Leaving puppy during the day while at work

[Rachie]

Hi there.

We'd really love to get a puppy and would really appreciate some advice...

At the moment we both work full-time. How long is it ok to leave a puppy on its own during the day, or do you really need to be there all the time? Also, if you are out all day, but have a walker/sitter come in, would that be ok?

It may be that one of us changes jobs and works part-time, which I'm guessing would be better?

Thanks v much for any advice, we want to make sure we can really look after a puppy before making the decision to get one

 

[Buddy'sParents]

Welcome to the forums!

My first suggestion would be to check out local shelters and rescues for an older, house trained dog so that you don't have to worry so much about leaving a young pup alone for x hours a day without having access to do their business.

My next suggestion would be to get the puppy and have someone come and let the pup out for potty breaks regularly and then when old enough, for neighborhood walks. Some people even take them to a doggie day care once they are old enough.

 

[lizzybeth727]

I don't have time to respond, but I found a few threads on the subject:

http://www.chazhound.com/forums/showthread.php?t=80522

http://www.chazhound.com/forums/showthread.php?t=79125

http://www.chazhound.com/forums/showthread.php?t=76704

 

[bubbatd]

My only input is that I never sold a pup to anyone who wasn't able to go home at least twice a day ! I agree with an older rescue but still you'll need help ! It's just not fair to a dog !!!

 

[noodlerubyallie]

You can leave a puppy home alone for a few hours, but in a very secure location! We've had to use baby gates ( I know a lot of people use pens too), and puppy pads to save our floor. It's probably a very good idea to go home about midmorning, lunch and midafternoon, depending on the age of the puppy.

But, it's been said before, there are TONS of older (read: a year or so older), housebroken dogs that need homes simply because they outgrew their cute puppy stage. You didn't mention if this was your first dog, but if it is, it would probably be wise to get an older rescue than bring home a puppy. If it's not your first puppy, then make sure you're home about every 2 hours or so when they are very young. As they get older and better able to control their bowels, yiou can leave them alone for longer periods of time.

Good luck! I hope this helps.

 

[Rachie]

Thanks for the advice guys, really appreciate it... We may check out the dog shelters for great older dogs as I just don't think we can commit to being home enough for a puppy right now One day maybe!

 

[lizzybeth727]

Great idea! It's so nice for me to see someone who's more interested in the well-being of the dog, than the age of the dog. So many people get caught up with "puppy fever," and get a puppy even knowing that they are not home enough to give it the care it needs. We've all told people what it takes to raise a puppy, and the most frustrating response for me is "What do MOST people who have full-time jobs do to raise a puppy?" and of course, the answer is, they don't socialize or potty train the puppy like it needs, and then probably drop it off at the shelter when it's 10-14 months old and the owners realize they've bitten off more than they can chew.

Best of luck finding your dog, and do come back with pictures when you get the right one!

 

[AllieMackie]

Puppies can often entertain themselves with chewing toys for teething, and sleep quite often, so a "sitter" isn't as much of an issue as letting the dog eliminate every few hours.

Crate training will definitely help! Puppies can have toys in their crate, a soft bed to nap on, it keeps them out of trouble, and they learn quickly that they don't want to eliminate in their crate, if they can help it. However, that doesn't mean the puppy can be left home for eight hours - like others have said, puppy bladders need emptying a lot more than an older dog. Keeping to a strict schedule of giving your puppy outdoor potty time will aid housebreaking and get your dog better used to the idea that it has to go outside before pottying.

That said, having someone you trust coming in during the day to check on your puppy and let it out to do its business is a good idea, if both of you need to work full-time. I know a lot of folks who work 8-hour days, unable to come home during the day, who pay elderly/stay-at-home neighbours to visit their puppy a few times a day to make sure it's getting out when it needs to.

And of course, as your dog gets older, staying home for eight hours shouldn't be a problem at all (especially with crate training), provided the dog gets to do its business before and after work, and gets LOTS of exercise and playtime after work.

 

[Zoom]

I would either go with a slightly older dog or hire someone to let your pup out a few times a day. Just because they *can* hold their bladder for 8 hours doesn't mean they *should*. Think of how many times a day you go pee...and we've got bigger bladders than most dogs.

