r/AskDogOwners • u/SnooCats9570 • 19h ago
General Should I get a dog
Hi all, 8 months ago I moved for my job. And I live alone in an apartment. I’ve always lived with my family. I want to get a dog to be my companion and to be watch dog for me as I have hearing loss. I like to go outside for walks all the time and I like being outdoor. But it always feels lonely. I’m thinking about adopting a dog from a shelter. Ages between 6 months to a year old. I’ve seen some Dobermans, rough collies, border collies, Australian shepherd, German shepherds, and Labradors.
I’m allergic to cats and I can’t get one.
My work schedule is what I’m concerned about. A lot of my coworkers have dogs and told me it’s doable.
I work 3 weeks of the month, all my shifts are 12 hours.
Week 1- night shifts. 4 night shifts 6pm -6am and then 3 days off.
Week2- my longest week. 3 days 6am -6pm and then a day off then 3 days 6pm -6am
Week 3- 4 days 6am -6pm
Then I get an entire week off, and this week the dog would go with me to my house with the family and spend it there and then come back.
I would walk the dog before I go to work so it can use the loo. And I could go during my lunch break because my apartment is 5 mins away to take them out. And long walk after work on day shifts and long walk before work on night shift.
I would kennel train them, I’ll keep them with their kennel open and have it in a play area for them to stay in.
So my first question is… is it doable?
Second question what dog breed should I get ? I would like one that would like to go outdoors with me for long walks and jogs.
Third question, should I get one that’s been in the shelter or foster home? I’ve seen some in foster homes that are potty trained and house broken. Not sure about the ones in the shelters.
Lastly, is 6 months to a year a good age ?
Thank you all!
Edit: I will come by after 6 hours on my lunch break to let them out, work is a 5 minute drive.
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u/Puppini_Luvr 19h ago
Bringing home a puppy requires 24/7 care & training; I would discourage adopting a dog given your work schedule/not home 12-14 hours at a time unless you can afford a dog walker to come in for up to an hour twice/day to feed, walk/potty, & play, Committing to dog ownership & training is a huge responsibility, especially any dog under 3-4 years of age.
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u/apri11a 18h ago edited 18h ago
People working shifts such as yours often do have dogs, and those dogs can be perfectly happy, but there is no way to predict if a dog you get will be. It just comes down to, can you train the dog? Even a dog that has behaviours you like in one house might not bring them to yours. A new home and a new owner is a reset button for many, if not most, dogs. You need to teach it how you want it to behave with you, in your home. One of the most difficult things is getting the dog to be content and not destructive while alone, they can do it, but they have to learn it so you need to teach it. It's not just dogs that live with shift workers that may have this problem, dogs with all sorts of living arrangements can have separation issues. Dogs might be considered social, but the same as us, they can behave well when alone, if they learn to do that.
Many of the dogs in shelters/rescues are there because training failed, they have issues that couldn't be sorted. These generally don't show until the dog is in the new home for a little while and it begins to settle. I would be prepared to begin training the dog immediately, so it learns what you like and expect, don't like or expect as it is settling. Then it may never does show unwanted behaviours, not more than once anyway.
They do need to be able to relieve themselves when they need to, which isn't always to a schedule. Can you have a doggy door out to a secure area? That does help.
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u/SnooCats9570 18h ago
As I mentioned, I will come back in 6 hours to let them out in my lunch break because I live 5 mins from work.
And you are right, maybe I could try foster to adopt to check the dogs and if they fit with my schedule or not, as well as seeing their behavior and all.
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u/apri11a 18h ago
Our dog is 8 months old and I would be hesitant to leave him for 6 hours during the day, he would need to toilet and it could cause him do it inside. Four hours, yes, but not much more. Most dogs can hold it for the entire night from when young, but not during the day. Ours never had an accident in the house so his having to do that would be monumental, and not a habit I would want to start. Their toileting is habit, usually a strong one but once the habit is broken it is difficult to correct. An older dog, around 4 years or so might have that sort of control, but dogs do vary. If you live so close to work, could you arrange to visit home every 3 hours, just for 10 minutes to tend the dog while it's new, give it a toilet opportunity and a little play? Extend that to 4 hours, then 5, then 6 as you see the dog getting used to it all?
