Because the alternative is AWESOME for the dogs!
Respectfully speaking: this is bullshit, IMHO.
I’ve fostered scores of dogs since the early 1990s, many pulled from shelter death row. I assure you, they have all adapted very well! Not only are they left alone if I have to go to work, they are usually crated (because I’m not leaving a new dog loose with the resident pack alone in the house).
They do fine. It’s a metric ton nicer than the typical stressful shelter environment, where they’re caged almost 24/7. Or being chained out all the time, or ignored in a back yard or dog run. They get attention, routine, company, rules, good food, toys and chewies, and they learn to find their “off switch” and settle down. I’m not working today, and after walkies and playtime early this morning (which they usually get on work days too) my dogs are all…napping. And have been for the last 4 hours. They’re pretty much doing what they do when I’m not here during the day.
For all yoiur claims that dogs left alone at home by the typical working owner are stressed, neglected or somehow cruelly treated, you surely must have some cites? Because millions of perfectly happy, well-adjusted dogs spend time alone, either by themselves, or with another pet. And, they are fine, Truly, they are.
An exception might be dogs who suffer from separation anxiety - but do you know what the remedy for that is? Teaching them to be comfortable alone. 
As a cite, by the way - Captain used to be at home all day by himself when I was at work. Now my fiance works from home, so he gets to hang out with him all day. If you say “Captain, let’s go to work!” he gets really excited and runs to the door of his office.
And then he sleeps all day and snores a lot, just like he did when nobody was home at all. Sometimes I get videos on my phone of the dog snoring.
In other words, he was fine then, he’s fine now. It’s just now somebody can capture the hilarity of how when he snores his lip flaps catch the snore and it goes “flub flub flub flub” and send it to me.
Keep in mind that carnivores sleep waaay more than ominvores like us. (Protein is more energy-consuming to digest than plant matter.) A dog that only got eight hours of sleep a day would be almost as exhausted as a cat who only got that much. 
Googling around I see various cites that (adult) dogs usually sleep between twelve and sixteen hours per day.
WTF is this crap? I’m not “independently wealthy”, I work full time, as does my partner. The difference is that we make sure that our working schedules allow us to cater to our dog’s needs as well.
What’s seriously warped is thinking that leaving a dog alone for 8 hours a day is “taking great care of them”. Yeah, I care for you so much I’m happy to condemn you to 8 hours of stultifying boredom every day. Then maybe I’ll take you for a walk twice a week if I’m not too tired.
I do voluntary work at the local dogs home and I’ve seen loads of people refused a rescue dog because of this attitude. Dogs Trust in the UK never euthanise a healthy dog.
The alternative to a shelter is being abandoned all day and that’s AWESOME?
Yeah right.
We have two dogs that we leave in the house while we’re at work. They’re perfectly happy: they pretty much sleep the whole time. I know this because sometimes I work from home and they sleep the whole time then, too. 
I have a few suggestions:
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Choose your breed carefully. High energy breeds (e.g. border collies, young Labs) are going to go apeshit if you leave them alone for too long. Bored dogs are destructive dogs. For any breed you’re considering getting, do some web research and see how energetic it is. For example, we have a mastiff mix that couldn’t be lazier: I swear he’d sleep 24 hours if we’d let him.
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Definitely keep them indoors while you’re gone. Booting them out of the den while you’re away is a recipe for anxiety, destruction and escape.
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Leave interesting toys for them to occupy themselves with if they get bored or anxious. Stuffed Kongs, those puzzle toys where you put their food in and they have to rotate it around to get it out, etc. Something that you have to chew on for a while before all the fun is out of it.
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Some rescue dogs have separation anxiety. If these are your first dogs, that may be a challenge you’re simply not up for. Talk to the staff and get their read on whatever dog(s) you’re thinking of adopting. Despite what people like codgerone say, you’re providing an excellent home for many types of dogs. Not all, though, so listen if the shelter staff tells you a dog is too young / energetic / anxious to be a good match for you.
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Dogs are social, so I think having two is far better for them than just one. However, training is far easier if you get them one at a time, because they’ll focus on you instead of each other. So…yeah.
Good luck with whatever you decide to do!
[quote=“chiroptera, post:42, topic:609077”]
For all yoiur claims that dogs left alone at home by the typical working owner are stressed, neglected or somehow cruelly treated, you surely must have some cites? Because millions of perfectly happy, well-adjusted dogs spend time alone, QUOTE]
Um I don’t think I claimed that dogs left alone at home were stressed, neglected or cruelly treated so I can’t provide cites. That’s just my personal opinion.