 

[Punkygirl0101]

I personally don't think that with two people who work full time it would be a good idea to get a dog at this time. Even if you adopted an adult dog, they will still need a lot of time to adjust and get used to their new owners..and if its going to be home alone all day and let out by another person...that's not really fair to the dog! I would wait until you had more time (less work hours) before getting a dog and definitely don't get a puppy! You wouldn't have time to properly train, and socialize a puppy.

 

[Sch3Dana]

I personally don't think that with two people who work full time it would be a good idea to get a dog at this time. Even if you adopted an adult dog, they will still need a lot of time to adjust and get used to their new owners..and if its going to be home alone all day and let out by another person...that's not really fair to the dog! I would wait until you had more time (less work hours) before getting a dog and definitely don't get a puppy! You wouldn't have time to properly train, and socialize a puppy.

Do you really think the shelter dog would be better off euthanised than living with a working family and suffering through a daily dog walker? Or even staying home alone with no walker? How would anyone in this country afford pets if they didn't work?

 

[Sch3Dana]

For encouragement, my sister and her husband recently adopted an adult dog from boxer rescue. We picked her bc she was so calm and steady (which is a bit rare in a young boxer) and she has been nothing but a pleasure. She is totally housebroken and stays home alone all day without causing any trouble. She's happy when they're home and enjoys a couple of walks a day and being the center of their attention hours every day and sharing the bed at night. Roxie would have been hard pressed to find a better family even if she does have to snooze alone on the couch all day

My best advice is to adopt an adult dog, ideally one with low energy requirements (unless you are a runner or something). Select a dog trainer before you select the dog and then have them go with you to make final selections on your new dog. A dog trainer has the experience to steer you toward a dog that will fit into your lifestyle. Picking on your own is very difficult and the wrong selection can be really hard on you and the dog.

Good Luck!

 

[Megansmom]

I also agree that going to a shelter would be your best bet!! You also don't have to deal with the "not-so-wonderful" puppy stages. I have a six-month-old who is very trying right now.

**goes to clean up the rest of the roll of paper towels that the little stinker shredded...**

 

[lizzybeth727]

Great suggestions, Dana. There are a LOT of dogs that would go crazy if they're left alone for 8 hours a day, but there are also a lot of dogs that are so laid back and easygoing that they don't mind being left alone for that amount of time. Just be sure and spend a lot of time with your dog when you get home from work, and, as long as the dog fits your lifestyle, you should be fine!

 

[a.baker]

Yup just walk the dog and play to get out some of that energy before you leave and to give them a good start for the day. Than the same as soon as you come home. That is something we are going to start doing because come September I will be working. But we have two dogs so they will help keep each other company. But my puppy has had time to grow and learn so he is good with holding his potty because he is developed more and he knows whats his toys and whats not.

 

[youbetcha1018]

Puppy Left at home

We have a puppy too his name is Master. When it's day time, he's with is parents Boh and Red. All of us are out working. It is just ok if you leave your pets alone in the house as long as they have foods to eat and water to drink the whole day you're not with them. Hope this helps.

 

[smkie]

make sure all electrical cords are out of the way or treated with bitter apple gel, and that a safe room is provided. curtain draw cords are up out of the way as well. I once left a puppy asleep on the bed while i zipped to the grocery store for just 10 minutes. she was asleep in the sunshine and i thought she would be ok until i got back. She had her head firmly wedged inside a thermos. IF i had been even a few more minutes she would have sufficated. Why she put her head in an empty thermos is beyond me, it had had nothing but water in it and was on the back enclosed porch unused for years. So look for the unexpected in providing your safe zone if your not crating when leaving a puppy unattended.

 

[Bailey08]

I work full time and have a puppy. It can be done (though it can also be expensive!). I have a dog walker that comes every two hours while I'm at work (in addition to potty time, he is fed and watered and gets playtime and/or a walk each visit), and I spend time with him in the mornings and evenings. When he's older, I plan to send him to doggie daycare a couple of days a week (with the dog walker coming on the alternate days).

He's in puppy classes, we practice his obedience work every night (and my dog walker is great helping to reinforce good behaviors), and he meets a ton of people and dogs every day. Maybe it's not a lot of peoples' notion of an ideal situation, but it works for us.

 

[girlbuffalo1]

It can work with you both working full time if you work opposite hours--for instance I work 8am-5pm and my husband generally works around 4am-12pm--so the 7:30-12pm time is the only time that no one is home and they are crated consistently at this time