Puppy left at home all day :(

LouisMarmaduke

Hi Everyone,
Im rather upset and desperatly need some advice! Please

Basically I work Monday - Friday and I work 13.15 - 21.15. I leave the house around 12.15 and get back about 21.45. I recently bought a chihuahua puppy, He is about 12 weeks old now. I put a lot of time and effort into researching before I got him about leaving him whilst I was at work etc etc. I have a cat also who is nearly a year old. They get on quite well together and havent fought etc , I have had puppy from Friday last week so its a week tommorow. I went back to work on Wednesday cause I wanted to give him a good start and keep him company for the first few days. He has lots of toys and is trained on his puppy pads and the cat is also a house cat so they both sort of have each other.

I live alone so basically when I go out there on their own all day, My cat is used to this and adjusts himself and hes fine. I love my little puppy to bits and even the thought of going out makes me really upset and I hate to leave him but obviously I have to go to work. I feel really selfish on him by leaving him when hes such a little baby. Before I got him I read various advice etc and they all said as long as hes got plenty of toys he will sleep most of the time. I know its only been 2 days and it probably will take some time for him to get used to the routine but Ive had no complaints or anything thats hes barking or anything but when I come in he is so happy but I cant help but feel bad for keeping him alone all day . I cant bear the thought of not having him , I wouldnt have got him if I was just to give him up. My neighbours are mostly elderly or work themselves therefore I cant ask them to look in on him . and I dont really have any family that could drop by. Also dog sitters/walkers would probably cost too much for me to do this all of the time.


Has anyone else done this ? and will he adjust to it ok ? or am I being really cruel ?

I just feel awful and have been really worried at work for the past couple of days.

I try to leave the TV on etc for him when Im out to give him some noise. Any advice would be soooo appreciated.

Sorry for the long post but just want some reassurance that Im being ok but I can handle the truth if you think im being horrible.

Thanks

gettingready

You are leaving a dog (any age) for 9 hours per day alone with nobody taking him outside for toilet?

Sorry but in my personal opinion this is just not right.

You said you have read so much before getting a dog - really?

I understand neighbours will not check on him, after all this is your dog and your responsibility.

I work too and I pay masive chunk of my wages (nearly 20% of my take home pay) for a dog walker - no way I would live my dog alone for so many hours. Despite Zara having 4 cats as company. I honestly can not really afford dog walker's fees it on my current wages but - dog's needs come first or I would not have her otherwise.

Apart from the obvious (toilet) - dog misses out of human interaction/socialisation etc.

You are not thinking about puppy pads for all his life?

With a small dog like that, perhaps one could train it to use a litter box like a cat does but even then....

LouisMarmaduke

I completly understand what you are saying, some of which I even agree with.

I dont live close enough to work or I would love to be able to come home for lunch.

It kills me to think I have to give him up, but maybe I am being really unfair by leaving him.

I dont want to admit it but I just want him to be happy and maybe people in my position shouldnt get a dog. Id rather me be sad and him be happy with a family, he is my dream dog but I just cant think of how to solve my problem.

I know everyone thinks what an irresponsible person but I did lots of research before but I suppose when you actually hav a puppy its completly different to 'ideas and tips' that are recommended online.

gettingready

When I got Zara at 4 months I did live close enough to work and did pop in myself to take her out lunchtime.

Then I moved and changed the jobs and dog walker was the only option - leaving dog alone for 9 hours per day was never an option, it should not be, sorry.

Dollardog

You are not going to like this, but to be honest, I think it is far to long to leave him, especially as a pup too.
When I have a long day at work, one of my neighbours has my dog.
You say you have some elderly neighbours, have you tried asking if any of them would have him for a few hours?
Sometimes there are people who for various reasons can't have a dog, like my neighbour, but are ok to have one for a few hours or so.
Lots of elderly people would love the company of a dog but won't have one as they worry about out-living it. I'm sure if you asked around you would find someone, or even a few that could share the dog sitting duties.
My neighbour is not elderly but often works from home, or even takes him to work with her as she works for herself.

You are not being fair to it and before long it will get bored and start getting destructive. It needs someone there to socialise with and train it.

Dollardog

I am very lucky with my neighbour I know, I don't have to pay her to have him, even when he ends up staying there for a few days. I just take his food with him. Ha ha, she is so fond of him, I think she would pay to 'borrow him.'

gettingready

I think it is easier with smaller dogs, my 40kg of fur is another story

McKneff

To be honest, I think its cruel to leave a dog alone all day, they need interation, they are not like cats, cats sleep most of the time, they really dont care whether you are there or not, as long as you feed them and they have somewhere to widdle.

To be honest also, I think you are doing your neighbours an injustice, speak to them, elderley or not, they will probably be pleased to help you, honestly, they will not mind helping you out, making your puppy feel better, go on, if you love your doggy, go and ask your neighbour if they can just pop in and see him for a little while each day, it will probably give them somethign to do.
Im a wrinkly, I would be only too pleased to help a neighbour out like yourself.

Dollardog

gettingready wrote: »

I think it is easier with smaller dogs, my 40kg of fur is another story

Yes, I think it would be easier for the Op with their small dog.
Particularly if asking elderly people as they would be able to cope better with a smaller dog.


I have a big dog too.

gettingready

McKneff - pity you are not in East London.. sigh.....

foreign_correspondent

lots of older people may enjoy looking after a dog for a few hours... but a pup is a different matter - they are hard work, need watching all the time, piddle as soon as you turn your back, and are more than happy to chew things they shouldnt.

I'd happily look after an adult dog if I was home - wouldnt be so keen to look after someone's pup.