Working Dog Vs Work

[Kron]

Always having had dogs and recently having taken up shooting I am thinking that I should try training my next dog to be a gundog. Mostly this will be out pigeon shooting, perhaps some beating and the odd rough shooting day. I am not planning on taking the plunge too soon but am thinking in the next year or two.

 

Unfortunately both myself and the wife work in jobs that can be slightly irregular hours wise (mostly its 8am - 6pm but occaisionally could be earlier start or later finish). It is unusual for both of us to have to work late at the same time. The plus point is that I work 10 mins drive from home so most days would be able to get back at lunch time.

 

Is this an unsuitable amount of free time to devote to a true working dog? I understand this is probably a million dollar question but want to make sure I understand how much time is needed before I jump in.

 

If you do think this could work is there a particular breed that would be suited to spending time on its own (and is relatively easy to train for a novice)?

 

Thanks in advance

 

K

[Lancs Lad]

No it isnt.....Join the world of most of us.......................

 

I work 45 hours a week............dog is in the back garden in his run................all of the time.....he lives there now the wife wont let him in the house.

 

As for having time for training.....15 mins twice a day and you will be fine.

 

Wife takes him out during the day for a couple of hours which is a bonus. Get him out shootin and all that stuff when you can and "make time".

[Kron]

Thanks for replying. I'll give it some thought over the next few months.

[Lloyd90]

Its like this mate. You either don't have time n don't get the dog

or you get the dog and make the time If that means getting up 30 mins earlier n taking the dog out for 30 then thats what you gotta do

If it means running home and giving up your lunch hour to walk the dog whilst having a lil lunch thats what you gotta do.

Its a sacrifice but you'll have a fantastic companion who'll be loyal and aslong as you train them well will be a fatastic asset

 

Best of luck with your decision mate

[Kron]

All I was trying to guage is how much more time a working dog needs to ensure the training isn't going to waste. You read some of the articles in the magazines and it makes it sound like to have a decent working dog you need to have the dog with you all day every day!

 

Thanks for the replies. As was said earlier it seems that the two can coexist.

[lurcherboy]

I have working dogs that regularly spend 8 hours a day alone with no problems.

 

 

 

 

 

LB

[Al Downie]

Mine (cocker) is at home alone for 10hrs every weekday, and he's perectly happy sleeping on the sofa when I come home. No fuss.

[rickyspringer]

i know this post is ver old now but felt the need to comment, to have a well trained dog, you don't have to train it all day, its the opposite in fact, lil short sessions are the key... Also working dogs train better when not in human company 24/7. They want to please there master when they get the time with them if that makes sense.

 

Let us know when you do acquire a dog,what breed it is and images and so on.

RS