@ Anyone with a dog

[bobbarley]

To make it clear, someone is at home 5 days a week, it's only Monday and Friday that no one is there for the entire day.  Walking won't be a problem, I'm just more concerned at it being inside all day without being able to go the toilet and stuff (we work too far from our house to pop back at lunch).

[tweed]

That to be fair it is breed and not size. A pharaoh hound is crazy  wrecked our garden, holes everywhere. And needed a lot of attention and we just couldn't give him enough. Very clever dogs!

My missis old house mate had a tiny dog. That didn't need any walking. You walked and it was sprinting to just stay at your side  cheap on food.

But the little sh!t chewed up the carpets and guess who had to sort that out when they moved out 

Cats are what you want if your not home a lot.

[tweed]

Her tiny dog had a dirt tray 

[X4MGS]

To make it clear, someone is at home 5 days a week, it's only Monday and Friday that no one is there for the entire day.  Walking won't be a problem, I'm just more concerned at it being inside all day without being able to go the toilet and stuff (we work too far from our house to pop back at lunch).

Thats not as bad as I first read it... Any chance a neighbour could let it out on those 2 days or look at employing a dog walker...

[Steve_PD]

My dog was a nightmare for the first 2 years. He hated being alone and would bark nonstop and chew any thing and everything in sight

Now he's older he doesn't mind being alone for most the day as long as you give him a good walk before and after.

[dTEA]

No problems with holding it for 8-10hrs but that means doing the whole training bit to begin with and expect some destruction of furniture.  Ideal is a utility room as a pup and use a extra-large breed travel cage to keep it in for an hour or so when you first leave it in the house on its own.  They tend to learn quite quickly not to mess where they sleep. 

The question of breed is the hardest as a lot of people want a dog that looks a certain way...that means you take whatever traits they have.  Working dogs are more difficult if you are out a lot as already said.  I work shifts so there is an ever changing overlap of how long the dog is on its own, and being a border collie its hard to miss any days walking even when your ill or you have the kids off ill with you. 

Do a bit of research on temperament and if possible check the b!tch and dog that has been bred...gives an idea of the genetics.

And good luck...

[bobbarley]

I grew up always having a dog around so am pretty used to them, exercise, costs, playing with them etc.  My girlfriend has also always grown up around dogs, and even used to train them.  So both pretty experienced.

Some googling seems to suggest that up to 10 hours is ok and the dog can be trained and become accustomed to it, which is good.  I guess having the two days a week split up help as well.

Definitely something to think about.  Lots of research needed to investigate different breeds and decide what type we would like to get 

[Toby]

I personaly dont have a dog! but the mrs mum has 2! miniture (sausage dog) and a flat coat retreiver! the flat coat needed hours of walking every day! but hes now 12, arthritus has kicked in, so he only needs 20 min in the morning and a run of the eve!

sausage is ok he can do a lap around the block and hes f**ked!! 

luckilly for them, her old man does shift work, and her mum starts late, and then chloe is allways up the horse yard, so she takes the boys with her! so it works fine!

if it was us getting another dog! it wouldnt be a good idea, possibilty of me working offshore, and the mrs has just landed her self a job as a air hostes! so were not going to be home much!!

but willi is sooo cute! :p

[danny_p]

some  dogs are ok left alll day other arn't  massivly depends on age breed and the personality of that particular dog.

i can leave mine all day no bother as long as there is a massive walk beforehand but only ever do it on a needs must basis. but usally comes to work with me and just chills out in the back of the pickup

[MereKat]

some  dogs are ok left alll day other arn't  massivly depends on age breed and the personality of that particular dog.

i can leave mine all day no bother as long as there is a massive walk beforehand but only ever do it on a needs must basis. but usally comes to work with me and just chills out in the back of the pickup

I have a Colie Cross and a Yorkshire Terrier at the moment, always had dogs though.

If you have a big house, we found Great Danes were a good dog, not much excersise needed, doesn't eat too much (given the size!), but they don't live too long though, and will easily take up a 3 seater sofa!

Also had a Chihuahua crossed with a Pug (Ugly little fcker!) which was ok to keep, easy to walk and feed etc, liked attention...

Had another collie cross, most loyal dog i've ever known!

Overall it depends what you want, and how you train it. All the dogs i've had have been fine with being left on there own for hours on end on the odd day, and our current 2 regularly have 1 day a week where we are out for 8-12 hours and can't take them. The Collie is about 11 (Rescue dog) and the Yorkie's around 18months (Again, rescued!).

If you do get one, and it is left and does something in the house though, don't tell it off when you get home, dogs won't put 2 and 2 together and realise that what it did hours earlier was wrong...

Train it right, and it'll be your best friend! Also, don't read into the personallities and perseptions of different beeds too far! I have a friends with a Rottweiller, built like a brick sh!thouse but soft as you like!  Same with a mate with a Staffie. Although certain breeds are bred for a purpose, bringing them up right can easily change them into an ideal pet. Leave it constantly, give it no attention and don't feed it properly and it'll be pretty angry...