The other half and I are a pair of dog lovers, and we would very much love to offer a home to a poor homeless pooch.
On that note, we both frequently visit local dog rescue centres just to say hi and give the poor buggers some love.

I have personally owned dogs in the past so am aware of the challenges.

Here’s the rub – Due to working routines, for at least 4 days a week we are both out of the house for around 6 to 8 hours.
For this reason alone we have previously decided not to go ahead with a rehoming, but I thougt i’d at least ask for opinion on here.

Im pretty sure I know the answer to my next question, but, should I consider rehoming a dog based on our working habits?

Mitigation:

We are happy to pay for a dog walker to take the pooch out for an hour every day that we are absent for a prolonged period.

Mrs Slim is a teacher – so for something like 13+ weeks per year she would be at home.

I normally work from home 1 day per week.

My thinking is (and its probably typical), surely there is a dog out there that is fairly comfortable being left for several hours +, and surely it would be better off in that situation than in a kennel for an extended period??
To this end, we have considered greyhounds, based purely on the fact that they are lazy gits that seem to genuinely want to sleep all day.

I get that theoretically we could be taking a dog away from another potential owner that is based at home 24/7, but, one thing that a search of ‘dog rehoming’ will teach you is that demand falls dramatically short of supply.

I hate the idea of being a bad dog owner, and I dont like the idea of even telling others that ‘the dog is left at home all day’. Hence why i’m here asking you motley crew – what do you lot think?

Would rehoming two dogs (so they can keep each other company), be a possibility?

My thinking is (and its probably typical), surely there is a dog out there that is fairly comfortable being left for several hours

What you’re thinking of is one of these….

Otherwise… and I’m telling you this from bitter personal experience… you’r neighbours will want to kill your dog. But only after they’ve murdered you for being so bloody stupid, and inconsiderate as to think you could leave a dog on its own all day, and it wouldn’t spend the entire time barking

Hope that helps

Would rehoming two dogs (so they can keep each other company), be a possibility?’

Yes, we would consider it. However,when considered previously we found that studied anxiety levels dont appear to particularly fall with either 1 or 2 dogs.

Binners – Alas, Mrs Slim is super allergic to cats.

Consider how many dogs are actually left at home for 6 hrs a day. I’d suggest it’s lots. A stable home and routine with lots of walks when you are at home has got to be better than being in a cage most of the time.

Dogs sleep loads a hell of a lot, ours have never barked unless disturbed by somethings they’re not sure of but they soon stop. They will sleep while you’re at work once they know the routine.

Consider how many dogs are actually left at home for 6 hrs a day. I’d suggest it’s lots.

I agree – however, not sure that just becuase its a fact, justifies it.
I tend to err on the side of ‘it must be better than a kennel’, but as yet, im not convinced.

When I think of the literally millions of dogs that are abused/eaten/abandoned/generally uncared for around the world – I start to think that my situation would be favourable.

As dog owners, it sounds to me like you’d be great parents … and 2 dogs is no more hassle than 1

As a new dog owner (my own) of 15 months I’ve learnt a lot. Had dogs as a kid, in fact one who reached 19.
Our dog gets hammered physically at the weekend, he loves people but gets no time to himself on a sat/sun due to us being there. I kid you not Monday he’s like piss off to work/school you lot so I can chill. And he does! Mrs does work varied days so he has no routine other than the morning walk in the week.

Ours is left perhaps 3 hours on a morning and 4 hours on an afternoon. Either myself or the SO will pop home through lunch to walk and feed her for an hour, Mondays we have a dog walker attend to her for 2-3 hours. She’s settled into the routine quite well, we have her crate in the front room but shes decided to sleep on the window ledge watching for us out the window or steals the sofa from the cat.

The neighbours have never even heard her bark during the day, let alone when someone knocks on the door.

2 is sometimes easier than 1, currently contemplating giving our a pub a friend.

Good luck 🙂 a stable home is surely better than being at the rscpa for the rest of its days. As long as its loved.

Choose the breed carefully (i.e. stay away from working dogs like cockers, springers, beagles), and make sure there’s a LONG walk in the morning and evening, no matter what the weather. And definitely fork out for the dog walker.

My dogs are definitely better when left alone now that there are two of them. I can tell the difference in behaviour / stress when I leave one at home (due to injury, being in season, etc) , versus both at home together.

FWIW I rehomed a dog last May so have nearly had her a year.
I have been concerned about leaving her and most of the time either my kids get home at 3.30 ish or if they can’t I will pop home in the day time.
She does occasionally have to spend the full day on her own but on the flip side gets to go mountain biking in the forest, running down the river, playing ball and Frisbee over the park, massive walks on Dartmoor etc etc.
She is a lab collie X so is the best of both worlds. Properly lazy in the home when the Lab kicks in and then super active when out as a Collie.
She wasn’t the breed I had wanted or even considered but due to the knowledge and skills of the people at the rehoming centre they matched us perfectly.
Bessie also spends loads of time in the garden chilling or chasing cats when the weather is good too.
It’s worked out pretty well but I do still feel pangs of guilt occasionally.

