Leaving puppy by himself while at work?
I know the title sounds controversial but i need help!
The last week of January i'll be bringing home an 8 week pembroke puppy. I'm excited but the problem is that i'm at work 3-4 days a week from 10am-6pm.
My father is at work also, so he won't be able to be there. I can't afford anyone to take care of him for 4 days (only 21) and i don't know anyone who is willing to check up on him. We are thinking of leaving him in the kitchen with the crate open and with food, water, and toys. My father had the idea of also giving him access to the living room and block the path to the rooms. I'm also aware of all the dangers that lie inside the apartment like wires and things like that. Just to remind you this apartment is semi-small.
Anyone with any tips or advice would be greatly appreciated.
Thank you.
The last week of January i'll be bringing home an 8 week pembroke puppy. I'm excited but the problem is that i'm at work 3-4 days a week from 10am-6pm.
My father is at work also, so he won't be able to be there. I can't afford anyone to take care of him for 4 days (only 21) and i don't know anyone who is willing to check up on him. We are thinking of leaving him in the kitchen with the crate open and with food, water, and toys. My father had the idea of also giving him access to the living room and block the path to the rooms. I'm also aware of all the dangers that lie inside the apartment like wires and things like that. Just to remind you this apartment is semi-small.
Anyone with any tips or advice would be greatly appreciated.
Thank you.
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Beth on
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We use this sort of pen:
http://www.petstreetmall.com/Dog-Pens-Gold-Series/104/750/
You can attach the ends right to the front of the crate, so the crate becomes one of the walls of the pen, if you get the idea. There is a walk-through gate on ours, and the two ends of the pen are just hooked together using big clips. So instead of clipping the two ends of the pen together, you clip one end to one side of the front of the crate, and the other end to the other side, and secure the door open so pup doesn't get poked.
If you scroll down the page I linked to, you'll see the set-up to which I refer.
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Permalink Reply by Beauty and the Beast on
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You can also put the pen around a corner, that way you have more room insede (when the puppy is older). I don't slip the sides together, just have them securely against the walls.
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Permalink Reply by Wendt Worth Corgi's on
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I use the puppy pads and I agree they will tear them apart and the material inside irritates their intestinal tract. What I do is buy the Bitter Sour Apple spray and drench the mat with that and it does keep them from chewing it. At first I thought it would mask the pheromones that are in the pee pads and prevent them from using it but it doesn't..they still will pee on it but they won't chew it. I also use holders for the pads or I tape them down. Depending on your hours..I wouldn't leave food out, only water. Get them on an eating routine so this will cut down on bowel movements. You don't want them to start to learn to eat because of boredom and cause weight issues down the road. General rule is place food down and when they walk away pick it up. If they don't eat right away...allow 15 mins. for them to eat and then pick it up. Offer different toys on different days to keep their interest and add variety so they don't get bored with the same toys day in and day out which will add to them looking for other avenues of entertainment that you may not like. You can leave a radio or TV on so they have something to listen to as if you were home. Its good for a pup to have their alone time so they don't develop separation anxiety issues. When you leave don't make a big deal about it and when you come home don't make a huge deal out of it either. In my pup room I have laid down linoleum over the hard wood floors and use ex-pens. Works wonderfully except if they do piddle or mess on the floor and not the pad...they may track through it which makes a mess and a mess of your pup. In due time though those days will end and it will become a routine and easy street. Do you have a friend that can help you out during the day or a family member?
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Permalink Reply by Kari & Jackson on
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I myself just got a pup and am in the younger age group also. I have a major, major perk though... well I guess it's more like a double-edged sword... When I'm not traveling for work, I work from home. Luckily the arrival of my pup corresponded with a solid two weeks off from work and I cannot be more thankful that I had the time to get my guy adjusted. And after a few little hiccups and the normal difficulties in acclimating a new guy to a new space, Jackson is doing so great.
You definitely want to go with the advice posted here and keep him in a pen as opposed to crating if you are frequently gone long hours.
Now that I'm back to work my pup usually sits in my room with me and lays in his bed or plays on his own. I will say that he is very mellow and, as most puppies do, sleeps most of the time anyway. If you create a safe environment for you pup when you are away from home I don't think you will have issues with its safety.
Make sure you set up a feeding schedule and sleep schedule that works best for you. I feed Jackson 3 times a day at 7, 1, and 7. If you are not able to make it home on your lunch breaks, be sure schedule his main feedings around that. But I would suggest with a young puppy to feed it three times if possible.
