what is so wrong with working full time and owning a dog

[kateandpaul]

I just wanted to clarify a few questions I have seen about dogs and people working full time, basically I have just got a border collie (10 mnths) from a dogs trust and the owner never had a problem with me working full time, we have a dog walker and on the odd days he cannot be walked we go home for lunch, he is walked 40 mins in the morning, 1hr in the day and an hour and a half after work, so whats the problem? I am sick of people making me feel guilty, he also goes to agility classes and when we arent here..I bet he sleeps, after all they do sleep for at least 11 hrs per day!

[LoftyLottie]

I have kept dogs for many years. All rescue dogs of all shapes and sizes. Some of them have been left while I worked in my younger days, nowadays I am retired and am home most of the time. All of the dogs have been happy and content, although I never had any as puppies (except for one when I was home most of the time). The point is I did my very best for them and they all led lovely lives. They all had walks and neighbours helped out by calling in. At weekends they had extra long walks. Of course dogs adapt.

I am grateful that dogs are given good homes with people who love them and care for them well.

You can't compare leaving dogs with leaving young children who need 24 hr. care and attention.

Don't feel guilty. You and the dog are both benefitting.

[Becdiy]

I have really appreciated reading all responses, even those that counter argue. Myself and partner are currently in the process of getting a puppy, this has taken me 3 years due to working full time and having the ' getting a dog guilt trip'. Its great to see that pet owners do care and like K & P i am arranging dog sitters and lunch breaks and intend on long walks before work and lots of training and stimulation after. Thank you for giving me some confidence in my decision (even after 6 years :)).

[Hutchdal74]

I have a 3 yr old dally. He's left home Tues to Fri whilst I go to work so that I can buy him the best food, the best toys to play with, the best dog bed. My job also ensures that u can afford to take him to forests, beaches, mountain trails and obedience class. He is walked before and after I go to work. On weekends he goes out all day with me and my 12 year old son. When we return home he's knackered. I think there's nothing wrong working and owning a dog. I live in the real world where a good standard of life costs money, vet bills cost money and for those things you need to earn money. I feel that some people here are being ridiculously unfair, possibly to disguise the fact they can't get off their bone idle backsides to work. They're probably the kind of people who use their dogs as excuses to prolongue their silly state sponsored lifestyles that afford them all the time in the world to walk their dogs. P.s all of my dalmatians have lived long and happy lives. None of them have displayed seperation anxiety. The simple truth is that dogs, like like most living things have their own individual personalities and all behave differently like us. Some of us like to go to work and some of us like to slack off and stay home all day. If there were no working people then there'd be less pedigree dogs because nobody could afford to buy them, there'd be no vets because nobody would evere afford the bills. Grow up people. Dogs cost money and it don't grow on trees...... Familiarise yourselves with animal planet and you will soon learn what a neglected and cruel treated animal really goes through!