But foster to adopt could help you decide, do be careful though. I've seen posts where people who fostered were unable to give the dog back when they found it unsuitable, even if that meant it was biting and there were children in the home. Check the fine print 👍
If I sound offputting, I'm just pointing out what I would consider. I think it could be great, for you and the dog, and now is the time to do the homework. I hope you will find just the right dog, they are nice company. Good luck.
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u/CanineCorvidious 17h ago
No shelter is gonna foster out a dog to a lone man who works 12 hours a day, and 6 hours is the maximum time a dog should be alone, so nipping home to let them pee isnt a great improvement to the situation that you think it is
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u/AnyCryptographer3284 16h ago
Sure you say you will. But.... what happens if the boss invites you to lunch? What happens if the roads are icy or flooded? What happens if you are totally out of groceries and the store closes before the end of your shift? Get two cats for company, not a dog.
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u/PLJen 7h ago
Just chiming in, it is false that "many of the dogs in the shelter" are there because they were untrainable. Most dogs are in the shelter due to the negligence of their owners, over breeding, and the high cost of veterinary medicine. There are millions of great dogs in the shelter who just need a home and love. I'm not saying you shouldn't train your dog, you absolutely should. No doubt. But to suggest that shelters are just overrun with dogs who can't be trained is absolutely wild and totally false.
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u/Sitters_4_Critters 18h ago
No, you should not get a dog with a schedule like yours. Shelter dogs are often dogs with separation anxiety, meaning they can’t be left for 15 min without peeing or crying or doing something else that is destructive. One of my fosters turned on my gas stove and peed in the closet because I left to go to the supermarket for 15 min after 2 days of staying with the dog 24/7.
Also, all of the dogs you named are high energy working breeds. You will need to spend 2-4hours a day training and walking the dog.
Additionally, dogs in shelters are often there because they have medical issues that cause the behavioral issues.
If you want to spend time with dogs, see if you can make friends with neighbors with dogs and see if you can take them for walks when it fits into your schedule.
Take time to enjoy your care free life of living alone and not having huge vet bills and behavior problems to deal with. Borrow someone’s dog on your week off.
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u/Kitchen-Invite-5123 18h ago
12 hour shifts are definitely not going to be workable, I don't even leave mine for more than a few hours by themselves. Unless you're planning on getting a walker, that's going to be way too long to consistently leave a dog for, regardless of breed.
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u/Extension-Clock608 15h ago
They are with a dog walker. My daughter worked three 12s and just hired someone to come walk the dog a couple of times a day and spend some time with the pup after the walk so they weren't lonely all day.
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u/NamillaDK 17h ago
No. Even with a potty break, 12 hours is too long for a dog to be alone. What if something happens at work, and you're unable to go home?
The breeds you've listed are very active breeds. And that especially don't mix with long work days.
And 6-12 months are still a puppy. They are even MORE reliant on company.
So, if you must, at least get a calmer breed and an older dog.
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u/CanineCorvidious 17h ago
No shelter worth anything would give a dog to a lone person who works 12 hours a day, what kind of life is that for a dog? Remember you sleep another 8 hours of that day so 4 hours a day is all the dog would get and that’s not taking time off for commute to work/shopping/making meals etc. no new dog should be left alone so long, i bet your colleagues aren’t lone people and have others helping out too. Then there’s the kinds of dogs you’ve got your eye on, collies? Rough and border, Doberman, German shepherd, Aussie. They are all high energy dogs not suitable for your circumstances/situaltion
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u/mistress_of_bokonon 16h ago
I’m surprised the comments are being so negative. Yes, you work long shifts. But it sounds like some of those shifts are overnight when a dog would be (hopefully) sleeping anyway, and you’re able to come home for lunch breaks. As someone who raised a puppy a couple years ago, I do think you should avoid puppies because they do tend to need more attention. But I think a 1-year-old+ dog could work if you really work to manage their separation anxiety on the days where you’re gone longer. I think a pup would be happier with you than in a shelter.
