Leaving pup alone?

Question

We have a 3 month old pup. We are with her almost all the time, however there are times when we have to go somewhere and can not take her. Is it ok that we leave her in the bathroom with food water and puppy pads or sometimes (if the weather is good) outside in her dog run?
We really dont leave her alone often, and she is pretty involved with us and sleeps indoors. I just worry if this will be bad for her. The longest we ever leave her alone is like no more than 4 hours.

Answer 1

We crate trained your pup. In the beginning it was her bed at night and she learned to hold her bathroom needs till she was taken outside in the morning. Then whenever we left her (for a couple of hours) we'd put her in her crate. We have a big enough one that gives her room to move about. After she became a year old and was house broken we just let her have the run of the house. But that stressed her so much she started chewing up stuff, so upon advice from the good folks here, we now put her in our laundry room when we leave, her food, water and crate is all there (and we have a doogie door going into our garage there). Dogs need to feel safe and secure when you leave the house, keeping them in a small, confind area is best for them (and your stuff). Hope this helps; also go to this place: www.dogforums.com I found it to be very helpful. :)

Answer 2

Cheerful, If I was a dog I would love to be one at your house!! Four hours is not too long to leave a puppy or dog alone. The dog will learn to accept your schedule. I have a sweet little dachshund who sometimes is home alone for as long as 8/9 hours due to my work schedule. I would not leave the puppy outside in the dog run as too many things can happen:
someone could steal it, I had someone poison my dog one time by throwing meat in the yard, the weather could turn bad , fire ants could attack the pup. I had one dog turn over a rock find a scorpion get bit and almost die from an allergic reaction. Don't leave a dog outside when you are not home. The bathroom idea is a very good one. Or crate the dog. You are a good pet owner and I like the responsibility you are showing -lucky dog!! -k-

Answer 3

It is ok for you to leave her alone, but not in a bathroom. Especially at 3 months, she should be house trained and crate trained. Puppies should be kept in a crate just big enough for them to turn around in. Dogs actually love having a space that is just their own and get very use to it. They also will not go to the bathroom where they sleep. They will once or twice in the beginning, but they quickly learn that it is their house and won't go anymore.
Crate training is great to because it gives them a sense of security and routine when you go away. They know they are safe and creates a ritual for them, which dogs need. At this age, you should only do this inside. They should be well trained and not really a good idea at any age to leave outside for when you are not home.

Answer 4

Yes, it is OK to leave your dog alone. Any dog can be left alone unless it had an illness with which it needs close watching. It seems your pup is healthy, so it is OK to leave her alone. If you are going to be away for more than a day, have somebody keep her so she can be fed. If you know you will not be at home when it is near her feeding time, have a neighbor come over and give her some food. Dogs need time alone, or they may get spoiled and cry for hours on end when their masters absolutely have to leave them.

Answer 5

I think that it is just fine to leave your pup in the bathroom with water and puppy pads. If you are only going to be gone for an hour or two her dog run sounds fine as well as long as she has water and shade.

Answer 6

Yes, leaving her in a puppy-proofed room will be all right, as long as she isn't alone too long. Just make sure she is walked right before you go out.

Answer 7

buy a crate to put her in when you leave for short time they are fairly cheap at wal/mart then this will help with house training too. if you leave them in a large room like the bathroom then it works against you

Answer 8

dont leave her outside alone. she could get kidnapped.. believe it or not there are many "dog-hunters" that go around looking for dogs so they can sell, test, or use as dissection.
the bathroom is a pretty good idea..make sure she doesnt eat soap/shampoo/cleaner..

Answer 9

The pup probably wants so time alone like all of us!

Answer 10

Yes. You can leave her in the bathroom as long as she can't chew wires and the dog run as long as there is shelter and water & food and the run is locked.