You seem to have thought this through quite a bit already, so kudos for that.
One thing to keep in mind is if you adopt through a rescue site, they don't just hand a dog over to anyone. There will be applications to fill out, phone interviews, and often a home inspection and face-to-face interview. You'll be asked about how you'd handle various scenarios (ie what would you do if the chews up your shoes, or bites someone, etc.), so it's a good idea to get a training book or at least read up on dog training and behaviour beforehand so you're prepared.
11 hours is a long time to leave a dog alone, especially a puppy or young dog. Kennel training can help, especially when they're a little older and calmer. But one bad experience with leaving a puppy locked in a kennel for a long time where it poops or pees all over itself will mean the kennel is no longer an option for that dog. So I'd definitely look into a doggy daycare or dog walker. Your $300 a month budget should cover that. The dog will mellow as it gets older and might get accustomed to longer absences. But they're social animals, and they can freak out being left alone for long stretches when they're young.
Good luck.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Sliver
I don't understand this attitude. Obviously it's better if you can integrate the animal into your life and care for it until it dies, but aren't there way more dogs than people who want them? I thought they put unwanted dogs down all the time. Isn't it better that some people at least give it a shot? Also, life circumstances can change. If you've never been through a prolonged overwhelmingly stressful period in your life it can be hard to understand, but there are instances where caring for an animal can just be too much.
|
The issue with getting a dog and then deciding 6 months later that it's not for you is that each time a dog is returned, it becomes substantially less likely to have a successful adoption in the future. They get more anxious each time, and as they get older and more stressed out they become more likely to be passed over. That's why agencies try to make sure the first placement has a very high chance of success.