I think you’ll be great dog owners.

Our conflicting shifts mean that our Border is sometimes home alone between 6.30am and about 2.30pm, but he has a lap of the garden and some scoff thanks to our neighbour. He sleeps most of the day and the neighbours rarely hear a peep. I’d sound the neighbours out first, to keep them on side.

I’d consider a dog flap so that he / she can pop out, but only if you have a secure (escape proof as well as thief proof) garden.

Go for it – a home without a dog is just a house!

Stating the obvious but it depends a lot on the dog and I guess you can only try one/two and see how it goes.

When we got our whippet as a pup we considered loads of breeds first.

She is a real couch potato but I still wouldn’t feel comfortable leaving her home alone all day – it’s not so much the exercise she would miss as the company. So we pay a walker on the odd days when we are both out all day and the kids aren’t going to be back from school on time.

But I tend to agree your situation still sounds preferable to a dogs home.

TBH, taking a dog that has been abandoned/given away for whatever reason (maybe it had issues) and then leaving it alone for 8 hours a day 5 days a week does not sound like a particularly great result for the dog.

Hi,

We have two dogs, one a Romanian rescue, and both work full time. We have a dog walker (day care) who picks them up in the morning and drops them off again after a couple of walks and socialising with other dogs all day.

It seemed the best way to be fair to the dogs if we are not going to be there in the days. And as it goes they love it!

Good luck with the dog,

is there not any dog day care near you?
our Lab/springer cross goes to day care 5 days a week and it is great for her as she gets to socialise with other dogs during the day and then the family in the evening.
you can see she enjoys going there as she wants to rush off to the other dogs once at the door of the day care.

Thanks for the tips so far.
We have considered the breed fairly carefully, im drawn towards terriers normally which probably isn’t ideal. I doubt we’d go for a springer or collie working type as they would be more likely to climb the walls when left alone.
In fact, we’d probably be happy to take an old lap dog. There are numerous local rehoming centers so plenty of choice, the trickiest part is bound to be convincing them that we are good prospective owners as im sure they will ask all sorts of questions related to our daily whereabouts.

dog daycare near you?

Yes, it seems there are a couple of options locally – although realistically, it would test our budget somewhat at circa £300pcm

Why not a terrier?

What about a retired Greyhound?

Why not a terrier?

Not 100% sure now you mention it. Perhaps the high energy levels?, also having owned terriers in the past im used to the high prey drive – which based on the fact I now live on the South Downs with miles of open fields, i’m not convinced I have the energy myself to chase a terrier that has run across Farmer Giles’ fields after a rabbit (etc)!

Retired greyhounds have been considered for sure. Again, slightly concerned about the hyper-sensitive prey drive and common requirement for a muzzle.
Neither are deal breakers though, we’d re-home any dog that really needed a chance.

Not 100% sure now you mention it. Perhaps the high energy levels?, also having owned terriers in the past im used to the high prey drive – which based on the fact I now live on the South Downs with miles of open fields, i’m not convinced I have the energy myself to chase a terrier that has run across Farmer Giles’ fields after a rabbit (etc)!

They have loads but still sleep lots. Yeah have to watch for that but I keep Jake on a lead in the areas where I know they are likely to be.

On your circumstances would a rescue centre consider you? (of course you could lie and say you work at home or something)

If you pay a dog walker it will only be alone for 3 hours or so at a stretch. We’ve used someone who charged £12 a day. But it’s still la long time with no stimulation.

My sister inlaw has whippits that she rehomed. Allegedly, like greyhounds, they are happy to sit around all day, and there are alot around. However, the first took a long while to get settled and get used to being left for extended periods, in the end they got the second to keep it company just as much as anything else. Both are happy enough now though.

I wouldn’t say it is much worse for them than being in a rescue centre. They will be left just as long there, maybe with a bit more company around I suppose.

Don’t try and over think it. I am sure you will be great with the dog (s). 😀
At the end of the day as has been said, the dog will get used to your routine. Your house/garden will be factors, (i take it you are in a house , not a flat)
There are great dogs out there that need a home.
When you do get the dog, take a few days off work, let the dog settle. Enjoy each others company 😀

I’ve two dogs a mastiff and a dobie, they’re in the house for about 7 to 8 hours alone weekdays. They seem perfectly happy and I imagine much happier than when they were lonely, abused and starving before I busted them out of dog jail. As posted above they sleep all day as far as I can tell from the weekends. Mastiffs seem pretty lazy too, great dogs if you’ve the space.

Rescue centres are much choosier than breeders about who they give a dog to. Explain your situation / routine and they’ll make sure yo get the right one – which may not be the one your other half wants though!!

When we tried to rehome a dog we were told more than once that we weren’t suitable as our working hours wouldn’t be fair on the dog. (And that was leaving the dog at 8.45am until lunchtime when I would return to let it out on my lunch break then someone back at home from 3.30pm onwards 4 days a week and someone in all day fro the remaining three days).

which may not be the one your other half wants though!!

