Me and my girlfriend just recently purchased an Italian Greyhound named Cooper. He is an amazing dog but I'm worried that he is not getting enough attention and lovin' since we both work and go to school full time. Between the two of us we are able to go home for lunch to play/feed/walk him but it feels like it's still not enough. Should I be worried about leaving him at home all day?
2007-02-23 05:35:33 · 13 answers · asked by Anonymous in Pets ➔ Dogs
Ideally a dog should not be home all day by itself, but I'm sure it will be okay. Just make sure you spend a lot of quality time with your dog when you get home.
2007-02-23 05:38:56 · answer #1 · answered by allyalexmch 6 · 0⤊ 3⤋
My husband and I are in almost the same situation as you, I go home at lunch to play with them and feed them. They are safe in their spots so they can't get into anything while I'm gone. I just make sure when I go home I take them out to the back yard and run off their energy or take them for a walk and when I'm home I keep them out of their crates until I go to bed. If your worried about him being home by himself get someone to come and check up on him during the day or put him in doggy daycare. I put a stuffed Kong (stuffed with yogurt and banana that was frozen, or peanut butter and treats, etc...) and toys in their crates and that keeps them busy for awhile then they go to sleep, I also leave my TV on so It's no so quiet, Don't let anyone tell you that you are not a good dog owner, not everyone could stay home 24 hours a day, there are a lot of dog owners that have full time jobs or go to school. Good Luck.
2007-02-23 07:20:47 · answer #2 · answered by shady20001978 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Millions of people have to hold down a job in order to provide a home for their dog. You don't need to feel guilty for leaving your dog at home during the day, provided you spend time with him evenings and weekends (especially since you're able to go home for lunch!!). Don't let anyone tell you you're not a good dog owner because your dog, like the majority of dogs, is alone during the day. What counts is the quality of the time you spend with him when you're not working/going to school. He'll be fine if he has companionship then, but if you're really worried, try a dog day care.
2007-02-23 06:44:32 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
Don't let your human guilt translate into feelings your dog may not have.
Of course your pup wants to spend time with you. And make sure that you do spend as much time as you can with him. Sacrifice a night out or bring him into your study area (or living room when watching TV). Play with him. Walk him. Any interaction is good.
But when you are gone during the day, create a nice space for him (I recommend a crate). Use a pillow (provided he doesn't chew it up or soil it), have chew toys and soft music. When you put him in his crate, give him a treat - this will show him that the crate is a good thing! Try hard NOT to use it as punishment. Your dog will simply sleep most of the time you are gone, or chew on toys and such. The music will block out any silence and get him used to hearing noises.
I am raising two pups now similar to you. I work during the day. I go home at lunch to let them out and play for a bit. Then they are free at night, unless I need them to be in their crates for a bit. But when I'm home and awake, I try to have them free. They sleep in my room at night (they are old enough now to be trusted to be good there). I was in school when my last dog was a pup - so he had to be alone too. I didn't use a crate for him and he chewed everything! So I recommend a crate. But again, walks and playing when you are home are important. If you ignore him when you are home (due to social activities, exhaustion or your busy schedule), then having a dog isn't for you at this point in time. However, I find we can always create some time for a dog. And walking does both you and him good, not to mention creating time for training and bonding!
2007-02-23 05:53:16 · answer #4 · answered by doctoru2 4 · 0⤊ 1⤋
I've worked directly with IG rescue, and yours is a situation that usually ends up in rescue. IGs in particular need constant attention. They are one of the most sensitive toy breeds. Working and schooling is not fair to the dog. An hour or two a day is not fair to any dog, but particularly an IG. They really need someone who can be with them virtually all of the day. If they can't provide that, then they need doggie day care and probably to be rehomed.
"Convoice", "doctoru2" and several others who have posted on here obviously know nothing about the breed. This is one breed that *does* need constant attention. 3-4 hours max on being left home alone on a regular basis. "lunch" visits and an hour at night are not enough for this very active, very social, very needy breed. You can't simply confine them to a crate/prison for 8 hours and expect them to be ok. That's not fair for *any* dog, but ESPECIALLY an IG!!!
Let me guess, it was a pet shop puppy? It's such a shame. The pet shops do not screening for purchasers, so anyone can walk out with a dog completely wrong for them.
I'd urge you to get the dog into doggie daycare for now and consider rehoming him. The IG rescue organization is quite good, especially if you live near a major city. If your dog is "just purchased", meaning still quite young, he'll have a much better chance of finding a home immediately - a home that can offer more time and attention. Even if you dont want to rehome, contact the rescue group to ask them what you can do to make it better for Cooper. They are there to help.
I commend you on realizing that something is just not right in your situation. It's incredibly responsible.
http://www.italiangreyhound.org/rescue/default.htm
I also urge you to not get any dogs until your schedule loosens up a little bit more. And when you are ready to take that step, be sure to use a good breeder. http://dogplay.com/GettingDog/index.html
Good luck to you and to Cooper. : )
Edit: The "neggers" obviously didn't bother to read up on the breed and know nothing about it. Sorry for that. The truth hurts some people so deeply that they lash out against it. Sucks to be them. ; )
2007-02-23 05:49:14 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 3⤋
If you go home at noon to play/feed/walk him he will be fine. Dogs are not children. They do not require 24/7 attention. Does he wag his tail when he sees you? Then he is happy. I'm glad I'm not a dog and belong to some people here. Dogs like their freedom. They need time alone to explore and learn. Don't worry. you sound like you are doing a great job. Your concern shows your love for your dog. He's a lucky pooch.
2007-02-23 05:50:56 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 1⤋
appears like you've a 16 month previous puppy to me. in case you opt for her to sleep extra, she desires extra workout. on the on the spot's the perfect time to get her right into a puppy type. make positive she's as a lot as date on her pictures and get her signed up right now. they are going to help you by the leash stubborness. she is going to start up maturing sexually quickly and that makes issues bypass kinda bonkers contained in the interest span branch. So now's the time to get in there and start up fairly preparation her, at the same time as she nevertheless has a mind which will take up options easily. because in 2 months, she's gonna go by her "youngster" time and in case you do not have this ordinary stuff down by then, that is going to likely be two times as difficult on you and the puppy.
2016-10-17 08:42:53 · answer #7 · answered by konen 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Try walking with him after work or playing with him on the weekends. These dogs are very very active types - you may have a problem.
2007-02-23 05:43:40 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
I strongly believe that you are not very responsible as a dog owner. Dogs like to interact with their family (you) but if you are away for a good long period during the day, your dog is going to get bored. A bored dog can do a lot of damage to a home. If you do have to leave him then at least leave the radio on low.
2007-02-23 05:45:14 · answer #9 · answered by admiralsmurf 1 · 1⤊ 4⤋
Your dog gets more attention then what my dogs gets. If you are so worried look into a doggie Daycare or get him a friend.
2007-02-23 05:52:31 · answer #10 · answered by Sun 3 · 1⤊ 1⤋