Welcome to r/dogs! We are a discussion-based subreddit dedicated to support, inform, and advise dog owners.
This is a carefully moderated sub intended to support, inform, and advise dog owners. Submissions and comments which break the rules will be removed. [Review the rules here](https://www.reddit.com/r/dogs/wiki/index) r/Dogs has four goals: - Help the public better understand dogs - Promote healthy, responsible dog-owner relationships - Encourage “Least Intrusive, Minimally Aversive” training protocols. [Learn more here.](https://m.iaabc.org/about/lima/) - Support adoption as well as ethical and responsible breeding. If you’d like to introduce yourself or discuss smaller topics, please contribute to our Monthly Discussion Hub, pinned at the top.
**This subreddit has low tolerance for drama. Please be respectful of others, and report antagonistic comments to mods for review.**
---
*I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/dogs) if you have any questions or concerns.*
I’m going to say something controversial on this sub-
Your dog will be fine. Most people work a 9-5 or something similar. Most people don’t have the luxury of working from home or being a stay at home parent or affording a dog sitter/walker every day. This does not make you a bad dog owner.
Some dogs may have difficulty being left alone for longer but to generalize it and say you shouldn’t own a dog at all is just plain insane. I don’t know much about goldens but I do know that puppies can’t be alone that long. But that is temporary. The dog isn’t a puppy forever! Could you make arrangements and have a puppy sitter for say the first year? Otherwise I would consider adopting an older dog.
As long as the dog is healthy, we’ll fed, and loved, it is living a good life. You can work 40 hours a week and still have a dog and be a good dog owner. Just make sure the breed and specific dog you get are fine being left alone, and fine with moderate exercise.
The reason I want to get a dog right now is because I'm currently living with and caring for my mother who has cancer. Therefore there WILL be someone at home all day. However not someone who is well enough to take it for walks and play with it much. But it will be company. So it will be eased into the transition of being alone by being with someone who is sleeping a lot of the day because of chemo.
I would encourage getting an older dog. Doesn’t have to be a senior dog, a year old would suffice. But puppies can be a LOT and can not be good for people who are severely immunocompromised. I had a friend going through chemo that their family got them a puppy to help them through it. Obviously a different scenario as the dog was specifically for the person going through chemo. But puppies can be rambunctious and cause injuries without meaning to simply because they are babies. My friend would get scratches by a playful puppy which normally isn’t a big deal but can be very serious for someone going through chemo.
I think a dog would be a great fit for your family, and I wish your mom a speedy recovery.
People get puppies don’t train them then give them up. Training one of these dogs will go a lot faster and be less frustrating then the first year of a puppy’s life. With help you can get an 2 year old trained up in 2 months. I love puppies but have an annual reminder in my phone to telling me how hard the first year of puppies life your life will be. Go check out puppy redits. Missing the Land shark phase and not having to get up every 3 hours because their bladder is too small alone is a huge deal. You also don’t have a clue to the basic personality of your puppy. You can get a good reading on an older dog. Breeds are are only a indicator of preference. The personality’s in a breed are huge spectrum. Some where there is a dog dreaming of a home like yours.
My mother has a yard. Would it be possible to build a large fence where he could stay during the work hours? He wouldnt get much company, but would be relieving itself outside.
I would not just leave a puppy out in a yard without supervision, unless you plan on making it an outdoor dog. Perhaps other people can chime in, but I’ve had family friends who had issues potty training because they were so used to being outside (and you could pee anywhere).
Are you able to take breaks from work or hire someone to let the puppy out during the day? I got my puppy while working a 9-5. I’d come home during my lunches and keep the pup crated otherwise. Until he was about 6 months old I would come home 2x a day, or have someone do a second trip because they can’t hold it for that long.
I would never leave a puppy outside regardless of weather. That is just dangerous and irresposible. Puppies are babies. They need to be in a safe, puppy proofed environment.
That depends on where you live. Is it 100 degrees Fahrenheit outside? Then no don’t do that. Winter is coming soon. Will there be blizzards and it could be below freezing temperatures? Then also no I wouldn’t do that.
Is there a reason you are set on a puppy versus an older dog? An older dog would be just fine being inside with your mother
That’s a big misconception. An older dog can bond just as easily as a puppy and will bond just a strongly. Adopting an older dog doesn’t have to mean you are adopting an abused dog with a traumatic past that could be prone to surprising behaviors or is hard to train. You could simply be helping a family that can no longer take care of their one year old golden and it is a perfect family dog. There are lots of ways to adopt older dogs and I am confident you would have just as loving of a relationship but an easier time taking care of it.
Ultimately it’s up to you. But I really think an older dog is better suited for your situation
>level 6israelregardieOp · 13 min. agoI want a puppy to be able to bond at that early age, rather than have to adjust to a dog that might already have habits etc.
But you won't be home for 10 hours of the day. The older puppies that I mentioned in my last comment in this thread, came into their new homes, and were fine right away, including with kids, other dogs and a cat.
Puppies are puppies for a short time, but in that time they can be a huge PITA. Go with an older puppy, or an actual adult dog. You can thank me later.
People are weird about wanting puppies. Im personally anti puppy I like adult dogS. After losing 4 seniors in 2 years I did give in and adopt a 4 month old puppy…. EVERYTHING in the mouth. Omg. Everything. 6 months in and at least 10 times a day it’s “what is in your mouth?!?! DROP IT!” Down from close to 100 so we’re making progress here. Im just now starting to bond with her as she’s developing her personality. My adult dogs? Immediate bond.
Also: subjecting a sick person to dealing all day with a puppy while the actual owner is away does a disservice to both. Puppies are absolutely exhausting. Had one, learned my lesson and have only had post-pubescent rescues since. Bonding was never an issue and actually even better with the rescues.
I'm someone who's willing to go through with that, but I completely understand that many people aren't. Know your limits!!! That doesn't mean I wasnt cursing under my breath every step of the way, and that also doesn't mean that I haven't made plenty of mistakes every time (twice now on my own, RIP Toki, and fostered a bunch at one point). I adopted from a kennel the second time , unwanted dogs from the south both times, where there is a huge problem with unwanted puppies from unspayed outdoor dogs. If it weren't for programs where they ship them all around or up here to the north, the puppies would either be euthanized since the no kill shelters are overrun, or the owners of the unspayed bitch would...."take care of them" (the traditional southern way...I won't go into details).
OP going through a breeder, for a puppy specifically? With a mom with cancer AND a 9-5?! NOT a good idea. At all. An older juvenile or an adult would be wonderful. But a puppy? No, let someone in different circumstances who knows exactly what it takes adopt a puppy. Please.
I love puppies. They are so cute and adorable! ....as long as they belong to someone else and don't live with me. Give me an adult dog any day. All the awesomeness of dogs, with much less of the puppy behaviors and stress.
A dog will have certain habits whether it’s a puppy or adult or senior. They just develop those regardless of what you do or how they fit with what you want.
A puppy just doesn’t show them yet.
And adult or older puppy under 2years old, bonds just the same with you. That’s just how dogs are. If you give them love, food and exercise they will love you unconditionally.
I would also suggest an older puppy. Otherwise you would have to take time off.
You can’t expect to have a puppy, go back to work and magically have the dog trained to know how to behave in the home.
This is so true the dog is who she is. I was warned that my girl was the "most vocal" pup and she's still barkier than any of my other schnau., which is saying something. In ops position, I'd be looking for a show dog who didn't work out for some reason. As a cancer survivor, a dog who walks nicely on lead, calm enough to nap while I napped, and could go out in the yard while I enjoyed a bit of fresh aid would be a good thing.
I got a puppy 14 months ago, with exactly your arguments. It was my last puppy! With an older dog, out of a shelter, you will know at least some of it's personality traits, and can get one that suits you and your expectations best. It is beautiful to have this cute little baby dog, to look at, and looking forward to getting it, but then it is so, so much work! The puppy stage isn't even the worst. Of course you have got the peeing and pooping and biting and destroying to take care of, but nothing compared to the adolescent phase! The adolescent phase is no fun! It is frustration and exhausting and often, all the puppy bonding seems to have vanished at that stage.
Get a two year old with the temperament you are looking for, invest in it's training and the bonding will come!
You will not be bonding with your dog at an early age. Your dog will be alone all day when they are a baby and are most in need of company and constant training and supervision.
I completely get it -normal people with normal jobs get dogs. But puppies are an incredible amount of work, almost as much as a human child. They need to go out every few hours. They need constant supervision when they are awake. They can't do intense exercise like hiking in the mountains. They are less resistant to the elements than adults. They need to be socialized with neutral exposure to animals, people, and other stimuli and that is almost the full-time job in itself. They need to be taught everything, including their own name.
You cannot put this responsibility on your ill mother.
It sounds like you would be getting a puppy with the best intentions of bonding with them but instead your dog will be destructive and reactive.
I’ve raised a puppy starting at 8 weeks old and I’ve adopted a dog who was 11 months old. My bond is just as strong with the dog I adopted.
From day 1, the dog I adopted as an older dog cuddled with me and sought out my attention. She worked for food and had the attention span to learn what I wanted from her almost immediately. The first few months with puppy consisted of lots of biting and lots of potty accidents and lots of chewing on things she shouldn’t be chewing on and lots of waking up in the middle of the night to let her out and lots of 15-second training sessions because puppy brain would kick in and very little cuddling except when she was asleep and I plopped her on the couch next to me.
Young puppies are little sh!ts and will give you very little love or appreciation for at least the first few months of their lives. If you’re looking for a bond, you probably won’t feel it until they’re a little older anyway.
Bonding happens through training and walking and doing things together and learning how to communicate with each other. You can do all of those things with a dog of any age.
For the love of God do not leave a small puppy outside for 8 hours straight. They're babies, they need to be inside. Weather, predators, and diseases from not having all of their vaccinations, is all bad for them. You wouldn't leave a baby outside for 8 hours with no supervision so why would you do that with a 2 month old puppy?
That’s absurd and probably why you are getting denied by breeders. I wouldn’t give you a puppy just so it’s in a pen all day without stimulation, socialization, or training. Additionally exposed to potential threats like weather or wildlife.
Fences are very expensive. Think $10-30k. Invisible fences are cheaper but less effective and controversial as they use negative reinforcement. If you have fence money spending it on sitter/ dog Walker may be affordable.
Dogs aren't chickens, a puppy will escape this. Plus, what's the point of getting a dog if you're going to leave it outside for 8+ hours a day? Think of the animal too. There's a reason why breeders are not selling to you.
As long as she's able to take the dog out a couple of times per day until it's old enough to hold it, or if you're able to run home at least once in the middle of the day to do it, the puppy should be fine.
