need some nonjudgemental advice...

krlyr

heretolearn wrote: »

Get a secure kennel and run (lockable) for the daytime and have her indoors in the evenings/weekends. It'll cost a bit but sounds like the perfect solution to me...

For OP, maybe. For the dog? I would certainly want to keep mine snug in a house, and provide the necessary training and social interaction throughout the day that a puppy needs. Once the dog is old enough to not be so dependant, it should be old enough to hold its bladder for half a day anyway.
And for the neighbours? Almost definately not. My neighbours have a very similar situation and I can tell you it is not perfect at all! I haven't complained - as a dog owner myself I understand that they are not something we can control 100%, I had issues with my dog barking when home alone due to separation anxiety (but I did do everything in my power to stop it once I knew - included some thorough investigation at the vet which revealed a medical condition, she's 99% fine now she's on medication) so I've put up with it but if I have a day off work it does grind on your ears to listen to a dog barking, whining and howling on and off all day. My stepdad used to sleep across the road at my nan's house after a nightshift, as it was just around the corner from his work, but he's had to give up on that idea completely since the neighbours got the second, yappier dog. Retired neighbours, those off on leave or off sick, and especially those on nightshifts trying to sleep in the day, certainly may not think this is the "perfect" solution!

undaunted

I wouldn't recommend leaving the pup outside or unsupervised with a dog flap - there is a real chance someone will steal the pup from your garden.

A dog walker / sitter seems a better idea to me

MatyMoo

My pup has been left during the day from 5 months. I am up just after 6 and don't leave him until 8.15 so he has plenty of time for walking/playing/snuggling/eating before I go. I am home for 40 minutes at lunch time and we go straight out again just after 5 so he can have play time with his pals on the local field - at the moment they are loving the dark nights and we can spot them with their light up collars.

He also has a dog walker two days a week who takes him for an hours walk with other dogs and my cleaner is happy for him to run around playing while she is here for a couple of house one day a week.

Weekends are all about him and we meet up with friends for lovely walks in the countryside where possible.

He is a well socialised, happy dog, with incredible bladder control - he didn't want to go out in bad weather on Sunday so help on for 20 hours!

I was lucky that my pup was fully house trained before I had to leave him during the day. It can be done, but it is hard work.

kettlenic

Just to update you all - I am able to pop home at lunch to play with the puppy and take her out to play and wee etc, walking up earlier so we have two hours to play etc before work - max time alone is 4 hours. So far no detructive behaviour and the neighbour says he hears minimal barking. other neighbour has offered to help out on the days we cant pop home - puppy is very happy and content x

Fire_Fox

Well done for getting that organised.

BigBlackcat

Fire_Fox wrote: »

Nobody is going to judge you fort having to work, that is real life. But it's really not ok to leave what is basically a baby for that long - sorry but you really should not have got a puppy in these circumstances. No decent rescue or reputable breeder would home a puppy in that situation, that is based on knowledge from animal behaviourists and veterinarians, not simply being mean. I have no doubt there will be love but that is not enough. Babies need attention, social interaction and mental stimulation little and often not simply long sessions of playtime or long walks.

*Some* adult dogs cope well with a long day providing there is a relative/ neighbour/ professional come in for a proper walk at lunchtime. Puppies really need several breaks during the day, could you use a dog creche or daytime boarding kennels? Could you change your work shifts so you start earlier or finish later and can take a longer lunch every day?

It's a dog. Not a baby. A dog.

Fire_Fox

BigBlackcat wrote: »

It's a dog. Not a baby. A dog.

Please don't presume to correct me, I know EXACTLY what I posted.

Person_one

BigBlackcat wrote: »

It's a dog. Not a baby. A dog.

Its a baby dog, also known as a puppy. It can help to think of it in those terms so that people realise the vulnerability of the puppy, and how young and helpless it really is.

Madkat

I had to leave my puppy at about the same age due to a change in circumstances. My dog walker did puppy visits where they came be the house twice a day (even before they could go out) and I popped home at lunch time when I could. I was in pieces but it worked out ok. I now have a second puppy (not my choice but I love her to bits), and she is proving harder to house train although she is rarely left alone as my dad looks after them. In my experience having a puppy is a bit like having a child you adapt.