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Am i right for a dog?

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Josh97

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Hi, my gf and i have wanted to get ourselves a dog for a while now however have always been hesitant as we both work all day. We are looking at boxer and have plenty of room for it in the house but i work quite far away so wont be able to go home at lunch to tend for them and my gf might be able to every other day. My question is do you think it would be unfair to the dog if i got one and had to leave them alone all day?
 
Honestly, yes. Especially an active breed like a boxer. And certainly not a puppy which needs to go out every 45 to 60 minutes while house training.

But of course people who have dogs don't all have the luxury of being able not to work, many working people do have dogs - they just put in place measures to make sure the dog is not alone all day. For example some people use dog walkers ideally twice but at least once a day, or doggy day care.

If you can factor that in, then it could work. But I'd still not recommend a puppy, it takes a lot of time to house train, and then train a puppy to be alone for gradually increasing periods. Would you consider an older dog (and a dog walker)?
 
Yes, i would definitely consider this. I didnt even know doggy day care was a thing haha. I was thinking about potentially going for a rescue to get used to owning one as we are both first time owners. Would this be advised?
 
Josh97 said:
Yes, i would definitely consider this. I didnt even know doggy day care was a thing haha. I was thinking about potentially going for a rescue to get used to owning one as we are both first time owners. Would this be advised?
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Provided you go to a good one, yes - but some of them are so keen to move dogs on that they don't check home circumstances and we have heard some terrible stories of really challenging dogs with behaviours that need careful management being homed with inexperienced owners.

Things to look for include you being checked carefully to find out what you can offer a dog, and what support they will give you after the adoption process.

Is there anywhere near you where you could volunteer? That would let them get to know you, you could get more dog experience, you might meet that one dog that ”clicks”, you get a doggy ”fix” in the meantime, the shelter gets more help - everybody wins.
 
Really depends on the personality of the dog. Plus, if it's a puppy you are planning to get, it would be less than ideal to leave it to its own devices for the most part of the day. I would recommend holding off getting a dog until you get set aside 3-6 months of freer time to look after the dog in the initial days :)
 
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