I don't want to be cruel to the dog, but I've been told that once trained, it can hold its potty for 11 hours. We'd aim to leave it in a crate until it is fully house trained and content with us being away for such long periods. This will be our first experience of owning a dog, but both me and my wife are very keen. We have a fenced yard, but no place for a doggy door. We live in Texas - so very hot summers.
2006-10-27 05:34:27 · 27 answers · asked by Huz K 1 in Pets ➔ Dogs
I believe you are well-intentioned but it is really not fair to bring home a puppy (of any breed) and leave it alone for such long periods of time.
An adult dog would have a difficult (and certainly "uncomfortable" time) "holding his potty" for 11 hours let alone, a puppy. A puppy is physically unable to hold it for very long.
There is nothing wrong with crate training but not for the length of time you will be gone. Dogs are "pack" animals and you would be the pack. It will be selfish and unfair to a puppy (or adult dog) to bring it into a home that will be empty for such a long period of time.
If you've never shared your home with a dog before please wait until you are at a point where you will have more time for one. They rely on you for everything and you won't be there!
2006-10-27 07:42:55 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Well, for a puppy, even crate trained, you can't leave them for 11 hours at a time when they are so young. A puppy needs to "go" every 30 minutes to 2 hours up until at least 4 months of age and even at that age, they still can't make it 11 hours. If you crate your puppy for the 11 hours, you will force it to "go" in the crate, which is against the dog's instinct to do... they don't "go" where they sleep and shouldn't.
You might see if you can do a doggie day care, or if you have someone who can puppy sit until your puppy is older and able to hold it that long.
Another option is to confine new puppy to the kitchen or other room where the floor is not carpeted and provide pee pads to go on. Still provide the crate as the sleeping place, but allow access to a different place to "go".
You also might also consider rescuing an older dog that is already potty trained. You'd be saving a life and wouldn't have to worry about how to care for a very young puppy with the time you have to be away each day.
2006-10-27 05:42:04 · answer #2 · answered by Shadow's Melon 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
First, I'm afraid a puppy is out of the question. A two month old pup could hold it for about 2 hours MAX. Plus they need to eat a couple of times a day.
Many people are going to tell you what leaving a dog/puppy alone for long periods will do to the dog, I want to tell you what it will mean FOR YOU.
You will come home from work and your dog will be out of control/crazy to see you. You want to sit in a chair and relax for a second? Sorry. The dog will be so desperate for companionship it will bark and bark and climb all over you.
Want to take the dog out on a weekend in your neighborhood? You'll be embarrassed by the way it acts because it hasn't been around people/kids/other dogs enough.
You'll feel guilty after a while every time you leave it and that will wear on you after a while. Soon you'll feel regret every time you see it or maybe even anger because of the way it behaves when you are home.
A cairn terrier---like most terriers--is a feisty, independent little dog who doesn't know he is little. They need exercise and companionship just as much as a "big" breed---even more than some large breeds.
Have you looked into greyhounds? Perhaps a pair of greys who could keep each other company....they are sweet, usually aren't much into chewing and like to be couch potatoes. If you had a neighbor who could let them out into your fenced yard at lunchtime it might work.
2006-10-27 05:52:07 · answer #3 · answered by bookmom 6 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Until it's older, you can't leave it in a crate for that long. The general rule is that a dog can "hold it" for 1 hour for every 1 month old. You should try penning it up somewhere, like the kitchen. It would be cruel to force the puppy to sit in it's own urine for such a long time every day. Also, smaller breeds need to go more often, while an adult bigger breed may only need to go out 2 or three times in the whole day. Just something to keep in mind!
2006-10-27 05:42:36 · answer #4 · answered by Ashley G 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
In your situation, I would advise getting an older dog rather than a puppy. A puppy requires a lot of love and attention and cannot be expected to hold its urine for that length of time.
I would also suggest a dog walker or a doggie daycare for you and your wife. This would be the ideal situation for your dog - as it would be able to relieve itself and get some stimulation throughout the day.
I would advise you to volunteer at your local humaine shelter and volunteer on their dog walking days. This would give you some insight as to which breed would be best suited to you and your wifes needs and also to show you the "unwanted" animals that are out there because "people did not have time for them".
I am concerned that you will not have much time for a dog being away for 11hrs a day - but ultimately the decision is yours. Perhaps an x-pen'd area would be a good idea while you are away instead of just a crate?
Good luck
2006-10-27 05:46:58 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Please do not get a dog, even an adult one. That's too long for it to be alone or to hold it. They are generally not solitary animals and need to be around their family to be happy and well-adjusted. If you have to get something, the I agree with the others and just get a cat. They also can get lonely but they do OK on their own better. If your situation changes (like if you have kids and someone stays home with them) then think about a dog when or if you get to that point. We have a small dog and he was having problems from being home alone from 8-3:30, so now we have to pay the neighbor kid to come over and let him out once a day and visit with him for a few minutes. The longest he can go is about 4 hours. He's been like that since he was a puppy and now he's 9 years old.
2006-10-27 05:57:45 · answer #6 · answered by snapoutofit 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I agree with the previous answers. Not to sound mean, but what on earth do you want a dog for if you aren't going to be home? Have you ever owned a dog? It is very cruel to confine a dog to a crate for anything other than sleeping. They require lots of exercise and stimulation and companionship. My advice is do not get a dog. They are pack oriented and will suffer physically and mentally being crated for 11 hours. If you must have a pet, get a cat. They should be spayed and neutered and can be kept in a house 24/7 as long as they have food, water, cat scratching posts, and a cat box and can be great companions. They do not require daily walks and obedience training and most are very happy hanging around the house looking out doors and windows waiting for their owners to come home.
I repeat-DO NOT GET A DOG UNLESS YOU WILL BE HOME TO TAKE CARE OF IT.
2006-10-27 05:55:06 · answer #7 · answered by Cathy O 2 · 3⤊ 0⤋
A fully grown large breed dog can hold its bladder that long. A puppy cannot, and you should not try to force it. It would even be hard for a small puppy to go half that time without some practice and working it up to it. If you cannot take care of the dog right, do not get one. You could put the puppy in doggy daycare, but that is expensive. They also need to be old enough and fully vaccinated before you can. At a young age, day care really would be your only option. Best bet is to go wth an older dog that is of a larger size, it could probably hold it that long. Pet sitters are reasonably priced for a dog too, that would come in and walk it once a day. This would not be too bad... but again better to get an adult.
2006-10-27 05:39:44 · answer #8 · answered by Craig B 4 · 2⤊ 1⤋
I understand that you want to have a dog but leaving a young dog alone for 11 hours a day is cruel. It needs your companionship as much as you need its. I do not approve of crating up a dog that is going to be for the family. If you have a nice fenced yard then use it! It matters not how hot it gets there. As long as your dog has water it will be fine. Treat the dog with respect and put in a doggie door. Having any animal is a big responsibility not to be taken lightly.
2006-10-27 05:40:25 · answer #9 · answered by ? 3 · 3⤊ 1⤋
A Jack Russell Terrier, they are hyper little dogs, but very smart and easy to train. Another suggestion would be a shetland sheepdog (sheltie) which is also very easy to train.
If you plan on being away for so long and want to have an indoor dog, make sure you select an out of the way area that your puppy can access and paper train him to go there in emergencies. This would be his "back-up" spot if he cant get outside. I use the laundry room which my dog does not have access to unless I leave the door open for him while I am away.
You can get some good advise on how to train your puppy from Petsmart. Good luck.
2006-10-27 05:45:41 · answer #10 · answered by londonhawk 4 · 0⤊ 1⤋