Decision - Help Needed!

[Danimal]

So, I am trying to make a sound decision here and not go with my heart. There is a GSD puppy that I would love to adopt, but I don't know if it's a good idea for me or not. I work Mon-Fri 9 to 5, but I will have somebody at home at all times, most likely, since I share my house with other dog owners. I just worry that I will not have enough time to be with her. I also worry about size. We do have over 2 1/2 acres, but the room is small that she will stay in at night. I guess that doesn't matter much, though. My real concern is how she would be trained if I don't have that much time to pay attention to her as a puppy. And if I do keep her, during the day she would be kept outside with the other dogs who "free feed". I do NOT want my GSD to free feed if I can help it.

Do any of you work 9-5? Is this fair to the bread? I wouldn't have much "work" for her to do, other than maybe herd the other dogs we have...

Help! Should I, or shouldn't I? Let me just say that we adopt out hundereds of dogs, so I know all about attachment. This is the first and only dog that I have ever been drawn to.

[gsdraven]

How old is the puppy? Where are you adopting from or are you purchasing from a breeder?

I had a 3 month old puppy when I lived alone and worked 7-5. It can be done as long as you are committed to socializing, training and exercising in your spare time. Having a dog is huge time commitment and a lifestyle change. It's like having a baby and if you don't want to give up your free time then don't do it.

[LaRen616]

Originally Posted by gsdraven

It can be done as long as you are committed to socializing, training and exercising in your spare time. Having a dog is huge time commitment and a lifestyle change.

It's like having a baby and if you don't want to give up your free time then don't do it.

[Danimal]

Thanks for the quick reply. She is a rescue pup at about 4 months old. I know the rescue, becasue I live on the property. I love my free time, but I notice that I could use some structure with it. My free time is a bit "too free" these days. It would be nice to have the excue to go on walks and jogs, and have a dog to play with and teach. My family have had three dogs, but they were always my mother's dogs. She trained them and fed them, and they turned out fat and mental. I have always wanted my own dog since I was a child; one that I could train my own way, and not feed table scraps to. lol

But, I do know that I can get busy with my social life...

[gsdraven]

Originally Posted by Danimal

But, I do know that I can get busy with my social life...

I assume you are kind of young? I'm in my late 20s and single. I have two dogs whom I love and to be honest on most days would rather be with them hiking or training. But I like to go out with friends and sometimes I just can't. I have to go home right after work instead of to happy hour because I have to let the dogs out and feed them. I can't stay out all night partying because I need to let the dogs out or they wake me up early in the morning. I have to make sure the dogs are exercised on days when I am tired.

These are sacrifices that I make to have these dogs in my life. I juggle full time work, part time grad school, time with my dogs and volunteering with a rescue. It's work but I enjoy it. If you don't think that you will. Wait.

[Danimal]

I'm 31 and single. The good thing is, I live with some of my friends, and the rest tend to come over to our house anyway on most days. If you can juggle all of that, then I am sure that I can too with just a job and the service work that I do. The good thing about this puppy is that I finally discovered which breed I would love to own. We get every type of breed and mut, but none of them seem to fit me until we got this one. I never thought to check out a GSD before. It's nice to know that if and when I am ready to own one for myself, that I know which breed I want.

[LaRen616]

Originally Posted by gsdraven

I assume you are kind of young? I'm in my late 20s and single. But I like to go out with friends and sometimes I just can't. I have to go home right after work instead of to happy hour because I have to let the dogs out and feed them. I can't stay out all night partying because I need to let the dogs out or they wake me up early in the morning. I have to make sure the dogs are exercised on days when I am tired.

These are sacrifices that I make to have these dogs in my life.

I am 23 and I have one dog and 3 cats, I am going to get another GSD pup next year.

I always go straight home after work. I go out for about 2-3 hours on a friday or a saturday once a month. When my friends want to hang out, they come to my house. In case of an emergency and I absolutely cannot get home for whatever reason, 5 of my friends and family have a key to my house incase they need to let my dog out or feed him for me.

When you have animals you lose alot of your freedom, you cant just get up and disappear for a couple of days or stay out and party all night, you have to make sure they get fed and taken out to potty/exercise.

[Danimal]

Thanks LaRen616!

I don't "party" anymore, yet I do stay out late a few nights on the weekend. That can be curbed. It's good to know that young people can have this breed, though. I will have to discuss this with my roommates...

[Liesje]

I work 8-5. Two of my dogs are crated during the day (one is still a puppy, the other had been free in the house but started destroying things so he's back in a crate for now) and my third dog who is not a GSD has free reign of the house. All three dogs sleep in the bedroom with us, the puppy in a large crate and the other two on the bed or the floor. My GSDs are very active high drive dogs. I am very involved in dog training. We train and compete in Schutzhund (tracking, obedience, protection), SDA style protection, agility, flyball, lure coursing, dock diving, herding, and conformation. I also do puppy classes with puppies and CGC training and certification with all my dogs. I devote several hours each evening and much of my weekends to my dogs. I'm either training, traveling for a dog competition, or taking them on long walks or off leash runs at local parks.

Having a full time job should in no way disqualify you from owning a dog, as long as you can meet their physical and mental needs elsewhere and get the appropriate dog for your lifestyle.

I'm 26 and got my first GSD almost 4 years ago.

[VomBlack]

I'm 23 and single, work 2 jobs and currently just have the one dog.. though i'm kinda sorta looking for another dog. I do have 2 roommates but at the very most they may let him out while they're home, but i'd rather them not take care of my dog. I've managed to make time for us to train 2 days a week with a trainer, daily walks or hikes.. and for now since Odin is 2 and out of the puppy stage i've had time to go out on nights and weekends. If you're dedicated enough you're usually able to set aside quality time for you and your new pup.