Evening everyone, I'm posting here because I’d like to get a few opinions.
After thinking long and hard and doing plenty of research on training and adoption, I’m ready to take the plunge and get a dog.
My partner had a Golden Retriever when she was a teenager, and she’d love to get one from a breeder once we’ve moved into our new house.
So, we're planning on getting a Golden Retriever in a few months, but I have a lot of questions about our jobs. My partner and I are both educators and work 30 hours a week; it worries me because the dog will be home alone some afternoons. Our shifts are mainly 7am–1pm and 2pm–9pm, and sometimes we work at the same time.
I've read that a puppy can’t be left alone for too long, just for toilet breaks and to stop them from getting bored. I know there are crates and puppy pens, and that it’s possible to train them to go in a specific spot when we’re out and in the garden (with us) when we’re home.
But is this realistic? Do you have any advice or techniques for teaching a dog to stay home alone? Or would it be better to wait a bit or book some annual leave (a week, for example) so we can be there full-time at the start?
Thanks for your replies and for helping to ease my worries! 😁
PS: Just to clarify, this will be my first dog.
Translated from French
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I went for a wooden baby playpen myself. It didn't last long, though—my dog quickly gnawed his way out through the bars 😅 But while I was doing some research, I saw a review for metal puppy pens where someone had found their dog hanging by a paw. Every one I’ve seen seems to have the same design flaw where the panels join up; if the dog jumps, they can get a paw trapped.
As for the size, I got the biggest one I could find, which was about 40 square feet (4m2). I paid quite a lot for it despite the poor quality, but I’d left it until the very last minute. If you plan ahead, you can usually find them quite cheaply second-hand.
I used to work in assisted living and residential homes back when I brought my dogs along. At the last place I was at, management didn't want animals in the building, but I’d see them at the farm instead. There are so many positives to working with dogs. Mind you, I think it’d be quite tricky to bring a puppy along while you’re on shift, compared to adult dogs. As for the young girl, she used to come over to mine for an hour or two.
Hi,
I’m a support worker as well. I work with people with complex needs in a residential setting.
Ulthia was allowed to come in with me four days a week, but on the last day, we had meetings, so I couldn't bring her along. She helped me build rapport with some of the residents much more easily, and it can be a massive help. I actually did a training course with my dog, and my manager was really keen on the idea.
Have you tried talking to your bosses about it? Maybe you could put together a project proposal involving the dog?
I think it’ll be possible to swap shifts with colleagues for the first few weeks so we don't have to leave the dog alone, as we're on fixed-term contracts and taking leave is quite tricky.
@Lu12345, do you take your dog to work at the weekend? What kind of setting do you work in and do your bosses allow it?
What sort of crate would you recommend for this breed? A metal one? What sort of size should it be? Perhaps you have a website you’d recommend?
Regarding pet sitters, is it better to have home visits or to drop the dog off at their house?
Hi there, I’m a dog trainer as well and I work shifts. I used to live alone, so there was nobody at home while I was at work. Mornings weren't a problem as my dogs love a lie-in if I don’t get them up, so I’d take them out for a good hour before heading off to work. They’d then go back inside to finish their nap and I’d be home by 2 pm for various activities. However, when I was on late shifts, even if they'd had a good run in the morning, they often got a second wind towards the end of the day. To help with that, I used to have an 18-year-old girl come round; she couldn’t have dogs of her own but was delighted to take mine out and play with them for a bit. The handy thing about working lates is that you’re on the opposite schedule to most people, so it’s quite easy to sort something out with a friend or neighbour. At the weekends, they used to come to work with me. I’m talking about adult dogs here, though. It’s always a good idea to take some annual leave when you first get a new dog. If possible, you could also try to stagger your shifts with your partner at first so you’re home at different times.
Thank goodness it’s not just people without jobs who can get a dog...
The issue is when work means being away for 10 hours a day, 5 days a week, which leaves very little time for the dog...
But clearly, that isn't the case for you...
Taking some time off for the puppy's arrival is a must... a whole month might be a bit much, especially if you can manage to stagger your shifts during those first few weeks... besides, leaving a six-month-old puppy alone for 8 hours once a week isn't the end of the world... yes, it’ll be a long day and he might get into a bit of mischief, but as long as he gets plenty of attention from his owners the next day, he’ll be fine.
You definitely need to puppy-proof properly: no cables, no small objects lying around, no collars, or use a playpen. Not long ago, there was a sad story in my village; a little puppy that had only just arrived drowned in the swimming pool... his new owners hadn't realised he’d be attracted to the water...
I tend to keep mine shut inside when I’m out, as I don’t really trust leaving them outdoors...
I’d also recommend a playpen over a crate for safety reasons. I wouldn't suggest a crate in this case because they'd be in it for too many hours and wouldn’t be able to play or stretch their legs...
Since it’s an active and playful breed, try to get a pet sitter to pop in for an hour or two for a walk during your work hours, or perhaps a friend, relative, or a trusted neighbour... to help with their needs and training.
And if you’re getting them during your holidays, don’t forget to work on separation training so they don’t get distressed when you head back to work.
