Dog-friendly lifestyle?

[AshleyJordan]

So, for a while now I've been absolutely dying to get a dog. Although they're technically not allowed in my lease the LL and the super promised to look the other way, and if I were to buy a puppy I'd be sure to get something in writing from the LL that it was OK.
Here's the catch: I'm never home. I live in a relatively small NYC 1BR. I'd have to hire a dog walker. As much as I adore dogs, I'm afraid that having a puppy would actually be cruel and inhumane-- because maybe I couldn't give the dog the nice, fun, healthy life he or she deserves! Are there any breeds that are lower-maintenance? My gut tells me no.
Also, I'm planning to contact the American Kennel Association about this. . . I will not go forward with this if it hurts the dog's quality of life. I'm also going to look into alternatives, like maybe volunteering at a dog shelter?

[pisces2473]

Oh Winney!!!!!!

[wordsmith]

My opinion (and the main thing preventing me from getting a dog) is that I'm rarely home, to be honest. Why have a pet if my lifestyle is such that I don't really spend much time at home? I love dogs, and one day, one will fit my lifestyle, but that's not the case right now. There are lower maintenance dogs (and lower maintenance pets), but again, I don't see much point if I'm never really home to enjoy a pet.

[AshleyJordan]

My opinion (and the main thing preventing me from getting a dog) is that I'm rarely home, to be honest. Why have a pet if my lifestyle is such that I don't really spend much time at home? I love dogs, and one day, one will fit my lifestyle, but that's not the case right now. There are lower maintenance dogs (and lower maintenance pets), but again, I don't see much point if I'm never really home to enjoy a pet.


I know, I know, I just miss having a dog around so much!!!

[redsail]

Here's the catch: I'm never home. I live in a relatively small NYC 1BR. I'd have to hire a dog walker. As much as I adore dogs, I'm afraid that having a puppy would actually be cruel and inhumane-- because maybe I couldn't give the dog the nice, fun, healthy life he or she deserves! Are there any breeds that are lower-maintenance? My gut tells me no.
I don't think there's any dog that's low maintenance. I don't think its fair to the dog if you are not home much. If you adore dogs, maybe volunteer at the SPCA or a dog rescue?

[WorkInProgress]

I think it's great that you're taking the dog's well-being under serious consideration before getting a dog.

Personally, I am uncomfortable with the idea of having a dog (or more than one) who is left alone during the daytime. I would not get one if I couldn't be home most of the time. Dogs are social creatures, and I would be very concerned about socialization and behaviorial issues.

EDIT: But I hear you on missing dogs! It was one of the things I missed most about home when I was away at college. (And why I LOVED it when my parents brought the dogs with them on visits. There's nothing quite like a furry bundle of love.)

[red]

why not consider adopting an adult dog? it will be really hard for you to have a puppy if you are never home. however many adult dogs are content to sleep all day and are already trained. puppies are like babies and they need a lot of time and attention. you don't want to go buy a puppy and then find you are in over your head. that is another benefit of adopting a dog- many no-kill shelters will let you bring the dog back if it's not a good fit.

also, the puppies in pet stores come from puppy mills. personally, after what happened with my last dog (genetic defects) i would only buy a puppy from a reputable breeder.

a dog is a lot of work though. it's worth it, but we put tons of time and energy into taking care of our dog. however, he is my little sunshine and i have met some really nice friends through the dog park and stuff too.

[AshleyJordan]

I don't think there's any dog that's low maintenance. I don't think its fair to the dog if you are not home much. If you adore dogs, maybe volunteer at the SPCA or a dog rescue?

I probably will. I'm half whining, here, and half hoping some poster magically remembers a low-maintenence dog that, like a bonsai tree or a sea monkey, will fit easily within my lifestyle.:D

[AshleyJordan]

why not consider adopting an adult dog? it will be really hard for you to have a puppy if you are never home. however many adult dogs are content to sleep all day and are already trained.

That's a thought. I might be really sad though if I only had him or her for a year before the inevitable happened. :0

[Syracuse]

Dogs are great, I will have one some day. But not until I have a house out in the country. Not just living by a park which I do. I want a dog to have space to roam, because that's their nature.