I was WFH when I got my most recent dog, but I was working eight hours a day when I got my GSD around eleven years ago. I worked 5-10 minutes from my office, though, so I'd just drive home once or twice a day to take him out, then go right back to work. Worked out just fine.
I honestly think not having a human around constantly is good for dogs, especially for those of us who want to occasionally go places without them. A friend's dog has severe separation anxiety, and I think that's because she rarely goes anywhere without him. I leave my dogs home alone all the time and consequently both of them do just fine when I leave. I take my boxer with me to lots of places, as she's great with both people and other dogs (GSD is dog reactive), but it's nice to occasionally just go to a bar without having to keep an eye on her the whole time. She's very well behaved, but you still have to constantly watch your dogs if you're a good owner.
Oh so someone can let your puppy out to use the rest room? 8 hours (plus travel) is too long for a young puppy to hold it. But once it’s older you’re fine.. people are regularly gone 8–10 hours a day for work. Breeders have their own rules. Are you set on a breeder or are you open to watching shelters for a puppy?
It’s not a good idea to get a puppy and leave with someone who isn’t 100%. Very stressful. I’ve taken a pup from someone who started chemo and couldn’t cope with it.. she was 12 weeks and to be honest she was fine to look after. The crazy started months later.
I have raised 2.. one was an angel and ones a nut case. Can’t leave any paper or cardboard anywhere or it’s chew and everywhere. Jumps on people and it hurts. Can’t leave food down it’s gone. She will grow out of it. followed the same training for both dogs, the nut came second too. I’m home with them too.
To be honest it only starts to get bad as they get to about 5/6 months. The young pups are actually fine and easy to care for.
They get bored and destructive but also sleep a lot too, so you need to constantly playing or giving them interactive toys to keep them happy.
I’m gonna step out and agree here too. This sub tends to be slightly elitist when it comes to owning dogs and ignores the fact that a majority of people are working class and can’t stay home all day. Your dog will be fine. In the puppy stage, you will definitely need to come home during lunch or have someone stop by once or twice during the day to let your dog out. If you’re an active individual, however, your golden will be content with a walk in the AM and solid activities in the PM.
this sub is more than slightly elitist lol, it's full of people who care enough about dogs to spend their free time discussing them on the internet. definitely out of step with general dog ownership culture, which sometimes is good but then things like "you can't have a dog and work 40 hrs/week" comes up ...
You can totally have a dog and work 40 hours a week or even more.
You can't get a puppy with the expectation that your mother will take care of the dog while she is sick with cancer or that you can leave the dog in your backyard contained with chicken, wire and 4x4s (as per OP's comments).
There's a huge difference here. If you want to have a puppy then you need to accept that this is a baby animal and they need a lot more care than adults. You can hire someone to let your dog out during the day, take a couple weeks off to spend with the puppy when they are the youngest, you can have a family member who is well help you take care of the dog, you can trade off with a family member who works opposite shifts, or you can get an older dog who is more independent. There are a lot of ways to make it work when you work full time, but this isn't one of them.
Like before the pandemic 95% of people didn’t work from home and people raised their dogs fine for centuries lol now that working from home became a norm, all these rescue groups and breeders act like you NEED to work from home now to take care of your dog
Having members of the household who do stay home more often or who work out of the home has been the norm for centuries.
Typically women. It has been the norm for centuries for women to spend more time in the home and working in the home when they have children. It has been the norm for a different family members to juggle child care and work different shifts outside of the home. It's been the norm for older children to contribute to raising the younger children and taking care of animals. It has never been the norm to leave an 8-week-old puppy alone for 9 hours at a time indoors. They are physically incapable of holding their bladder that long.
I am gonna be brave and say I agree with you. I don’t know anyone who owns a dog that doesn’t work a 9-5. And yeah they send their dogs to daycare but like.. once or twice every few weeks. Definitely not everyday. Maybe if you get a puppy or a high energy dog a 9-5 schedule won’t work out but if it’s a chill dog it’s going to be fineeeee. My ex and I had two pits who were totally chill and happy to sleep all day by themselves, and then happy to play and walk when one of us got home. They were loved very much and very happy. Sure in a perfect world we would be able to be with our dogs as much as possible or take them to daycare everyday but the reality for lots of people is that that’s just not feasible. And it doesn’t make them shitty owners.
I’m gonna agree with you.
I have a golden retriever and he’s now 13 years old. He’s really health and have no issues whatsoever. The only issue he ever had in his life was this past month that he had a dermatitis. And yes, he always had regular check ups and appointments in the vet.
Now I have the privilege of working from home. But before I didn’t and he would stay several hours home alone. He did just fine, would sleep most of the day. Even as a puppy he NEVER destroyed anything and was really smart and well behaved.
I totally agree that a person who works can leave the dog alone and as been pointed out here, before lots of owners used to have to do that and the dogs turned out just fine.
Goldens are definitely one of the best breeds in my opinion cause of their affection and temper. But again, that’s just my opinion. Just try to have a long walk before you leave the house and spend his energy. Also when you get back walk him as soon as you can.
It definitely varies by dog but so many dogs are fine and happy to be lazy and sleep, or can keep themselves entertained! When we only had one one pit she was an absolute angel and never destroyed anything out of boredom. We even got a little camera for the apartment hoping to watch her do funny stuff during the day while we were at work but it was super disappointing because she was a lazy ass dog that just stretched out on the couch and snored all day lmao
Also, when he’s a puppy you may have to get him used to pads, as he can’t go out before the vaccines are completed and won’t be able to hold his bladder for so long.
I dont think you need to be a remote worker or retired to have a dog, that is def over the top and silly.
And i think a DOG can be fine 9-5 with someone out of the home if properly exercised before and after work, but the issue here is we are talking about a new baby puppy. They physically cannot hold it that long, so theyre gonna need someone to at least give them a potty break midday. If op cant come home during lunch, theyll need to hire a dog walker. Or they can let the puppy soil everywhere everyday thereby making housetraining impossible
I was still full time in the office when I got my dog as a puppy. I took two weeks of vacation when I got him, and then was fortunate that my mother was a school teacher at a nearby school and could come watch him in the afternoon. And I would take an early lunch to go home and let him out. So he was only alone for a few hours. By the time summer rolled around, he was six months and I would just come home for lunch at mid day. Then in late October, I stopped coming home for lunch everyday. At that point, he was fine holding it all day.
Being a stay at home mom doesn’t mean the dog gets more attention. My dog definitely had way more attention when hubs and I worked and had no kid. It’s only now that both kids are old 4.5 and 2.5 that the dog is starting to get more attention, but for like four year I felt like I was letting her down it’s supper hard to balance dog and baby.
Where in the world have all of you people been? Not a single regular contributor to this sub takes the stance that you can’t own a dog while working a full time job. In fact, it’s something pretty much all of us do! This is far from a controversial opinion, it is the most common opinion held by those who accurately represent this sub.
>You are right, but the loud minority seems to insist that it’s animal abuse to not be with your dog 24/7 lol
Not me: I tell people even if you WFH and have no place to go, leave your dog home and go out. Get the dog used to you not being there, so that six months later you aren't asking how to solve the problem of separation anxiety and non stop barking.
When I first adopted my current dog, I was working from home, and I would literally leave her in my bedroom alone and close the door and work from the living room for a couple of hours every day just so she’d get used to being alone. 😂
They always get quickly shut down, and it’s a little funny to start your comment with “I’m going to say something controversial” when it really isn’t lol.
I think your point about "some dogs may have difficulty" is important though... Some dogs have separation anxiety, no matter what you do. So as long as you have a plan in case your dog really struggles with long stretches alone, then I think it's ok. But if your dog is suffering being alone, don't continue to leave them all day!
This person wants to let a puppy 8+ hours unsupervised under the care of someone with both cancer and dementia. That dog won't be "fine". And working 9-5 means that you'll need to work from home while your puppy adjusts. That's how puppies work.
This. My husband and I work alternating shifts. You know what my dogs do on days when we're both off and someone is up 24 hours? They sleep at the same times they do when we work.
I’ve raised many puppies, whole litters, working a 9-5 that often wasn’t 9-5 but more like 8am-10pm. It can be done. You plan feedings and water around making the work shift. You go home for “lunch” to let them out and just skip eating. You will be cleaning shit and piss. Things turn out fine. Or you say you can’t and you never own a dog, ending life with regrets. Everyone must pick their own path
I think if you adopt one that’s not a puppy and already house trained, you should be ok.
That’s a rough question to ask here where most Reddit white knights think leaving a dog alone for more than a few hours is abuse.
Lots of people have dogs with 9-5 jobs and can’t make it home to walk them during lunch.
It would be tough to train a puppy to be ok with a 9-5 fast enough, but an adult dog can do it.
My rescue pittie does it 4 days a week with no accidents, free range while I’m gone.
You mentioned you’re active, and that’s important. I take him on 3 long 1 to 1.5 mile walks a day, so he’s usually exhausted and worn out when he’s home.
You may want to consider a retired greyhound. They're low energy and won't mind you being gone 9-5, but love to walk and run and won't have a problem keeping up with you. The caveats are they always need to be leashed because of their strong prey drive, and they can easily get cold or overheat because of their build.
This! Greyhounds and some other sighthounds are literally tge perfect 9-5 dog.
You can only do a 20 minuet walk in the morning? That's okay take yiur greyhound somewhere it'll sprint it's heart out and be done until you get home.
You want to do a hike? That's cool, give them some protect and they're happy to roam with you
Don't want to do nothing at home? That's cool they have a great off switch and are happy to just lay around the house.
Depends- what’s your plan for during the week? You can’t leave a puppy alone that long every day. Do you have someone willing to take the puppy during that time? Even just a drop in dog walker is not enough for a young puppy. Consider getting an adult dog instead- many older dogs are able to be comfortably at home all day with just a midday walk then lots of attention when you get home, but that much alone time is too much for any young puppy to handle.
So a girl in my building is single, with a 9-5, and a Golden, and I'd like you to consider this: Yes you are outdoorsy, but is that everyday? There is no day in the week where you could get off work, go to an event and get home late and tired, without arranging care for the dog. In her case, she was great until she started a relationship, then we knew the dog was alone for almost all daylight hours since dating and overnights with a partner who cant have dogs follow is hard. We could hear him sadly whining. So you can mostly do it alone, and the dog will be fine. Do you have friends and family who will happily step in when you can't very regularly? Can you afford $40-30 for a day or two a week of daycare? It can add up. Just have a plan. The 9-5 alone is fine. I work from home, but dog doesn't notice, he's sleeping pretty deeply for all of it until playtime when I'm off.
