Hey guys, I'm a prospective dog owner who has loved dogs his entire life. A little background information on me:
I'm 23 years old, turning 24 on May 14th. I just recently finished up studying Psychology at Carleton University in Ottawa, Ontario. I currently have no plans to go back to school and am working FULL time at my Dads shop, which is a machine shop. I work 8 hours a day Monday-Friday, but have weekends off. I'm gone from 3:00pm - 11:00pm and make approx. ~$15/hour. I am an active individual who runs on a regular basis or just goes for walks. I love the cottage, during the summer, and winter sports during the winter seasons. I have been a dog lover my entire life and have always been envious of friends and family with loving dogs.
Here's the tricky part...
My family has never once owned a pet, not a cat, not birds, not even some goldfish. As a child, when I was just a little guy at the age of 4 or 5, I was dying to get a dog (what child isn't right?) Not knowing the responsibilities or money that comes along with getting a dog. My parents are not exactly the dog loving type, while they adore dogs and think they are incredibly cute, they have expressed on multiple occasions that they want nothing to do with the "tedious" care or work that's involved with having a dog (picking up it's poop, cleaning up after its messes, training it, etc.) So they obviously rejected the idea, thinking that the novelty would wear off. Here I am 20 years later, still thinking about getting a dog
. Being older now, and slightly more mature, I've been doing a lot of research into the right breed for me, and the amount of work that's involved in getting a dog, I do realize it is a huge commitment spanning up to, and possibly, past 15 years!
As of right now, I live at home with my parents to make paying off my student debt a little easier, although thanks to my loving and thoughtful parents they recently moved and found a house with a mini basement apartment, it often feels like I still live on my own.
So I guess my main questions are this; Being a full time worker 8 hours a day, 5 days a week, with parents that want nothing to do with a dog, and a younger brother (20 years old) Who said he would be willing to look after the dog while he's here, but he's leaving in September for school. Would I be able to leave my dog home alone for 8 hours? He/She would have to stay in the basement with the door closed as to avoid bothering my parents. While there is a good chance my brother would be home, he is not 100% comfortable with dogs, so I cant guarantee training on his part or any form of immediate help that's not a safety issue for the dog. I am serious about getting a dog, but I'm more serious in making sure I'm ready. I do not want this dog to end up feeling neglected.. I want to do everything in my power to make sure he/she feels loved!
8 hours seems to me like a long time, any thoughts on that?
My second question would be, what type of breed would best suit my lifestyle?
I did a bit of research on breeds and how they best suit people. From what I've gathered, read, and heard from friends, a Golden Retriever may be a good match for me. Any thoughts on what might best suit me?
Is there any way I can make this work guys? Or is it just not possible as a full-time worker? Even when I move out, which I will once my student debt is paid off, I am also currently single, meaning next to possibly a roommate the dog would be home alone without even my brother or my parents upstairs to keep an careful eye on it. But again as stated, while I am living at home, my parents want as minimal involvement as possible.
I am fully willing to sacrifice my current free-time after work to be with this dog, and to train it properly and get it used to the household. I have a friend who has had dogs his whole life, and currently has 4 at home. He is my go-to guy when I have questions or concerns, and would be a great person for helping socialize my dog. I have also checked with him and found out he does not mind if I drop the dog at his place if the family goes on vacation, or if I am leaving for a few days.
Lastly, would you guys advise a pup or a shelter adoption? I have heard mixed answers from this one. Most seem to side with a pup because they can be trained and raised as you want, where as sheltered ones often come with problems. (Family friend recently adopted a dog, the shelter said was low energy. When she took it for a walk it would chase after buses and trucks at full speed with no regard for it's leash, it would knock everything off counters, etc. She had to return the dog, as she is and older lady, and got no cash refund, or a new pick of dog.)
At any rate, I would just really like to make this happen at somepoint in my life. I will completely understand if most of you think now is probably not the best time in my life to get a dog, and I will go back into waiting. However, it's been years for me, and I'd really like to finally make this happen.
TL;DR - 1.) Am I ready for a dog?
2.) 8 hours home alone, 5 days a week for a dog?
3.) Best breed for first time owner / fits my lifestyle (Golden Retriever)?
