is there anyone else out there who has to work full time and has a dog to look after too?

Question

i have a 7 month old pup given to us to look after permenantly (either with us or left on his own in a shed allday) so i had to take him home. if anyone else does how do you cope

Answer 1

My husband and I both work full time and have a german shep to look after. I took her on as a pup because the owners were oing to destroy her, and I thought I would be able to find her a home.

I fell in love with her, and with patience and plenty of early morning and late night walks she settled into a routine quite easily. She is routinely left for 8 hours at a time with no problems. I just ensure that she has a run before and afterwards. My garden is not secure so she has to be walked to the local park or beach.

Providing I leave her with plenty of water - and sometimes leave the radio on as well she is fine. On one occasion we got stuck at work and she was left alone for 12 hours. Again, we made up for it with a good long walk.

Dogs just sleep when you are out - I was once told that they have no concept of time and that most destruction is done just after you leave as they are never sure that you are coming back. I trained her by going out of the house , waiting for 5 minutes and coming back in. She always knows that we are coming home now.

A baby gate on the stairs and the door to the lounge closed so she has access to the kitchen and utility rooms only.

Answer 2

first off if you don't have the time to look after it i would advise taking it to someone who can. but since you are on here asking it sounds like you at least care and want a good life for your pup.

first thing you should do is start crate training it. Pick up a book on this, it will stop your dog from going to the bathroom all over the place as it will be in its "den" most of the time where it will not like going to the bathroom. every three to four hours you let the pup out to go to the bathroom outside if you can. it will be whinny for the first while in the crate unless it is already used to it but after a while it will become content to be there just leave it with some toys. If you cant let the pup out get someone who can, pay a dog walker, ask a friend or neighbour, or a relative to swing by in the middle of the day. When you get home from work immediately take the dog out to do its business. then make sure you spend lots of time with it. don't leave it locked in the crate while you are home. eventually you will be able to leave the dog home by itself all day with the crate open.

This type of training does work well but again get a book on it and it will help you tons. also depending on the type of dog you may never want to leave it alone at home as some breeds can become destructive when they get bored and will terrorize your house.

Good luck!

Answer 3

I guess the question that needs to be answered is whether or not you want to keep the dog. The others who've responded to your question have answered from the perspective of folks who'll do what it takes because they've developed a loving relationship with their animals. It does not involve coping.

If you want to keep this pup and invest your heart and soul, then you'll do what it takes as well. You'll find a way because it matters to you. The other posts here give several great suggestions as to how they manage with their dog(s) so take some of their tips and put them into action.

So number 1 = Do you WANT the pup? If not find it a good home. You will both be happier for it.

Number 2 = You DO want to keep the pup? Bend over backwards to find a way to care for your new family member. That pup will give back to you a thousand times more than you ever imagined. And you will find yourself hardly able to wait to come home from work!

Whatever you decide, thanks for caring for this puppy.

Answer 4

We have a doggy day care in the area and it's a blast. dog loves it. not sure how young they'll take though however. be definitely worth a look into. Other than that don't think it is fair to the dog to have it cooped up all day. I would think for a pup 4-6 hours max, as he gets older then longer but not now. Perhaps a neighbor could stop by and help you out even if just for a 15 minute greet and play.

good luck

Answer 5

I did it with a 1 year old mix and it was tough in the beginning--you must crate train him to stay sane. In fact it will keep HIM sane because he will feel safer in the crate.

Here is what I did with a VERY high energy dog:

I would walk a couple of miles in the am before breakfast. I always ended the walk with some training. Find a trainer that uses positive methods to get you started.

Then breakfast and shower for me and get dressed for work. Before leaving I would take him out for a few minutes, give him a stuffed kong toy (or two) with his breakfast inside to eat and crate him. Kongs are awesome and give your pup something rewarding to do while crated. So are stuffed, sterilized bones.

Some days I could swing home and walk him for 15 minutes (a quick mile) before going back to work.

At the end of the day I would take him out to play for a bit, then train when he was a tad tired, crate while I cook supper. (Crate was in kitchen)

Play/walk after supper and train. Training helped wear him out more than just running around. Training will also build his self-confidence and strengthen your bond.

When in doubt, train. I am not kidding. When my dog was old and we were in between houses (one was sold before other finished) and living in one basement room with two kids I took him for short walks and praticed boring sit, stay, heel and it kept us both on an even keel.

If you are crunched for time at the end of the day, try cooking/freezing meals ahead of time so you aren't overwhelmed with a growling tummy and a wired, lonely pup at the same time.

I (like many people) have had a dog, kids and a job at the same time and any supper prep you can do ahead of time is a good idea.

Good luck and good for you for taking this pup.

Answer 6

it's hard but if I can do it you can do it. I work 40 hours a week at my job, then work at home (chores, animals) at least another 20 at home. I do get to leave work since I am only a few minutes away, to go home and take my dog out. When I get home from my job, not only do I have my dog waiting for me, I also have 2 female cats who require my immediate attention as well. It can be done though. Just don't get too stressed out over it as the animals will love you no matter if you have the time or not. Animals can be patient.

Answer 7

I have a mini peke and work full time I take her out in the mornings, feed her, then if I am working late I leave a key with my very trusted friend who lives across the road, he takes her out again for me and turns on the light if its dark, if I am working normally then I take her out again when I get home, then make a great fuss of her and she shares the sofa at night and we watch television. I also leave her the radio on to keep her company. She is happy and healthy, and as she is very small so 3 laps around the house and its like she has been in a playing field.

Answer 8

hello,
haha i know what its like we have 3 dogs and a cat and i work 14 hours a day from 9am untill midnight 6days a week its not that bad tho as i can bring my pets too work we just got a new 4 week old puppy ... still name-less and they are all happy so no need to cope lol
dont worry about puppys being left at home if its hot out keep them in ur backyard otherwise just make shure to fill the food and water be4 you go to work, bring the puppy for a run be4 u leave and make shure theres lots of toys to play with.... o dont forget some newspaper just in case the puppy needs to go!
hope this helped

Answer 9

I work 12 hour nightshifts and have 3 dogs, thankfully my mum takes my dogs overnight while I work, she's a hero. Check and see if anyone would be willing to watch your dog or stop in during the day and take him out for a long walk.

Answer 10

Dogs are pack animals so being alone is hard on them. I had one dog that was happy with his own cat. have you considered looking for a friend for him? Another dog I had was destructive until we found that he really liked listening to preachers. I think it was the male voice he liked. When we left we just turned the radio to his station and he was entertained enough that he stopped destroying things.

pet stores also have pads that attract animals to go potty on, that gives them a safe non messy place to go. they are like flat dippers, padding on top and plastic on the bottom.

Crate training is great also. My folks did it and it also gives the animal a safe place to go to when they have had enough, such as when you have the whole family over.