Centre Parcs Dog.

Lurcher (Terrier x Whippet) owner here. Had her 6 years after we rehomed her. My wife and I work full time and a normal day is walk the dog for 30 mins in the morning and leave the house at 07:30. Dog walker is out about 11:00 and walks her with other dogs returning 12:00-12:30. Wife home about 3:30 and takes her out for another walk for about 45 minutes. So about 2.5 hours of walks every day. It helps we are next to the hills so those are proper off the lead running about daft walks. When we are not home, the dog just chills and sleeps. Weekends, we spend most of our days out walking.

To the OP, you sound like a great dog owner. The fact that you are thinking about these things and have been hesitant in the past shows you are responsible. So many rubbish dog owners out there, a dog would be lucky for you to take it home. As previously mentioned, choose the breed carefully and do a home test with any dog you are looking at. Those that are suggesting a greyhound – They are fantastic dogs, but an older ex-racer might not fit in with a very active lifestyle.

Our staffie cross is perfectly happy on his own from half seven to half four. Seems to get the hump if we break that routine.

My first thought on reading the op was that its clear they’ll be thoughtful owners and sound ideal for two retired greyhounds.

Can you try to foster one (or two) first?

Your hearts are obviously in the right place but I do share your doubts about leaving alone so long.

We have a terrier, he’s left for 3-3.5 hour stretches max during the day, we have a dog walker at midday and I come home for a late lunch daily. He’s very happy with this, he sleeps all day anyway. When I do work from home, he spends the majority of the day in his bed snoozing anyway, so it’s not like he craves constant stimulation.

He probably gets around 3 hours walking a day, plus constant ball play when we’re there.

The trouble you will have is finding the right dog, you can’t give them back if they prove not to adapt to your routine. Rescue centres will probably say no if you say you work full time, which I find ridiculous when you could offer such a great home.

Worth looking on Gumtree/Freeads/pets4homes etc. – You may find one that needs rehoming that is already left alone at times.

Good advice again. Yes, I should imagine most rehoming centers would likely say ‘thanks but no thanks’ with regards to our working hours. I suppose I was thinking that if we decided to go ahead that there may be one particular rehoming center that are more flexible.
In hindsight that may well prove more difficult than first thought.

Gumtree/Pets4Homes would be a good shout though, i’ve seen numerous ads in the past where ‘private’ owners are desperate to rehome.

Oh, and yes, we have a nice house with plenty of room and a large garden overlooking national park land. Would be a great place for a dog to settle in.

I have 2 retired Greyhounds and they really are lazy buggers!
The wife and I now work opposite shifts, so on occasions she leaves for work as I’m on the way home from nights (and vice versa).
The dogs have slept all night and when I get in I give them a 1/2 hour walk, then I go to bed and they go back to sleep for the rest of the day quite happily.

Mine were muzzled initially when we got them, but we soon took them off after seeing how they react with other dogs.
They are mostly walked on lead though as their recall is terrible!

Gumtree/Pets4Homes would be a good shout though, i’ve seen numerous ads in the past where ‘private’ owners are desperate to rehome.

This is where our chap came from. Genuine rehome as their autistic daughter didn’t like the change of having a dog in the house, they’d persevered but given in.

Buy the seller, visit their home, avoid ads that advertise the dog for ‘free’ as they obviously don’t care where it ends up. Be selective and you’ll find a good one.

Yes, I’ve been hitting the gumtree and P4H ads – there are a few good candidates. We have also just singed up on a dog sitting site as we can happily take a dog on during the school holidays.

we have two dog walkers – this is mainly so if one goes on holiday the other can cover. it works really well. also the dog absolutely benefits from being walked with lots of different dogs, he is really sociable with other dogs now and i can’t remember the last time there was any growling when he met another dog. if you are bothered about him standing on the kitchen units howling at next door all day get a nest camera or similar so you can keep an eye on it

Don’t be fooled in to thinking 2 dogs are no more work than 1. That may be true in some cases but for us it certainly wasn’t.

With hindsight, whilst we dearly loved both our hounds the second one proved to be a right pain in the arse and life would have been exponentially easier with the just the one.

The second one didn’t like being left alone – even with the first hound for company, didn’t travel well at all so whereas we could take our first one with us this became impossible once we had two, she would wake us up at 5am whereas the first was happy just to chill until a sensible time – you’ve then got twice the insurance, food, kennels etc to factor in cost-wise.

As I say – it didn’t stop us loving her to bits but we were swayed by the whole 2 dogs = 1 bollocks and it proved to be just that in our case.

So looks like we may be dog sitting this wee fella for a few days, with a view to a potential permanent move..
Wish us luck!

JRT? Lovely looking dog! Good luck, but if you do decide that you fancy a Greyhound, please give me a shout – I am involved with Portsmouth retired Greyhounds based in Rake