Leaving a dog alone

CPS

My wife and I are considering getting a puppy and I have conducted a lot of research. Our last concern is that we are both out of the house at work 4 days a week for approx. 9 hours. We intend to be at home for the first month we get the puppy (over Xmas), and then going forward take it out before we leave for work, as soon as we get back from work, and have a neighbour call in at lunchtime to let it out for a pee and a run in the garden and refill water etc.


Is there a puppy that is best suited to this situation; and is it ok to even leave a puppy for this long (including having some call in over lunch)?


We want to get a small dog, perhaps a Shih Tzu or Lhasa Apso.

I know dogs like human company etc and we will give it plenty of attention when we are home.... I am sure this question has been asked before so any links to the threads would be good....but all views here welcome.

lee111s

No, it's not fair for a dog of any age to be alone for 8 hours a day, regardless of whether someone will pop in for a bit at lunch.

Jox

I just saw Secret Life of Pets at the weekend, I know it's just a cartoon but the dogs were really sad when their owners left every morning. It's the same responsibility as having a small child, you wouldn't leave a 5 year old at home on their own all day.

GwylimT

Our dog is home while we work, our pet sitter visits for a hour each day, it wouldn't be emough where toileting is concerned for a puppy, nevermind company etc.

It might be okay if you have a pet sitter come for two long sessions company wise, but it wouldn't be enough to avoid toileting in the house until puppy is older.

elliejelly

Yes, it's feasible for a full time worker to have a dog - I'm one, as are many others (how else could we afford them?!) - but a puppy is another kettle of fish. I'm sure people manage it, but probably with dog sitters/friends who can stay during the day. They have tiny bladders and need loads of socialisation (and they're exhausting, phew)! Would you consider an adult dog instead? I've adopted a 3 year old greyhound from GRWE, who are very sensible about matching up the right dog with the right person.

Katiehound

With a puppy you reap your rewards therefore at the start if you put in loads of effort , training etc at the end of the day you hope to have a well trained sociable dog .
So, for the first 6 months it is hard work.

Cuddly little puppies only turn into well adapted dogs when they have been loved, socialised and had many hours spent on them. Destructive, unhappy puppies often end up in rescue because their owners did not think through their actions.

No, it is not acceptable to leave a puppy for up to 8 hours a day. Would you go off and leave a baby? if , however you have friends, family , neighbours who are willing to spend a couple of hours a day with them you might get away with it.

My adult dogs are only left for 4 hours unless there is a real emergency.

BusyBargainz

The best thing we did was get a 'dog flap' and trained our puppy to use it when they needed the toilet. We have 2 dogs so they're never technically alone but working full time too.

Person_one

It would be fine for an adult dog (or even better, two) who had been trained/helped to feel settled and calm when left alone. Its not great for a single puppy that will still only be about 12 weeks old when you go back to work and start leaving it.

Would you consider adult rescue dogs? An already bonded pair could be perfect for your situation.

love_lifer

Rescue dogs all the way, there are too many unwanted animals in the world, it's morally the right thing to do IMO.

Unfair/unkind to leave a puppy or any dog alone for so long though. I have a dog walker and got a second dog so they are happy in one another's company. It's a massive commitment having a dog

spadoosh

"Would you leave a baby?!"

Lol, its not a baby, its a dog. Believe me ive got both and there is a huge difference (one cant hold its head up, the other can run circles around me)!

Now for a bit of reality instead of some starry eyed holier than thou views.

We leave our dog 9 hrs a day at least a couple times a week. He is a very happy dog (unless youre the postman) based on tail waggyness. Dogs sleep between 12-18 hrs a day. Our dog spends his time alone in our bed. He does exactly the same when we are at home all day.

Not a good idea leaving a puppy alone for that amount of time, we spent the best part of half a year with flexible shifts to get him used to and trained to be able to deal with being on his own.

Id avoid it with larger or more energetic breeds.

Regards,

The cruel and bad dog owner.

paddy's_mum

CPS wrote: »

we are both out of the house at work 4 days a week for approx. 9 hours.

Is it possible to stagger your work days so that a pup would be without you for the fewest number of days and then ask whoever would be coming at lunchtime either take the pup home with them for a while or to spend a couple of hours with the pup? It can be made to work but takes a lot of reliable and committed back-up.

My daughter managed it with a collie while he was maturing because he came to me for the middle hours of the day while she was out working and for him, it was a spoil-me-rotten home from home.

Generally speaking, though, I agree with others who suggest that adopting an adult dog might be kinder and just as rewarding.

Hats off to you for having the gumption to think about it and seek the advice of others. If only more people did the same, there would be far fewer dogs in desperate trouble or in rescue kennels