Hi there, I am new to this site and had a question if that is OK? We are looking at some puppies this weekend with a view to possibly getting one in 4 weeks time (they are 4 weeks old at the mo) We will both be taking 2 weeks holiday when puppy arrives. My question is do to with our routine after the holiday is finished. My boyfriend works from home most of the time but sometimes has to go up to London 1 or maybe 2 days during the week. I work full time Mondays to Thursdays. Now most of the time my boyfriend will be at home to get puppy into the routine but there are going to be odd days when he has to go to London, and if these days fall on a Monday to Thursday as well, then I will be at work too. My office is 10 mins away so I can pop back at lunchtime... We are planning on doing crate training because we have a little boy who will be turning 4 in June so feel this approach would be best. What would be the best way to leave puppy on these days? Crated? Crate with open door and area to roam etc with newspaper down for tiddles and poops? The issue with getting someone to 'pop in' and take pup out for a tiddle is that these days aren't regular and it will be v hard to set something like that up really. Or is it not a good idea whatsoever? I just want to understand what our options are. We are 99% all set really in how we can be there for the puppy... it's just these annoying odd days here and there when we won't be covered. Thank you for your help. Louise
Re: Leaving puppy on it's own Hi Louise, I bet you are all excited . I work 29 hours a week and hubby close to 50 hours per week. I work 10 mins from home so pop home every lunch time for an hour to feed Harley and let her run around / go to the toilet etc. I leave Harley in her crate when I'm at work. This has worked really well. We started leaving her for 15 mins whilst we popped outside and slowly built up to a max of 3-4 hours at a time. It has worked well for us and our neighbour used to look through the window to check on her and said she never cried and was usually asleep I leave a kong of some sort with her so it keeps her occupied along with a few safe toys. I recommend crate training personally . Good luck and welcome to the forum
Re: Leaving puppy on it's own Our new puppy Pongo has been with us a week and a half now - he is 11 weeks old. I have been AMAZED at how well he is adapting to being left alone in his 'crate' (actually it's a cave under the stairs that we made for him, but the principle is the same). Yesterday we went out for nearly two hours and when we came back he was perfectly happy, snoozing and not at all bothered. He sleeps in his cave all night and cries when he is really busting for the toilet - then we get up. He is going for 6 - 8 hours with no problem. I am no expert - a very very newbie puppy owner! - but just thought I'd share my experience. Good luck, enjoy your pup!
Re: Leaving puppy on it's own Hello! Welcome to the forum. Love some pics of your puppy when you go to see them! I don't think it's a great idea to leave a young puppy all day without someone calling in - it might put back your toilet training somewhat. And while loads of dogs happily spend time at home alone (mine included, I work), it is best to build up to this. In terms of using dog walkers and the like, in the long run, I think it's best to find someone you trust and use them enough for it to be worth their while having you as a client. That way, they are much more likely to "fit you in" when you are stuck for cover. But there are lots of options - if you ask around, you might be surprised at how many. I had the almost identical to you work pattern (normally someone at home, but odd random days when no-one was) when I got my puppy. I managed to find a dog walker that was willing to pop by for 15minutes to an hour depending on what I needed. It turned out terrifically well. I got someone who roped in a young mum with young kids, and she would turn up with her babies - which was amazing for Charlie, and they all sat and played in the garden in a big baby/puppy heap. I know that this is said not to be ideal (excitable pups and kids), but she clearly knew what she was doing - I could watch her on CCTV - and it was always a happy, calm, time, and good for puppy and kids (bar the odd puppy run round with a nicked nappy). If I was really stuck for all day, the dog walker (not the young mum) would take my boy for the day, and he'd have a few short walks, go with her on her "rounds", then spend the rest of the time snoozing under the desk of her OH who worked at home. I also called in favours from family and friends, and also had the option of small puppy day care (pups up to six months), which was just a warm room with a stable door off the offices of the local pet training company - I could buy 10 days and book when I needed to use a day. They only took 3 puppies at a time, and it was a great set up. The other option, which I didn't use, was people at puppy class suggested a puppy pop in swap - like baby sitting circles. Which I thought was a great idea, as the people I met were great and still keep in touch with some, but this wasn't great for me - it suited other people though.
Re: Leaving puppy on it's own Ours is crated for 4 hours am and pm. I drop home at lunch. We then do so training and a trip round the park. He its happy. get a coupe of kongs. His current preference its carrot and honey. We had 3 Weeks to build this up and prepare him for it after getting him at 10 Weeks. As soon as he sees a Kong he runs to his create with his tail wagging.
Re: Leaving puppy on it's own Hi Louise. Welcome to the forum. We also work and used a crate right from the word go. Gradually building up to 3-4 hours at a stretch although OH dropped the coming home at lunch when it clearly wasn't needed for a pit-stop and the kids were home by 3 and responsible enough. We also gradually built up the locked door to the open door but closed kitchen etc etc until probably around a year old she was trustworthy enough to have the run of the house. Later than some, earlier than others. We only got rid of her crate when she turned 3 last year. Good luck with your pup! Jac
