English Springer Puppy - question over keeping outside

[Si Hyde 0]

Hi there all,

 

I been doing some beating this year and, as my girlfirend is very much a dog person, decided that I would go for it and get an English Springer. So I now have an incredible 7 month old English Springer called Watson.

 

Unfortunately it seems that I may need to move the wonderful little pup on. I have never had a dog before I really didn't fully appreciate quite how much work goes into it and what with my sporadic work schedule I'm not sure I can keep him. Keeping a puppy in a house on his own is not great for the house. It's proven too tempting for a bored pup and the place is slowing being digested by him. I have him crate trained and he is really rather happy in there but there is no way that little Watson can be in his crate for hours and hours on end. This doesn't seem like a long term solution.

 

So last chance saloon for the lovely dog is to do what I had originally wanted, which is to keep him outdoors.

 

The plan would be to have an outdoor kennel and run. I'm up and away at 7.30am most mornings so I'd be feeding and walking him and then leaving him in his run until I got home - which ordinarily is around 6.

 

I can then feed and walk him and on some evenings he could get an hours company with me but on other evenings I need to get out to work again.

 

I just feel that maybe he would be by far better off with a family that would be able to spend more time with him. My question is regarding the welfare of the dog ie being left alone for large portions of time. How bad/good is it to have one dog in a kennel and run for 12 hours at a time with no company other than his own? And if I do this, how fair is it that other than 2 walks a day, he will be largely on his own.

 

You see, my view is that this seems a touch cruel and hence the reason for considering rehoming him.

 

I know this post is lined up for a fair bit of negative comment as all this detail is stuff I should of realised prior to getting him. It's simply a case of not apprecaiting how much time he would need and also a change in my working arrangements. It'll break my heart to see him go but I need to consider what is best for the lad.

 

All opions welcomed. And thank you in advance

 

Simon

Edited February 2, 2012 by Si Hyde

[revij22 113]

the dog would be ok outside in a run its not cruel people have to work.If your garden is enclosed you can maybe think about a dog flap

[eddie3 9]

a kennel and run are a better choice than a crate but the pup still needs stimulating other wise it will destroy the kennel chewing !! i know lads that keep dogs in a kennel all day and seem to have no ill effects , do,not get another dog thinking it will keep it company it does,nt work you just get twice the problems, the more you put into a dog the more you,ll get out, good luck which ever way you go .

[RubyTex 1,957]

Tough one this. As said above he'll more than likely chew the kennel, but if you leave the run open and give him the run of the garden you'll probably end up with digging/chewing and possibly barking.

 

Ideally in my opinion with Springers being as intelligent as they are, 2 hours a day walking, training a couple of hours or so a week and 3/4 hours of 'company' per day too. They need a lot of stimulation.

 

Plenty of toys, a 'Kong' thing to keep him entertained and afford as much time as you can. At the moment i don't think it's feasable you keeping him but that's just my opinion.

 

Hope you get it sorted.