[pisces2473]

That's a thought. I might be really sad though if I only had him or her for a year before the inevitable happened. :0
She said adult, not elderly! LOL

[sparky88]

I'm sure there are breeds that are less 'hands on' than others. But of course they all require work/attention. I think it's great that you are thinking about the quality of life issue as you make a decision. If you're interested I can tell you about my experiences with these breeds: hounds, collies, poodles, schnauzers (sp?). Good luck! one more thing: you should watch the Dog Wisperer (if you haven't already). There's a lot to be learned about the temperments/needs of different breeds on that show.

[arrow]

There are many people in New York who live alone with dogs. The smaller breeds are probably best for the small 1-bedrooms, and if you do hire a dog-walker that may work out for the dog, as long as you keep a relatively regular schedule. I would go to a shelter or vet clinic and just ask some questions first, about what can be done to properly care for a dog, so that you know what to expect/do. It's hard here, but again, people can do it. Dogs are wonderful companions and if you can make it work out somehow, it will probably be totally worth it.

[AshleyJordan]

She said adult, not elderly! LOL

Hehehe. I laughed out loud when I saw your response. Always lookin' on the bright side, I am :rolleyes:

[pisces2473]

I LOL'd when I wrote it! hehe :D

[winneythepooh7]

I would not recommend getting a puppy at all if you work long hours. And I don't know any breeds that are "low maintenance". If a dog is your only pet, (and even if they're not!) they can be prone to major behavioral problems if left alone for long periods of time. At ANY age. Costly behavioral problems at that.........

When my pug was younger, I had more flexibility to be able to go home and walk him throughout the day. Now that he is older, he is more on a routine and schedule that he can be left alone for longer periods of time. I do have 2 cats though that keep him company.


I am not going to lie though. There are many many times in my life where having a dog has become a huge burden. I can never stay late in the city if my fiance is not going to be home by 6-ish to walk him.

Going away at the spur of the moment is non-existent in my life now.

I would never get a dog-walker because I can't afford it at $20 bucks a walk each day.

Additionally, be willing to spend a lot on your dog. My pug got critically ill out of the blue in the summer time. It was a $2000 vet bill. Luckily I got some of that back because I have VPI pet insurance, but still, it's a big number to part with and I am sure I will spend even more than that through the years.


I love my pug so much and would never get rid of him now, however, reflecting back, I wish I would've waited to get a dog. There are many days where he is alone from 7AM until almost 7PM.

[WorkInProgress]

And, actually, getting an adult dog might be a decent idea. Three family pets were adults (or nearly adult) when we gots them. Two were fabulous, and mixed in ok once everyone got used to the new situation. One did not turn out so well, but I am convinced that he would be just fine being somebody's only dog (with no children). The two other dogs my family's had we got as puppies, and while they are supercute that little, they are SO MUCH WORK.

[AshleyJordan]

And, actually, getting an adult dog might be a decent idea. Three family pets were adults (or nearly adult) when we gots them. Two were fabulous, and mixed in ok once everyone got used to the new situation.

I'm going to bring that up with whatever dog orgs I talk to. . . the other advantage would be that it's my understanding people are less likely to adopt the older dogs and I might be improving his or her quality of life.

[AshleyJordan]

I
I love my pug so much and would never get rid of him now, however, reflecting back, I wish I would've waited to get a dog. There are many days where he is alone from 7AM until almost 7PM.

Yeah, that's my fear. . . I know I would get really really attached, but I worry that I wouldn't be able to give my all to the dog. Also, that if I did have to rush home every day,t hat I would resent him or her for cramping my style/social life.

[winneythepooh7]

My fiance wants to get another pug when we get a house. I have made it extremely clear that I will not get another puppy. It's extremely exhausting to deal with puppy-hood for 2 years straight. If we do get another dog, I am only allowing an adult dog who is at least 2+ years old. And yes, I did use the term "allowing" because the bulk of the "work" is on me since my fiance works even longer hours than I do. Behind me are the days of walking the dog several times in the middle of the night.

