LIFE COACH
LIVING in the city and working full time might not seem very compatible with dog owning, but it can be done. London’s myriad park spaces make this a better city for dog owning than most. However, if you think giving your dog a quick run around before you leave for work and then leaving it alone until you return is sufficient, think again.
“Dogs need attention, which is how you end up with a happy dog,” says canine expert Kate Richards, director of dog care company Bone Rangers (www.bonerangers.com). “People wonder why their dogs bark a lot and don’t behave, then you find out they leave them alone at home all day. It’s the same effect as neglecting a child.”
One doggy day care option is a newly-opened dog “crèche”, CDPOM World (it stands for Cats, Dogs and Piece Of Mind) in Bermondsey, where you can leave your pooch to be walked on treadmills and enjoy pampering that even includes watching DVDs and being played to by a live pianist. (www.cdpom.com)
That does require you to get your dog to Bermondsey every morning however. If that’s not possible, dog-walking companies are a must for city dwellers. Some will take dogs out in groups, others will offer one-on-one walking as well as house sitting and other pet care services. Richards’ company, Bone Rangers, charges £12 for an hour’s walkies or £15 for 90 minutes.
When it comes to buying your dog, you’ll need to bear in mind that some breeds require more exercise than others, and this doesn’t necessarily equate to size. Greyhounds, for instance, only need half an hour’s exercise a day, whereas terriers and Labradors need much more. “Your lifestyle and how much time you have should determine the breed rather than what dogs you just like the look of,” says Richards.
Consider adopting a rescued dog rather than buying a puppy. Hard economic times bring increases in the numbers of abandoned dogs and decreases in the uptake of rescued dogs. Battersea Dogs Home (www.battersea.org.uk) and the Dogs Trust (www.dogstrust.org.uk) are the places to start. Battersea Dogs Home won’t allow you to adopt a dog unless you have some kind of a garden space, though for others, living near to park space will be sufficient. “If adopting, you’ll probably be asked for written proof that you’ll be using a dog walker if you work full time, so get that lined up in advance,” says Richards.
Unless you want to spend a fortune on vet’s bills, don’t, whatever you do, buy puppies via the internet or from breeders not certified by the Kennel Club. Go and see the puppies when they’re with the mother so that you can see they’re being looked after in a good environment for the first eight weeks, and they’ll come to you in good condition.