Full time working pet parents
I've been very excited about wanting to get a dog since I left home for college back in 2006. I've since graduated, went to grad school and now have my own space and a great job. My boyfriend too has a great job and we've talked about adding a puppy to our lives SINCE college. I have an excel sheet with all the up front costs (initial vet costs, cost to purchase pup, crate, food, toys, leash, collar etc etc etc) and potential costs down the road - such as medicines, additional food, behavior classes. I've pretty much have all my bases covered for what will have to do and what MIGHT happen.
My question is this - my boyfriend and I work full time. Him 8-4:30, me 10-6. I'm already accustomed to getting up early, and can feasible see myself taking that time and taking my puppy on a long walk and some love time before work (I'd leave around 9:45). I can also come home around lunch time 12:30 to let pup out and walk during my lunch time.) I'd go back to work, and my boyfriend gets home from work around 5 pm and can let pup out again and feed, and I'm home at 6:05. (I live rather close to work). And we let the pup eat and then another long and fun walk before bedtime. (we plan on crating the pup as well). Does this seem like a doable schedule for two people who work full time? Weekends we will keep feeding schedule and walking schedule relatively the same, but we like to go out of town and hike or take the pup to the dog park near us to let him run around, but also puppy classes to help him socialize during the first few months. I'm just concerned about my pup not being socialized ENOUGH or having issues being crated 3-4 hours at a time during the day. It wouldn't be longer than 3-4 hours EVER. Please let me know if you have any advice!
I keep reading everywhere that it's HORRIBLE to get a puppy if you work full time, but it seems like this schedule will work, no?
I'd like to avoid paying upwards of 700$ a month on daycare for the first few months (prices in nyc are rough)