Hey everyone I'm new here. I bought a black lab puppy 3 weeks ago and he is just turned 12 weeks. He is a love (besides all the chewing haha). But I was wondering what the average time he needs to sleep. I'm wondering if he is sleeping to much or too little. I work part time so I'm only gone for 4 hours at a time max during they day. But sometimes Im gone for 4 hours twice a day. He is in his kennel the whole time but I'm wondering if he is getting to much sleep. I know he is still young but I just want to make sure I'm being the best parent he can have Any advice would be awesome! Thanks guys!
Hi there and welcome to the Forum,congratulations on your new puppy. Puppies do sleep quite a bit..I used to wonder about my dog ,generally dogs do sleep when there is nothing interesting going on if they are well excercised,stimulated and fed.What's your routine for him around your working hours ?Your pup is very young to spend 8 hours alone even if it is only occasionally.I appreciate if you have him kenelled outside then he ( and your house) is safe from any chewing / toileting incidents and he probably has an outside area to be in but he's missing out on company and stimulation at a very important age. Many of our members successfully manage working and having a dog,there's no reason that can't be achieved successfully with a bit of planning.There are several options you can consider to prevent your dog being alone for long periods,especially a youngster.Could you ask someone to pop in and break up these solitary periods,maybe a kind neighbor,friend or relative?You could enquire about dog walkers in your area,there are some very good ones around.Your pup doesn't need a huge amount of walking but a dog walker could use some of the time just to play and occupy him at home.I don't work but I still send my dog Dexter to daycare once a week so he has a chance to meet dogs to play off lead. My dog is now 3..... I could probably leave him all day now ( not that I EVER would) but I'm keen to get back to him after after 3 hours and I'm really twitchy by 4 hours and I built up to that very gradually .... Hope that's helped a bit,you sound like you've got quite a good little chap on your hands. Best Wishes Angela x
Hi and welcome . Tell us a bit more about your boy I work and have things in place for my girl. When we first got her I was off for 2 weeks. Then I slowly went back to work, only leaving her for a max of 2 hours (my work is literally 5 mins away from home). I built up to 4 hours over a period of 2 months. Harley is now 2 years old and I still keep to the 4 hours max. I only work a max of 6 hours per day, but will pop home over lunch or if I'm really busy and can't get home lunch time, she goes to doggy day care. Twice a week my dog walker takes her out and she gets to socialise with lots of different dogs. A lot of dog walkers come to your house twice a day to let them out for a wee/poo and play with them for 15-30 mins. Having this would help your boy have company. Harley will sleep when I'm at work - I set up a webcam so I could watch her and check she was ok. It helped me being able to see her
Hello and welcome to the forum! Puppies do sleep an awful lot - but four hours is too long really to leave him alone without company and stimulation. As the others have said, there are various options for help in your situation - when I have to work I have my cleaner come over and take Poppy out for a walk, or else I swap off dog walking duties with a neighbour. You'll get it sorted - it is absolutely possible to be a good dog owner and work at the same time. But it does need a bit of planning and logistics!
