Dog Information

What is the recommended amount of time to spend at home with a pet dog?

My husband and I are considering getting a small dog, but we are concerned about not spending enough time at home with our pet. We live on our own, we both work, and are usually out of our home between 8-10 hrs. Should this be a cause to reconsider our decision?

Public Comments

1. Can you come home to see the pet in the middle of the day or have a friend do it? You may be able to paper or litter box train it. Then just walk it and spend time with it at night.
2. Unless you adopt an older dog from the shelter, which are generally more mellow and calm and sleep most of the day, I would advise against getting a dog at this time. Puppies need a *LOT* of attention, and can only hold their bladders for max 6 hours. Besides the training, all dogs need at least 2 20 minute walks a day, and a bunch of TLC.
3. Unless the dog has a yard to relieve itself during your work day, its not fair to the dog to require it to hold its bladder for all of those hours. I've never heard a dog lover ask how much time they needed to spend with the dog. Sure, having dogs is great, but maybe you should have a different schedule to keep a dog.
4. This would not be good for a puppy- but an older dog. You can always put daycare into consideration or have someone coming in every day in the middle of the day for a walk and change of water and etc. That is long for a young dog.
5. My dog is trained not to go in the house..I have left him maybe once/twice for 8 or 9 hours alone and he was fine...But if you work all the time,you need a doggy door..They make them where only a Special chip in the dog's collar will unlock the door to let him/her out.
6. All dogs thrive on companionship...but more so with a puppy! Most folks here are advising you to get an older dog and it's the right call for both you and the potential dog. Everyone needs to be happy with the arrangement. I'd advise a dog 2yrs or older because anything younger is essentially still a puppy with lots of energy. A young dog won't leave you alone when you want to just relax...and sometimes after work that's all you want to do. Besides, an older dog will cut the house-breaking time down to a minimum if they are not already trained. Good luck!
7. Let me suggest an adult dog instead of a puppy. Puppies take a lot of time. Almost like a human baby. They have small bladders that they have little control over. They wake you up at night. You have to teach them everything including human house rules ect. There are some really wonderful adult, housebroken dogs that are looking for new homes thru no fault of their own. For the last 20 years I have gotten adults and they instantly fit in with my family. They even seem to be grateful for a second chance. A little over a year ago I got a puppy. (My husband and I work full time also). And even though I love her immensely, I think that I will not get a puppy again. They are a ton of work. BTW. In answer to your question, If you can give quality time to your dog daily I would definitely not let working change your mind. Your lives will be enhanced by the addition of a dog to your family