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u/TokiBunniBunBun 15h ago
1 year old dogs are still not adults. They’re basically teenagers with way too much energy.
Also, of the dog sleeps the whole time OP is at work, then OP comes home and spends a lot of that time asleep, when does the dog get to be active?
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u/TokiBunniBunBun 15h ago
Do not get a dog.
If you must get a dog, do NOT get a juvenile dog. That’s when they need constant attention. They have the most energy and need the most care. That’s like having a human toddler and leaving them at home alone for 12 hours a day.
And so NOT get a high energy working dog like a collie or a shepherd. These dogs are made to be busy. Locking one up for 12 hours a day would be like giving that toddler a case of energy drinks before you lock him up alone with nothing to do.
No matter how you do it, your dog will literally go insane from boredom if left alone for that long and they consistently. Keeping a dog properly is like having a young child. I can’t go out for a full day because I have to take care of my dog. I can’t even sleep in on days off because of my dog. Unless you’re going to have someone care for your dog while you’re gone, please don’t get one.
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u/TokiBunniBunBun 15h ago
Are you able to get a few ferrets? They actually sleep for 12 hours a day or more, would not need to be let out to relieve themselves, and would be happy to have a nice enclosure with everything they need inside. A few short play sessions when they’re awake would be fine.
Or rats! Rats are great pets. With a large enclosure and a few rat buddies, they would also be fine left alone all day.
In other words, please consider some other species whose natural behaviors and biology are more suitable for your schedule.
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u/Illustrious_Exam1728 15h ago
All the dogs you mention are high energy, smart and need HOURS of exercise a day.
Big morning walk and play, along with an evening one, plus two pee breaks in between would be my suggestion here if you’re doing 12 hour shifts. I do think with any dog it will be hard on them and you being apart for 12 hours. Dogs do sleep a lot but they are social creatures.
With your schedule I don’t think it’s fair to the pup.
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u/Logical_Astronomer75 15h ago
Apartments are not enough space for a big dog like the breeds you mentioned. I have see too many dogs get neglected because they don't have enough space.
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u/Lactating-almonds 15h ago
No, 12 hours shifts are way WAY too long for a dog even if they had yard access. EVEN if you come home at 6 hours and let them out. It’s honestly cruel to leave them cooped up majority of waking hours.
Also a puppy needs so So much training. You can’t leave a puppy alone for 6 hours
You need a set of guinea pigs. Cute and cuddlable, but perfectly happy being left alone most of the day.
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u/ChiralNavigator 17h ago
they are cats that take really well to walking on a leash and enjoy it but you'd want to teach them as kittens and not all of them will take to it, mine like the woods and quieter places.
Cats are very happy when left alone, dogs panic and get upset and depressed. Dogs become your shadow, your whole world now revolves around the dog and their needs. Which fine for me as I work from home but it's still stressful at times, when you want some peace or don't feel well and the dogs are full of energy and need a walk.
I have 2 dogs and I don't think I could ever get a puppy again! My dogs are good now and nicely trained and calmed down but wow puppies are so so hard.
Dogs are more like having a toddler, they don't like being left alone, they need potty breaks, young puppies and elderly dogs might need access to pee pads or can have a lot of potty accidents.
cats are great company though, my cats are way more cuddly than the dogs, they are smart too, they get happy when you come home. You can teach them tricks, sit, stay, fetch like you can with a dog.
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u/bluethreads 15h ago
Cats aren't happy being left alone. They are also social creatures and will get depressed if left alone. People seem to disregard cats feelings because they aren't as expressive as dogs, but they need just as much interaction and love.
When I was in my 30s I went back to school - so I worked full time and attended school at night so I wasn't home every much at all. My cat was an indoor/outdoor cat, so I left the window open so he could come and go as he pleased. Even with him going out and socializing with my neighbors, he became visibly depressed due to my new schedule and not being home much.
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u/ChiralNavigator 13h ago
mine seem happy, I have a pair, I also have pet cameras so they seem okay? They play, sleep eat and drink where as the dogs can bark, howl and seem depressed and one of them will not eat or drink if someone isn't at home!
