To get a dog or not?

In our early 70s, we too have just got our first dog. We went for an older dog from a Rescue. I believe, that what you are offering a dog is so much better than the life it will have, staying in a Rescue. It is impossible to say if the dog will suffer anxiety, by the separation. What, I assume, is that it will be far less anxiety for it than being in a Shelter. You seem to be offering the dog a loving home and providing really good care while you are away.

Our rescue is 8and she has been with us 6 weeks. She has grown in confidence and is such a joy. She has changed our life dramatically for the better.

Please do this, and let us know how you get on. This is my dog on her first meeting with 2 of my Grandchildren

Our dog stays with a family when we go away and he seems to love his holidays. We use a company called Holidays4Dogs and, unlike Barking Mad, you get to meet the people who do the fostering, in their home. The other company mentioned collect your dog from your house and take it to the fosterer; they don't tell you where the dog is going or who will be looking after it. I wouldn't be happy with that arrangement myself.

We live in the country and a lot of our friends have dogs. Quite a few of them seen to dog sit and the dogs appear to be quite happy.

I should have given you the website, sorry!
www.barkingmad.uk.com

Leaving a dog for a month may upset the dog as well as you! I would recommend you become a host for Barking Mad. You can then have a dog come to stay with you when the owner goes on holiday. Your Barking Mad Franchisee will visit you and have a chat about the sort of dog you would like and when you are available. That way, you can still go travelling. The Franchisee is available 24/7 to support you when the dog is staying. They also transport the dog to you and return it to the owner. The dog arrives with everything it needs, including a Pet Schedule telling you all about it. There are over 70 Franchises around the UK, they consistently get 5* reviews on TrustPilot and are the UKs favourite home from home dog boarding. Good luck - I host and I love it. I'm sure that you will enjoy it too.

I was brought up with dogs (they came first with my DM) and had my own as soon as we had our own place. Our last dog died 14 years ago and for various reasons we decided not to have any more.

However, we have 4 grand-dogs (two together and two only dogs). When the DC go away they come to stay with us. For up to four weeks at a time this becomes their second home. They move in happily. Follow our house rules which don’t always follow their home rules (such as not being allowed on the bed or furniture) and are perfectly happy. They know they’re coming when they’re beds get loaded. It’s their holiday. Eager to come and eager to go home. It may depend on what sort of dog you have. Three of these are cocker spaniels and one is a (wait for it) Nova Scotian Duck Tolling Retriever. I don’t think it would work with one of the breeds which are one man dogs such as Weimaraner.

My DM had a Staffie from whom she was rarely separated, and when she became too ill to keep her the Cinnamon Trust found her two temporary foster homes on two occasions and then a permanent one where, as far as I know, she still is. She settled happily in each one, moving back in with DM in between. Being a fosterer for the Cinnamon Trust might be worth considering.

I wouldn’t advise having a rescue dog as they are likely need more reassurance and permanence, but if you get a young dog used to having a second home early in its life I don’t think there’s a problem. I know 2 or 3 dogs locally who have second homes or are dog share, I meet them when dog sitting our lot. They don’t have problems. Just make sure you get a breed which is happy to do it.

I no longer have a dog of my own but I look after all family dogs when their owners are away, I look forward to having them and the dogs seem to be very happy staying here

We have a family dog share and it works well for us. Our lovely rescue lab came to us when our son was home for an extended period so got used to being walked, fed and petted by all three of us (plus other family members). When our son returned home he took the dog with him for a few weeks and then the dog came back to us - and that's how the past year has unfolded, with the dog spending long periods of time at both homes. Add into the mix our other son bought a lab puppy and used our dog to help socialise him and that we've had several holidays all together (with both dogs) and yet our lovely dog is calm and equally at home wherever he is as long as he has lots of love and attention. I think if the dog you choose has a good temperament s/he will settle and not mind going to a trusted third party when you go away.
Let us know how you get on and what you decide.

The pet sitting service I use is called Barking Mad. The petsitters are people who like to have dogs but can't commit to having one full time. Maybe you could try that if they operate in your area.

Wants a dog not a did!

I think it’s a shame, but leaving a dog for this length of time is not a good idea. Dogs are very loyal animals and this could really cause it to be confused and depressed.

Instead why don’t you look at a site called ‘Borrow my Doggie’.

Here is the link

This will give you all the joys of dog ownership without the commitment. I have just suggested this to a friend who wants a did, but her (miserable old) husband says ‘no’. So now she leaves the miserable old beggar home alone and a couple of times a week heads off with a more amendable companion.

The family who owned the dog headed off to visit family for two days over Christmas so she got to take him home for those days.

Think about it.

I've had my border terrier for nearly 10 years and she loves going to stay with other people. She has stayed with friends and a pet sitting service with no problems. I think they spoil her rotten! When she comes home she races around the house and garden, jumps all over us then settles down as if she's never been away. I've never been away more than 3 weeks. I think it would be a good idea to try leaving the dog for a short time, say a weekend, to start with and see how it goes.
I suppose it might depend on the dog's personality but don't let it put you off having a dog. I wouldn't be without mine. My pet sitting service sends me text messages telling me how my dog is settling in when I go away and as I said she has a wonderful time. I definitely think this service is much, much better than kennels.
One other thing I'd mention as this is your first dog I'd recommend taking your new dog to training and socialisation classes at first.