Only Unemployed Dog Lovers Need Apply...

[johnson99]

I just wanted to share my experiences in my never ending dog search. I have been looking for a boxer for some time now - I started off by looking for a puppy and after several breeders expressed concern over the fact that my wife and I both work all day and are out of the house for 9-10 hours a day, were unable to find a breeder willing to sell us a puppy. This is totally understandable, I fully realize the breeders are only looking out for their puppies and rightfully so - I also understand that it wouldn't be fair to leave a puppy for so long without having someone come in to walk the dog during the day.

My wife and I are a bit reticent about having a stranger come in our home to walk the dog every day and have no family or friends that are home at that time to walk the dog. We had planned to confine the puppy to a crate in our climate controlled garage during the spring months and provide dog walkers access to the garage to walk and feed the dog until he/she was old enough to hold his bladder for the full day- but most breeders were not okay with that either.

That led me to look at older dogs who are already housebroken (I even looked into greyhound rescue) - most of the rescue contacts I corresponded with also expressed concern that we'd be out of the house so long. So that begs the question - are dogs only for the unemployed or for single income households where one of the parents are home during the day. I can't imagine that every dog owner either hires a dog walker, doesn't work, or has the opportunity to come home for lunch every day.

Its a catch 22 - I need a job to provide for the dog, but having the job seems to preclude me from owning a dog. Its a shame too because I think we would've made a great home for a boxer (or a greyhound) - but it looks like we're going to go the cat route.

Any suggestions or insight that would help me figure out a way to work a dog into my life would be appreciated.

Sorry for the longwindedness

 

[kcarter]

i don't have an answer for you, but i can sympathize with you. i looked into boxer rescue most of the dogs say you can't have small children. well when my kids aren't small i won't be home and the kids will be to busy for a dog. it would be nice if everyone could meet the tough guidelines they set up but, it is easier to get a motgage then a boxer

 

[exk23]

Is it possible for you or your wife to come back during lunch time to take the dog out. How about other family members? Sorry, I can't help much. That's all I can think of. I also feel the same way as you about not being comfortable with neighbors coming in the house. Oh how about puppy daycare. Although you may have to take some time off and have the dog or puppy all updated on shots before sending the dog there. I hope others can help. Goodluck to you and your wife.

E

 

[scooter52398]

I am sorry to hear what you are going through. What part of NJ are you from, I live in NJ and got Scooter at 9 weeks old and only was home for the weekend with him and then went back to work on Monday and he was in he kitchen all day (about 9 hours) and I didn't have no problem. Of course he peed on the floor but that was expected. My breeder had no problem giving us a dog as we both worked and she even had him pretty much potty trained at 9 weeks.

 

[Sam S]

Yes......getting our 1st boxer was worse than going for a job interview.......LOL.

The breeder we got Ali from asked heaps of questions about us & our lifestyle.

We were willing to take time off work when we first got Ali & we work quite close to home so for the first 12 months went home every day to play with her. We also made sure one of us was home by 5.30pm everynight & we hardly ever go out mid week (even now). We also walked Ali twice a day WITHOUT fail! Yes i know we are obsessed....... & a little bit crazy but lets face it you have to be to own a boxer.....LOL.

After 12 months of being a 1 dog family we decided the best thing for Ali would be to have company so we rang the breeder we got Ali from & asked if she had a dog for us.... well we were very lucky because she had an 8 month old boy she had just finished showing but wanted to use him at stud later. She wanted to send him to a "good" home, we were honoured to be thought of as a "good" home particularly after the "grilling" we got to get Ali.

So my point after all that is ....... have you considered getting 2 dogs ( keep each other company)?.......... And stick to it, be committed & you will be rewarded. They are worth the wait!

I would recommend finding a breeder you trust & like their dogs & persisting.....ask them questions, they want to know you are interested in the dog too!

I hope this all makes sense.......i do tend to ramble.....LOL

 

[johnson99]

Sometimes I think people would rather see dogs in shelters than see them go to a good home where, while the dog would be alone during the day would be given tons of attention and exercise in the morning, at night, and on the weekend. Its very frustrating!

 

[bonnie]

Have you and your wife considered adopting/rescuing from a shelter?

My husband and I are in the same position you are in . . .we work all day and not close enough to get home at lunch. After reviewing the adoption application with boxer rescue I really felt this would go against us. I "found" Chelsea on petfinder.org. She was in a shelter in Camden County, NJ. Chelsea is a older girl, @ 6-7 years old, and the most perfect boxer girl (I'm prejudiced :D ). She is fully housetrained, she doesn't chew on the furniture, but best of all she loves us unconditionally as we love her!

Don't give up. I'm sure there is a furbaby waiting for you to give it the perfect forever home!

 

[bonnie]

One to Consider

I was looking thru petfinder.org in the NJ area and found the following. Unfortunately, there is no picture attached. It may be worth considering?!

http://web2.petfinder.org/pet.cgi?a...onID=3c5eb222644ca7f7&display=&preview=&row=0

 

[jelyjenn]

Good luck in your search for the perfect pup. When you find him/her you will be glad you waited. Keep looking. One good place to go is to local dog shows. You can also contact the rescue program again and try to find out exactly what they want from a future owner. I belong to the boxer rescue in florida and we adopt out boxers to families who have both working "parents". Maybe they want to be sure that you have really researched the breed and for you to know what you are getting into.

Good luck again.

Jennifer

Time is of the essence and we all have time.

 

[MommyD.]

I don't think anyone wants an animal (cat, dog, etc.) to end up in a shelter and I'm sure that's why breeders are hesitant to sell to you. They don't want their puppies to end up in a shelter. I'm at home all day except for getting my daughter to and from school and normal household errands. It is very hard with a new puppy. I love the work and would not trade it for anything, but it is hard. I can't see a small puppy holding it's bodily functions for that long...not at first anyway. He/she will just have been taken from it's littermates and it will be lonely! Our puppy didn't have too much problem with this, but he wasn't alone at all for the first week or more. I can't imagine it being in a small room, garage, or crate in it's own waste for long. Ya know? Maybe the garage wouldn't be bad, because you could designate an area for it to go potty in. I'm sure you would really love the puppy and give it a good home. I can tell that you are really determined to provide it a loving home with lots of attention. If you really want a puppy and maybe you could agree with the breeder that you will find someone to look after it a few times a day while it is still young. I'm sure you could find a breeder that would be willing to help you. I was willing to do almost anything to get my puppy. I had such a hard time finding a breeder, etc and I felt upset like you. It will happen for you. Chances are also if you really don't want a cat, it won't work in your home. Keep looking...you'll find a breeder who will work with you.