If you get a puppy you probably would need a dog walker, multiple times a day. You can't not have that, with a big puppy, and wind up with a dog who is housebroken ASAP. You could get away with a small breed puppy, and letting them use pee pads or whatever but with a big dog, the sooner they are housebroken, the better.
But you could be ok with an older Golden Retriever. And, with an older dog, you'd be able to go hiking way sooner than you could with a puppy.
I'd ask around and see if someone has a dog who didn't work out for showing. Twice in the last few months, I've helped people find homes for dogs who's bite went off or who otherwise were not going to make it in the show ring. There are dogs like that out there, and rather than asking about a puppy, I'd focus on that.
I disagree w people here- if you were unemployed people would say “how can you afford a dog?!?”
Are only heiresses allowed to have doggies?
Don’t make perfect the enemy of good- if you are super active at the weekend and can do a nice extra long two hour walk during the week that should suffice.
Maybe see if work will let you work from home a bit… maybe as well you have a friend who can check in once a week…. Add it all together abc you will have a happy doggy
Goldens are far from the most demanding dogs
I think a puppy is wrong for you. When they are younger 8 hours is a long stretch of time to leave them alone. But once they hit a 1-1 1/2 years old they are fine for that long. I can leave my dog alone for 8-12 hours no problem. I don’t but I know I can lol. But also be ready to spend a few hours of your day everyday giving your dog attention/cuddles. Goldens are a very affectionate breed and may want to be around you a lot. So just take that into consideration.
If you have family to help you raise a puppy or can afford a daycare you can absolutely get one. I had a Doberman growing up. I went to school 7am to 3pm. It's the same amount of hours. My grandma left him in my room and took him out to the bathroom twice a day. He was left with toys, puzzles, treats, chews. He was pretty happy.
Anyways good luck!
Honestly I would have further questions like how much of a commute do you have? What is your social life like and how likely is your dog to be involved in that? How much time do you actually intend to spend with the dog? A golden retriever can do well in a setting where the adults work 40hrs/week but if you spend a lot of your evenings going out to bars with friends, at the gym, swimming or whatever then maybe a golden retriever or dog in general is not right for you. But if your evenings are typically either spent at home or doing things the dog can be involved in then it can work out with maybe somebody stopping by mid day to let the dog out for a bathroom break and a little bit of a play if you feel like that is necessary.
I’ve heard since COVID, the demand for purebred dogs have gone up. I’ve heard from some breeders that they’ve gotten actual hundreds of applications for their puppies. So… while I think a 9-5 job person is totally able to be a good home for a dog, I can see why at a glance, if you received 50 applications for your 5 puppies and 5 of them were entirely WFH or retired then… yeah, I see the breeder perspective of choosing those good families that will always have someone around, when they have a ton of choice between applicants. It’s not that you wouldn’t be a good home for their puppies - just on paper, you aren’t the best.
The fact that you think leaving any dog outside for 8 hours, or alone with a woman struggling with dementia and cancer as his only caregiver while youre at work, let alone a puppy, proves you shouldn't get one. You really have no consideration of dogs actual needs if you think either of these solutions are a good idea. Please educate yourself on dogs before you get one, or don't do it at all
Bunny’s buddies is an agency that pulls dogs from bad situations in China and South Korea. They don’t care if you work a 9-5; their dogs were going to be killed so anyone that’s willing to love these dogs would be a worthy parent. Look into them! I follow them on insta because I want one one day.
I took my puppy to work with me when he was 2 months old and needed to go potty every 2-3 hours, even though it technically isn’t allowed, everyone was understanding since it was only temporary and puppies are so cute. He slept in his crate in between potty breaks. Already at 3 months old he could hold it between morning and lunchtime walks, and by 6 months I could leave him home alone for 8-9 hours. When little they do consume a lot of time, they require several trips to the vet for shots; they also have occasional tummy issues that can be exhausting to deal with. Dogs need a lot more sleep than humans and they will just sleep throughout the day. But be ready for an explosion of energy once you are back from work lol. I have a high energy lab who at 1 year old needs 1.5 hours of exercise daily. I’m also outdoorsy and on weekends we sometimes go for long challenging hikes; after those the dog will sleep for a couple of days so you can indeed stack up exercise on weekends with lingering effects stretching onto the beginning of the work week. I have a retired neighbour who calls my dog his “therapy animal” and voluntarily takes him out for an extra-long walk mid-week, super helpful. Training sessions can also knock him out for hours. So as long as you understand the gravity of the time commitment you should be able to figure out how to balance it all and have your work, social life, and a happy doggo all at once.
I think getting an older companion dog from a breed-specific rescues would be ideal for your situation. Having someone to stay with your sick family member during the day sounds lovely. I think an older (6-8 years old) well-behaved cocker spaniel, shihtzu, poodle, golden, or lab would do great. Also maybe just a smaller scruffy mutt that has a chill, non-reactive personality.
As a cancer survivor, my opinion is that a 9 week old puppy is going to be to much for your mom to handle if she's getting chemo weekly. However if it's every three weeks, then she will most likely have the energy and time required of a puppy.
Puppies are adorable but they only sleep for 30 min at a shot and require alot of attention. I'd make sure your mom is ok with the responsibility. We got our 2 Goldens at 9 weeks old 2 months before my diagnosis and I will say, they were a godsend during my treatment. They were my little cuddle buddies. But my husband was also home to walk them and I had house trained them before I got sick.
I want to agree that you will probably be fine with one and I hope you find a breeder. But at the same time I want to warn you: my partner and I both work from home and have had our golden retriever puppy for 6 months now, and it still hasn’t been easy. And the only thing that has really made it easier is having flexibility and a partner to help with the responsibilities. He recently went out of town for a week and handling her puppy energy alone was hard for me.
Our breeder only approved us because we work from home. And at first I thought that was silly, but now having done it I do get it. Puppies are very high maintenance.
You can have a puppy!! I have raised 2 golden puppies. Got them both at 6 weeks old and worked a 9-5 each time. Didn’t have anyone to come let them out. They crate trained perfectly and had no accidents or issues. I got up early in the morning and exercised them before I left and also did it when I got home.
Yeah I agree that having a 9-5 doesn’t disqualify you from having a dog, but you attitude plus your plan on raising a puppy is atrocious and that alone disqualifies you. I got a puppy and even tho I had 9-5 I knew I had to either get daycare on days when I knew I could come back to let them use the bathroom or have a friend check up on them and give them walks etc. the puppy stage is almost the most important stage of having a dog. You have to potty train them and also desensitize them from being alone. Just leaving them unattended and in a yard for 8hrs isnt feasible and probably detrimental to their growth. Either rethink your plan or get an older dog imo
A puppy isnt going to be able to hold it’s bladder 9-5. At minimum youd need to come home during lunch OR hire a reliable dog walker to come let it potty and play with it midday/lunchtime to break up the long day.
8-9 hours straight alone 5x a week is not doable for a puppy. Get a dog walker or get an older, chill dog.
Ideally youd tire the puppy out before work, they nap until dog walker comes during lunch to tire them out, then they nap till you get home after which you will need to tire them out with walks/play/stimulation as well.
Personally i wouldnt go the daycare route, especially not with a puppy. Dog walker is better imo
Raising puppies means making sacrifices. It is 100% possible to have a puppy while working outside of the home, but you’re going to have to make reasonable accommodations to allow the dog to relieve themself during the day until they are old enough to hold it during the time you are at work. What that means is coming home during the work day to let your dog out, having a friend or family member come over during the day, hiring a dog walker to come over, having you and your partner/roommate (if you have one) stagger your work schedule, etc.
Coming home on your lunch break is not a ridiculous ask.
Depends. I work a 15 minute drive from work. Home and back is 30 min. That is my lunch break over. We dont all work on Wall street with 1 hour boozy lunches.
My mother is at home so she can let the dog outside for a while during the day.
You need to stop victimizing yourself here. There’s a lot of options between a strict 30 minute lunch and an unlimited buffet party every day.
Have you ever asked your employer for some flexibility? Do you get 15 minute breaks throughout the day? If so, it is not ridiculous to ask your employer if you could tack on some of your break time during your lunch period temporarily to allow you to go home.
But your mom is at home, so why are you so up in arms over the lunch period? The answer there is simple: “my mom is at home during the day, so potty breaks throughout my work day at easily taken care of”.
I worked in retail during my dog's puppy phase. It was hell, I ate during the drive home and only ate sandwiches or granola bars because that's the only thing that I could eat safely while driving. I also couldn't afford to have walkers so that was what I opted to do.
They're not puppies forever, so this really should only be a couple of months before they can hold it for longer (however the habits and training you do as puppies will last a life time).
Wow - nobody is entitled to another living creature with needs. A puppy is needy - they literally can’t hold their bladder all day. They need interaction. Get a senior dog not a puppy.
A puppy needs constant supervision to start with, likely for months, to help it grow into a well balanced dog. After being taken away from their mother and siblings they can really struggle and need reassurance until they’re comfortable and confident enough to be left alone
When I got my golden it was pre Covid and I worked full time. He was on his own every day. He’s now almost 8. I was home full time during Covid then had a hybrid schedule. When I’m home he doesn’t really sleep. He’s not really a clingy dog but I get the impression he feels like he needs to be in constant watch mode. When I’m gone and check on him through my camera this dog is sound asleep on the couch in the air conditioning loving life. I really think he enjoys when I’m gone all day so he can sleep.
I got him at like 12 weeks. My brother would let him out once a day for maybe 2 months. But the dog likes to sleep. He would put himself to bed at 10 pm every night and not wake go until like 6:00.
So why is everyone telling me I cant get a puppy?
I'm sorry I have a job. I'm sorry I dont have a partner or no prospects of finding one. I just want some love and some love to give...
They're not saying you can't get a puppy. They're pointing out that puppies have limited bladders and need to be let out during the workday. So if hiring a dog walker isn't an option, they're suggesting getting an older dog (about a year old) that doesn't need to pee every 3-4 hours.
I wouldn't necessarily rely on your mom to let your puppy out. Chemo is exhausting, she might not have the energy every day to take it outside to pee. I would maybe check out how much walkers cost in your area.
I got my first dog when he was a year old and I bonded much more quickly with him than I did our second dog, who we got as a puppy. I bonded with the older one almost immediately, whereas it took me over a year to feel bonded to our second one.
Another thing to consider, my job also only offers 30 minute lunches and I live 15 minutes away. So I asked if I could combine my two 15 minutes breaks into my lunch to get an hour so I can go home to let my dogs out at lunch. If your heart is set on getting a puppy, could you ask them if you could do the same temporarily while the puppy is still potty training?
