Dogs and leaving them home while at work

[tonyj311]

So, I am trying to win the argument with my wife so I can get a pooch. Her biggest hang up (and mine) is that we are gone about 12 hours for work M-F.
We live in a house.
We have 2 indoor cats.
I dont want a stinky outside dog. Thinking about a boxer, but that cant be left outside while we are gone- MN winters.
I like the Alaskan Malaumutes- but I worry that they would be stinky dogs (but they would like to be outside).
I like German Shepherds- but my wife is afraid of them.
I have a 3 year old kid.

Anyone have a good recomendation for breed, or a solution to my predicament? I'd like a dog that would act as a guard dog if necessary- but safe to have around a kid. I think the boxer is the best fit based on my research- but the real catch is how to give him access to the outside to do his business without the cats getting out.

[Popeye the Sailor]

One could use a dog door with the chip in the collar so only the dog can get in and out of it.


If that was the norm I think it might be a bit on the long side to leave the dog home alone. Can you guys stagger your schedule and fit in regular walks?

[tonyj311]

One could use a dog door with the chip in the collar so only the dog can get in and out of it.


If that was the norm I think it might be a bit on the long side to leave the dog home alone. Can you guys stagger your schedule and fit in regular walks?

I read that those electronic collars dont work well below 30 degrees. So thats 10 months out of the year 
We carpool together, so we cant stagger.
Dog daycare isnt cheap- like $250 a week. But I suppose it might be a possiblity.

[Scooter Montgomery]

$250 a week? That is more than I make a week.    I'll come let your dog out during the day. 

[OverCaffeinated]

Research each breed specifically. Some dogs will be pissed when you leave and tear your house up (Jack Russel Terrier), some will be really depressed (Bichon Frise).

[Ddan]

Get a fish

[herm]

12 hours a day.........is a long time for a dog to be left, in or out on a regular basis.

is your wife arguing against the dog?

[GLantern]

12 hours is a really long time for the dog to be left alone.  Especially if you get them as a puppy there is no way you can do that your house will be destroyed.  I would suggest adoption to skip the puppy phase if you still want the dog.  Also if you are working 12 hours a day how much time do you really spend awake when you get home that can be committed to the dog?  They need attention to thrive unlike cats.

[Cuky_Monster]

I leave my dogs home alone for 10-11 hours per day M-F with no access to the yard.  My little one had a problem not being able to hold himself 'til I got home when I first got him.  After a few times of this happening I opted to put him in a kennel inside the house while at work.  Dogs won't deficate where they sleep so he HAD to hold it.  It may sound cruel but dogs do adapt to that sort of potty training.  After about a year I tested him by leaving him out with my other dog and there hasn't been any accidents.  Pee pads are another option but for a big dog like what you want it may get pretty messy.

If you get the dog as a puppy it probably would be a good idea for someone to come by your house in the middle of the day.  A 3mo old puppy can only hold it for 3 hours, a 4mo old for 4 hours and so on...

Good luck!

[duccarlos]

I have a 6 month old boxer mix. She's super hyper and puppies do destroy stuff if they're bored.

[Statler]

big dog equals big bladder.

our 160 pound saint can go 12 hours.  hell...she can go 14.   but I hate doing that to her so 8 to 10 is the norm.

and that certainly wasn't the case from 7 weeks to a year. 

wile she is a big cuddle dog with my daughter she turns more cujo than behtoven for strangers so that might fit your criteria.

but I wouldn't do it knowing it's 12 straight every day.  too hard on dog and not enough family time together for a needy dog.

[Popeye the Sailor]

I leave the dogs at home for at most, ten hours straight, and that would be only those times when the wife is gone. Other than that, there is often someone at home with them.

[IZ]

I'm with your wife on this one!!  DO NOT GET A DOG!!

If you can't be there to train it, take it out, have playtime at least 2-3 x's day..you shouldn't have a dog that is going to be indoors.

12 hours/day?!  Eventually a dog can make it that long (which is pretty cruel..especially in a crate)..but it would take a year or so with someone there more often to train it. 

[redxblack]

+1.


Avoid a puppy as well. Get an older dog who has less needs (assuming you get a dog at all). 12 hours is too long. Our adult dogs are home around 8 hrs during the day and they're fine, but that's only about 175 days a year.

[DCXCV]

If you do decide to get a dog, get two.  At least they have some entertainment when you're not around that way. Not puppies.  You have to be able to dedicate plenty of time every day anyway, though.  All the boxers I've ever been around are hyper as hell.  Better off getting a longer haired mutt.  Golden Retrievers are great with kids and can deal with weather.