I'd say having someone at home is vital at the start. Once they've grown up a few years they're pretty 'independent', but for training purposes and for general good behaviour it's good to have someone at home at the start. Doing it while living alone is a bit hard though. My dogs have been fine because they have each other, I'm sure it's totally different having only one dog. Can't really leave it alone for most the day and expect it not to go insane over the years. Overall, dogs do require quite a bit of attention in comparison to cats, so I probably wouldn't recommend it. When I move out the house I'll probably get a cat because I don't want to have that bugging feeling that a dogs locked up at home while I'm at work. Dogs really work best in a family situation when there's usually at least one person at home for any one time.
Paul
'06 - London, Dublin, Reading
'07 - Katowice, Wembley, Dusseldorf, Copenhagen, Nijmegen
'09 - London, Manchester, London
'12 - Manchester, Manchester, Berlin, Stockholm, Copenhagen
do any of you who have dogs live alone, not have a yard, and work late? I've always thought I can't have one for these reasons, but does anyone manage to pull it off (and have a happy, healthy dog)?
I do live alone....well, the pooches are my roommates. I work a normal 40 hour week most of the year, travel about 30 minutes to work. There are a couple months when I log close to 60 hours a week. I have the blessing of a good relationship with my ex-husband whom I trust implicitly with my dogs (he had a hand in raising them before we split). He has a busy season with his job as well (different months). We utilize a pet sitter during the busy months; his brother helps as well (works one town away from where my ex lives). I do have a yard but it's not fenced (and my neighbor's dog is completely untrustworthy so I don't allow my dogs to play with him). I play with them in the house, in my yard, I walk some mornings in the summer with them before work, I bring them to the beach or any place that is dog friendly. My ex takes them during the day on his days off and they're busy with him.
It can be done but it takes work. There are lots of times I don't go out as my dogs need the attention (or better yet? I'd rather hang with them!). Again, I'm lucky my ex will take them pretty much anytime I have plans to go out. And vice-versa - he's quick to advise if he has plans and can't take them.
believe it or not, we don't "need" anything. that is only the spoiled brat in us trying to fill some temporary solution to an emptyness that does not exist.
I have eaten so much gold I crapped excellence - drtyfrnk29
Life is either a daring adventure or nothing at all!
believe it or not, we don't "need" anything. that is only the spoiled brat in us trying to fill some temporary solution to an emptyness that does not exist.
I have eaten so much gold I crapped excellence - drtyfrnk29
Life is either a daring adventure or nothing at all!
Checking to see if I have figured out this whole Photobucket thing .....
Here's our Golden, Shelby. She is wearing a t-shirt because the vet just cut open something gross on her back :eek:. Note the overflowing toy basket in the background .
Vegas 93, Vegas 98, Vegas 00 (10 year show), Vegas 03, Vegas 06
VIC 07
EV LA1 08
Seattle1 09, Seattle2 09, Salt Lake 09, LA4 09
Columbus 10
EV LA 11
Vancouver 11
Missoula 12
Portland 13, Spokane 13
St. Paul 14, Denver 14
Manny is a St. Bernard/Boxer mix. I got her free from a farm when she was 5 weeks old; she will be 11 in May. She has traveled across the country with me and she is my very best friend!
I have absolutely no idea what I will do without her when she goes, I just know that I appreciate every single day I have with her now. She is 2 years past any lifetime any vet gave her and she doesn't even look old. I am so, so lucky!
Manny is a St. Bernard/Boxer mix. I got her free from a farm when she was 5 weeks old; she will be 11 in May. She has traveled across the country with me and she is my very best friend!
I have absolutely no idea what I will do without her when she goes, I just know that I appreciate every single day I have with her now. She is 2 years past any lifetime any vet gave her and she doesn't even look old. I am so, so lucky!
Norm looks very energetic! I bet he keeps you very busy, what a great dog! Thanks for the compliment on Manny. Dogs are just the greatest things on earth!
do any of you who have dogs live alone, not have a yard, and work late? I've always thought I can't have one for these reasons, but does anyone manage to pull it off (and have a happy, healthy dog)?
I live alone, in a 1 bedroom apartment, with a large breed dog. I work weird hours, I never, ever leave her alone for longer than 8 hours. That is the key for me. I walk her 3 or 4 times a day for at least 10 to 15 minutes so that she gets enough exercise. I would think you could pull it off, if you truly want to give a good life to a dog! With today in the doggie market you can hire people to take your dog on a walk in the afternoon when you can't get away from work or drop them at doggie daycare for the day, it's crazy! It really just depends on the commitment you put into a dog.
You are being very responsible, knowing how much time it takes, it's not easy by any means but worth every single penny and minute I spend with my dog!