I did refer to UK legislation, supported by the Dogs Trust and the RSPCA, which gives guidelines on the provision of care for dogs and specifically mentions time left alone.
As I’ve said in a previous response, we both work full time but we structure our days so our dogs are not left alone for long periods.
Perhaps you would care to provide a cite for the “millions of perfectly happy, well adjusted dogs who spend time alone”. Apart from a few replies on an internet message board of course.
Not a cite, just common sense. Millions of dogs live with people who have jobs that keep them away from home for 8-10 hours a day. The dogs adapt to their owners’ schedules, just like owners adapt to their dogs.
I’ve known plenty of dogs who were with their people 24/7, and they weren’t any happier or more well-behaved than dogs who spent time alone. Quite the opposite, actually.
Conjunctions matter. This is your own post.
It doesn’t say because, it says if. That’s a big difference. Some dogs would be distressed, and clearly people with full time jobs should not have that type of dog. I don’t think anyone is claiming that. But you’re claiming there is no dog the OP could possibly get that could be left alone, quoting legislation that apparently doesn’t even say that.
Um, no, but you implied it pretty hard and insulted a whole bunch of dog owners. You are saying that life in a shelter, and the euthanasia that often follows, is better than 8-9 hours a day alone. You’re telling me, and lots of others like me, that my dog would be better living in a cement-floored cage-- would even be better dead-- than living the her current life. Those are fighting words, so put up some real evidence or shut the hell up.
The alternative is being put to death.
In the US, 3-4 millions dogs and cats are euthanized in shelters every year. The ASPCA reports that about half are destroyed for the sole reason that no one is available to adopt them.
The shelter I’ll be visiting is a no-kill shelter in fairness, so I won’t be snatching a dog from the jaws of death or anything. But, they are full, so at least I’ll be helping to make space for another dog.
@Codgerone: I see where you’re coming from, and if the shelter says that they don’t have a dog that could be happy spending a working day alone, then I’ll go by their decision. I’m not so selfish that I’m going to rush off and buy a dog from a backyard breeder just because I want one or anything.
Other than that - I’m definitely aware of staying away from very high energy intelligent breeds that would be miserable with nothing to do. I think I am leaning towards getting two dogs, (although perhaps not immediately), as a first time dog owner (well first time since I was living with parents anyway :)) I want to make sure that it goes ok before adding another dog to the mix. And if I do get two dogs, I think that would alleviate most of my guilt about being away all day.
I’m going to try visit the shelter on a fact finding mission either tomorrow or next weekend, so I’ll let you guys know how it goes. Thanks again for the advice.
Codgerone: I really, really an trying to hold my temper and keep this cordial, but you are making it difficult.
Yes I work a full 40 hour week and I live alone, so yes, my dogs spend that time alone. And YES, I take great care of them. I would never have a single dog, so they have each other for company when I’m not here. My 2 big Setters have their own bedroom they stay in when I’m not home, an empty room with a twin-size bed in it for them with toys, chewies and a bucket of water. They run to that room gleefully when I tell them it’s time for bed. I keep it interesting for them by hiding biscuits around the room for them. I leave a radio & light on for them (I work 2-11 PM)
My 3 little dogs have the run of the living room & kitchen along with the cats. My old girl most likely just sleeps, but the 2 youngsters play HARD any waking moment. They, too, have the radio, lights, chewies and treats before I leave.
Yes, they are all thrilled to see me when I come home, but quite honestly, it’s the same greeting if I am gone all evening to work or for 10 minutes to run to the store.
NO ONE is going to tell me I don’t take care of my dogs and that I shouldn’t be allowed to have them just because I am single and employed.
Do update! With pictures, if applicable!
I’m a fan of multiple dog households…Main Dog and Back-up Dog. Plus, they do keep each other company. Unless you get an already-bonded pair, it’s probably wise to get one at a time, IMO. Easier with one to train and sort out routines, then get a second once you’ve got the wrinkles sorted out.
I seem to be annoying a few people here which was not my intention. I have no doubt that many people who work full time love their dogs and care for them as best they can. I’m certainly not saying that single, employed people should not be allowed to have a dog. But that’s not the point.
The OP asked for advice on whether or not to get a dog. My first reaction once they described their circumstances was that it was not a good idea. Yes, they might find a placid dog that will adapt to being alone all day, on the other hand an apparently placid dog may react badly and exhibit anxious or destructive behaviour in these circumstances so why take the chance?
The OP is obviously aware of the potential pitfalls and I hope the shelter staff advise them appropriately.
In the UK The Dogs Trust are the largest dog welfare organisation. Here’s what they say on the subject.
