A question about puppies

[gregssausageroll]

Some of you have helped us over the last 4-5 days as we had to send back the rescue dog we got last weekend with the final straw coming when the dog went for me as I tried to retrieve DS toy from him.

Anyway, we have been talking alot. Our previous 2 dogs were puppies and DH would like to try a puppy again. He really doesn't want a rescue dog again and has completely put his foot down on the subject.

So, we are considering buying 2 puppies. Cocker spaniels which we have had before and I know of a good breeder.

The thing is, come September these 2 (if we go for them) would be left on their own 2 days per week although I will get home at lunchtime. Is this totally unacceptable? I know it is far from perfect but I presume lots of dogs get used to this. I used to work from home so previous dogs were not an issue. I don't have that luxury this time round.

Mine looks quite saluki. She has feathering on the tail and ears and a fluffyish coat as well. She does recall when she feels like it. Is there a lurcher thread anywhere?
I could try and work out how to post a photo.

Heads are always a giveaway too. Greys have an indentation running down from where their brain would be towards their nose. Salukis usually have a more domed head.

Mymumdom, how about some pics on your profile?

I have a cocker puppy and can leave her for 3-4 hours in her crate and she will sleep, I have had her 8 weeks and do this about 2-3 times a week. On occasions I have left her for a few hours, come in and walked her and then gone back out again. She's fine, is still happy to go in her crate, doesn't bark ect.

Come October when I go to university she will be left for 3 days, with either my mum or my friend talking her out at lunch time. I am confident she will be fine and I know she is a happy pup and has a good life.

So many dogs are left all day with a walk at lunch time and they ARE FINE. Most people don't stay at home with their dogs 24/7.

why get a dog when you know you are going to be leaving it alone for most of theday. Yes so many are left, but doesn't make it right

Jennytalia how do you know your dog is fine?.Bearing in mind your other post how do you know she isn't barking?.Yes,there is nothing wrong with leaving a puppy to entertain itself from time to time.Certain breeds can cope with being by themselves,cockers are not thought to be one of them [not said by me but on any cocker website].Your puppy might well be becoming anxious if you are leaving her for periods of time,hence the frequent night-awakening for reassurance.

Have tried to add a photo. Can anyone see it?

I hate the thought of dogs being shut in crates, what if there was a fire?

Mymumdom, have tried clicking on your profile, but it's not having it - am not able to see your pics. Have you made your profile public?

allthenyoungdood, i was going to suggest looking back at my therads.

tom is in a foster home, and they say he has had no training. not true, he has had tonnes of training. but the perils of raising 2 pups together made him hard to train well.

my remaining dog has changed. he is now a pleasure to have, to train, to cuddle up with. no more jealousy, no more fighting, no more working together against me.

i made the right decision in the end rehoming him, but only wished i had listened inthe first place.

i would love another dog, but not for another 3yrs minimum. atm, i'm working on dh to get the girls allergy tested to see if their cat allergies ahev abated so we can have a cat again (i am a cat person at heart, but love dogs as well). we rehomed our last cat 11yrs ago when it became clear he was causing dd1 wheezing hospital admissions, and still miss my ball of fluff.

My profile is now public. Sorry, am blundering around in darkness doing this. Honestly I'm actually pretty computer literate normally!

That is one gorgeous girl! My husband is quite taken with Saluki crosses. Maybe next time...

wow. just as i thought she is stunning

CC and CCC She is gorgeous and all heads turn in the park when she runs but she is a terrible thief, has seen off our two adult cats( they now live with a neighbour) and has turned our lawn into a racetrack.
Looks aren't everything ;)

Op have you considered doggy day care for your 2 working days? When i work my cocker is picked up and taken back to the carers home where he plays with their 3 dogs and the 2 or 3 others they look after on any given day. They have the run of the kitchen and a huge fenced paddock. He comes home tired happy and a bit muddy and is the best socialised dog I have ever had. He does however think that he is allowed to climb on the sofa .

I pay £10 for 4 hours so he is only alone for a couple of hours in the morning and gets back just before me in the afternoon. We have done this since he was 14 weeks. He does smell a bit of cigarettes sometimes. I don't know what Ofstead would say .

Awwwwwww. She is gorgeous. Sigh. With looks like those, you could forgive a lot.

Misdee, fab to hear all is going well with Ralph these days. I'm sure as soon as Tom is settled all the ground work you did do will come through - they don't forget this stuff, but as I am repeatedly being reminded, a lot of time training does not unfortunately = a well trained dog! Especially for those of us feeling our way with first puppies.