What to do with my dog when both me and the wife are at work?

Question

Well we just got our first dog, he is a 5 month old siberian husky/samoin husky mix. We have a fully fenced in yard and tried just leaving him outside with toys, food/water but he both digs and after a neighbor was screaming at me tonight apparently he barks none stop. We dont want to let him run free in the house from fear of him chewing things up or making a mess of things. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

Thx,
Anthony

Well we just got our first dog, he is a 5 month old siberian husky/samoin husky mix. We have a fully fenced in yard and tried just leaving him outside with toys, food/water but he both digs and after a neighbor was screaming at me tonight apparently he barks none stop. We dont want to let him run free in the house from fear of him chewing things up or making a mess of things. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

Thx,
Anthony

Thx for all the answers, BTW the longest he would ever be alone for an extended period of time would be for about 5-6hrs and thats only 2 or 3 times a week when our shifts at work overlap

Answer 1

OK, first off, you have a puppy. The change in environment is always stressful and he will be loud for a few days. At five months, holding for nine hours in a crate while you are at work is asking too much. While dogs tend to avoid messing where they sleep, they will go in a crate if left too long defeating the whole concept of crate based house breaking (the method that is most recommended by vets and other experts). In a month or two, he will be able to hold providing he eliminates prior to your leaving but in the meantime, someone should let him out after 4-5 hours then replace him. He will still be noisy at first but if you make the crate his den by never using it for punishment, giving him a treat every time you put him in it, and leaving a safe toy for him, it will become his place of refuge. Outside may work in the future (depending on the dog and the breed) providing he has proper shelter and water but if there is a lot of stimulation, he will learn to bark and it may give him motivation to escape. I like to use a crate until I'm sure a pup /dog is fully house broke then have them stay in the house while gone. Chewing will also be a problem and can be dangerous and the crate will prevent this too (while in it). Another thing I strongly recommend is puppy/beginners obedience training classes as it increases the bond and helps socialize the dog. Look for an AKC/UKC club - the trainers are generally experienced dog owners that are unpaid volunteers and the club is sponsoring the training as a community service. You get the same or better quality as at a large-box pet store or private trainer for half the price.

Answer 2

We have a 7 month old Springer and a 4 year old, the puppy destroys the house, we walk her before we go out {for an hour}, we crate trained her but she'd poo and pee in it anyway and it's not fair to crate all day. We've tried toys, treat ball, chews, putting things up out of reach, you name it we've tried it. We have now just accepted that until she's older we will have a crap house. Didn't have a problem with our older dog, by the way ours are never left for more than 3 hours.

Answer 3

My cousin bought a device that they put up that keeps the dog from barking. It teaches them to stop doing it, some dogs learn real fast and some it takes a couple of days for them to learn.

I guess it just puts out a sound that they can only hear, but it doesn't' hurt them and it does get their attention and helps them to stop with the barking.

I would look on the Internet and see if your able to find it on line. I know that a place called Sharper Image has all kinds of neat gadgets and they may have some thing like this that you could get.

I hope this helps you. Good luck! It worked for my cousin and her husband with the dogs barking. It made them stop with the barking so that all is now quiet.

**** ONE more thing I use to leave the regular door to my garage open for my puppy, I have a detached garage. I kept her bed in there when she was smaller, I use to leave a radio playing while I had to be at work. It seemed to calm her down to be able to hear noise while my daughter and I were at school and work. She seemed to like being able to hear the soft music playing in the back ground. I put it like on an easy listening station, I know it sounds weird but they like noise it helps them to relax and to feel comfort as well. She's hear music and also people talking, that seemed to calm her down. They are after all social animals, that love people.

Answer 4

I swear by a kennel. Go to Petco or Petsmart... any reasonably stocked pet store, and get a travel kennel (or something similar). It needs to have a top and bottom, not just sides.

Kennels are great for discipline, housebreaking, and general control.

Make sure the kennel is Puppy's safe place. He can go in any time to "get away" or be left alone.... like a kid's bedroom. It needs to be comfortable. I've always put an old blanket in there for my dog to lay on. But if Junior tears the blanket or pillow apart, take the remnants out, and he can just deal with laying on a hard surface for a couple days.

Answer 5

I have 2 labs, and they are 2 and 3. We have 3 cats same age of the dogs. If they are unsupervised, then the 5 of them have a huge party! We built an indoor kennel in our large bathroom. (4.5'x4x15') This has time florrs so the can't chew up the floor. They are trained now to stay in when we are gone, and we can control the tempeture in the summer. The cats are seperated, the garbage, toothpaste, pillows and stuff are safe, no one is screaming at us and no one can poisen, harm or tease them.

Answer 6

I have personally had the best results with caging my animals while we are at work. It helps train them when to use the bathroom as you are raising them and it ends up being their little "room" that they can go in where no one should bother them. I've had two Rottweilers and now I have a Rott/boxer mix and they all have taken to this wonderfully!! Just make sure you get a cage big enough that they can turn around in. I make sure I have a little bit of water, a couple of his fav. toys and comfortable bedding. He never uses the bathroom in it and I do keep him out on the weekend. Good luck!

Answer 7

I would suggest doggy day care. They have large runs for large dogs and when not in the run, they take them outside for exercise. He will have interaction with other dogs so he wont be bored which is probably contributing to his barking. Prices range , mine charges 6 dollars for half a day and 10 for a whole day. Some vets also do doggie day care and it is slightly cheaper. Look around but don't accept substandard care. Ask to check the facility.

Answer 8

We got a 3' x 4' wire cage, put plastic under a throw rug and set it on there. Put in toys and a dog chew with him. Turn on radio or tv for noise. Worked for us until he became adjusted to the surroundings, then he was fine. Good luck!
Oh yeah, if you have an answering machine...call the house occasionally and talk to him. Amazing how that works too!

Answer 9

first off, you need to houstrain him and toilet train him. before getting a dog, you should've considered all of this. the dog is spending too much time alone and not enough time socialising and training. unless you or your wife plan on taking a hiatus from work, i suggest putting him in the bathroom and take everything out. then cover the floor with newspapaer. he will soon pick a favourite spot he would like to "go". when he does, you can slowly take away one sheet of newpaper at a time until he only pees in one spot. if he doesn't the newspapaer goes back on. now with housetraining, that would require your presence and since both your wife and you are always at work i dont know what you plan on doing with the dog unless you have a friend who'll gladly take care of it for you.

Answer 10

Congratulations! on your new puppy!!!! You will find the animal to become your wonderful friend! You are also going to "have to" find either a responsible retired person who needs something to do, or at the least someone whom you trust to come over at least once, if not twice during your time away, to speak and care for the puppy, if only for a brief encounter. That person will also let it be known that someone is watching out for your home. I have the same situation with a nine year old lab. That person is out there for you, and your new family member, and it is soooo important!