Quote Originally Posted by Cataholic
Hmmmm....so, anyone that works a 'full time' job doesn't qualify as an appropriate home for dogs? Most people I know work a minimum 8 hours a day. That is usally 9 hours on the job. So, allowing for transit, that puts them kind of close to 10 hours a day. They shouldn't own dogs? Is that really what people are suggesting? That is curious.

I do appreciate the comments about dogs vs. puppies. I did recognize that there is a time frame of some amount in that I would have to make trips home during the day. I just don't think I can do that long-term, as in years.

Just things to think about. Thanks for everyone's input!
I am not exactly sure what you meant by the above post. But, I think you got the gist of it. People who work full time jobs that would require them to be out of the house for 10 hours a day, and are not able to have someone go to the house to check on the dog during that 10 hour period should not get a puppy . It may be different with a dog that is house trained in both potty and manners. But it is difficult to train a puppy if you are going to be gone that long and then, naturally, want to have some time with just you and your son when you get home (I know I would want that too). As far as long term, Ginger didn't get run of the house until she was ten months old. So, no if you can make the trip home during the day to do some training, it doesn't have to be a lifetime thing. But it does take time to teach a puppy all of the manners he needs to know to be a happy addition to the household. If you have someone you trust who can check on and work on some issues/manners with the puppy during the day, then I say go for it. If not there are always quite a few adult pugs in need of rescue in my area.

Let me also say, Johanna, that I know exactly how you feel about being told a puppy may not be right for you. I work full-time and have no one else to help with the dog training, and I would be/have been extremely offended at being told I could not provide a good home for a dog. However, now that I have experienced raising a puppy on my own, I think that while I am still working, my next dog will be an older rescue.