4.) Shelter adoption or puppy?
Thanks for any tips / advice!
Prospective dog owner,
-AKA Radiofoot <3
I'm 23 years old, turning 24 on May 14th. I just recently finished up studying Psychology at Carleton University in Ottawa, Ontario. I currently have no plans to go back to school and am working FULL time at my Dads shop, which is a machine shop. I work 8 hours a day Monday-Friday, but have weekends off. I'm gone from 3:00pm - 11:00pm and make approx. ~$15/hour. I am an active individual who runs on a regular basis or just goes for walks. I love the cottage, during the summer, and winter sports during the winter seasons. I have been a dog lover my entire life and have always been envious of friends and family with loving dogs.
Here's the tricky part...
My family has never once owned a pet, not a cat, not birds, not even some goldfish. As a child, when I was just a little guy at the age of 4 or 5, I was dying to get a dog (what child isn't right?) Not knowing the responsibilities or money that comes along with getting a dog. My parents are not exactly the dog loving type, while they adore dogs and think they are incredibly cute, they have expressed on multiple occasions that they want nothing to do with the "tedious" care or work that's involved with having a dog (picking up it's poop, cleaning up after its messes, training it, etc.) So they obviously rejected the idea, thinking that the novelty would wear off. Here I am 20 years later, still thinking about getting a dog
As of right now, I live at home with my parents to make paying off my student debt a little easier, although thanks to my loving and thoughtful parents they recently moved and found a house with a mini basement apartment, it often feels like I still live on my own.
So I guess my main questions are this; Being a full time worker 8 hours a day, 5 days a week, with parents that want nothing to do with a dog, and a younger brother (20 years old) Who said he would be willing to look after the dog while he's here, but he's leaving in September for school. Would I be able to leave my dog home alone for 8 hours? He/She would have to stay in the basement with the door closed as to avoid bothering my parents. While there is a good chance my brother would be home, he is not 100% comfortable with dogs, so I cant guarantee training on his part or any form of immediate help that's not a safety issue for the dog. I am serious about getting a dog, but I'm more serious in making sure I'm ready. I do not want this dog to end up feeling neglected.. I want to do everything in my power to make sure he/she feels loved!
8 hours seems to me like a long time, any thoughts on that?
My second question would be, what type of breed would best suit my lifestyle?
I did a bit of research on breeds and how they best suit people. From what I've gathered, read, and heard from friends, a Golden Retriever may be a good match for me. Any thoughts on what might best suit me?
Is there any way I can make this work guys? Or is it just not possible as a full-time worker? Even when I move out, which I will once my student debt is paid off, I am also currently single, meaning next to possibly a roommate the dog would be home alone without even my brother or my parents upstairs to keep an careful eye on it. But again as stated, while I am living at home, my parents want as minimal involvement as possible.
I am fully willing to sacrifice my current free-time after work to be with this dog, and to train it properly and get it used to the household. I have a friend who has had dogs his whole life, and currently has 4 at home. He is my go-to guy when I have questions or concerns, and would be a great person for helping socialize my dog. I have also checked with him and found out he does not mind if I drop the dog at his place if the family goes on vacation, or if I am leaving for a few days.
Lastly, would you guys advise a pup or a shelter adoption? I have heard mixed answers from this one. Most seem to side with a pup because they can be trained and raised as you want, where as sheltered ones often come with problems. (Family friend recently adopted a dog, the shelter said was low energy. When she took it for a walk it would chase after buses and trucks at full speed with no regard for it's leash, it would knock everything off counters, etc. She had to return the dog, as she is and older lady, and got no cash refund, or a new pick of dog.)
At any rate, I would just really like to make this happen at somepoint in my life. I will completely understand if most of you think now is probably not the best time in my life to get a dog, and I will go back into waiting. However, it's been years for me, and I'd really like to finally make this happen.
TL;DR - 1.) Am I ready for a dog?
2.) 8 hours home alone, 5 days a week for a dog?
3.) Best breed for first time owner / fits my lifestyle (Golden Retriever)?
4.) Shelter adoption or puppy?
Thanks for any tips / advice!
Prospective dog owner,
-AKA Radiofoot <3