Gundog Training Forum

Hi im new to the forum and after a little advise. I've grown up with springers and now i have my own place id like one of my own. Unfortunatly i work during the day and so does the mrs. I leave at 8am and can come home at 1 for ahlf an hour then the mrs comes home at 4. Unfortunatly i think i know the answer to this but would everyody think this is to long for the dog to be left alone and how do other people cope with keeping dogs and working?

Thanks

I don't think that's bad at all. Many people are away from home much longer hours. You can definitely make it work. It'll be tough at first with a puppy but once it gets older that is nothing providing you spend time in the evening training and exercising it. Realistically, as far as working and having a dog goes, you have a pretty ideal situation.

I don't think that's bad, that is very similar to my self,as the other person said at first my have a bit of a mess to clean up they get used to it!!! As long they get enough attention before you go to work an after work!!!!

We all have to work unfortunately

Chris

I agree with the above think those times are fine

Have you thought of kennelling with a run so the dog will be outside

Chris

I'm not happy with the hours my dog is sat at home on his own but it does work. I leave at 7am and normally get back at 6pm. Unfortunately its an 80 mile round trip so I can't get back at lunchtime. I used to have a dog walker once or twice a day but the only guy I trust to walk him had to give it up due to a bad back. Still, good news is, waiting for an office move around and he'll come into the office with me at least 3 times per week.

I think with being able to come home at lunch time you shouldn't have too much of a problem. As others have said, as long as you give him plenty of attention and exercise in the morning and evening.

That sounds workable - you might want to book holiday for the pup's first few weeks at home to settle down and use a crate or have a kennel with run until Pup can be relied on not to trash the place.

Cathy

I work shifts and my wife works also, as suggested take some time off to settle him in and try and get him a kennel and run during the day, it works for us as I would not like to leave him in the house all day.

Defo do'able. I often feel bad for leaving our dogs. When I happen to be at home during the day all they do is sleep!

Brilliant thanks very much for the advise, makes me feel alot better. I intent to exercise the dog before work and a good long walk in the evening. My dad ha had springers all my life but with my mum only workin part time they were only left a couple of hours a day. I thought having to work full time and keeping a dog would be a big no no.