I just got a 8 week old puppy, and I work 12 hrs a day. Can someone suggest things I can buy to make him more comfortable when I'm gone. I don't want to hire a walker or anything like that.
2007-12-19 08:13:27 · 29 answers · asked by Anonymous in Pets ➔ Dogs
You can't be serious!
2007-12-19 08:20:50 · answer #1 · answered by Leo 4 · 4⤊ 1⤋
Why did you get a puppy and expect to be able to leave it twelve hours a day, five days a week.
I agree that working people are allowed to own dogs, many are great dog owners, but the younger the dog the less time it should be left alone.
How is the dog going to hold it's tiny bladder all day long? Puppies at 8 weeks old need to be let out about every two hours. He cannot wait all day and withholding water to keep him from peeing in the house is animal cruelty.
Why didn't you ask these questions before getting a dog? Most people would have told you a dog isn't going to fit into your lifestyle. Why are you against a walker or doggie daycare? Is it the cost? You shouldn't have got the puppy, if you weren't willing to financially and physically provide for it.
Added:
Someone above suggested crating (they called it "caging"). Crating is a great training tool and great way to keep a dog safe when you can't watch them, but you absolutely cannot leave an 8 week old puppy in a crate for 12 hours a day. He will be forced to eliminate in the crate and will get used to being in his own filth. This will increase his likelihood of going to the bathroom wherever and whenever he feels like it.
2007-12-19 16:45:55 · answer #2 · answered by feral_akodon 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Why aren't you willing to give the puppy a babysitter and when he is older he can go to a doggie daycare while you are at work, many people do this alot of people work 8 hour shifts but are away for 12 hours because of driving and needing to pick up stuff after work. But you'll find doggie day care and pet sitters are costly! and may reconsider dog ownership if money will be an issue, if you just leave a pup 12 hours a day he will never get houde broken. plus if this is a larger dog he will be very difficult to train. You really need to hire a doggie sitter at least 4 or more days a week it will keep the pup from getting bad acting from lack of attention.
2007-12-19 16:34:47 · answer #3 · answered by teenytiny 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
That is a long time for a puppy to be alone. Try to find a teenager in your area who likes animals and is trustworthy(Or even a family friend or what not)To come voer if possible and take the puppy out to potty, and play with it (For about 20 minutes) so it will not developeand behavior problems. It really isn't fair for the puppy if you are working all those hours and aren't home to play with him. Buy lots of toys, a crate obviosuly, a kong, chew toys, a bed, things like that but none won't matter if you are never there. Domesticateddogs(especially puppies) need people in their lives. A puppy needs to go potty usually every 2-4 hours. But using puppy pads in the kitchen works well. But someone will need to go over there and take him outside and praise him when he pees otuside to work on potty training. Doggy day care is a great option but you really need to consider what is best for the puppy since you are working 12 hours a day, sleeping at least 6: that's only 4 hours a day and a puppy needs more than that. Please reconsider ownership, since it will not wokr out i you keep working 12 hours a day.
Edit: I saw someone noted on crating. Crate training is a good tool when used properly, obvisouly that puppy should not be in a crate all day. The most my dog was ever in her crate was 4 hours. I never said the pupy should be in the crate long, no more than a few hours at a time. But getting a dog used to having a sleeping space and feeling ok with being in the crate is good for many situations, the problem is that many people abuse the crate and leave a dog trying to hold their bladder, no food or water for 8 hours straight. Which is obviously very sad and inhumane. A good set up is a kitchen blocke doff with pads in one spot and the crate in another to teach the dog that their sleeping space si not their potty etc. Plus msot puppies feel safer with a den to curl up in in a new environment. But it is only good when used properly.
2007-12-19 16:30:12 · answer #4 · answered by conure_chick 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You either need to go home on lunch breaks and get a family member or friend to do the same or get a dog walker/pet sitter to go in a couple of times a day. To leave him alone all day for 12 hours (then there is the 8 hours or so you are sleeping plus doing whatever else you have to do) he's going to be on his own pretty much all the time.
Now was probably not a good time to get the pup. If you don;t want to do any of the above I'm not being mean, but it maybe better to buy him a new home. It's not fair to himto be alone so much. If he's crated he's going to go crazy being in there for that long and I hate to think about the mess. If he's not he may well wreck the place out of bordom.
2007-12-19 16:51:16 · answer #5 · answered by Mr. P's Person 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Seems selfish to have a puppy, who needs a lot of care and attention to be left alone for 12 hours a day. In fact, it's more then 12 hours because one you get home, you have other things to do and then off to bed. Then the poor dog is alone again. Your going to have a sad, lonely, naughty dog on your hands. And it will be all your fault. Whatever you do, do not get another dog. Rearrange your work schedule or hire someone to walk the poor animal. Got a neighbor kid, who is at least middle school aged you could pay to do it? You should consider giving the puppy to a family who have time to love & nurture it. Get a fish or a hamster. Being alone for 12 hours is beyond cruel.
2007-12-19 16:24:40 · answer #6 · answered by MoonPie 4 · 2⤊ 0⤋
If you intend to work such long hours... you should NOT get a puppy... but if you have to... get another dog.. at least then they wont be alone and starving... coz puppies should eat every 4 - 6 hrs... and how is he gonna do that... u cant just leave food out... he'll eat it all in one go... sorry to be like the others... but i have an 8 week old beagle ... and he consumes my every moment... when i go to work... my mum puppy sits for me... so he is never alone... and i just think its god awful to get a puppy so young and abondon it... sorry.... seeing as i only ever leave my puppy alone for less then an hr i only have a suggestions for short periods of time... hoepfully your puppy will be asleep most of the time your at work... other then that... send the puppy to puppy kindy... it may cost you some money but at least you will know your not a totally bad puppy owner... sorry but thats how i feel... maybe you should consider taking the puppy back to where you got it... and adopt an older dog from the pound who wont care if your away or sleeping all the time...
2007-12-19 17:10:11 · answer #7 · answered by Johnny's Girl 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
That is way to long to leave a puppy that age alone, that is even long to leave an adult dog. Try to get a neighbor to check in on him at least every 3-4 hours and taking him out and feed him. Puppies that age still need to eat 4 times a day. If you can't do that then find a doggy day care.
If you aren't going to take proper care of the dog then you shouldn't have gotten it and need to place it in a home where it will be cared for. I'm surprised that any reputable breeder would place a dog with you if you told them the hours you keep.
2007-12-19 16:22:15 · answer #8 · answered by Cindy F 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I wouldn't even think about leaving a 8 week old puppy alone that long any more than I would a 3 years old human child. Just stop & think of all the messes & danger either could get into.
If you don't have the time now for a dog you should wait until you do. Do the pup justice.
2007-12-19 16:21:59 · answer #9 · answered by bluebonnetgranny 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I would crate him in a large crate so he can move about, or you can dedicate a small dog safe room. But also be aware that a dog that young cannot be expected or can physically hold their bladder for that long so expect accidents to clean up when you get home. Also as the dog gets older- the long periods alone at home will cause boredom which can be destructive and make for an unhappy dog. Can you arrange to come home in between the shift so you can take your dog out? Or have a neighbor ?
2007-12-19 18:52:06 · answer #10 · answered by Rexydoberman 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Why get a puppy when you are gone so much? I think it's cruel to make the little baby stay home alone that long! You should think of the puppy instead of yourself!!! Puppies need lots of attention and training to have a successful relationship. You are setting him up to fail, and you will be unhappy with him and then will want to get rid of him!! It's not fair to the puppy!!!
2007-12-19 16:20:59 · answer #11 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