So, as a first time dog AND puppy owner AND a very "by the books" type of person, I'm finding that I would really like what a typical schedule would be for a puppy (now 12 weeks). I currently stay home all day so I have no schedule of my own, meaning a lot of my (somewhat anxious) attention is focused on Nellie. I know raising a puppy is more of an art rather than a science, but what would a typical day look like for a puppy that young? Right now I do a variation of:
get up, go out, breakfast, go out, a bit of playtime/outside time, I put her back in her pen while I compose myself and log on my computer for a bit (she typically naps at this time, for about 1-2 hours), go out, playpen play/training, then I crate her for a bit while I do something else, go out, crate while I go to the gym, go out, then some out of the pen time at night before bed at 11.
Is this too much time in her pen/crate? Should I let her out more? Our house is really big so it's really hard to puppy proof, and I'm not in the best of health to be running after her all the time -- plus she gets growly, grumpy, and snappy if I pull her away from things too much. If she's out, should I just put her on a leash and observe her exploring instead of letting her zip around willy nilly?
Thanks!
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Sorry, by "out" in the last paragraph I mean out in the house, not yard. Also, she gets dinner at 5-6pm before the gym.
Your schedule seems good to me and the use of the pen is appropriate, not excessive. With regards to the house, you need an area that is puppy proof, as far as the floor goes, where your pup can have freedom to explore and play with its toys and be with you. Housebreaking is not 100% solid at this age, so the area should be such that cleaning up, if needed, is not a big issue. Most people accomplish this with pet gates. More freedom should be given (under supervision) as housebreaking becomes reliable and the pup has learned some simple commands so that it listens to you, rather than you having to pull it off this and that. At 12 wks you should be doing a lot of short puppy training sessions on a daily basis. Enjoy this puppy stage together.
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