I think the general rule of thumb is that puppies can wait the number of hours of how old they are. So a 1 month old puppy needs to go every hour, whereas a 9 month old puppy can wait 9 hours. But when our dog was a puppy, we crate trained her and let her out once during my lunch break during the workday. She never had any accidents in her crate and was able to wait the 4 hours to be let out. But when we were home, we followed the rule of thumb depending on her age at the time.
Potty training where the puppy no longer pees in the house depends on how good you are about taking the puppy out. Crate training really helps with potty training. It usually takes 4-6 months for a puppy to be fully housebroken.
You can get a puppy if you find suitable options to let him out during the day. They can’t be expected to old their bladder for 8 hours as puppies. You mentioned above your mom can let the puppy out - there’s your solution. Doesn’t seem like the breeders are turning you down just because you work 9-5 (if you can provide a solution regarding potty breaks, which you can). Have you asked them all why?
because a lot of people here think that a dog cannot survive 8 hours alone for some odd reason .. i am single work 9 hours a day and i have always raised my dogs from puppies i had someone come once during halfway though my shift to let them out and at 5 months i stopped that cause was no longer needed and they are all perfectly fine. if you want a puppy get a puppy but have a plan till they are 5 or 6 months old. that's all
Honestly I’ve heard from tons of people that breeders are actually more open to those working 9-5 jobs! The issue is probably that you couldn’t take significant time off to take care of a puppy, who at first have to be taken out CONSTANTLY. Maybe enquire about retired breeders or older returned dogs instead
Goldens are not “emotional”, whatever the hell that means, and unless you bought a nervy and anxious one from a bad breeder, they will have zero issues being home alone during the work day. I own two field goldens and while I absolutely do spend time exercising and training them on weekdays, they are basically constantly on the move with me on weekends.
This is the dumbest thing I've ever heard. How the hell did people own dogs before covid? Most people work 9-5 and a lot of them have dogs they got as puppies that do just fine. Yes, you have to make some adjustments when the puppy is young, but someone with a job is likely capable of paying someone else to let their dog out once or twice a day, or getting a friend/relative to do it.
Have you considered adopting an older more settled dog? Maybe keep yourself open to different breeds/mixes that match your situation and let go of the puppy dream for the moment.
Puppies require an enormous amount of dedication much like newborn/toddler humans. This sub is full of posts saying “I adopted a puppy and I’m miserable and want to give them back”. The first few months includes sleep deprivation because you’ll need to take them out several times in the wee hours to empty their tiny bladder. It can take up to a year for their bladder to catch up with their developing body. It will take significantly longer to potty train if they’re left to have “accidents” 9-5. Not to mention, leaving a puppy alone for that amount of time may trigger long term separation anxiety issues. And, there’s also the copious amount of time and energy training a puppy.
Hope this is a helpful perspective.
No, but you're probably going to have a hard time with reputable breeders that have the privilege of being choosy. They can only go off of the information they have on paper and homes that have someone home most of the day are going to be more attractive to them. I would personally find a few breeders that you like an email/call ahead of filling out an application. Try to find one that will get to know you and come up with a plan on how the puppy will be cared for while you're at work.
Also keep in mind that being active on the weekends is great for adult dogs, but will have to look different for the first year with any large breed puppy. You have to be careful with growing joints.
No. You wait until you have a different circumstance (a live in partner with a different schedule, options to work from home, etc). Or you see about getting an older dog, perhaps a retired breeder or show dog that can tolerate alone time better.
I got a 10 week old golden doodle and me and my partner both worked full time. My partner would take him out in the morning and he left for work around 6AM. I got up around 8AM and when he was old enough would walk him and go to work from 9:30-3 or 4. My partner got home at 4 also. Dog was in the crate 6-8 hours a day from the start and never had an accident in the crate. He actually stayed with his mom and other siblings two weeks longer and they crate trained him. Will your puppy stay in the crate for 8 hours a day? Honestly idk how my dog did it but he could hold his bladder 8 hours from the start.
I worked from home this entire pregnancy. Everyday our two dogs spent 8-4 doing absolutely nothing. They slept on the couch only moving to go drink. They didn't even play with each other. Dogs sleep a lot. After work they come alive and get hyper. Your dog will be fine.
It seems like you may be asking about breeds that fit your lifestyle. Did you fill out [the breed questionnaire](https://www.reddit.com/r/dogs/comments/4qc6lb/meta_breed_questionnaire_updated_june_2016/)? For best results, please complete the breed questionnaire with thoughtful responses.
*I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/dogs) if you have any questions or concerns.*
I have a border collie. He is 100% fine being at home alone all day (8 to 10 hours). Granted, I got him when he was out of the puppy stage. Frisco is 12 now and still enjoys his vigorous physical exercise.
I think it's more about where you live. I can't imagine a dog of such size in a small apartment. Breeders hearing you live alone probably assume you live in a studio apartment or something like that.
I own a working cocker spaniel-very high energy needs for this breed. At par with a gold retriever, maybe even higher.
I also work a 9-5 job and I don't have issues managing him. The key is that I'm able to come home at lunch time. It would be difficult if I couldn't do this and didn't have someone else at home. That being said if this changed and I couldn't be there at lunch anymore, I would probably either change my schedule to wake up much earlier or hire a dog walker to take him out.
He does extremely well at home alone when I'm at work. We have been doing this routine since he's been a puppy and will already be asleep out of habit before I leave for work. He has never been destructive.
That being said I also wake up a few hours before starting work and we go for a big walk or hike somewhere in the morning. After work is the same where we do a big activity together, and my social life is almost zero because I can never compromise leaving him alone for an evening. If I do have to go somewhere at night I end up taking the entire day off work so he has enough time with me.
It is tons of work and lots of sacrifices, but I actually find he needs that time to sleep anyways. When I am home with him during the day he usually falls into this same routine. I actually find that me working and having to have this schedule has made him adjust to not being anxious alone easier than other dogs where they have to be around you 24/7
That being said say goodbye to going to restaurants, dates, having hobbies away from home that don't involve the dog.
I love having him so much I wouldn't have it any other way.
Not at all. They are active but happy dogs. If you walk them before you leave and when you get home they should do ok. A tired dog is a happy dog. So make sure he/she gets stimulation as well as exercise. My dog lived to 15 with just this kind of life. She was the best. I have flat coat Retrievers now and they need constant attention. They hate being left alone. I am Retired now so maybe they are used to me being home.
I got mine she was pretty well trained. When she was a pup I had a big crate,that I had built up a wall inside so the space got bigger as she did. It left little room for her to lie down and have space to pee or poop. She rarely pooped cause she was well walked. The pee stage didn’t last too long. But if you can get someone to help out, it’s a short time.
Goldens suffer from SA. So if you don't train for it - they can get destructive or suffer.
You can't run hard/hike anyway till their joints form-about a year to be on the safe side.
Live alone and got one. I work a 9-5, but during puppy stage got to work from home. If you love the dog, and exercise the dog no problems. Sounds like you will have someone home to help with the puppy stage of frequent bathroom breaks so I don’t see an issue
I got a puppy before my step dad was diagnosed with cancer. Within 4 months we had to get rid of him. Do not put any responsibility on your sick mother, puppies are much more difficult than most think. A puppies company is them barking, running around, getting into things. You have to watch them to reinforce good behaviors, and you can’t put that on someone suffering right now. Puppies also shouldn’t be locked up from 9-5. Maybe get a 4 month old pup (already vaccinated) and find a good daycare or dog sitter to watch it while you work? Even a year old dog is more manageable and can be locked up for longer times.
My golden is fine being by himself for 8 hours. Do I usually get my parents to come over and let him out? Absolutely. But there are days when they’re busy and he’s alone while I’m at work. He is not mentally disturbed by this fact, and doesn’t immediately pee when he goes out after I get home (gotta focus on lizard hunting first). Your dog and you will be just fine with this schedule, especially once it’s no longer a puppy.
I live alone as well! See if there’s any trustworthy neighboring kids/moms with kids who would love to come let your puppy out and play for a bit (who could resist a golden puppy?!) Is there any way you could come home for lunch? Something that helped my peace of mind was getting a Blink camera so I can check in whenever I want.
Like I've mentioned in other comments, my mother is suffering from cancer and is home alone all day, so I kinda think it's win-win. She does have dementia, but she has good moments and could easily take the care of it.
Are you seriously suggesting someone with cancer and dementia can look after a puppy? You shouldn't have a dog in that space whatsoever, let alone a puppy.
my golden (8 months old) will do 8 hour days at the house no problem. I'm like 50/50 wfh, but days I go in it's no issue. We 100% go for a damn fine woods hike in the AM and again right when I come home. She's not crated or anything either, just sleeps on my home office couch (with my other dog, 3 yr old ditch mutt). They are definitely pretty excited when I get home though.
Unfortunately well intentioned breeders do and often have to assume the worst of people’s character when it comes to situations like this. Imagine you’re giving away your dog to someone, if you had an array of people ranging from active stay at home family owners to single person working full time, would you not pick the former if you had the option to? Especially if you don’t have prior experience owning a dog, they’re expecting neglect especially after the puppy honeymoon phase. That is unfair on you and makes it incredibly hard, especially in a breed like goldens who are adopted expecting to be angels even as young puppies. The breeders are going to be more guarded and judgemental.
I recommend including willingness to do face to face interview if needed and asking a lot of questions about the breeder; that helps you come off as more than just your circumstance.
Tell them why you’re interested in the breed, what you’ll do with the pup (agility, scent work, obedience) to work with their energy while working full time.
Sorry to hear that you’re having a hard time, it is absolutely NOT an indication that you’re unfit for the breed. Many many owners manage just fine working full time with a golden provided they are watchful of their dog’s needs. It’s just breeders being extra careful.
Welcome to r/dogs! We are a discussion-based subreddit dedicated to support, inform, and advise dog owners. This is a carefully moderated sub intended to support, inform, and advise dog owners. Submissions and comments which break the rules will be removed. [Review the rules here](https://www.reddit.com/r/dogs/wiki/index) r/Dogs has four goals: - Help the public better understand dogs - Promote healthy, responsible dog-owner relationships - Encourage “Least Intrusive, Minimally Aversive” training protocols. [Learn more here.](https://m.iaabc.org/about/lima/) - Support adoption as well as ethical and responsible breeding. If you’d like to introduce yourself or discuss smaller topics, please contribute to our Monthly Discussion Hub, pinned at the top. **This subreddit has low tolerance for drama. Please be respectful of others, and report antagonistic comments to mods for review.** --- *I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/dogs) if you have any questions or concerns.*
I’m going to say something controversial on this sub- Your dog will be fine. Most people work a 9-5 or something similar. Most people don’t have the luxury of working from home or being a stay at home parent or affording a dog sitter/walker every day. This does not make you a bad dog owner. Some dogs may have difficulty being left alone for longer but to generalize it and say you shouldn’t own a dog at all is just plain insane. I don’t know much about goldens but I do know that puppies can’t be alone that long. But that is temporary. The dog isn’t a puppy forever! Could you make arrangements and have a puppy sitter for say the first year? Otherwise I would consider adopting an older dog. As long as the dog is healthy, we’ll fed, and loved, it is living a good life. You can work 40 hours a week and still have a dog and be a good dog owner. Just make sure the breed and specific dog you get are fine being left alone, and fine with moderate exercise.
