What would you do - Puppy dilemma

[NameChangeDoggy]

Hi! Less an AIBU and more a what would you do ..

If you had a 20 week old puppy and the whole family had to go to an important event would you ..

1. Put puppy in a kennel overnight (you can't leave them evenings only here, has to be all night) that he's only been to once for a half day puppy morning.

1. Leave them at home by themself (would be from 6pm to 10:30pm)

1. Neither, you'll have to cancel the event or you or your DH will have to miss it.

??

(Please be kind, I'm new to the whole puppy thing and know I might be getting things wrong. That's why I'm asking!)

Do few trial runs of leaving at home alone, 1/2 hr then 1 hour etc and leave him.
Our dog was left for 4 hrs a time when my partner was at work from a puppy and he was absolutely fine (we had cameras in lounge as well to be able to check on him and he was mostly sleeping)

Is pup used to being left 4.5 hrs? That's a long time for 20 wk old pup IMO. I would get a friend to sit with them, we did that often. Alternatively leave at home with security camera and have a friend with a key on stand by!

If your puppy isnt used to being left on their own I would start doing that in advance of the event, initially for a very short time then building it up gradually.

An evening is fine. We've left ours for that length of time from that age. I wouldn't leave it all day or overnight.

I would ask someone to visit while you are out if possible.
We leave our dog for 4 hours but probably wouldn’t have at that age

Sorry my assumption was that pup has not been left that long otherwise it wouldn't be a question. 4.5 hrs is a long time if they are not used to it.

This ^

PS I'd leave the radio on for them. Apparently they like classical music so R3 is an option,

It depends if he’s used to be alone for that period of time. As a puppy a crate would be necessary though, too many hasard risks if not used to being unsupervised. Otherwise should be fine.

Kennels are dependent on the quality of the kennel itself. It depends if you started the vaccination process early, which means he would now be covered, and vermifuge also. He’ll be fine in a good quality kennel, the main risk is catching something from other dogs (keep in mind bacterial infections for example, he wouldn’t be protected). So definitely check the criteria of the kennel.

I’d be more inclined at that vulnerable age medically to keep him at home in a comfortable enclosed space, so you’re sure he’s safe. Worst case scenario is a bit of separation anxiety, but 4h won’t traumatise him don’t worry.

As others have said try to build it up gradually over time if you can.

(Fwiw I work with animals, I would priorise safety in an enclosed space at home, than exposure at a kennel overnight. Most likely he’ll sleep really)

If he’s not built up to being alone - get a dog sitter.

st that age tbh even if he is playboy his own for a little while I’d still get a dog sitter in.

it will be scary for him if he’s all home alone at night and not sure when his family will be home

dont put him in a kennel overnight - unless it’s an at home boarding situation with someone who will have him in the house and look after him

PS I'd leave the radio on for them. Apparently they like classical music so R3 is an option

Last time we left ddog I put the TV on for her. DH crept up behind me as I was doing it and was laughing...because I was carefully selecting the channel for her and chose cbeebies because she's only 5 months. I could hardly put the news on could I? 😂

Sorry I forgot to add, yes the ideal scenario is at home with any friend’s local teenage kid who’ll be happy to continue play games or whatever for an evening (so, still in an enclosed space, you can’t expect a teen to game and supervise properly ha). Token payment to the kid and everyone’s happy !

Not sure why people think that getting someone to pop in is a good idea. Having a stranger come into the house whilst the dog is alone is likely to cause a lot more stress than just leaving the dog alone in an environment it knows. Having someone pop in is not the same as having a dog sitter who stays with the dog the whole time and is introduced with the owners still there.

Agree with this

All day? It's 4.5 hours in the evening! Puppy will be fine, walk them first and leave them with a chew.

What happens now when you leave puppy alone?

If the dog cries and whines and barks, and you are not in a detached house, then you need the kennel or a sitter.

If your puppy is fine with being alone - just do that. It's only a few hours.

2 is fine

Option 2 - it’s a dog not a baby !

Sorry. I’ll hold my hands up and say, yes I misread.

4 and 1/2 hours….honestly it depends on the dog.

Only you know if it’s ok

Option 2 and if you're worried get a local pet sitter person to come in to let them out for a pee and have a play.

4.5 hours is fine depending on your dog.

Confused about the kennel thing, can't you pay for overnight but still pick them up in the evening?

I've done that before, left her watching Hey Duggee (well it's a dog!) and some annoying rabbit character???? I don't know, I don't have kids, the only kids TV I know was on in the early 70s. I don't think Bagpuss and Play School are on any more 😂

I’d leave it at home as a one off , will likely be less distressing than going to a kennels .

I agree!

Option 2.

Ideally work your way up to it if they are not used to being left alone.

Even if you had no plans I would suggest it anyway. Life is so much easier if you can leave the dog at home sometimes.