I’m considering getting a puppy with a travel-heavy job. Am I being realistic?
I (27M) am self-employed and travel a lot for work. I’m single, financially stable, and live in a major U.S. city.
Lately I’ve been thinking about getting a puppy, but I’m trying to be realistic instead of romanticizing it.
I grew up with dogs my entire life (Golden Retriever mixes, Bichon mixes, and Shih Tzus). We always raised puppies, so I’m familiar with potty training, crate training, and the realities of puppyhood.
I work with clients around the country on a project basisz My travel schedule is highly seasonal. Some months I may only travel 6 days, while busier months can be closer to 20. The one constant is that April and May are always my downtime, which is why I’d plan to bring the puppy home in April.
I’m leaning toward a small companion breed like a Shih Tzu or Lhasa Apso because they’re small enough to fly in the cabin and generally fit the lifestyle I’m envisioning.
Those first two months would be dedicated to potty training, crate training, socialization, and building a routine before gradually introducing travel in June.
Long-term, I’d like the dog to accompany me on work trips when it makes sense. Some months that might mean only a handful of travel days, while busier months could mean closer to 20, flying in the cabin and staying in pet-friendly hotels.
Some additional context:
Most of my work days are split shifts (roughly 10 a.m.–2 p.m. and 3 p.m.–7 p.m.), so I’d typically be able to return to the hotel during my break to walk, play with, and let the dog out.
I rarely work more than three consecutive days before returning home.
Most of my flights are direct and under two hours.
When I’m home, I’m generally not working. My job is project-based, so almost all of my working hours happen when I’m traveling. At home, my days are usually spent at the gym, running errands, exploring the city, or relaxing—activities the dog could often be part of.
Even though this is my full-time career, most of the “full-time” aspect comes from the travel itself. When I’m home between trips, I have a lot of flexibility and very few fixed work obligations.
There would probably be 3–6 trips each year where bringing the dog wouldn’t be practical. For those, I’d use a trusted sitter, a friend, or boarding.
A few things people will probably ask:
- During the first two months, the puppy would only be left alone for short errands like the gym or grocery shopping. Long-term, my goal is that the dog is rarely alone for more than about five hours, and if I ever had a longer day, I’d hire a walker or sitter.
- I book all of my own travel, so I can intentionally choose flights and hotels.
- The financial responsibility isn’t a concern.
- I’m planning to work with a reputable breeder because I’m looking for a small companion breed with a predictable size, temperament, and low-shedding coat. There’s a good chance the breeder won’t be local, so the puppy’s first trip home would likely be a flight in the cabin with me at around 8–10 weeks old.
I’m looking for honest feedback from people who’ve raised puppies while traveling or who have similarly travel-heavy careers.
What am I not thinking about? Which parts of this plan seem realistic, and which parts seem naïve?