full time job and puppy

[ladye2001]

I have debated on where this question should be posted, but since it encompasses multiple topics I decided to put it here.

I work full time and live alone. Do you think it would be unethical to bring home a puppy (would probably be 8-12 weeks old from what I see on breeders websites). I'm thinking I would have to leave enough food for the puppy for the day as well as paper train so that it wouldn't have to hang out in a soiled crate.

I understand that puppies are alot of work, but I really would like to have that precious time with my dog. I'm sure you puppy veterans are saying that having a puppy IS a full time job, but I feel like I can handle it. For the past 4 years I've been going to school full time and working full time at the same time---which is like working 3 full time jobs!! I'll be graduating in May and am excited about getting a dog sometime soon after.

I guess my main questions are how long can a puppy go unsupervised? How often do they need to be fed? Also, I am currently working midnight-8am. If I got a puppy, do you think it would sleep all morning while I'm at work or do you think it would become more nocturnal and sleep more during the day like me? Ummmm...I think that's all of the rambling I can do in one post. Thanks for any opinions.

 

[Scorpio]

You say you work midnight to 8am and you ask do you think it would sleep all morning while your at work? you would be working morning too? If you work 12pm to 8 am and then you need sleep, when do you spend time with your pup? having a pup is a lot of work you may not get any sleep. I don't want to be mean but I think you should maybe get a cat. IMO I would wait to get a pup.

 

[ladye2001]

When I say morning I am referring to the midnight-8AM shift. I currently sleep about 5 hours a day and I am good to go. I am use to sleeping odd (often not continuous) hours because I work strange hours and my classes have been scheduled at all times during the day. By the time I get the puppy (if I get the puppy) I will only be working (no school) and will have the rest of my time to devote to it.

 

[momstaxi]

I think it would hard to train him to go out to potty and alot of work on your part, but I'm sure it could be done. Have your considered a little older dog, who is already trained and a little less work? Good luck in what ever you decide.
Michele

 

[Scorpio]

Go to the forum raising a puppy and read some of the posts there it may help.

 

[yodla1]

Maybe you can hire a pet sitter to help you out the first couple of months - esp. during the potty training period. Once he/she is housebroken and is use to your working hours, you may not need a pet sitter anymore. Good luck.

 

[Daisys_rjm]

Have your considered a little older dog, who is already trained and a little less work? Good luck in what ever you decide.
Michele

I believe momstaxi has a great idea, there are plenty of older (trained) dogs that are available to adopt that deserve a great home like yours.

That being said, we are fully aware that most people that get puppies have full time jobs and do just fine. When my wife was still working we used to pay for someone to come by for an hour everyday to let our dogs out and spend some time with them.

Best of luck.

randy and Daisy

 

[abradbury.5]

I would consider an older dog too--a rescue that is housebroken. Your other option is to have someone come in while you're gone to let the puppy out--because 8 hours is definitely too long for the pup to go. It might be harder for you to get someone to come in while you're working as your hours are more unusual (middle of the night for most people).

Puppies are a lot of work, and I don't think any of us raised our pups without either being home with them, having someone come in while we were working, or going home at lunch (and sometimes a combo of those).

 

[ladye2001]

I've read through most all of the puppy posts. I am also considering getting an older dog, but I would really like a puppy. Has anyone trained their puppies living by themselves working full time? I would of course enroll in some training courses with my dog.

The question about whether I thought the dog would sleep while I was at work was mostly just curiousity. Of course if I find out that my strange schedule will be unhealthy/neglecting for a dog, I will wait until my schedule changes--which it should shortly after May.

My main concern is leaving the puppy alone while I'm at work. Is it unethical to leave the puppy alone while I am at work for 8 hours? I see that alot of people have someone who is at home all day or can come home for lunch.

Again, thanks for everyone's replies.

 

[ladye2001]

Ok. Thanks. I guess my last reply is a little out of sync (you guys reply fast!) I will definitely take everything that you guys have mentioned in to consideration. You hit on my main concern of leaving the pup alone for 8 hours.