I'm wondering how long I can leave my two new puppies (who come home in a week) during the day. They will have each other for company when no one is at home, as they will be kept together indoors in a large kennel (so they can't get into anything too dangerous). Some advice I've been given says they can't be left for more than a couple of hours, other advice says they would be ok alone together while I'm at work for the day. Other advice?
2006-12-01 06:26:22 · 13 answers · asked by Anonymous in Pets ➔ Dogs
10 minutes. Puppies (unless in a cage) chew everything and act crazy. however if he is in a cage he can usually go 3-5 hours. start with a little bit of time and work your way up, this will also help to build his bladder control
2006-12-01 06:31:36 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 2⤋
It's not advisable to leave small puppies -- especially those new to your home -- alone for long periods of time. Puppies need a lot of training and socialization to make them good pets -- and they can't get that if you're gone all day.
Puppies that don't get well socialized grow up unable to cope when faced with new people or situations. They often end up either very fearful of anything new, or very aggressive toward anything new.
Take some vacation time and stay home with your puppies for at least 7-10 days if you can to help them get used to you and your home. Then don't leave them alone for more than 4 hours a day until they're older.
2006-12-01 14:34:07 · answer #2 · answered by Fetch 11 Humane Society 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
My advice is to try to work up in time and see how it goes. I wouldn't leave them for a long time all of a sudden. I was able to work my pup up from about 4 hours at a whack to about 11(All day + commute) A great idea is to have a friend or neighbor stop in if you're going to be gone for a long time, however I think the worst case is a mess to clean up....as long as the area is puppyproofed.
Good luck.
2006-12-01 14:36:00 · answer #3 · answered by Michael N 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
They will be completely fine, especially in a large kennel. I got an eight week old puppy in February who has been left at home with my cats while I'm at work during the day. She cried a lot at first, but soon got used to it and it stopped bothering her. Since you have two puppies, they will get accustomed to your absence even more quickly. It will, however, take longer for you to housebreak them (I learned that from experience).
2006-12-01 23:01:31 · answer #4 · answered by stevewbcanada 6 · 3⤊ 0⤋
If you're going to try to housebreak them right away so they don't get in the habit of "pottying" in their kennel, probably not for more than 3-4 hours. Also, make sure that they're eating on their own, or you will have to feed them at least every 4-5 hours.
2006-12-01 14:34:49 · answer #5 · answered by YoMamma 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Puppies can be left alone while your at work. It can start bad habits, such as defecating in the kennel. Which could stall the house training process. They do have doggie daycares, if you can afford that. Or find someone you can trust to come to your house during the day to let them out.
2006-12-01 14:34:34 · answer #6 · answered by care_bear1108 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
After they are trained it's easier to leave them alone. Especially because they have each other to play with. My concern would be if they are potty trained or not. There have been disasters leaving un trained dogs together that have not been trained to go outside. And also how well they get along with each other. You should only leave them max 4 hours alone at first. My dog who is now a year old can stay for a whole day, but I come home and play with her on my lunch break.
2006-12-01 14:33:25 · answer #7 · answered by BinaB 2 · 0⤊ 2⤋
4 hours is the max you should leave 2 new puppies. You are asking for trouble when it comes to things like potty training if you leave them any longer than that.
You should consider hiring a pet-sitter that can come in while you're at work. Twice a day while they're young and once a day mid-day when they get older.
2006-12-01 14:33:11 · answer #8 · answered by Yo LO! 6 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Is there any way you can go home for lunch to let them outside? I have a 5 mos. old lab and I let her out like 3-4 times during the night! She has accidents if I don't. The younger the pup the more they need to relieve themselves (their little pup bladders are small and can't hold very much...ditto for bm's!!) Dogs don't normally like to soil their living quarters but if it can't be helped...it can't be helped. How old are your puppies?? Good luck !
2006-12-01 14:41:02 · answer #9 · answered by Suzanne S 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Puppies will need frequent loving human contact to develop their fullest potential, so I personally wouldn't leave them for any period longer than absolutely necessary. Its good that they will spend time alone together in a safe environment, but if you can help it try to get back to them within four to six hours. Good luck.
2006-12-01 14:34:13 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