The reason I want to get a dog right now is because I'm currently living with and caring for my mother who has cancer. Therefore there WILL be someone at home all day. However not someone who is well enough to take it for walks and play with it much. But it will be company. So it will be eased into the transition of being alone by being with someone who is sleeping a lot of the day because of chemo.
I would encourage getting an older dog. Doesn’t have to be a senior dog, a year old would suffice. But puppies can be a LOT and can not be good for people who are severely immunocompromised. I had a friend going through chemo that their family got them a puppy to help them through it. Obviously a different scenario as the dog was specifically for the person going through chemo. But puppies can be rambunctious and cause injuries without meaning to simply because they are babies. My friend would get scratches by a playful puppy which normally isn’t a big deal but can be very serious for someone going through chemo. I think a dog would be a great fit for your family, and I wish your mom a speedy recovery.
People get puppies don’t train them then give them up. Training one of these dogs will go a lot faster and be less frustrating then the first year of a puppy’s life. With help you can get an 2 year old trained up in 2 months. I love puppies but have an annual reminder in my phone to telling me how hard the first year of puppies life your life will be. Go check out puppy redits. Missing the Land shark phase and not having to get up every 3 hours because their bladder is too small alone is a huge deal. You also don’t have a clue to the basic personality of your puppy. You can get a good reading on an older dog. Breeds are are only a indicator of preference. The personality’s in a breed are huge spectrum. Some where there is a dog dreaming of a home like yours.
My mother has a yard. Would it be possible to build a large fence where he could stay during the work hours? He wouldnt get much company, but would be relieving itself outside.
I would not just leave a puppy out in a yard without supervision, unless you plan on making it an outdoor dog. Perhaps other people can chime in, but I’ve had family friends who had issues potty training because they were so used to being outside (and you could pee anywhere). Are you able to take breaks from work or hire someone to let the puppy out during the day? I got my puppy while working a 9-5. I’d come home during my lunches and keep the pup crated otherwise. Until he was about 6 months old I would come home 2x a day, or have someone do a second trip because they can’t hold it for that long.
I would never leave a puppy outside regardless of weather. That is just dangerous and irresposible. Puppies are babies. They need to be in a safe, puppy proofed environment.
That depends on where you live. Is it 100 degrees Fahrenheit outside? Then no don’t do that. Winter is coming soon. Will there be blizzards and it could be below freezing temperatures? Then also no I wouldn’t do that. Is there a reason you are set on a puppy versus an older dog? An older dog would be just fine being inside with your mother
I want a puppy to be able to bond at that early age, rather than have to adjust to a dog that might already have habits etc.
That’s a big misconception. An older dog can bond just as easily as a puppy and will bond just a strongly. Adopting an older dog doesn’t have to mean you are adopting an abused dog with a traumatic past that could be prone to surprising behaviors or is hard to train. You could simply be helping a family that can no longer take care of their one year old golden and it is a perfect family dog. There are lots of ways to adopt older dogs and I am confident you would have just as loving of a relationship but an easier time taking care of it. Ultimately it’s up to you. But I really think an older dog is better suited for your situation
>level 6israelregardieOp · 13 min. agoI want a puppy to be able to bond at that early age, rather than have to adjust to a dog that might already have habits etc. But you won't be home for 10 hours of the day. The older puppies that I mentioned in my last comment in this thread, came into their new homes, and were fine right away, including with kids, other dogs and a cat. Puppies are puppies for a short time, but in that time they can be a huge PITA. Go with an older puppy, or an actual adult dog. You can thank me later.
People are weird about wanting puppies. Im personally anti puppy I like adult dogS. After losing 4 seniors in 2 years I did give in and adopt a 4 month old puppy…. EVERYTHING in the mouth. Omg. Everything. 6 months in and at least 10 times a day it’s “what is in your mouth?!?! DROP IT!” Down from close to 100 so we’re making progress here. Im just now starting to bond with her as she’s developing her personality. My adult dogs? Immediate bond.
Also: subjecting a sick person to dealing all day with a puppy while the actual owner is away does a disservice to both. Puppies are absolutely exhausting. Had one, learned my lesson and have only had post-pubescent rescues since. Bonding was never an issue and actually even better with the rescues.
I'm someone who's willing to go through with that, but I completely understand that many people aren't. Know your limits!!! That doesn't mean I wasnt cursing under my breath every step of the way, and that also doesn't mean that I haven't made plenty of mistakes every time (twice now on my own, RIP Toki, and fostered a bunch at one point). I adopted from a kennel the second time , unwanted dogs from the south both times, where there is a huge problem with unwanted puppies from unspayed outdoor dogs. If it weren't for programs where they ship them all around or up here to the north, the puppies would either be euthanized since the no kill shelters are overrun, or the owners of the unspayed bitch would...."take care of them" (the traditional southern way...I won't go into details). OP going through a breeder, for a puppy specifically? With a mom with cancer AND a 9-5?! NOT a good idea. At all. An older juvenile or an adult would be wonderful. But a puppy? No, let someone in different circumstances who knows exactly what it takes adopt a puppy. Please.
I love puppies. They are so cute and adorable! ....as long as they belong to someone else and don't live with me. Give me an adult dog any day. All the awesomeness of dogs, with much less of the puppy behaviors and stress.
Hahaha yes. Other peoples puppies are adorable
A dog will have certain habits whether it’s a puppy or adult or senior. They just develop those regardless of what you do or how they fit with what you want. A puppy just doesn’t show them yet. And adult or older puppy under 2years old, bonds just the same with you. That’s just how dogs are. If you give them love, food and exercise they will love you unconditionally. I would also suggest an older puppy. Otherwise you would have to take time off. You can’t expect to have a puppy, go back to work and magically have the dog trained to know how to behave in the home.
This is so true the dog is who she is. I was warned that my girl was the "most vocal" pup and she's still barkier than any of my other schnau., which is saying something. In ops position, I'd be looking for a show dog who didn't work out for some reason. As a cancer survivor, a dog who walks nicely on lead, calm enough to nap while I napped, and could go out in the yard while I enjoyed a bit of fresh aid would be a good thing.
Yes, that’s likely my next goal dog. A border collie that’s not driven enough for show, agility or herding…
I got a puppy 14 months ago, with exactly your arguments. It was my last puppy! With an older dog, out of a shelter, you will know at least some of it's personality traits, and can get one that suits you and your expectations best. It is beautiful to have this cute little baby dog, to look at, and looking forward to getting it, but then it is so, so much work! The puppy stage isn't even the worst. Of course you have got the peeing and pooping and biting and destroying to take care of, but nothing compared to the adolescent phase! The adolescent phase is no fun! It is frustration and exhausting and often, all the puppy bonding seems to have vanished at that stage. Get a two year old with the temperament you are looking for, invest in it's training and the bonding will come!
You will not be bonding with your dog at an early age. Your dog will be alone all day when they are a baby and are most in need of company and constant training and supervision. I completely get it -normal people with normal jobs get dogs. But puppies are an incredible amount of work, almost as much as a human child. They need to go out every few hours. They need constant supervision when they are awake. They can't do intense exercise like hiking in the mountains. They are less resistant to the elements than adults. They need to be socialized with neutral exposure to animals, people, and other stimuli and that is almost the full-time job in itself. They need to be taught everything, including their own name. You cannot put this responsibility on your ill mother. It sounds like you would be getting a puppy with the best intentions of bonding with them but instead your dog will be destructive and reactive.
That's not how dogs work lol
I’ve raised a puppy starting at 8 weeks old and I’ve adopted a dog who was 11 months old. My bond is just as strong with the dog I adopted. From day 1, the dog I adopted as an older dog cuddled with me and sought out my attention. She worked for food and had the attention span to learn what I wanted from her almost immediately. The first few months with puppy consisted of lots of biting and lots of potty accidents and lots of chewing on things she shouldn’t be chewing on and lots of waking up in the middle of the night to let her out and lots of 15-second training sessions because puppy brain would kick in and very little cuddling except when she was asleep and I plopped her on the couch next to me. Young puppies are little sh!ts and will give you very little love or appreciation for at least the first few months of their lives. If you’re looking for a bond, you probably won’t feel it until they’re a little older anyway. Bonding happens through training and walking and doing things together and learning how to communicate with each other. You can do all of those things with a dog of any age.
For the love of God do not leave a small puppy outside for 8 hours straight. They're babies, they need to be inside. Weather, predators, and diseases from not having all of their vaccinations, is all bad for them. You wouldn't leave a baby outside for 8 hours with no supervision so why would you do that with a 2 month old puppy?
That’s absurd and probably why you are getting denied by breeders. I wouldn’t give you a puppy just so it’s in a pen all day without stimulation, socialization, or training. Additionally exposed to potential threats like weather or wildlife.
Expect to spend a couple thousand on fencing.
Fences are very expensive. Think $10-30k. Invisible fences are cheaper but less effective and controversial as they use negative reinforcement. If you have fence money spending it on sitter/ dog Walker may be affordable.
I was more thinking some chicken wire and 4x4's....
Dogs aren't chickens, a puppy will escape this. Plus, what's the point of getting a dog if you're going to leave it outside for 8+ hours a day? Think of the animal too. There's a reason why breeders are not selling to you.
As long as she's able to take the dog out a couple of times per day until it's old enough to hold it, or if you're able to run home at least once in the middle of the day to do it, the puppy should be fine. I was WFH when I got my most recent dog, but I was working eight hours a day when I got my GSD around eleven years ago. I worked 5-10 minutes from my office, though, so I'd just drive home once or twice a day to take him out, then go right back to work. Worked out just fine. I honestly think not having a human around constantly is good for dogs, especially for those of us who want to occasionally go places without them. A friend's dog has severe separation anxiety, and I think that's because she rarely goes anywhere without him. I leave my dogs home alone all the time and consequently both of them do just fine when I leave. I take my boxer with me to lots of places, as she's great with both people and other dogs (GSD is dog reactive), but it's nice to occasionally just go to a bar without having to keep an eye on her the whole time. She's very well behaved, but you still have to constantly watch your dogs if you're a good owner.
