Hi, i have read tons and tons on the labrador site and other places about puppies and everything needed to take care of one. But nothing has really told me how long my puppy needs me at home.I have decided that im going to get the puppy this summer that way i am off from work the entire summer and i will be able to spend lots of time with the pup. I am worried though for when i got back to work in September, will the puppy be able to be left alone for 6 hours a day, 5 days a week? Will this set back potty training exclusively outside because he wont be able to hold it? Im worried and i dont want to get the puppy if its going to feel miserable. The pup is supposed to be bought on the first week of June at 8 weeks meaning when i go back to work it will be 21wks/5 months old? Is the pup old enough to be alone for that long? Will she be able to wait until i get home to go potty? ( i dont want to use puppy pads for training) the pup will have the kitchen to herself which is puppyproofed and a crate. Thank you for your help
Welcome to you Here is an excellent article - https://www.thelabradorsite.com/combining-a-labrador-puppy-with-full-time-work/ When I worked full time I never left my dogs for longer than four hours in any one day. I had all sorts of arrangements. Mum and Dad came at 11am until we got home at 6pm twice a week, MIL twice a week and we had doggy day care for the other day and any weeks they were away. It worked really well with the bonus that the grannies made our meals lol. As for pups I don’t leave them any longer than an hour until they are at least 7 months old. .
Hi @Isaac, My pup was left alone in a shut crate from the age of 10 weeks for varying amounts of time up to a max of two hours initially. I used to give her a chew and she'd take herself off to the crate and then sleep whilst I was out. I was able to sneak around the side of the house and look at her through the kitchen window and whenever I looked, at whatever point, she was always asleep. I gradually increased the amount of time I left her. But not all pups are the same and some can be anxious when left alone, although you will have the opportunity to build up gradually to leaving your pup over the summer. From 4 months she had a half day at daycare building up to a day at about 6 months and then two days. From 6 months ish (if I remember right) she had a dog walker on one day with me in and out throughout the day. I wouldn't have left her for 6 hours as a tiny pup, I don't think she would have been happy. I don't think a 5 month old would be able to hold their bladder for 6 hours. I now use a dog walker three times a week to help break up the day if I'm going to be out for a few hours. The longest she has been left is 5 hours (at 19 months) but that has only been on one occasion, I am OK with 4 hours but that wouldn't be every day. Most dog walkers will also pop in to let your pup out for a wee, to feed them and give a cuddle, if you don't want to send your pup out for a walk (or if she's too young to go out). There may also be doggy daycare in your area which you can find out about through Googling or word of mouth at the park. I had a fair few recommendations through talking to other dog walkers. And you may also have friends and family who could pop in. In essence it's doable to have a pup and work full time but I think you would need to bring in help to make it work as, in my opinion, 6 hours is too long alone on a daily basis. It's really good that you're thinking about this now coz then you can get it all sorted ahead of your pup's arrival!
