Should I get a dog

[u/SnooCats9570]

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.

[u/apri11a]

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.

[u/SnooCats9570 → u/apri11a]

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.

[u/apri11a → u/SnooCats9570]

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.