Dogs shouldn’t be left alone for anything more than *four *hours? Are you kidding me? What fucking bullshit.
codgerone, from your link:
What? Puppies, sure. Adult dogs? That statement is nonsense, and I don’t give much credence to the rest of the article either. Do you really get up at least once in the middle of the night to let your dogs out?
Dogs that become “insecure and anxious when their owners leave them” (that article doesn’t say for how long) need their confidence built up, and the owner needs to change that behaviour, not coddle it.
Many rescues have hard and fast rules for their adopters, some that make little or no sense. That’s their pererogative. It doesn’t make it right, though. Some won’t adopt to anyone who rents their home; mandating that adopters be homeowners. Some won’t adopt to anyone with children under three years old, or to anyone with an intact animal in the home, or to anyone who can’t provide a vet reference testifying to their care of previous pets. I know of two rescues that will only let you adopt a dog on the condition that you agree to feed a specific diet. I’ve never worked with, or heard of an organization that will point-blank deny adopters who work full-time.
As someone who has fostered dogs for going on 20 years, I’m pretty picky. It’s never even crossed my mind to deny someone only because they work a 40-hour week. If the potential adopter is home much of the time but doesn’t have the ability to walk, exercise, train and do activities with the dog, I’ll usually deny - because a dog stuck at home all the time with no stimulation, even with an owner present, is a sad thing. Unless maybe it’s an older, very mellow, undemanding dog that’s happy to nap someplace warm most of the day.
If the adopter shows interest in taking the dog to classes, teaching it new skills, taking it for walks, hikes and bike rides and generally giving it a full life as part of the family, I’m delighted to adopt out the dog. Even if they plan on leaving it alone during the day while they’re at work.
Data point. I know a couple - both disabled and on welfare; they have little money and don’t work. They have five dogs in their house - four large, one small. The dogs are all house dogs. The back yard is tiny, not much bigger than my living room. The dogs are never alone, ever, and the owners dote on them.
These dogs never leave the house. They are all obese. They’re untrained. None can be taken for a walk on a leash. None of these dogs, to my knowledge, have ever had the pure doggie joy of running (except running in circles around the tiny yard.) They’ve never known being walked in the woods or a park, sniffing smells, on the move, being out in the world. Since the little yard has been worn down to dirt, they rarely experience grass under their feet.They don’t even go on car rides. At least two of them are not reliably house-trained. They’ve never been taught any skills. They go absolutely mad with excitement when someone comes over and bark a lot; neighbors have complained. But, they’re never alone…however, if they wanted to adopt a dog from me, no way would they get one.
I feel very sorry for these dogs, poor things. My dogs (and the dogs of many working people I know) get almost-daily walks, plus I have an almost 1/3-acre yard. I get up at 5:30-6 am so they have ample time to play/be walked/potty before I leave for work. They’ve all been to (obedience and agility) classes, occasional doggie daycare for two of the three. One is starting therapy dog classes with me next month so she can “work” as a therapy dog. Another is doing tracking classes. They get regular hikes on the beach and in the woods, I even have backpacks for them. Two of them go to an off-leash dog park when I have time. As often as possible, one or more will accompany me on errands or visits with friends or to fairs or pet-friendly stores and sometimes to work with me. But they also get left alone approximately forty hours per week, with the occasional potty-break visit from a neighbor if I’m going to be gone more than 8 hours.
Also, because I work, I can afford heartworm preventative, very good food and rx parasite and vet care when needed. The people I mentioned above with the five house dogs can’t, because they don’t work.
Always nice to see a reasoned, well thought out response.
Twat
Seriously, whatever are your dogs supposed to do for companionship and stimulation during those eight interminable hours when you’re asleep? God, the horror.
Dogs are den animals… they naturally do spend a great deal of the time sleeping. They can easily hold it for 8 hours as adults and my understanding is that they have no concept of gone for 8 hours vs. gone for 5 minutes. I’m normally up first and let all the dogs out in the morning. But Saturdays I sleep in a little and my SO lets them out before he goes to work. Doesn’t stop them from racing through the house when I’m up an hour later, doing their morning “potty-dance” even though I know they don’t actually need to go. It was just their normal “ohmygod she’s up!” routine.
Mine are also generally not barkers…except when one of us comes home from work. You could perceive that as “she was gone all day and I’m upset/happy/excited” but really, it’s just the routine of me about to walk through the door. I know this because it doesn’t matter if I go out again and come back 10 minutes later…the excitement is the same.
When I am home all day, all four of our dogs sleep all…day…long. My youngest and most active border collie is almost cat like in the house…she’ll hole up and disappear for hours enjoying her naps.