Reality of puppy and full time job? Help!

[Westie Girl]

I have a 4 month old wesstie. I also teach school. I am off for another three weeks and then the school year begins.

I have been crate training the puppy and we are almost there. However, I have been home all the time or have the ability to come home for lunch. Once the school starts, I will be stuck at school from 7 -3 pm. I live too far to come home at lunch.

I am already beginning to worry about her. Should I hire a dog walker. Like I said, I am a school teacher so funds are limited. We are new to the neighborhood and most all of the people work. My husband commutes atleast 40 minutes one way so he is unable to help.

How can I have the puppy and work without hiring help or needing a neighbor. I wake up at night worrying about this. Also, she is a woodwork chewer so leaving her gated in the kitchen or bathroom is not a possibility. I tried it breifly for an hour and a corner of the cabinet got chewed. Luckily my husband can't see it or he would freak.

How does a doq walker work? Pay per day or week? How much? Help!!!

 

[RedyreRottweilers]

If I were you, I would look for someone in your n'hood who is at home during the day.

If you can't find someone that way, then a dog walker would work.

I'm not sure about fees, but I would bet if you hire out a visit per day say for 30 days at at time you would get a better rate.

Call around and ask!

 

[LizzieCollie]

I work from 8 to 5 and Lizzie is outside while I work. I couldnt leave her crated up all day and having her romp the house while im gone is not an option. My mother lives right upstairs so its not a problem, if something happens to her she will take care of her but for the most part she is alone during the day but with lots of toys and plenty of water and shade.

Shes been doing fine with this, only when I get home she needs to play play play to release some of the energy she has from being alone. She will sleep in her crate at night tired and happy

 

[Fran27]

I would no let a puppy alone outside, even an adult. Too many risks, including being stolen, escaping etc...

But I'm sure a puppy can adjust to being alone even 8 hours a day. Housebreaking might take a while though.

 

[LizzieCollie]

My mother is always home and Lizzie is not visible from the road, and even if she were no one walk by our house so I feel she is pretty safe

 

[Loviedovie]

I have a 3 1/2 month old Shih Tzu puppy. I work full time 20 miles 1 way from my house. I come home 3 days a week 1/2 way through my day and the other 2 I have a pet sitter come. I am also a pet sitter that works for Critter Sitters and our visits (per visit for 1 dog) is $16 each visit. The visits usually are 30min or so and do whatever you request with the animal. I would recommend at least getting a sitter 2-3 days of the week if you can't do all 5 days.

I also have Lovie's crate in my bedroom and leave the TV on low on cartoon network for her Her crate is also in front of the sliding glass door so she can watch the birds, etc. Try putting the crate someplace "fun" but cool. And lots of fun stuff in the crate like bones, stuffed animals, etc. Nothing that she/he could choke on though.

 

[misticaleclipse]

How long can your dog hold it for? If they can't go longer than 2-3 hours then a dog walker would need to come at least 2-3 times a day.

Rather than doing a dog walker, many of these sames services offer puppy visits, which may be cheaper like 6-10$ a visit and come 2-3 times throughout the day. I would search the net/phone book for ones in your area and ask them about the puppy visits, which seem to be your best option if you cannot get a neighbor to come in a few times during th day.

Normaly dog walkers charge anywhere from 10-15 dollars arond here (canadian)

 

[PoodleMommy]

You would def. need someone to come in and take care of the dog during the day.

Do NOT leave this dog outside all day alone.

If the puppy is potty trained, I would reccomend getting a crate that is a couple of sizes too big for the dog. Put plenty of blankets, toys, bones, water, and food in the crate to keep the dog busy while you are away.

Good Luck

Elissa

 

[dr2little]

If I were you, I would look for someone in your n'hood who is at home during the day.

If you can't find someone that way, then a dog walker would work.

I'm not sure about fees, but I would bet if you hire out a visit per day say for 30 days at at time you would get a better rate.

Call around and ask!

I think Redyre has the best idea. Knock on some doors and see if you can get to know someone in the neighborhood who's home during the day. Your pup is of course too young to be confined for 8 hours (8 hours of confinement is too long no matter what age) and also too young to be free in the house.
Most places do have bonded dog walkers who you could start calling right away, you can call references and do some checking...here in Calgary they cost anywhere from $12.00-$20.00 per visit depending on the length of the walk and what you want done (feeding..etc). Be careful that they don't walk multiple dogs at one time. I've had to "get into it" with a few who my clients used as they were scruffing and correcting pups...not good. Ask lots of questions about what they do as far as "training"...they're not trainers but some think they have the right to correct pups according to their "theories" on behavior. Having said that, there are some really good ones here too.
If you don't want to worry about someone being alone with your pyppy, you could put together an safe/secure indoor area where there is a place for your dog to potty, (something that they have to jump in to and out of - not paper on the floor) as well as water, crate (door open) with cozy bedding and a few safe toys. This option will take a toll on your house training but many people do it quite successfully as long as the indoor potty area is not an option when you are home.

 

[Doberluv]

Do you have a doggie daycare in your area? That might work. It could be expensive....I don't know. Maybe an employee of the daycare or a neighbor (if there is one who doesn't work) could come and get your pup mid day and take her to the daycare for the duration so it would cost less. I'd be really careful also about who is taking care of your pup. It would be awful if they mistreated her in any way. Get references. Good luck. I hope you work this out. Eight hours is definitely too long to leave a dog locked up.

Another thing to consider....when it is time for you to go back to school and you're leaving your pup.....get her use to alone time now so she doesn't suffer seperation anxiety. Some dogs don't anyhow, but some do. And if she's so accustom to your being home, it might be quite a shock. So, I'd practice leaving her for short periods at first and gradually lengthen the duration that you're away. Make sure not to make a fuss over comings and goings. When it's time to leave, just go. Making a big issue out of reunions and departures can really antagonize the problem.

I wish you and your pup the best.