Getting a puppy?
Camilla Karlsson
I am thinking about getting a cocker spaniel puppy but I'm not sure it
would be a good idea because of my busy working life. I am just about to
finish university and will have 4 month off before I start my job. When
I'm working I will be able to walk the dog in the morning (about 8am),
at lunch time (about 1pm) and when I get home (about 6pm). I live in the
city so the dog won't be able to be outdoors while I am at work. I don't
know if that is too long for the dog to be alone at home. I will however
have lots of time in the evenings and at the weekends to spend time with
it and take it for long walks in the countryside.
Any advice regarding if it is wise to get a cocker spaniel (or other
breed) during these circumstances would be most appreciated.
Many Thanks,
Camilla
Tee
news:3c4oenF...@individual.net...
Alot of people work and have dogs. The schedule you outline provides for
the necessary afternoon break and, living in the city, your dog will likely
be walked more often than alot of dogs in the suburbs. Dogs don't need to
be left outside during the day so that aspect is fine.
The worrisome part is the age of the puppy when you begin work. Its not
impossible to do, especially if you get the puppy right away and use the 4
month interim to begin training and get the pup to where he/she would be
comfortable being left alone. It'll also give you time to crate train
should you go that route (very beneficial to working dog owners whose
puppies/dogs are either destructive or suffer from anxiety).
Having said all of that, have you considered adopting a Cocker from rescue
or a shelter, one that is over a year old and who won't require the
intensity of training & constant attention that a puppy would? Adopted dogs
adapt very easily to new homes & owners and the benefits of starting with an
adult or adolescent dog are numerous in comparison to starting with a puppy.
--
Tara
Janet B
<crappol...@netscape.net> wrote:
>
>The worrisome part is the age of the puppy when you begin work. Its not
>impossible to do, especially if you get the puppy right away and use the 4
>month interim to begin training and get the pup to where he/she would be
>comfortable being left alone. It'll also give you time to crate train
>should you go that route (very beneficial to working dog owners whose
>puppies/dogs are either destructive or suffer from anxiety).
I don't know that the whole 4 months is necessary!
I'm lucky to not work a full-time, 9-5 job, but last time I did, I
worked 8-5 with an hour for lunch. I had an elderly dog during that
period, but when he passed, I got a golden puppy. I was home with
him a few days, but then off to work. I came home at lunch every day,
walked him, played with him, attempted to feed him lunch (he was never
very interested!). Once he was fully vaccinated, he got to go to the
local park for 2 hours every afternoon when I got home as well. He
was crated during the morning and afternoon hours until 7 months, and
then he didn't get crated anymore (kept it up through his neuter, just
for consistency through surgical recovery). He wasn't crated at
night after 4 months, so my work schedule really did allow for a lot
of "me" time.
--
Janet B
www.bestfriendsdogobedience.com
http://pg.photos.yahoo.com/ph/bestfriendsobedience/album
dobypinch
Wasn't a cocker spaniel designed to essentially run grid patterns in a field
to flush out birds? Of course the coat you think of a cocker as having
wouldn't stand up to that. Your walking the dog schedule would be more than
sufficient for an adult. If you buy your puppy from a reputable breeder
they should match the energy level and temperament of the puppy to the
situation you have. Sorry I can't seem to think of anything else to add.
Fran
Camilla Karlsson wrote in message <3c4oenF...@individual.net>...
caroline
> Wasn't a cocker spaniel designed to essentially run grid patterns in a
> field
> to flush out birds? Of course the coat you think of a cocker as having
> wouldn't stand up to that.
???