I recently adopted a 1 year old saint bernard puppy who was due to be euthed because how long he had been in the shelter. I live alone in an apartment, but vowed to walk and exercise him and make adjustments to my rather sedantry lifestyle if it meant saving his life. The only problem, I am gone exactly 9 hours mon-fri due to work, and off weekends - but I am concerned about how well he will take to being confined when I am not home. I researched and discovered that Saints are family dogs and will ALWAYS be destructive if away from thier loved ones. I don't want to lose my sofa, but I refuse to give him back to a shelter, and if at all - I want tips on how to make this thing work. Please, give me tips on how to Save my saint!
2007-02-19 08:43:37 · 14 answers · asked by Platt 2 in Pets ➔ Dogs
Thanks for everyone who answered, and to clarify I am gone at 7 and home by 5. He is not in the crate when I am home at all, even when it time to sleep. The crate is strictly for when I have to work. So far he hasn't destroyed a thing when I am sleeping, and gets 3 walks a day. 1 First thing in the morning ( I wake up early to get him out) the second as soon as I come home (5:10pm) and the last around 9:30pm. I make sure the walks are lengthy so he will come home and sleep. Like I said before - I'd like to keep him. Is there anyway I can?
2007-02-19 08:56:48 · update #1
I think you already are doing a great job!
It IS possible to work an 8 hour job and have a dog. When I first got my dog no one was in the house for eight hours and he did fine with a walk in the morning and all night playing.
Do you crate him when you're at work? If you do you should consider closing of part of your house with a baby gate or two(with my dog we STILL keep him in the kitchen and hes 6 years old). He will be able to walk around and stretch, instead of being in a crate. You can put some toys, and his bed in there. Just don't leave out his food and water so he doesnt go to the bathroom. Dogs dont go to the bathroom where they sleep, when my dog was younger he peed the first few days but then he realized that he didnt want to be in a dirty/smelly kitchen! so he stopped.
Since you dont want to lose your sofa, just use your kitchen and if you think he might chew your table or chairs, just put them in your living room.
I hope this helped!
Good luck & I hope everything works out!
2007-02-19 09:53:05 · answer #1 · answered by xtaintedLOVE 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
This is a tough one, social dogs like saints really do'nt do well left alone for that long. Do you have someone that could stop by during the day to take him for a walk? Do you have an extra room? You could maybe make a puppy room. Just have his bed and toys and food and water. This way he doesn't have to be penned up in a cage all day, and you don't have to worry about him destroying your sofa. Another thing that would help, and I don't know if you already do this, but take him for a pretty long walk before you go to work. This might help him calm down a little more while you are gone. And while he is home alone, be sure you leave him lots of things to keep him occupied. Liek chew toys, and a HUGE kong filled with peanut butter, cheese, or his treats. Good Luck, I hope this helps. I know how it feels when you NEED to save a dogs life.
If you try all of your suggestions, and nothing seems to be helping, you can always try looking for a good no-kill animal rescue group, or a saint bernard rescue group. GOOD LUCK!!!
2007-02-19 08:50:27 · answer #2 · answered by Stark 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Hire a pet sitter! When I got my first puppy Kobe, a girl that I babysit for thought she was so cute that she watched her for free when I was at school.
You might have to pay a bit of money, but it's worth it! If that doesn't work, you should make an extra room for your dog, add a bed, some food, bones, toys, water & such so your dog wont be bored. Also make sure it doesn't get too hot in the room, if you live on the middle floor you might consider leaving the window open a little.
Hope this helped!
2007-02-19 09:55:12 · answer #3 · answered by antonios mama ♥ 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I lived in an apartment with a large Old English Sheepdog, I has to crate him when I was away. I felt bad at first, but he seemed to enjoy it. He would even take naps in it on days when I was home. Just get a very large one, have water available for him, have a blanket or some kind of bed and some toys. Make it comfortable for him.
2007-02-19 08:47:34 · answer #4 · answered by baileysmom 3 · 2⤊ 1⤋
Many dogs are family dogs, that doesn't mean they will destroy your house. To be on the safe side, crate train your dog so that he will be properly contained while you're away. Also if you can get a dog walker to come walk him in the day then he'll be less anxious for you to leave.
2007-02-19 08:47:01 · answer #5 · answered by SC 6 · 3⤊ 1⤋
I think your doing a great job in walking him as you do. I think if you take on pieces of everyone's advice it'll be easier on you and the dog.
For instance, perhaps once a week take him to a doggie day care. For the other four days, find a young teenager to walk him when they get out of school.
2007-02-19 11:02:37 · answer #6 · answered by YJ 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Hire a qualified, and bonded Pet Sitter to check on the dog, and walk him 1-2 times per day. He can NOT be left in a crate all day.
2007-02-19 08:47:33 · answer #7 · answered by St♥rmy Skye 6 · 1⤊ 2⤋
this may sound crazy but... you have to choose between your job and your dog also i am gone 8 hours a day and my dog are okay when i get home they are priority i have a tredmill and trained them on it so now i put them on there whem im eating and bathing and when thats done we both are tired out and cuddle.
your lifestlye sounds like your better off with a cat who does not need as much attention i would consider finding a family for the saint who will love and care for him and who has more time for him he needs and deserves all the love he can get... put up flyers in local vets and adds in the paper talk to familys who seem interested have them pay and go to there place to see if its well suited if your worried about it that or stop spending time on your computer asking questions and get busy spending time with your saint!
2007-02-19 08:51:53 · answer #8 · answered by Here i am 4 · 0⤊ 2⤋
That's kinda a big dog to have in an apt all day...can someone come walk him during the day?
and if you dont think you are up to this, there are St Bernard Rescue organizations out there...
you can find them on www.akc.org and then click on "rescue"
2007-02-19 08:46:28 · answer #9 · answered by Munya Says: DUH! 7 · 2⤊ 1⤋
teach him stuff, these dogs are very smart and they understand whatever you teach them, those dogs grow pretty big so if you want to keep him you have to give him some kind of training, you'll know how to do it since the dog is still young
2007-02-19 08:49:09 · answer #10 · answered by flacodf 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