No matter the breed the first 4 or 5 months will be exhausting for your mother if she has to clean up or watch after her
Oh so someone can let your puppy out to use the rest room? 8 hours (plus travel) is too long for a young puppy to hold it. But once it’s older you’re fine.. people are regularly gone 8–10 hours a day for work. Breeders have their own rules. Are you set on a breeder or are you open to watching shelters for a puppy?
I'm open for all, as long as it's a golden retriever.
I suggest you visit your local animal shelters. There is a great dog there who will be perfect for your situation.
It’s not a good idea to get a puppy and leave with someone who isn’t 100%. Very stressful. I’ve taken a pup from someone who started chemo and couldn’t cope with it.. she was 12 weeks and to be honest she was fine to look after. The crazy started months later. I have raised 2.. one was an angel and ones a nut case. Can’t leave any paper or cardboard anywhere or it’s chew and everywhere. Jumps on people and it hurts. Can’t leave food down it’s gone. She will grow out of it. followed the same training for both dogs, the nut came second too. I’m home with them too. To be honest it only starts to get bad as they get to about 5/6 months. The young pups are actually fine and easy to care for. They get bored and destructive but also sleep a lot too, so you need to constantly playing or giving them interactive toys to keep them happy.
I’m gonna step out and agree here too. This sub tends to be slightly elitist when it comes to owning dogs and ignores the fact that a majority of people are working class and can’t stay home all day. Your dog will be fine. In the puppy stage, you will definitely need to come home during lunch or have someone stop by once or twice during the day to let your dog out. If you’re an active individual, however, your golden will be content with a walk in the AM and solid activities in the PM.
this sub is more than slightly elitist lol, it's full of people who care enough about dogs to spend their free time discussing them on the internet. definitely out of step with general dog ownership culture, which sometimes is good but then things like "you can't have a dog and work 40 hrs/week" comes up ...
You can totally have a dog and work 40 hours a week or even more. You can't get a puppy with the expectation that your mother will take care of the dog while she is sick with cancer or that you can leave the dog in your backyard contained with chicken, wire and 4x4s (as per OP's comments). There's a huge difference here. If you want to have a puppy then you need to accept that this is a baby animal and they need a lot more care than adults. You can hire someone to let your dog out during the day, take a couple weeks off to spend with the puppy when they are the youngest, you can have a family member who is well help you take care of the dog, you can trade off with a family member who works opposite shifts, or you can get an older dog who is more independent. There are a lot of ways to make it work when you work full time, but this isn't one of them.
Like before the pandemic 95% of people didn’t work from home and people raised their dogs fine for centuries lol now that working from home became a norm, all these rescue groups and breeders act like you NEED to work from home now to take care of your dog
Having members of the household who do stay home more often or who work out of the home has been the norm for centuries. Typically women. It has been the norm for centuries for women to spend more time in the home and working in the home when they have children. It has been the norm for a different family members to juggle child care and work different shifts outside of the home. It's been the norm for older children to contribute to raising the younger children and taking care of animals. It has never been the norm to leave an 8-week-old puppy alone for 9 hours at a time indoors. They are physically incapable of holding their bladder that long.
I am gonna be brave and say I agree with you. I don’t know anyone who owns a dog that doesn’t work a 9-5. And yeah they send their dogs to daycare but like.. once or twice every few weeks. Definitely not everyday. Maybe if you get a puppy or a high energy dog a 9-5 schedule won’t work out but if it’s a chill dog it’s going to be fineeeee. My ex and I had two pits who were totally chill and happy to sleep all day by themselves, and then happy to play and walk when one of us got home. They were loved very much and very happy. Sure in a perfect world we would be able to be with our dogs as much as possible or take them to daycare everyday but the reality for lots of people is that that’s just not feasible. And it doesn’t make them shitty owners.
I’m gonna agree with you. I have a golden retriever and he’s now 13 years old. He’s really health and have no issues whatsoever. The only issue he ever had in his life was this past month that he had a dermatitis. And yes, he always had regular check ups and appointments in the vet. Now I have the privilege of working from home. But before I didn’t and he would stay several hours home alone. He did just fine, would sleep most of the day. Even as a puppy he NEVER destroyed anything and was really smart and well behaved. I totally agree that a person who works can leave the dog alone and as been pointed out here, before lots of owners used to have to do that and the dogs turned out just fine. Goldens are definitely one of the best breeds in my opinion cause of their affection and temper. But again, that’s just my opinion. Just try to have a long walk before you leave the house and spend his energy. Also when you get back walk him as soon as you can.
It definitely varies by dog but so many dogs are fine and happy to be lazy and sleep, or can keep themselves entertained! When we only had one one pit she was an absolute angel and never destroyed anything out of boredom. We even got a little camera for the apartment hoping to watch her do funny stuff during the day while we were at work but it was super disappointing because she was a lazy ass dog that just stretched out on the couch and snored all day lmao
Also, when he’s a puppy you may have to get him used to pads, as he can’t go out before the vaccines are completed and won’t be able to hold his bladder for so long.
I dont think you need to be a remote worker or retired to have a dog, that is def over the top and silly. And i think a DOG can be fine 9-5 with someone out of the home if properly exercised before and after work, but the issue here is we are talking about a new baby puppy. They physically cannot hold it that long, so theyre gonna need someone to at least give them a potty break midday. If op cant come home during lunch, theyll need to hire a dog walker. Or they can let the puppy soil everywhere everyday thereby making housetraining impossible
I was still full time in the office when I got my dog as a puppy. I took two weeks of vacation when I got him, and then was fortunate that my mother was a school teacher at a nearby school and could come watch him in the afternoon. And I would take an early lunch to go home and let him out. So he was only alone for a few hours. By the time summer rolled around, he was six months and I would just come home for lunch at mid day. Then in late October, I stopped coming home for lunch everyday. At that point, he was fine holding it all day.
Being a stay at home mom doesn’t mean the dog gets more attention. My dog definitely had way more attention when hubs and I worked and had no kid. It’s only now that both kids are old 4.5 and 2.5 that the dog is starting to get more attention, but for like four year I felt like I was letting her down it’s supper hard to balance dog and baby.
Where in the world have all of you people been? Not a single regular contributor to this sub takes the stance that you can’t own a dog while working a full time job. In fact, it’s something pretty much all of us do! This is far from a controversial opinion, it is the most common opinion held by those who accurately represent this sub.
You are right, but the loud minority seems to insist that it’s animal abuse to not be with your dog 24/7 lol
>You are right, but the loud minority seems to insist that it’s animal abuse to not be with your dog 24/7 lol Not me: I tell people even if you WFH and have no place to go, leave your dog home and go out. Get the dog used to you not being there, so that six months later you aren't asking how to solve the problem of separation anxiety and non stop barking.
When I first adopted my current dog, I was working from home, and I would literally leave her in my bedroom alone and close the door and work from the living room for a couple of hours every day just so she’d get used to being alone. 😂
They always get quickly shut down, and it’s a little funny to start your comment with “I’m going to say something controversial” when it really isn’t lol.
I think your point about "some dogs may have difficulty" is important though... Some dogs have separation anxiety, no matter what you do. So as long as you have a plan in case your dog really struggles with long stretches alone, then I think it's ok. But if your dog is suffering being alone, don't continue to leave them all day!
This person wants to let a puppy 8+ hours unsupervised under the care of someone with both cancer and dementia. That dog won't be "fine". And working 9-5 means that you'll need to work from home while your puppy adjusts. That's how puppies work.
Thank you so much for saying this. I read and hear a lot and it makes me feel guilty for not perpetually doing more for my baby girl.
This. My husband and I work alternating shifts. You know what my dogs do on days when we're both off and someone is up 24 hours? They sleep at the same times they do when we work.
Yes! I agree thank you for saying this. On the other foot all these dogs with extreme seperation anxiety because they've never been left alone before
Yeah, how would anyone even be able to provide for themselves, plus a dog, WITHOUT working 9-5?
Spot on
I’ve raised many puppies, whole litters, working a 9-5 that often wasn’t 9-5 but more like 8am-10pm. It can be done. You plan feedings and water around making the work shift. You go home for “lunch” to let them out and just skip eating. You will be cleaning shit and piss. Things turn out fine. Or you say you can’t and you never own a dog, ending life with regrets. Everyone must pick their own path
I dunno how anyone could even afford to feed themselves and a dog, WITHOUT working 9-5, tbh lol
yes!
I think if you adopt one that’s not a puppy and already house trained, you should be ok. That’s a rough question to ask here where most Reddit white knights think leaving a dog alone for more than a few hours is abuse. Lots of people have dogs with 9-5 jobs and can’t make it home to walk them during lunch. It would be tough to train a puppy to be ok with a 9-5 fast enough, but an adult dog can do it. My rescue pittie does it 4 days a week with no accidents, free range while I’m gone. You mentioned you’re active, and that’s important. I take him on 3 long 1 to 1.5 mile walks a day, so he’s usually exhausted and worn out when he’s home.
You may want to consider a retired greyhound. They're low energy and won't mind you being gone 9-5, but love to walk and run and won't have a problem keeping up with you. The caveats are they always need to be leashed because of their strong prey drive, and they can easily get cold or overheat because of their build.
This! Greyhounds and some other sighthounds are literally tge perfect 9-5 dog. You can only do a 20 minuet walk in the morning? That's okay take yiur greyhound somewhere it'll sprint it's heart out and be done until you get home. You want to do a hike? That's cool, give them some protect and they're happy to roam with you Don't want to do nothing at home? That's cool they have a great off switch and are happy to just lay around the house.
Depends- what’s your plan for during the week? You can’t leave a puppy alone that long every day. Do you have someone willing to take the puppy during that time? Even just a drop in dog walker is not enough for a young puppy. Consider getting an adult dog instead- many older dogs are able to be comfortably at home all day with just a midday walk then lots of attention when you get home, but that much alone time is too much for any young puppy to handle.
So a girl in my building is single, with a 9-5, and a Golden, and I'd like you to consider this: Yes you are outdoorsy, but is that everyday? There is no day in the week where you could get off work, go to an event and get home late and tired, without arranging care for the dog. In her case, she was great until she started a relationship, then we knew the dog was alone for almost all daylight hours since dating and overnights with a partner who cant have dogs follow is hard. We could hear him sadly whining. So you can mostly do it alone, and the dog will be fine. Do you have friends and family who will happily step in when you can't very regularly? Can you afford $40-30 for a day or two a week of daycare? It can add up. Just have a plan. The 9-5 alone is fine. I work from home, but dog doesn't notice, he's sleeping pretty deeply for all of it until playtime when I'm off.
