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. :P

[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.