuate that a person working an AVERAGE work week of 40-50 hours a week cannot own a dog. If this was the case then our shelters would be even more overrun with dogs. Not to mention overwhelmed with euthanizing them. The average nine-to-five (whether working or just absent) person can own a happy dog and be content with their abilities. Even when Im home my dogs sleep and rest most of the day so what gives if Im home or not. They simply need stimulation, exercise and enrichment like every living being does. Dogs were bred to be companion animals but we arent all Queen Elizabeths to have a dog on our lap 24/7. And dogs have adapted to their human counterparts lifestyles.
You simply need to ensure to give them 30 minutes to 1 hour of walks/runs outside time per day (depending on dog size and breed). Not just leave them in the backyard because bonding does not occur that way either. On top of that you provide playtime – 10-15 minutes of tug of war, fetch or having fun with their toys is good enough. Finally enrichment. This means giving your dog a change of pace once in a while. This can be a car ride to a new change of scenery, socializing at a dog park or hiding treats around the house for them to find can also provide enrichment as well as brush up training or teaching new tricks for 5 minutes at a time daily. Enrichment is giving your dog a change of pace. Think of new scenery, new sounds, new smells, new trainings, new activities to stimulate them mentally.
Look, that totals about 1 hour a day. If you can do that I promise you both you and your dog will be content. Dont talk about 8 hour workdays being unfair to the dog (thats not true), because this is what almost all dog owners have to deal with – earning an income – and your pet will adapt as well. Every dog deserves a loving home and you can provide that love outside of your schedule. Just like your own exercise is important enough to make time for, you give priority to your dog just the same and believe me, you will reap more reward than the cost of owning a pet dog.
Studies show dogs help us live longer and they make great bed mates. People are happier when they have a dog sleeping in their bed. Just incorporate your best friend in your life and you will both be more than happy and filled with gratitude. Dont think about rules of etiquette or what so called experts recommend, take it from me. I am a long time dog owner, trained groomer, pet companion specialist and trainer and you can own and love a dog while working a 40-50 hour long week. Yes, if you have additional support like spouses, moms, kids or others that can increase their enrichment by all means – take advantage. Its healthy for both them and your dog anyways and resources are always a blessing.
But long story short. You can and will benefit a dogs life working a normal job work week and they will undoubtedly benefit yours. Many dogs need homes so please rescue dogs before buying from breeders and know you are making a big difference and youll reap every reward. Like the saying goes – WHO SAVED WHO? Only adopters understand what that truly means. Join the club.
Thanks for contributing an answer to Pets Stack Exchange!
To learn more, see our tips on writing great answers. Draft saved Draft discarded
Juggling dog ownership with working a full-time job
Many people will get a dog when having a full-time job, having seen other 9 to 5 people do it successfully.
What they often fail to realize is that these dog owners with 9 to 5 jobs are probably are getting help behind the scenes. That could be from family members, friends, or people they have hired.
Likewise, although their relationship with their dog may seem rosy on the surface, all might not be as it seems at home.
Before making the jump and purchasing a dog when you work full-time, you should decide whether your work hours allow you to meet their emotional and physical demands.
In this article, let me explain the reality to you, which I hope will help you to reach the best conclusion. I’ve included the pros and cons of owning a dog when working a full-time job on 9 to 5 hours.