Today is the first day that I have left my 4 month old shih tzu at home while I go to work. I am going to be gone for 9 hours. I left her in my kitchen with her bed and lots of toys, and I hid some treats in her treat ball, but I can't help feeling like I have abandoned her.
This is going to happen for the next 2 weeks from Monday to Friday.
Does anyone have any suggestions about what I can leave her with so she is not so sad?
Who else leaves their dog while they go to work or school?
2006-09-06 04:39:51 · 21 answers · asked by Anonymous in Pets ➔ Dogs
You've already gotten some good answers. From what I've been told, dogs feel more secure if you confine them to their kennel, but that just doesn't sit right with me. What I've done (and still do) is block off the kitchen and put newspaper down for potty areas, but if he doesn't go there it's no big deal to clean it up; put his kennel in the kitchen WITH THE DOOR OPEN so he has the choice of going in or coming out to stretch his legs; put a piece of my clothing (that I've worn and not yet washed) in his kennel for him to lay on (they seem to like being around their owner's scent); turn the radio on low to "easy-listening" music or one that mixes that kind of music with news or talk radio (that way they think someone's with them); make certain he has plenty of water to drink throughout the day; and, of course, give him his "babies" (favorite toys).
Make a big fuss over her when you get home (which I'm sure you do) and, if you can, take her for a walk. Before long she'll get into the routine and she'll have something to look forward to after a day alone.
She's lucky to have such a caring "mommy".
2006-09-06 04:57:07 · answer #1 · answered by honeybucket 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I leave my dogs up to 8 hours alone because I have 2 either work or have school. They r totally fine. Actually they will sleep the whole day. It is totally normal to leave ur puppy home but consider using a crate (my dogs r both crate trained) and since she is only 4 months old u should only leave her alone for up to 4 hours. It just makes house training harder if u leave her for that long and at 4 months old she won't be able to hold it. See if a neighbor or a friend can let her out so she is not left alone for that long-----puppies can find trouble. As she gets older u can leave her alone longer like 8-9 hours at a time. Good Luck!
2006-09-06 04:55:01 · answer #2 · answered by I♥myPitbulls 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I crated my pup until she was about a year old while I was at work. Until she was about 6 months old I would come home everyday for lunch and let her out for the bathroom. Now at the age of three she has the run of the house. I leave the TV on for her and the shade up in the bedroom so she can look out the window. I think most of the day she just lays around and sleeps. That's what she does on the days that I'm home with her during that time.
2006-09-06 05:06:44 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
The best thing to do is to confine her to a small space- Either a small room with a bunch of toys or you might want to think about crate training your pup. The main thing is when you get home you dont want to make a big ordeal over comming home at the end of the day. When you walk in pat your dog on the head and allow her to calm down before you start playing. It will help the pup long term with seperation b.c. it wont seem like such a big deal when you leave. Best of Luck!
2006-09-06 06:42:17 · answer #4 · answered by Faith 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The doggie day care is a really good idea, but depending on where you live and the cost involved, it may not be an option. Maybe you have a relative or neighbor that you trust that might enjoy sitting. But realistically, most working people have to leave their animals at home while they go to work. At first, you may have to leave your dog in a cage or confined space until you can trust her to stay out and not destroy items in your home. It will take a few days I would imagine, but eventually, she'll become acclamated to the confinement and the schedule.
2006-09-06 04:56:52 · answer #5 · answered by wenda w 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
2 1/3 years old. Basically there are 7 years to a 'dog year'. You take that, divide it by 12 so you know how much one month has, then multiply it times 4 to get you the answer.
2016-03-27 00:16:40 · answer #6 · answered by ? 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Don't feel guilty - lots of people have to leave their dogs during the day and the dogs adjust. One suggestion I have is to give her a good walk before you leave in the morning - it'll help tire her out and she'll be a bit more content. Then, walk her again as soon as you can after you get home. If she gets lots of attention from you when you are home, she'll be fine.
2006-09-06 05:37:26 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
If you are leaving her in the kitchen, make sure you "baby" proof the kitchen, puppys are curious, and you don't want her to get into anything such as cleansers, etc...... Good Luck, she will get used to you not being home during the day, make sure you give her alot of LOVE when you get home. You are doing the right thing leaving her toys, and familiar things. She'll be fine.
2006-09-06 05:18:23 · answer #8 · answered by Kerri 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I have a shih tzu. They are notorious for having separation anxiety. I always feel terrible when I leave my little guy, but it has to be done. Trust me, if you leave them will all their favorite stuff and you always come home, they will realize that you are not gone forever eventually. It takes time and it is hard on both of you, but she will be ok! Shih tzus are wonderful otherwise, so hang in there!
2006-09-06 05:00:13 · answer #9 · answered by WYGirl 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
As long as she's confined either in a kennel or a small room with a baby gate, she'll be fine. Won't cause too much damage or worse, get hurt.
You're doing the right thing. When you get home, give her lots of attention and take her for a nice walk. She'll eventually fall into the routine and it will become easier for you too.
My dogs sleep all day when no one's home. They like to be by themselves sometimes.
2006-09-06 04:45:03 · answer #10 · answered by Melissa D 2 · 2⤊ 0⤋