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The doghouse

If you're worried about your pet's health, please speak to a vet or qualified professional.

Original poster

Puppy and work

17 replies

Butterflowers · 19/03/2015 17:57

I recently had my beloved staffy put to sleep and feel utterly lost without him. I'm seriously considering getting a puppy to give me something to smile about again but I am out for around 6 hours a day at work? Is it fair to get a puppy when it will be alone for all that time?

OP posts:
tabulahrasa · 19/03/2015 18:28

Sorry for your loss, but, no, 6 hours is way too long to leave a puppy.

Original poster
Butterflowers · 19/03/2015 18:56

I've just spoken to my mum and hopefully she will pop over mid-day to let puppy out for a while. That would be a great help until summer when I'm off work for six weeks.

OP posts:
sanfairyanne · 19/03/2015 18:57

bet puppy ends up at your mums for hours Grin
theres also doggy day care when they are old enough

tabulahrasa · 19/03/2015 18:57

Even with someone popping in...it's too long Sad

They need out about every half hour during toilet training for starters.

MostAmused · 19/03/2015 19:02

You can't leave a new puppy for anything longer than 20 minutes in my opinion and that should be worked up to gradually over positively reinforced sessions and s/he should be given something to occupy his/her time. Crating is also a good idea. You can't expect to leave a young puppy to amuse him/herself and not do damage to itself or surroundings. That's not to mention the toilet training which you need to be there for, if you're to have any effect.

Sorry for the loss of you Staffie Flowers but please think through your decision to get a puppy while you're out of the house so much.

hellhasnofurylikeahungrywoman · 19/03/2015 19:07

I am sorry to hear about your dog but I agree, it's too long. Puppies spend most of the night alone so to leave them another 6 hours through the day is unfair even with someone popping in to let them out.

What about an older dog?

Original poster
Butterflowers · 19/03/2015 19:29

Yes I have thought about an older dog too. It's a tough decision to make.

OP posts:
WasabiPeace · 19/03/2015 20:04

We have a 10 week old puppy and she's alone for three days a week from 8-12 and then 1-4.

She's been fine so far, we are two weeks in with her and she's getting there with housetraining. She sleeps in my bed though because I felt far too guilty about leaving her. Although last night she slept in her crate all night, I was all prepared to go and get her as soon as she complained but she never did.

Humansatnav · 19/03/2015 20:14

We have a nearly 13 week old puppy who is alone for 1hr 15 mins 3 days a week and 3 hours 2days a week. He is crated and generally sleeps during those times. However we have worked up to this slowly , and with help off my mum and dad. Sorry for your loss Flowers

Original poster
Butterflowers · 19/03/2015 21:08

I'm thinking of using a crate and maybe even getting a dog flap so puppy can go out when it wants to.

OP posts:
WasabiPeace · 19/03/2015 21:15

I work midweek so we picked her up on a Friday and had four days with her to crate train her, start housetraining and get her gradually used to being left.

She's never soiled in her crate at all and now doesn't even whimper when asked to go in her crate before I leave.

I think so long as you exercise and play with the puppy properly in the morning, lunchtime and evenings it'll be fine to be left for a few hours.

Original poster
Butterflowers · 19/03/2015 21:27

Thankyou all for your help. Very much appreciated.

OP posts:
LokiBuddyBoo1 · 20/03/2015 00:50

I know a few people who have or have had a puppy while working and their dogs have been fine and adjusted to that routine.
Although it's not ideal I think it is do-able but the dog would need walking before you leave and at first someone to pop in to let dog out as I wouldn't let pup have access to the garden if your not there and pups need to go toilet alot at first.
Good luck if you decide together a pup.

pigsDOfly · 20/03/2015 08:52

Yes it's possible I suppose. But six hours, even with someone popping in mid day is way too long to leave a young puppy.

You will have no idea how distressed he might be while he is on his own. He could spend the whole time howling and whimpering himself into a complete state, given that he will have recently been removed from his mum and littler mates and will quite possibly feel frightened and bewildered, even if not left alone for so long.

You say you are going to be off work for six weeks in the summer, wouldn't it be better to wait until then to get a new dog. Also a puppy won't house train himself, you need to be there to take him outside every 20 minutes or so initially.

Agree an older, established dog, sounds like a better option. But any dog needs time to adjust to a new home before it's left on its own for so long.

Leaving a puppy - or any dog really - with free access to the garden when you're not at home is very risky. Dog theft is a huge problem across the country with a lot of the stolen dogs being used as bait dogs.

Laska · 24/03/2015 18:56

I'm sorry to hear you've lost your lovely dog. I agree with the other posters. Imagine you're a little baby, new to the world, learning from your mum and from playing with your siblings, snuggling up with them when you're tired. Suddenly you're taken away from this familiar, snug, brilliant learning environment, and you're with some nice people, but you're on your own. For hours. You can't tell the time so you don't know how long they will be gone. You don't get to play with them all day and learn that vital bite inhibition and other play skills. You're just alone.... Sad An older dog will be better equipped to cope with this reality, but honestly, it's really not fair on a puppy.

You'll (sadly for the breed) not be short of a choice of some amazingly lovely staffies in rescue - and I know that a pup is massively appealing but you'll get such a lot from adopting a slightly older dog and giving it the home it desperately needs.

Best of luck finding your new dog Smile

JustJanice · 24/03/2015 19:03

No to a puppy. It's not fair. It doesn't matter how much you WANT one; a puppy NEEDS far more attention than you can provide.

Sorry about your older dog but no. You're not thinking straight.

BlessedAndGr8fulNoInLaws4Xmas · 24/03/2015 23:10

Agree 6 hours is just too long to leave a puppy you cannot possibly hope to meet his or hers needs in this way.

We have a 17 week old puppy and would not leave her longer than 3 hours.

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