[winneythepooh7]

Yeah, that's my fear. . . I know I would get really really attached, but I worry that I wouldn't be able to give my all to the dog. Also, that if I did have to rush home every day,t hat I would resent him or her for cramping my style/social life.

I don't resent him for this. In fact, I like the fact that I've become more of a "home-body". However, OTHER people don't understand, and will give you shit for it because "it's just a stupid dog":rolleyes: .

[wordsmith]

And I don't know any breeds that are "low maintenance".

But some ARE far more high-energy than others.

If memory serves, the AKC website has a section that talks about what breeds are best suited to apartment dwelling and require the least in terms of being taken out for walks. Some will rip a place up if they're not sufficiently exercised, and some breeds are more sedate.

I do way too much traveling and spur of the moment going places and not coming home to deal with being tied to a dog. Both my brothers and their wives have become dog owners in the past few years, and they're really tied to home, due to it, and I can't do that right now. I have to be able to go do things I need to do, make time to go hang out with my family, if the night goes late, the night goes late and don't have to excuse myself to go home and deal with my pet, etc., or line up a dogsitter or kennel care if I'm out of town, etc. I think when I have a family, that will be the time to get a dog, since I'll already be making the lifestyle switch of being around for my family. But with it just being me, I'm not gonna be tied to a dog.

[red]

yeah, my dog was like a year and a half when we got him. he was dumped at the manhattan kill shelter.

it doesn't have to be a senior dog- although older dogs need homes too and have less energy than younger dogs. and they will give you just as much love. but dogs can live to be 10-15 years old (the bigger ones generally don't live as long as the smaller breeds) so even a 3-5 year old dog is possibly a 10 year commitment.

my dog is home alone from 9ish until 5:30 and he is fine. my husband takes him for a good walk in the morning and i take him after work and then he goes out before bed. however, it's a different thing to do 3 walks yourself. so keep that in mind. i also live in a dog friendly building and we all look out for each other and if something comes up walk or watch each other's dogs. that's really nice. we used to have a walker, but then she quit and the service couldn't find anyone else to do my neighborhood.

[AshleyJordan]

I don't resent him for this. In fact, I like the fact that I've become more of a "home-body". However, OTHER people don't understand, and will give you shit for it because "it's just a stupid dog":rolleyes: .

I'd be really pissed if someone said that to me. . . and I'd probably just start entertaining more at home and inviting people over. . . this is a lot of hypotheticals, tho.

[winneythepooh7]

I'd be really pissed if someone said that to me. . . and I'd probably just start entertaining more at home and inviting people over. . . this is a lot of hypotheticals, tho.

Keep in mind that not every person is a "dog person". There may be people you know who wouldn't want to come over because of the dog. I've also had grown women run away screaming because they are afraid my little pug is going to attack them :rolleyes:

[Bocheezu]

I think a dog is a great thing to have around and the people that say "it's just a dog" obviously don't get it. I had a pug growing up, and that dog was THE center of attention for everybody in our family. Everybody loved that dog. It was a hell of a lot of work, mostly by my mom, but if you get the right dog it's totally worth it in every way. The dog was cooped up most of the day and didn't get let out from 7am till Dad got home at 5, but she didn't tear anything up or leave messes or anything. She was just real glad when we got home.

[winneythepooh7]

I think a dog is a great thing to have around and the people that say "it's just a dog" obviously don't get it. I had a pug growing up, and that dog was THE center of attention for everybody in our family. Everybody loved that dog. It was a hell of a lot of work, mostly by my mom, but if you get the right dog it's totally worth it in every way. The dog was cooped up most of the day and didn't get let out from 7am till Dad got home at 5, but she didn't tear anything up or leave messes or anything. She was just real glad when we got home.

This has been my experience with my pug. He runs around in circles attacking me when I get home. One time he was so excited, he got his paw caught in my sweater. I wasn't paying attention and he started "screaming" because he must've been in pain because I was dragging him around my living room.

My dog is definitely the center of attention with most people in my family and immediate circle.