puppies alone

[Guest Anonymous]

hey! ive been thinkin about getting a puppy (from a breeder) later this summer if i could spend like 3 weeks with it would it be allright for it to be alone in the days for like 4-5 hours or so or be in a doggiedaycare or somethin?

[LisaLQ]

I dont have any real experience with pups, but personally I wouldn't leave one alone for that long, although that doesn't mean it cant be done.
Have you thought about an adult dog instead of a pup? There are many in rescues all over who can be left for longer than a pup.
Pups get into everything, into trouble mainly :lol: and they can get poorly quickly if there's no-one about to keep an eye on them.
Saying that, if you're prepared to get doggie daycare, or a neighbour/family member to pop in and check on them, and let them out for a toilet break etc, then anything is possible.
Best of luck,
Lisa
xx

[pei obssessed]

Yes, I actually think it's a good idea to teach your dog to be ok when left on his own. Other people may disagree with me, but... Of course, no dog should be left alone for 10 hours a day, but a few hours only teach your dog that when you're out of the house, he shouldn't start barking and destroying everything in sight! Always walk your dog before you leave him, so that he'll be tired and happy to be left alone to sleep in peace. And I think you should probably start leaving him alone for short periods of time first, and then make them longer--so start leaving him alone for 10-15 minutes after the first week... It's gonna be tough--my pup cried and barked at first and I'd start crying that I had to leave her... But now she has absolutely no complaints, she just sleeps for the whole time we're gone, so that she's ready for going to the park again when we come back :roll:

[Sanvean]

I agree, Pei. Most dogs aren't going to live in households where someone is home 24/7, and it's good for puppies to learn how to be alone sometimes.

I think it would be fine for a puppy to be alone for 4-5 hours, as long as he's crated.

[courtnek]

from experience - puppies can be left alone for three to four hours if properly crated (they dont usually soil their own dens) but then they need to go OUT for proper housebreaking....to properly crate/den train them, they need to go out before their bladders burst...If you are going to be away alot, then this is the proper training for them...If you cant be there in that time, you can confine them to the bathroom or kitchen with newpapers to releive themselves on...but make sure you take the the papers outsode, let them wet and go, and then praise them for learning outside vs. inside rules....

[Kiger]

I work, so yep I leave 'em alone for that long. He's in his x-pen for 4 hours (he keeps chewing woodwork and lost his house priviledges again :evil: ). I let him out at lunch, and then he goes back in again for another 3 until my husband gets home. He doesn't mind it and just sleeps. He's never been a real dependent dog though. He likes to be around you, but if he can't he just deals with it.

[DogPaddle]

Shouldn't be a problem if you get a crate (and acclimate the pup to the crate before you leave him/her in it) and have someone let it out to go during the day (neighbour you trust?) I have heard the general rule for crating is 1 to 1.5 hours in the crate for every month of age not exceeding 10 hours. So a 2 month old puppy aught to be let out to go and have a quick romp every 2 to 3 hours while your at work and by 8 months dog should be ok for 8 to 10 hours. 10 hours seems like an awful lot though doesn't it? I like the sounds of Kiger's xpen better and still I know I'd be nutty at the end of 10 hours without a pee break.

[ellieangel]

I think your pup should be fine but I agree crate training would be a great idea and make your life easier too in the long run :)