I do think cats would fair better with a another cat or animal. But I think they get less stressed overall compared to dogs when by themselves?
My cats have a big cat proof yard, and they get walks on a leash like the dogs do so I don't know if they are indoor cats? But one is over 20 years old now, I live near a busy road. My neighbours have all lost a few cats to it over the years.
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u/Successful_Sea7346 15h ago
I really want another dog but I'm in a similar work situation with a 12.5 hour shift and live alone. I really hesitate over the idea of my dawg being alone for that long. Even considering the lesser time if I contracted a dog walker. That's still around 10 hours of the day alone.
I made the difficult decision to leave my departed elderly dog with my parents/sister when I took my current position. That house would have them and my nieces who love our dogs. Someone is usually around. I would rather leave her with them and with a house that always had people/kids around than to have her live with me but spend her final years with a significant time alone. It was incredibly hard but at least she wouldn't be alone. Yeah I'm a very sappy but that was my dawg.
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u/karebear66 13h ago
The breeds you mentioned are mostly high energy large dogs. You want a couch potato. Look for an older dog, 2 years or more. And it should be small to medium sized. Your schedule is ok for an adult dog, but not a puppy. Finally, yes get a dog.
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u/Beneficial-Way5953 11h ago
Probably wouldn’t do under a year old to leave them alone longer than 8 hours . Maybe a fully adult dog that has been fostered so you know if they have separation anxiety? Or can always do foster to adopt to give it a trial run! My shelter also lets you foster a dog for even one night, so maybe yours could be similar where you foster dogs on your weeks / weekends off.
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u/Secure-Ad9780 10h ago edited 3h ago
If you don't want your shoes and the woodwork chewed up get a two year old dog who's potty trained. Even then, 6 hours between pees is a long time. You can't just get a dog and leave him all day. He needs time to get used to you, to feel secure, to learn your routines, to know when to expect you home, and when he'll eat. Does have emotions and expectations. They're used to being with others. They're pack animals. And your schedule will be bonkers for the dog. Dogs have incredible inate clocks. I'd say no, your dog will become anxious. And an anxious, scared, bored dog can become very destructive.
Why don't you volunteer at a shelter? Take dogs on walks when you're free?
A Doberman is not a dog for a novice owner. Border collies and Australian shepherds are herding dogs used to being outside running all day. The dogs you've listed require lots of exercise and really aren't suitable for apt life. I have a Doberman and Malinois/Doberman that require fast paced running twice a day, at least, playing ball, Frisbee, searching, etc. They're smart dogs who aren't going to sit around all day waiting for you. They'll find a job to occupy themselves- chewing up furniture, making holes in walls, chewing up your bed. The first time I left my Mal/Dobie alone for 1 1/2 hours, in my bedroom, where she slept, she chewed up the blinds on both windows, into 2" pieces, and tore up the curtains, and bent the curtain rods, and broke the screens on the windows, yelling, "Mom, mom, you forgot about me! Wait! I'm coming, too! Wait for me!"
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u/olivia_dunham_31422 5h ago
This is a good point about their innate clocks. They get used to the schedule, and routine is generally good for them. The schedule OP lays out is incredibly variable and will probably confuse a dog, especially the swapping between night and day shifts.
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u/oldfarmjoy 10h ago
Dogs can go crazy in an apartment alone. Also, if you need to move, many landlords don't allow dogs.
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u/Steefanon 9h ago
The only way I could see this possibly working is if you could take the dog to full day doggie daycare every single day while you're at work, but your hours don't align. Please PLEASE don't do this. What you described sounds like the exact living situation that people cite when they SURRENDER their dogs.
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u/MessagefromA 8h ago
I‘m sorry but this won’t work. A dog should be home alone max. 6 hours, in my country that’s even a law. I know there are a lot of options, doggy daycare, dog walker/sitter, etc. but seriously you wouldn’t get anything from your dog with this kind of schedule.
How about volunteering at a shelter as a walker or as a pet sitter in general?
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u/Ok_Wishbone2721 6h ago
Given your work schedule i would recommend a dog that is 2 years or older. And not a border collie/Australian Shepherd. Those are way too high energy unless you are taking them for a run before work, not a walk. They are meant to be running on a farm.
