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The doghouse

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

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Original poster

New puppy crying - gift for neighbour?

23 replies

pocketcucco · 22/06/2019 12:21

Hello, just after a bit of advice.

2 weeks ago I picked up my new pug puppy and have had the last 2 weeks off with him potty training him, getting him used to his crate and slowly building up his alone time. He's great and doing really well with learning to toilet outside, sleeps through the night (in my room) normally only with one pee break about 2am and is super loving.

The only thing I'm worried about is his alone time. I'm in work for the first time today and he will be alone for four hours have a visitor walk and feed him for an hour and then alone again for three hours until I'm home (his regular working day will be four hours alone, dog walker for an hour, three hours alone). I have a camera set up and at the moment he seems to alternate between 10 - 20 minutes of crying/howling followed by 30 - 45 minutes napping. I know it will take him some time to get used to things because I've had dogs before, but I'm worried about my neighbour and the noise. She has a pug and a chihuahua cross herself so I'm sure she will be somewhat understanding, but I've only lived here for around 8 months so don't know her very well but I know she is home all day and can possible hear my pup crying.

Do you think it would be a good idea to pop a card through her door explaining the situation and passing on my phone number for her to let me know if it gets too much? She has a little boy as well and I think he's about 4 - 5 years old so I've considered popping a gift card in for him just as a pre-apology. Does this sound like a good idea? I'm quite an anxious person and while the noise wouldn't bother me (I'm a dog person and totally understand) I am really worried she will be annoyed. If it makes any difference he never cries at night.

Thanks in advance for any advice :)

OP posts:

Donneytrumpgal · 22/06/2019 12:23

Oh dear.

Floralnomad · 22/06/2019 12:26

I hope this poor animal isn’t being left in a cage for all those hours alone . Sod what the neighbour thinks you either need to find daycare for this poor dog or send it back to the breeder as what you are proposing is cruel .

DuchessDarty · 22/06/2019 12:29

How old is your puppy?

I think that’s far too long to leave him alone when you’ve only had him two weeks.

I’d focus on placating your puppy rather than your neighbour.

Crimebustersofthesea · 22/06/2019 12:29

You say you're a dog person op but four hours alone seems like an awful long time for such a tiny puppy. Fine for an older dog maybe but he's just a baby! Is there any chance you could find a day care for him?

melissasummerfield · 22/06/2019 12:30

You are going to get flamed op.

You really shouldn't have a dog when you are out of the house all day, its selfish and cruel

Keepaddingpets · 22/06/2019 12:34

Poor poor dog 😢

Floralnomad · 22/06/2019 12:36

It’s not 4 hours alone , it’s 8 hours with an hour visit in the middle .

Original poster

pocketcucco · 22/06/2019 12:39

The puppy is 14 weeks. I've read a few things that have said 4 hours is the max but I was unsure too. I did look into a doggy day care but was worried he wouldn't get used to alone time. From what everyone is saying I think I will go with my original instinct and contact my dog walker about day care instead :) She does this too and I would definitely be happier with this.

OP posts:

Mavenhaven · 22/06/2019 12:49

4 hours alone is for a full grown dog, not a tiny puppy. Please do take her to daycare.

TheHodgeoftheHedge · 22/06/2019 12:50

Fuck me. 4 hours alone is the max for an ADULT dog. Not a 14 week puppy you’ve only had a fortnight. Poor thing.

Nettleskeins · 22/06/2019 13:36

It isn't the noise that would upset her, it would be the fact that your dog is obviously upset by being alone. Pugs are companion dogs. They aren't designed to be left alone for hours, yes they sleep alot but that is knowing that there is someone around.
I think they do brilliantly in daycare.
And what about the toilet training how can he manage for so long, pugs are notorious at not being particularly easily toilet trained ( I have friend with a pug)

Nettleskeins · 22/06/2019 13:39

It seems that you are more worried about your neighbour being annoyed by the dog than the poor dog being lonely and sad. You are encouraging your dog to have separation anxiety and loathe that crate.

Hoppinggreen · 22/06/2019 13:42

I wouldn’t leave my pretty chilled out 3 year old dog for that long
Never mind about your neighbour, worry about your poor puppy

Hoppinggreen · 22/06/2019 13:43

Sorry OP, I see you ate making alternative arrangements
Good

Nettleskeins · 22/06/2019 13:47

And you are also setting the puppy up to be incredibly clingy, not independent at all. You aren't socialising him in the day with other dogs or humans, he will be scared of everything and everyone becasue he isn't exposed to the world or other living beings (except for that one hour visit) He is super loving as you describe because that is what puppies are wired to be, so that they can socialise and communicate, and a super loving thing shouldn't be encouraged to think that no-one is going to respond or communicate.

MustardScreams · 22/06/2019 13:50

A dog person wouldn’t buy a brachy dog breed. Or leave a puppy alone for that amount of time. You shouldn’t have pets.

purpleboy · 22/06/2019 13:59

Is no one reading the update, she has taken on board what has been said and is planning on putting him in day care! Or are you all to busy being judgemental superior humans!

MustardScreams · 22/06/2019 14:01

I don’t put much faith in someone that chooses a dog breed that is so unhealthy and has willingly paid money for, encouraging others to continue breeding these animals. So yep, will continue being superior on that point definitely.

DizzySue · 22/06/2019 14:04

4 hours alone will be agony for this little pup, poor poor dog :-(
I just don't know what's wrong with some people

DuchessDarty · 22/06/2019 14:07

How is your puppy getting on today OP? Is he still having periods of howling?

Nettleskeins · 22/06/2019 14:13

Pugs can be happy and healthy, they are wonderful characters and companion dogs. I don't think you can flame someone for getting a pug more than any other puppy. But to choose a pug, knowing that he was going to be left for such a long time and say you knew all about dogs and their habits...oh yes they howl for while and then get used to being left, "guidance" etc. And at the same time to admire the dog for being super loving, when you are making it sad through ignorance.

That is just so distorted.

RavenLG · 22/06/2019 14:19

It's not 4 hours alone though either, it's 7. Just because there is a break of an hour with companionship doesn't make it any better. I do think you need to look at daycare for this puppy.

werideatdawn · 22/06/2019 20:22

You're setting pup up for serious separation anxiety problems which will be really hard to correct. Glad to see you've decided on daycare. They do say 4 hours max for grown dogs and they'll happily snooze at home but some dogs will never be comfortable with that.
Try to increase any alone time very gradually.

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