Puppy left at home all day.... :(

lipsthefish

What you are doing is more than cruel, it is willful neglect. I don`t know what research you did that would suggest that leaving a puppy for 9 hours would be ok. A puppy needs vital socialisation from 12 to 16 weeks and he is not going to get it by staying home with the cat. A puppy has needs similar to a new born baby, would you leave a baby home alone? I am so angry to read your post and also upset, if I knew where you lived I wouldn't think twice about reporting you and I don`t care how much anyone says there there it will be ok, if you had any heart or brain you would find the puppy a home with someone who can look after him.

nonnatus

I'm afraid I, also, think what you're doing is VERY wrong. That poor puppy, taken from his litter mates and people who are at home with him all day and taken by you to a flat where he is expected to spend 9 hours a day on his own. He must be so confused. And he will CRAVE attention to the point where he WILL start bothering the cat and that can only end badly for one or both of them. He could be being horribly bullied by the cat all day and you wouldn't know a thing about it!!

You obviously love the puppy, but please think about what is best for HIM not how you would feel if he was re-homed. A cat is a perfect pet for you. A puppy is not.
Gosh, it's really upset me, this post. Thinking about how that little pup thinks it's been abandoned every day .

linni

As already suggested, put a card in your local shops. As you are out in the evening you may find someone (trustworthy) of school age who would love to spend a few hours a day with your pup after school. My teens were always looking for jobs like this to earn a few quid. Is there a local college nearby that does animal courses as they may have someone who could do it?

lisawood78

Oh dear.
What you are doing is seriosuly misguided at best, terribly cruel at worst.
Poor puppy.
Please read and take in all of the advice above and take action now. Things HAVE to change or rehome the poor thing before you both get too attatched.

I have an 11 week old pup at home, I wouldn't dream of leaving her home alone for 4 hours never mind 8 or 9, she doesn't even go 4 hours alone during the night (as in I let her out that often) for toilet training purposes.

Please please rethink this now

CH27

You are being very cruel. You need to sort something out ASAP.

heartbreak_star

I think some of you that are accusing the OP of cruelty are being overtly nasty, the OP has said they're ripping their heart out over this and don't need you making them feel worse!

On the other hand OP you do need to take the advice that has been given. That's far too long for a pup to be on its own. Definately ask the neighbours though - dogs can be great company for someone who's a bit lonely and a chihuahua is small and therefore not hard for an elderly person to control

I hope you get it sorted but in the end you do need to put the feelings of the puppy above your own. Good luck!

HBS x

podperson

I'm sorry OP, I'm sure you're attached to the pup but as others have said you are being very unfair to it at the moment. 9 hours is a long time to leave an elderly dog who'll sleep all day, never mind a puppy who needs stimulation and interaction - not to mention training!
I'm a little baffled that you say you did a lot of research but it doesn't seem you looked into whether you could afford dog sitters/walkers or arrange someone to volunteer to take him out. If you can't sort something out for this then I'm sorry but you need to think about the dog's needs and welfare and find him a new home where he can get the time and attention he deserves.

I don't want to sound harsh but it's easy to get tempted by a cute and fluffy little furball but in reality they are a lot of hard work and responsibility and you need to ensure you can meet their needs before taking that on.
I hope it works out for you (and pup) either way.

BigBlackcat

lipsthefish wrote: »

What you are doing is more than cruel, it is willful neglect. I don`t know what research you did that would suggest that leaving a puppy for 9 hours would be ok. A puppy needs vital socialisation from 12 to 16 weeks and he is not going to get it by staying home with the cat. A puppy has needs similar to a new born baby, would you leave a baby home alone? I am so angry to read your post and also upset, if I knew where you lived I wouldn't think twice about reporting you and I don`t care how much anyone says there there it will be ok, if you had any heart or brain you would find the puppy a home with someone who can look after him.

!!!!!!. Get a grip.

lipsthefish

BigBlackcat wrote: »

!!!!!!. Get a grip.

What's to get a grip about, it is true. A puppy needs to go out to toilet around every hour at the longest, it is never going to be house trained, how will the OP feel about an adult dog messing all over the house? The puppy is relying on it's owner, the same as a baby relies on it's care giver, you can't just shut them in with a cat all day. A baby has the advantage of being able to cry when it is upset, the poor puppy is not going to know what to do.:mad:

BigBlackcat

lipsthefish wrote: »

What's to get a grip about, it is true. A puppy needs to go out to toilet around every hour at the longest, it is never going to be house trained, how will the OP feel about an adult dog messing all over the house? The puppy is relying on it's owner, the same as a baby relies on it's care giver, you can't just shut them in with a cat all day. A baby has the advantage of being able to cry when it is upset, the poor puppy is not going to know what to do.:mad:

There are plenty of people that have puppies AND actually have to go to work. Yes, that unusual concept of having to go to work.. You make it work. I have. My dog is 100% happy and housetrained. Please don't project human emotions onto dogs, it makes your argument look really weak...