Could a puppy be left for this long? How did you manage?

[Duckegg271]

If we got puppy at 10 weeks, I had 5 weeks working from home and then returned to work for the following hours:

Tuesday 9-12 home for an hour at lunch then back to work 1-4

Wednesday 9-12

Friday 9-12

Would that be ok or too long left alone? How did you juggle puppy/work? Many thanks.

the major welfare charities advise that no dog should be left alone for more than four hours in a twenty four hour period. Lots of people will tell you it's fine, but personally I think the charities that pick uo the pieces of people not caring for their dogs appropriately are best placed to advise so choose to follow their advice so my dog goes to daycare.

It's really only the days you are out morning and afternoon that are a problem. Could you get a walker in to take them out during either your morning or afternoon absence? Or even better send them to daycare. They'll have a blast and be well socialised.

That’s far too long. Dogs need company, get a cat.

I'd say to maybe consider doggy daycare or a dog walker/puppy cuddler for the Tuesday though, while the dog is so young as that is a long day only broken up by one hour of company. But if not, probably still doable, you may just have to put up with a longer housetraining period.

It’s not ideal but apart from the Tuesday it’s workable as long as when pup is left it’s not shut in a cage as it’s too long in a cage during the day if it’s caged overnight .

The hours are fine, but on Tuesdays I would say to walk him during your lunch hour.
Don't keep him in a cage, place him in the kitchen, any toilet accidents are easily cleaned up then.
Close the doors and make sure he has plenty of toys, water and a dog bed. Get him a bone from the butchers too.

Get a dog walker/someone to come in to look after it on the Tuesday. Remember young puppies can't walk far because their joints are forming, so it's much better for them to have a few short walks and some play time.

Make sure the breed mix is suitable for you. Avoid a high energy breed such as a springer spaniel, collie or Beagle etc.

Getting the right breed mix that will suit your lifestyle is very important.

We have 4 sighthounds but wouldn’t leave them for the hours that you are suggesting.