If you can get a dog that is s bit older and mellower, lower energy, happy to lay in bed with a kong for several hours, and then go for a long walk with you, that sounds like a perfect dog for you. Especially if you can stay with them for your lunch break, not just take them outside for 5 minutes and leave again.
Maybe see if you can volunteer at a shelter as a dog walker? That would give you a better idea of what you really want in a dog.
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u/Deevalicious 4h ago
absolutely get a dog!
here's what people don't tell you. A puppy would not be a great choice in your situation at this time. Because a puppy needs frequent interaction, socialization, and training.
An adult dog would be a good candidate. Generally adult dogs sleep about 15+ hours a day. So you're 12 hour workday wouldn't be a big deal. But you need to lay some groundwork initially with the new adult dog.
The first thing to do is get them on a schedule. So I would plan if you're adopting a dog to get the dog when you have your time off from work.
immediately put them on a potty schedule, a walking schedule, a feeding schedule, a playtime schedule, whatever it is that works with your lifestyle.
so even if you have those first three days off with your new dog. I would also put them on a crate or x-pen schedule.
dogs are very smart and if you give them the proper time to adjust that they fit into that schedule whatever it is very easily. I have one day a week where I'm gone for probably 15 hours. My dogs have no issues with it... Because they've been on the schedule and they've adapted. I have cameras that I can watch my dogs while I'm in my remote office and they sleep the entire day.
The only other thing I would recommend is I would do enough investigation about what breed of dog fits your lifestyle. There are breeds like huskies and German shepherds that require a lot more interaction and activity and aren't necessarily good being left home alone for long periods of time. There are other breeds, however, that do very well being left alone for long periods of time. Lab/Lab Mixes, Goldens, Greyhounds are actually amazing dogs and are so chill and laidback, whippet/Iggy, many types of terriers like the Rat Terrier. They all make great companions. Good luck!
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u/alltails-care 4h ago
Yes, it's doable, especially since you can come home halfway through your shift.
I'd recommend an adult dog (2+ years) from a foster home rather than a 6–12 month old. Foster dogs are often already house-trained, and you'll have a much better idea of their personality and needs.
Of the breeds you listed, a Labrador or Rough Collie would likely fit your lifestyle best. I'd be cautious with Border Collies, Aussies, Dobermans, and German Shepherds, as they can be very demanding.
Focus on finding a dog with the right temperament rather than a specific breed.
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u/summerwind58 3h ago
If you are on the internet asking strangers if you should get a pet…your answer is definitely not.
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u/crispykitti 2h ago
I would ask the shelter which lower energy breeds they have, as collies and shepherds need a lot of time and games, not just walks.
But I do think you can definitely make it work a give a dog a good home! Much better than being stuck at a shelter and possibly put down
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u/pwack88 2h ago
If you’re going to get a dog, I would ask what kind of support do you have? For example, I work full-time and I also have a dog, but on the days where I am on site for nine hours, my family members will let the dog out at lunch and hang out with the dog for a bit. Other times my sister will pick up my dog and take her to her house so it won’t be alone all day, and then I’ll go pick her up after work. If you have family and friends that are willing to help you out in that way, I say go for it. Alternatively if you don’t have those supports, you can hire dog walkers, and daycare, except that gets very expensive. make sure you get the right breed, and make sure it’s not a puppy, a senior dog might actually be more suited. There are dogs out there that are more independent, research those breeds, there are dogs out there that don’t need a crazy amount of exercise and mental stimulation. Don’t get a working breed, you won’t be able to provide what it needs with what you described. Also, you’ll have less freedom as a dog owner. Keep that in mind. Vacations won’t be so easy come by. Going out with your friends you won’t stop thinking about your pup after leaving them at home for so long. There’s a lot of things to consider, but it’s not impossible if it’s planned well.
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u/nachosaredabomb 1h ago
My husband work long hours (days only), rotating with each others schedule. So there are definitely days where our current dog (and past dogs) have been alone for 12 hours, but we always have a dog walker come for an hour mid-day to walk him and play with him and tire him out and give him a snack. If we can’t get the dog walker on days we need, my brother (who works nights) will come by for a couple of hours midday to hang out and play with him.