The one on the left is Stella, a 4 yr. old Bulldog mix- got her about a year ago. The one on the right is Tiki, my little 6 yr. old Chihuahua- had her since she was just a wee baby. The middle one is actually my mother's dog, but I threaten to steal him everytime I visit. His name is Mr. Itchy and he's a 3 yr. old Japanese Chin. He was supposed to only be about 12 lbs, but he got the giant gene and weights around 23 lbs.
I have 2.5 year old Boxer named Hammond who was adopted off the streets of Philly. I have no idea how any one lost him, he follows every one around and never wants to be alone. I also have a 2 yr old husky-pitbull-possibly basenji mix, named Hallie, she has two different colored eyes and is probably the sweetest dog I have ever owned. She too was adopted, she was really sick as a puppy and her family couldn't care for her, so they gave her up.
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http://photos-f.ak.facebook.com/photos-ak-sf2p/v166/232/90/653478172/n653478172_335509_9528.jpg
http://photos-c.ak.facebook.com/photos-ak-sf2p/v166/232/90/653478172/n653478172_335506_8721.jpg
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I'd say having someone at home is vital at the start. Once they've grown up a few years they're pretty 'independent', but for training purposes and for general good behaviour it's good to have someone at home at the start. Doing it while living alone is a bit hard though. My dogs have been fine because they have each other, I'm sure it's totally different having only one dog. Can't really leave it alone for most the day and expect it not to go insane over the years. Overall, dogs do require quite a bit of attention in comparison to cats, so I probably wouldn't recommend it. When I move out the house I'll probably get a cat because I don't want to have that bugging feeling that a dogs locked up at home while I'm at work. Dogs really work best in a family situation when there's usually at least one person at home for any one time.
'06 - London, Dublin, Reading
'07 - Katowice, Wembley, Dusseldorf, Copenhagen, Nijmegen
'09 - London, Manchester, London
'12 - Manchester, Manchester, Berlin, Stockholm, Copenhagen
I do live alone....well, the pooches are my roommates.
It can be done but it takes work. There are lots of times I don't go out as my dogs need the attention (or better yet? I'd rather hang with them!). Again, I'm lucky my ex will take them pretty much anytime I have plans to go out. And vice-versa - he's quick to advise if he has plans and can't take them.
I have eaten so much gold I crapped excellence - drtyfrnk29
Life is either a daring adventure or nothing at all!
she's beautiful!!!
I have eaten so much gold I crapped excellence - drtyfrnk29
Life is either a daring adventure or nothing at all!
Here's our Golden, Shelby. She is wearing a t-shirt because the vet just cut open something gross on her back :eek:. Note the overflowing toy basket in the background
http://i285.photobucket.com/albums/ll56/ddgrh8r/DCP_0665.jpg
Vegas 93, Vegas 98, Vegas 00 (10 year show), Vegas 03, Vegas 06
VIC 07
EV LA1 08
Seattle1 09, Seattle2 09, Salt Lake 09, LA4 09
Columbus 10
EV LA 11
Vancouver 11
Missoula 12
Portland 13, Spokane 13
St. Paul 14, Denver 14
http://i277.photobucket.com/albums/kk68/irieinindy/manny.jpg
Manny is a St. Bernard/Boxer mix. I got her free from a farm when she was 5 weeks old; she will be 11 in May. She has traveled across the country with me and she is my very best friend!
I have absolutely no idea what I will do without her when she goes, I just know that I appreciate every single day I have with her now. She is 2 years past any lifetime any vet gave her and she doesn't even look old. I am so, so lucky!
you just became SENROCK's best friend....;)
beautiful dog!
Norm looks very energetic! I bet he keeps you very busy, what a great dog! Thanks for the compliment on Manny. Dogs are just the greatest things on earth!
I live alone, in a 1 bedroom apartment, with a large breed dog. I work weird hours, I never, ever leave her alone for longer than 8 hours. That is the key for me. I walk her 3 or 4 times a day for at least 10 to 15 minutes so that she gets enough exercise. I would think you could pull it off, if you truly want to give a good life to a dog! With today in the doggie market you can hire people to take your dog on a walk in the afternoon when you can't get away from work or drop them at doggie daycare for the day, it's crazy! It really just depends on the commitment you put into a dog.
You are being very responsible, knowing how much time it takes, it's not easy by any means but worth every single penny and minute I spend with my dog!
The one on the left is Stella, a 4 yr. old Bulldog mix- got her about a year ago. The one on the right is Tiki, my little 6 yr. old Chihuahua- had her since she was just a wee baby. The middle one is actually my mother's dog, but I threaten to steal him everytime I visit. His name is Mr. Itchy and he's a 3 yr. old Japanese Chin. He was supposed to only be about 12 lbs, but he got the giant gene and weights around 23 lbs.