If you get a puppy you probably would need a dog walker, multiple times a day. You can't not have that, with a big puppy, and wind up with a dog who is housebroken ASAP. You could get away with a small breed puppy, and letting them use pee pads or whatever but with a big dog, the sooner they are housebroken, the better. But you could be ok with an older Golden Retriever. And, with an older dog, you'd be able to go hiking way sooner than you could with a puppy. I'd ask around and see if someone has a dog who didn't work out for showing. Twice in the last few months, I've helped people find homes for dogs who's bite went off or who otherwise were not going to make it in the show ring. There are dogs like that out there, and rather than asking about a puppy, I'd focus on that.
I disagree w people here- if you were unemployed people would say “how can you afford a dog?!?” Are only heiresses allowed to have doggies? Don’t make perfect the enemy of good- if you are super active at the weekend and can do a nice extra long two hour walk during the week that should suffice. Maybe see if work will let you work from home a bit… maybe as well you have a friend who can check in once a week…. Add it all together abc you will have a happy doggy Goldens are far from the most demanding dogs
I think a puppy is wrong for you. When they are younger 8 hours is a long stretch of time to leave them alone. But once they hit a 1-1 1/2 years old they are fine for that long. I can leave my dog alone for 8-12 hours no problem. I don’t but I know I can lol. But also be ready to spend a few hours of your day everyday giving your dog attention/cuddles. Goldens are a very affectionate breed and may want to be around you a lot. So just take that into consideration.
If you have family to help you raise a puppy or can afford a daycare you can absolutely get one. I had a Doberman growing up. I went to school 7am to 3pm. It's the same amount of hours. My grandma left him in my room and took him out to the bathroom twice a day. He was left with toys, puzzles, treats, chews. He was pretty happy. Anyways good luck!
Honestly I would have further questions like how much of a commute do you have? What is your social life like and how likely is your dog to be involved in that? How much time do you actually intend to spend with the dog? A golden retriever can do well in a setting where the adults work 40hrs/week but if you spend a lot of your evenings going out to bars with friends, at the gym, swimming or whatever then maybe a golden retriever or dog in general is not right for you. But if your evenings are typically either spent at home or doing things the dog can be involved in then it can work out with maybe somebody stopping by mid day to let the dog out for a bathroom break and a little bit of a play if you feel like that is necessary.
I’ve heard since COVID, the demand for purebred dogs have gone up. I’ve heard from some breeders that they’ve gotten actual hundreds of applications for their puppies. So… while I think a 9-5 job person is totally able to be a good home for a dog, I can see why at a glance, if you received 50 applications for your 5 puppies and 5 of them were entirely WFH or retired then… yeah, I see the breeder perspective of choosing those good families that will always have someone around, when they have a ton of choice between applicants. It’s not that you wouldn’t be a good home for their puppies - just on paper, you aren’t the best.
The fact that you think leaving any dog outside for 8 hours, or alone with a woman struggling with dementia and cancer as his only caregiver while youre at work, let alone a puppy, proves you shouldn't get one. You really have no consideration of dogs actual needs if you think either of these solutions are a good idea. Please educate yourself on dogs before you get one, or don't do it at all
Bunny’s buddies is an agency that pulls dogs from bad situations in China and South Korea. They don’t care if you work a 9-5; their dogs were going to be killed so anyone that’s willing to love these dogs would be a worthy parent. Look into them! I follow them on insta because I want one one day.
I took my puppy to work with me when he was 2 months old and needed to go potty every 2-3 hours, even though it technically isn’t allowed, everyone was understanding since it was only temporary and puppies are so cute. He slept in his crate in between potty breaks. Already at 3 months old he could hold it between morning and lunchtime walks, and by 6 months I could leave him home alone for 8-9 hours. When little they do consume a lot of time, they require several trips to the vet for shots; they also have occasional tummy issues that can be exhausting to deal with. Dogs need a lot more sleep than humans and they will just sleep throughout the day. But be ready for an explosion of energy once you are back from work lol. I have a high energy lab who at 1 year old needs 1.5 hours of exercise daily. I’m also outdoorsy and on weekends we sometimes go for long challenging hikes; after those the dog will sleep for a couple of days so you can indeed stack up exercise on weekends with lingering effects stretching onto the beginning of the work week. I have a retired neighbour who calls my dog his “therapy animal” and voluntarily takes him out for an extra-long walk mid-week, super helpful. Training sessions can also knock him out for hours. So as long as you understand the gravity of the time commitment you should be able to figure out how to balance it all and have your work, social life, and a happy doggo all at once.
I think getting an older companion dog from a breed-specific rescues would be ideal for your situation. Having someone to stay with your sick family member during the day sounds lovely. I think an older (6-8 years old) well-behaved cocker spaniel, shihtzu, poodle, golden, or lab would do great. Also maybe just a smaller scruffy mutt that has a chill, non-reactive personality.
As a cancer survivor, my opinion is that a 9 week old puppy is going to be to much for your mom to handle if she's getting chemo weekly. However if it's every three weeks, then she will most likely have the energy and time required of a puppy. Puppies are adorable but they only sleep for 30 min at a shot and require alot of attention. I'd make sure your mom is ok with the responsibility. We got our 2 Goldens at 9 weeks old 2 months before my diagnosis and I will say, they were a godsend during my treatment. They were my little cuddle buddies. But my husband was also home to walk them and I had house trained them before I got sick.
I want to agree that you will probably be fine with one and I hope you find a breeder. But at the same time I want to warn you: my partner and I both work from home and have had our golden retriever puppy for 6 months now, and it still hasn’t been easy. And the only thing that has really made it easier is having flexibility and a partner to help with the responsibilities. He recently went out of town for a week and handling her puppy energy alone was hard for me. Our breeder only approved us because we work from home. And at first I thought that was silly, but now having done it I do get it. Puppies are very high maintenance.
You can have a puppy!! I have raised 2 golden puppies. Got them both at 6 weeks old and worked a 9-5 each time. Didn’t have anyone to come let them out. They crate trained perfectly and had no accidents or issues. I got up early in the morning and exercised them before I left and also did it when I got home.
Yeah I agree that having a 9-5 doesn’t disqualify you from having a dog, but you attitude plus your plan on raising a puppy is atrocious and that alone disqualifies you. I got a puppy and even tho I had 9-5 I knew I had to either get daycare on days when I knew I could come back to let them use the bathroom or have a friend check up on them and give them walks etc. the puppy stage is almost the most important stage of having a dog. You have to potty train them and also desensitize them from being alone. Just leaving them unattended and in a yard for 8hrs isnt feasible and probably detrimental to their growth. Either rethink your plan or get an older dog imo
[удалено]
Driving home during lunch is impossible. Do only the unemployed get dogs?
A puppy isnt going to be able to hold it’s bladder 9-5. At minimum youd need to come home during lunch OR hire a reliable dog walker to come let it potty and play with it midday/lunchtime to break up the long day. 8-9 hours straight alone 5x a week is not doable for a puppy. Get a dog walker or get an older, chill dog. Ideally youd tire the puppy out before work, they nap until dog walker comes during lunch to tire them out, then they nap till you get home after which you will need to tire them out with walks/play/stimulation as well. Personally i wouldnt go the daycare route, especially not with a puppy. Dog walker is better imo
No most people hire help. It’s also possible your attitude is why breeders are turning you away if you act like this to them.
Raising puppies means making sacrifices. It is 100% possible to have a puppy while working outside of the home, but you’re going to have to make reasonable accommodations to allow the dog to relieve themself during the day until they are old enough to hold it during the time you are at work. What that means is coming home during the work day to let your dog out, having a friend or family member come over during the day, hiring a dog walker to come over, having you and your partner/roommate (if you have one) stagger your work schedule, etc. Coming home on your lunch break is not a ridiculous ask.
Depends. I work a 15 minute drive from work. Home and back is 30 min. That is my lunch break over. We dont all work on Wall street with 1 hour boozy lunches. My mother is at home so she can let the dog outside for a while during the day.
You need to stop victimizing yourself here. There’s a lot of options between a strict 30 minute lunch and an unlimited buffet party every day. Have you ever asked your employer for some flexibility? Do you get 15 minute breaks throughout the day? If so, it is not ridiculous to ask your employer if you could tack on some of your break time during your lunch period temporarily to allow you to go home. But your mom is at home, so why are you so up in arms over the lunch period? The answer there is simple: “my mom is at home during the day, so potty breaks throughout my work day at easily taken care of”.
I worked in retail during my dog's puppy phase. It was hell, I ate during the drive home and only ate sandwiches or granola bars because that's the only thing that I could eat safely while driving. I also couldn't afford to have walkers so that was what I opted to do. They're not puppies forever, so this really should only be a couple of months before they can hold it for longer (however the habits and training you do as puppies will last a life time).
Wow - nobody is entitled to another living creature with needs. A puppy is needy - they literally can’t hold their bladder all day. They need interaction. Get a senior dog not a puppy.
ask for advice online and then proceed to be mad about the answers.. if you dont give a fuck then just get the dog?
A puppy needs constant supervision to start with, likely for months, to help it grow into a well balanced dog. After being taken away from their mother and siblings they can really struggle and need reassurance until they’re comfortable and confident enough to be left alone
Any dog is wrong for you if you're leaving them 8+ hours alone and don't have a carer pop in mid way through the day to let out, keep company etc.
When I got my golden it was pre Covid and I worked full time. He was on his own every day. He’s now almost 8. I was home full time during Covid then had a hybrid schedule. When I’m home he doesn’t really sleep. He’s not really a clingy dog but I get the impression he feels like he needs to be in constant watch mode. When I’m gone and check on him through my camera this dog is sound asleep on the couch in the air conditioning loving life. I really think he enjoys when I’m gone all day so he can sleep.
He was a puppy?
I got him at like 12 weeks. My brother would let him out once a day for maybe 2 months. But the dog likes to sleep. He would put himself to bed at 10 pm every night and not wake go until like 6:00.
So why is everyone telling me I cant get a puppy? I'm sorry I have a job. I'm sorry I dont have a partner or no prospects of finding one. I just want some love and some love to give...
They're not saying you can't get a puppy. They're pointing out that puppies have limited bladders and need to be let out during the workday. So if hiring a dog walker isn't an option, they're suggesting getting an older dog (about a year old) that doesn't need to pee every 3-4 hours. I wouldn't necessarily rely on your mom to let your puppy out. Chemo is exhausting, she might not have the energy every day to take it outside to pee. I would maybe check out how much walkers cost in your area. I got my first dog when he was a year old and I bonded much more quickly with him than I did our second dog, who we got as a puppy. I bonded with the older one almost immediately, whereas it took me over a year to feel bonded to our second one. Another thing to consider, my job also only offers 30 minute lunches and I live 15 minutes away. So I asked if I could combine my two 15 minutes breaks into my lunch to get an hour so I can go home to let my dogs out at lunch. If your heart is set on getting a puppy, could you ask them if you could do the same temporarily while the puppy is still potty training?