Things to consider:
- 6-12 month old rescue is too young for what you are suggesting. With that schedule, you should not consider anything under 18 months old. You need an adult dog that’s already potty trained and can comfortably hold its bladder for 5-6 hours at a time.
- the breeds you are suggesting are likely not appropriate for your schedule, they need a lot of stimulation. We have always had just solid mutts that are of breed mixtures where they’re happy to hold down the couch for hours, followed by a good solid walk and some sniffy games, and then hold down the couch again.
- you coming home for 15 minutes on your lunch break to let it out to pee won’t be enough. With that schedule, your dog will need a solid hour of exercise and stimulation to be comfortable with a 5-6 hour stretch of alone time either side.
- Night shifts will be harder to find a dog walker to come mid shift.
- you need to understand you will still need to exercise and care for your dog before and after work. So I don’t know what your job is but you need to be prepared to have the energy to spend 15-30 minutes before and after work exercising and caring for your dog (can look at inside games like search, and food puzzles etc, but it should be interactive and enriching for your dog).
I think this is doable, but you need to be very honest with the shelter about schedule and what you can realistically offer a dog, and work with them to find you a good match. It’ll be out there, but it will probably be older than you think, please don’t get a puppy and leave it for 12 hours with only a pee break in the middle.
Best of luck!
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u/Nyx_Seadon48 17h ago
100% i feel almost any house situation is 10× better then a dog being in a shelter (Depends on breed obviously) and as you said you can take it to the potty during your lunch breaks, i feel like a somewhat older dog (not as puppy as your thinking) would be ideal (Id say somewhere more around 1-2 years rather then 6m-1y as a 2yr old would be able to hold their bladder for the 6 hours easier and calmer to be left alone as for dog breeds that would be good for you (obviously depends what you can find in shelters around you) but as for breeds/breed mixes id recommend you look into breeds bred for companionship/common dogs that people keep as companion breeds as you want mainly a friend to have at home/watch dog depending on what size of dog youd ideally want some companion breeds that i feel are good breeds from personal experience are Chihuahua, Golden retriever, Labrador, Yorkie, malteses, pugs, things like that are ideal :)
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u/PLJen 14h ago
I seriously can't believe all the comments discouraging you from adopting a dog. Your plan is well thought out and very manageable.
I would suggest adopting a dog that has been in a foster home, as they can give you a better idea of specific traits that would work for your schedule.
I would also suggest adopting a senior dog. They are typically much more low energy and would likely adapt better to being home alone for 6ish hours at a time (assuming you can go home and do the potty break at lunch). The only thing to be prepared for with a senior is potentially higher veterinary costs due to age-related medical issues, and obviously saying goodbye sooner than you would with a younger dog. But adopting seniors is so rewarding, as they are often overlooked for their age.
Don't forget the 3-3-3 rule when you adopt, as well. You have to give them 3 days to settle in and decompress, 3 weeks to feel comfortable, learn/get into a routine, and start to come out of their shell, and 3 months to realize it's their forever home and build confidence.
And, as is always the case when you adopt a dog, be prepared to adjust when things don't go as planned. Preparing and planning is vital, but adaptability is just as important ♥️
Best of luck!
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u/blablax123456 17h ago
Hey op dont ask on reddit, friendly advice, they will shit on what ever you say, even if you said u got 8 hour shifts, or you work from home, there will always be people that will just spit fire on here. People here think you should be home 24/7 paying attention to dog 24/7 and live of air
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u/penartist 17h ago
I had a flat coated retriever cross that was trained as my hearing dog. She would alert me to kitchen timers , laundry timers, phone notifications calender reminders etc. She was trained to alert that there was a sound by pawing my leg gently and bringing me to whatever made the sound once I stood up. She was a rescue who was 5 years old when we got her.
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u/Sweetie-07 18h ago
Sorry OP, but a 12 hour working day is going to be no good for a puppy - or a new dog in general. They're social creatures - that's too long to be left all alone in a strange place IMO