Also, be sure that if the pup is left in the living room that it is safe for him. Use cord management systems or make sure things are tucked behind furniture. My pup generally has run of the house under my close-ish supervision. Now that he's a little older - 10 weeks or so - he knows to potty on his pads and doesn't make mistakes in the house.
My best advice is to try to pick him up at a convenient time for you. You don't want to take the little guy home and then go to work the next day. The change can be pretty overwhelming and difficult at first, so I would try to spend as much time as you can when you first bring him home. This will help him feel more comfortable and cared for.
Good luck and congratulations!!
PS - Maybe I should buy the ugodog! I'm almost out of pee pads already and those were $35 for 50!!
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Permalink Reply by Jessica on
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Have you tried something like this: http://www.dog.com/item/pooch-pad/101509/ I'm a little eco-crazy so when we were training Killian I didn't want to use the desposable ones and a little cheap so the $50 for the ugoDog was too much for me. This worked fine for use and it gets thrown right into the washing machine! A little bleach, a little hot water, you're good to go! :)
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Permalink Reply by Ina & Scootie" on
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It is so sad the little one has to be left alone at such a young age....I will watch him for you for free. Scootie would love to have a friend to play with!!! I live in Pembroke Pines Florida and work from home.
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First, plan so you'll be at home for the first 2-3 days when you bring the puppy. This will be good to let him adjust to the new place and do some crate training. Do it in short sessions, like couple minutes, half an hour etc. ALso crate him at night and you might have to get up real early to take him to pee.
I think you better off leaving him alone in the crate locked, with all hos toys (no food). Otherwise I guearantee you there will be pee and poop all over the kitchen floor. To some it might see like not a big deal, but it's better to teach your dog that peeing inside is not OK. When crated puppies are less likely to pee because they don't want to lay in it.
You have to find a way to come and let him out once because 8 week old puppies cannot hold pee for 8 hours.
If that's not an option, keep him in a small place in the kitchen, with the crate and have some newspapers on the floor where he can go. Not the whole kitchen, just a small part, enough to place crate, newspapers and a little room to turn around.
If you give your puppy access to the whole kitchen and living room he'll pee everywhere and there'll be noone to tell him it's bad.
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Permalink Reply by Emiliano S. on
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Yeah, It would only be 2-3 days actually. I live and help my father pay rent, so he makes the rules. I told about the exercise pen and he thinks that all of that is a waste of money. He thinks that "everyone leaves their puppies/dogs at home they need to work". He believes nothing will go wrong with the dog, that he will be okay with his crate, toys, and food. The peeing and everything else he says won't be an issue because "it's going to happen".
Basically, I talked with him about it and he doesn't agree, EVEN, after i told him that i'm getting advice from experienced Corgi owners. So for 2 days only i think we might need to do the kitchen option and i'll have to make sure everything is safe.
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I don't agree with the statement that "it's going to happen" anyways. If you train well, take your puppy out as frequently as you can and correct when he is peeing inside you can avoid many accidents. Shiro might have had 5-6 total during his puppyhood.
I had to literally watch over him the entire time he's out of the cage. Little guy was like a magitian, stops for a second, no pause, no squat, nothing, moves on and there's a puddle. :)
There are a lot of ways to do things and a lot of books, like Ian Dunbar "After you get your puppy" pdf here:
http://www.dogstardaily.com/training/after-you-get-your-puppy
Try the kitchen and if that works then great; if not you can always post here or read more.
Enroll your puppy in puppy socialization class, you'll learn a lot.
Good luck and post some pictures when you get him!
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Permalink Reply by Hieu and Kimi on
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When I first got Stella, I took 2 weeks off from work which helped considerably. I know this is not an option for some, but if you can, try to get him/her on a weekend where you will have a few days off.
Like others have said, if you or someone can come in at 1/2 the day to let him out, then crating him would probably be ideal. Otherwise confine him in a pen with a crate and put down some pads/newspapers/etc for a potty place.
Stella is home 2-4 days a week alone for close to 8 hrs and she is house training and behaving just fine. Take care of him/her, make time outside of the crate/pen useful and let it be a learning experience for them. As long as they get the proper amount of exercise and attention, it will be fine.
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Thanks, Does someone take Stella out though during those 8 hours or do you use the UgoDog?
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A family member comes by 2-3 days a week to let her out. The other days, we use the washable/reusable puppy pads. House breaking has not been an issue with this method as long as your consistent and keep a close eye out.
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