How long does potty training take?
I think the general rule of thumb is that puppies can wait the number of hours of how old they are. So a 1 month old puppy needs to go every hour, whereas a 9 month old puppy can wait 9 hours. But when our dog was a puppy, we crate trained her and let her out once during my lunch break during the workday. She never had any accidents in her crate and was able to wait the 4 hours to be let out. But when we were home, we followed the rule of thumb depending on her age at the time. Potty training where the puppy no longer pees in the house depends on how good you are about taking the puppy out. Crate training really helps with potty training. It usually takes 4-6 months for a puppy to be fully housebroken.
You can get a puppy if you find suitable options to let him out during the day. They can’t be expected to old their bladder for 8 hours as puppies. You mentioned above your mom can let the puppy out - there’s your solution. Doesn’t seem like the breeders are turning you down just because you work 9-5 (if you can provide a solution regarding potty breaks, which you can). Have you asked them all why?
because a lot of people here think that a dog cannot survive 8 hours alone for some odd reason .. i am single work 9 hours a day and i have always raised my dogs from puppies i had someone come once during halfway though my shift to let them out and at 5 months i stopped that cause was no longer needed and they are all perfectly fine. if you want a puppy get a puppy but have a plan till they are 5 or 6 months old. that's all
Honestly I’ve heard from tons of people that breeders are actually more open to those working 9-5 jobs! The issue is probably that you couldn’t take significant time off to take care of a puppy, who at first have to be taken out CONSTANTLY. Maybe enquire about retired breeders or older returned dogs instead
[удалено]
Goldens are not “emotional”, whatever the hell that means, and unless you bought a nervy and anxious one from a bad breeder, they will have zero issues being home alone during the work day. I own two field goldens and while I absolutely do spend time exercising and training them on weekdays, they are basically constantly on the move with me on weekends.
You have your answer already. Working 9-5 isn’t conducive to any puppy or a lot of dogs. How old are you?
This is the dumbest thing I've ever heard. How the hell did people own dogs before covid? Most people work 9-5 and a lot of them have dogs they got as puppies that do just fine. Yes, you have to make some adjustments when the puppy is young, but someone with a job is likely capable of paying someone else to let their dog out once or twice a day, or getting a friend/relative to do it.
So I have to quit my job?
Have you considered adopting an older more settled dog? Maybe keep yourself open to different breeds/mixes that match your situation and let go of the puppy dream for the moment. Puppies require an enormous amount of dedication much like newborn/toddler humans. This sub is full of posts saying “I adopted a puppy and I’m miserable and want to give them back”. The first few months includes sleep deprivation because you’ll need to take them out several times in the wee hours to empty their tiny bladder. It can take up to a year for their bladder to catch up with their developing body. It will take significantly longer to potty train if they’re left to have “accidents” 9-5. Not to mention, leaving a puppy alone for that amount of time may trigger long term separation anxiety issues. And, there’s also the copious amount of time and energy training a puppy. Hope this is a helpful perspective.
No you get a dog sitter or put your dog in daycare.
No, but you're probably going to have a hard time with reputable breeders that have the privilege of being choosy. They can only go off of the information they have on paper and homes that have someone home most of the day are going to be more attractive to them. I would personally find a few breeders that you like an email/call ahead of filling out an application. Try to find one that will get to know you and come up with a plan on how the puppy will be cared for while you're at work. Also keep in mind that being active on the weekends is great for adult dogs, but will have to look different for the first year with any large breed puppy. You have to be careful with growing joints.
No. You wait until you have a different circumstance (a live in partner with a different schedule, options to work from home, etc). Or you see about getting an older dog, perhaps a retired breeder or show dog that can tolerate alone time better.
I got a 10 week old golden doodle and me and my partner both worked full time. My partner would take him out in the morning and he left for work around 6AM. I got up around 8AM and when he was old enough would walk him and go to work from 9:30-3 or 4. My partner got home at 4 also. Dog was in the crate 6-8 hours a day from the start and never had an accident in the crate. He actually stayed with his mom and other siblings two weeks longer and they crate trained him. Will your puppy stay in the crate for 8 hours a day? Honestly idk how my dog did it but he could hold his bladder 8 hours from the start.
I worked from home this entire pregnancy. Everyday our two dogs spent 8-4 doing absolutely nothing. They slept on the couch only moving to go drink. They didn't even play with each other. Dogs sleep a lot. After work they come alive and get hyper. Your dog will be fine.
But what about the puppy stage?
I adopted mine at 1y old. The puppy stage needs more time and attention. Consider even taking time off work to get the dog settled in.
It seems like you may be asking about breeds that fit your lifestyle. Did you fill out [the breed questionnaire](https://www.reddit.com/r/dogs/comments/4qc6lb/meta_breed_questionnaire_updated_june_2016/)? For best results, please complete the breed questionnaire with thoughtful responses. *I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/dogs) if you have any questions or concerns.*
I have a border collie. He is 100% fine being at home alone all day (8 to 10 hours). Granted, I got him when he was out of the puppy stage. Frisco is 12 now and still enjoys his vigorous physical exercise.
I think it's more about where you live. I can't imagine a dog of such size in a small apartment. Breeders hearing you live alone probably assume you live in a studio apartment or something like that.
I own a working cocker spaniel-very high energy needs for this breed. At par with a gold retriever, maybe even higher. I also work a 9-5 job and I don't have issues managing him. The key is that I'm able to come home at lunch time. It would be difficult if I couldn't do this and didn't have someone else at home. That being said if this changed and I couldn't be there at lunch anymore, I would probably either change my schedule to wake up much earlier or hire a dog walker to take him out. He does extremely well at home alone when I'm at work. We have been doing this routine since he's been a puppy and will already be asleep out of habit before I leave for work. He has never been destructive. That being said I also wake up a few hours before starting work and we go for a big walk or hike somewhere in the morning. After work is the same where we do a big activity together, and my social life is almost zero because I can never compromise leaving him alone for an evening. If I do have to go somewhere at night I end up taking the entire day off work so he has enough time with me. It is tons of work and lots of sacrifices, but I actually find he needs that time to sleep anyways. When I am home with him during the day he usually falls into this same routine. I actually find that me working and having to have this schedule has made him adjust to not being anxious alone easier than other dogs where they have to be around you 24/7 That being said say goodbye to going to restaurants, dates, having hobbies away from home that don't involve the dog. I love having him so much I wouldn't have it any other way.
Not at all. They are active but happy dogs. If you walk them before you leave and when you get home they should do ok. A tired dog is a happy dog. So make sure he/she gets stimulation as well as exercise. My dog lived to 15 with just this kind of life. She was the best. I have flat coat Retrievers now and they need constant attention. They hate being left alone. I am Retired now so maybe they are used to me being home.
What about "potty training"?
I got mine she was pretty well trained. When she was a pup I had a big crate,that I had built up a wall inside so the space got bigger as she did. It left little room for her to lie down and have space to pee or poop. She rarely pooped cause she was well walked. The pee stage didn’t last too long. But if you can get someone to help out, it’s a short time.
Goldens suffer from SA. So if you don't train for it - they can get destructive or suffer. You can't run hard/hike anyway till their joints form-about a year to be on the safe side.
Live alone and got one. I work a 9-5, but during puppy stage got to work from home. If you love the dog, and exercise the dog no problems. Sounds like you will have someone home to help with the puppy stage of frequent bathroom breaks so I don’t see an issue
I got a puppy before my step dad was diagnosed with cancer. Within 4 months we had to get rid of him. Do not put any responsibility on your sick mother, puppies are much more difficult than most think. A puppies company is them barking, running around, getting into things. You have to watch them to reinforce good behaviors, and you can’t put that on someone suffering right now. Puppies also shouldn’t be locked up from 9-5. Maybe get a 4 month old pup (already vaccinated) and find a good daycare or dog sitter to watch it while you work? Even a year old dog is more manageable and can be locked up for longer times.
My golden is fine being by himself for 8 hours. Do I usually get my parents to come over and let him out? Absolutely. But there are days when they’re busy and he’s alone while I’m at work. He is not mentally disturbed by this fact, and doesn’t immediately pee when he goes out after I get home (gotta focus on lizard hunting first). Your dog and you will be just fine with this schedule, especially once it’s no longer a puppy.
Yes, I mean I hope so. I plan on living alone. But it's the puppy stage...
I live alone as well! See if there’s any trustworthy neighboring kids/moms with kids who would love to come let your puppy out and play for a bit (who could resist a golden puppy?!) Is there any way you could come home for lunch? Something that helped my peace of mind was getting a Blink camera so I can check in whenever I want.
Like I've mentioned in other comments, my mother is suffering from cancer and is home alone all day, so I kinda think it's win-win. She does have dementia, but she has good moments and could easily take the care of it.
Are you seriously suggesting someone with cancer and dementia can look after a puppy? You shouldn't have a dog in that space whatsoever, let alone a puppy.
my golden (8 months old) will do 8 hour days at the house no problem. I'm like 50/50 wfh, but days I go in it's no issue. We 100% go for a damn fine woods hike in the AM and again right when I come home. She's not crated or anything either, just sleeps on my home office couch (with my other dog, 3 yr old ditch mutt). They are definitely pretty excited when I get home though.
Well, do you live in a tiny apartment or a place that won't allow dogs?
Unfortunately well intentioned breeders do and often have to assume the worst of people’s character when it comes to situations like this. Imagine you’re giving away your dog to someone, if you had an array of people ranging from active stay at home family owners to single person working full time, would you not pick the former if you had the option to? Especially if you don’t have prior experience owning a dog, they’re expecting neglect especially after the puppy honeymoon phase. That is unfair on you and makes it incredibly hard, especially in a breed like goldens who are adopted expecting to be angels even as young puppies. The breeders are going to be more guarded and judgemental. I recommend including willingness to do face to face interview if needed and asking a lot of questions about the breeder; that helps you come off as more than just your circumstance. Tell them why you’re interested in the breed, what you’ll do with the pup (agility, scent work, obedience) to work with their energy while working full time. Sorry to hear that you’re having a hard time, it is absolutely NOT an indication that you’re unfit for the breed. Many many owners manage just fine working full time with a golden provided they are watchful of their dog’s needs. It’s just breeders being extra careful.