Puppies and working....

lolavix

Apologies if I sound very naive here, I have only ever taken on older dogs from shelters, and have not had puppies since I was very young...

My OH and I are considering getting a puppy, however we both work full time. We have a dog at the moment who gets an hours walk in the morning, is picked up at lunchtime and goes to the MIL's for a 2 hour walk and then we pick her up after work at about 6. This seems to suit her fine and she loves being there....

....but would this be ok for a puppy as well? I know they need a lot more attention, but Lola at the moment is doted on when she is here and at the MIL's, I'm just not sure if that would be the right environment for a puppy.

I have had a look online and a lot of people seem to think crating a puppy and leaving them all day is fine, which I wouldn't even consider doing with our dog now, let alone a puppy.

Any advice would be appreciated.

gettingready

Puppy will need toilet training which won't be possible if you are both at work all day with someone coming in once per day while you are out.

To toilet train a puppy you will need to be taking him/her out much more often that that.

lolavix

We wouldn't have someone coming in once a day, I would take 3 weeks off to start with, and after that would be left alone for a max of 3 1/2 - 4 hours as MIL would take back to hers for the afternoon for walks and toilet training

Caroline_a

When I got my last pup I worked very close so 'short days' as no travel. I took a couple of days off, then worked half days for a week or so, he was housetrained in days and was fine. I think it helped having another dog as they got on so well and the pup slept mostly while I was out.

Would never leave a dog all day though...

nonnatus

Hope you have a thick skin because I suspect (wrongly I hope) that you're going to get a bit of grief for asking this from the gang of guys and girls who believe you should not get a dog and then leave it alone AT ALL...

I think your plan sounds fine actually. You've obviously put some thought into it and I love the sound of your 3 week "Puppymoon" (I'm dead jealous).

The toilet training WILL be the most tricky aspect with your absences but my pups were dry overnight (about 6 hours) from as young as 12 weeks old and they are small terriers with small bladders - are you looking at big dogs or small dogs?

Please have another look at Crate Training. The crates are not expensive (certainly less so than a new carpet or certain electrical wires / furniture chewed!!) and the Pup will get a lot out of it and generally learn quicker. How does your Mum-in-law feel? Is she up for extra puppy duties? Could she have them a bit more while your routine gets established?

Finally, don't forget a picture when it arrives :rotfl:

lolavix

Thanks nonnatus

We would be looking at a Rottweiler as my OH has always had them and knows the breed very well

Some people may feel the need to have a go, but I know how well loved our current dog is - and it's much more than many who are not left alone at all. I don't believe that being with them all the time is realistic and that they should get used to time on their own, I wouldn't want a dog so reliant on me that I couldn't pop down the shops for a couple of hours.

Sure MIL wouldn't mind having pup for longer, and I do work close so popping in wouldnt be a problem, I could come in halfway through the morning and then would be picked up at lunchtime anyway.

krlyr

lolavix wrote: »

I have had a look online and a lot of people seem to think crating a puppy and leaving them all day is fine, which I wouldn't even consider doing with our dog now, let alone a puppy

I wouldn't have said the majority agree with that - I would think the "norm" is about 4 hours max. in a crate. Sounds like you wouldn't be leaving a puppy much longer than that so it could work.
However, I would seriously consider the extra work of a second dog. Your MIL feels comfortable walking your current dog but is she comfortable walking two? Two dogs can often be more than double the trouble because they can set each other off - even if they walk fine individually. I have one dog who's great with other dogs, and one dog who can be reactive (he's a big wuss, he gets scared and tries to act the big man to get rid of these scary dogs) but if I walk the pair of them, the dog who's fine can get riled up protecting the other dog when he kicks off. In their case, it's often better to walk them individually - which means twice the amount of walks.
Bear in mind that for a while, pup won't be able to manage long walks either (not good for their growing joints), so MIL will have to be prepared to leave it at home while she takes your other dog out - is her house puppyproof? Does she have room for a crate?
If you're going to spend 3 weeks at home with pup, don't forget to go out of the house to get it used to being left. 3 weeks home with someone around all the time, then suddenly being left 3 or 4 hours is going to be a shock to a puppy's system, so make sure you routinely give it alone-time to prevent seperation problems.
I think you sound like you've got a good workaround planned and it could definately work, but also consider the worst case scenarios - puppy chews up MIL's favourite rug and is banned from the house? MIL feels unable to manage two dogs safely? MIL can no longer manage the one dog - can you afford a dog walker for one dog, let alone two?
Good luck if you decide to go for it, remember that you can find puppies in rescue, but if you do decide to go for a breeder then save yourselves a lot of heartbreak by choosing a reputable one
http://www.apbc.org.uk/articles/good_breeder
http://pawsaroundberkshire.co.uk/choosing-a-breeder-dogs/

zaksmum

I wouldn't get a pup if both of us were working full time. Just isn't fair on the pup in my opinion...they need company.

Mara69

zaksmum wrote: »

I wouldn't get a pup if both of us were working full time. Just isn't fair on the pup in my opinion...they need company.

But the pup would have company. It would be alone for about 4 hours which is perfectly acceptable.

Yes, OP, your plan sounds perfect.

Toothfairy4

I think it sounds fine OP. I think the vital thing is the 3 weeks off by which time he should be quite well along with toilet training

lolavix

Thanks for the advice and links. It will probably be towards the end of the year/next year, we will be moving and I want to make sure we're 100% sure we can take on a puppy and look after it properly.

Our dog at the moment is very placid, she has never even growled at another dog - she has been attacked once and just walked away with no retaliation, so I am not worried about her having another dog around - she also spends a fair bit of time with sister in law's dog and they're the best of friends. I wouldn't want to get an older dog incase she felt bullied out of her own home - the type of dog she is, she would look after a puppy and not feel threatened I think.

I have no worries around MIL and 2 dogs - we have plenty of family who are more than happy to help out, and my mum is home most of the time with 2 dogs of her own and would be around to help where needed.

I will have a look more into crating, sounds like quite a good idea. MIL has a large kitchen and conservatory so space there would not be an issue.

Thanks again for the advice