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Old 08-12-2014, 09:31 PM   #1
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Default Advice needed and hello from London

Hi my name is Kirsty and I live in London, England and I am looking for some advice. This website seems to be the best place to get it!

I've been wanting a puppy for about 18 months now. The only problem is that we both work full time. You have probably been asked this a million and one times but here is my situation and what I would do to make my yorkie (who I would name Bert) as happy as possible.

I'd get him just before Christmas as between my husband and I, one of us will be there all day every day for a month to do the relevant training. I intend on probably pad or litter tray training him so he always has somewhere to go when we are out then this covers us for the odd time my trains are cancelled.

During this month I will get him into my work routine and do the tricks like rattle my keys at random times so he doesn't associate them with leaving all the time. I will also come and go building up the time gone and act like nothing happened so he knows I am always coming back.

He will also be walked first thing every morning and when my husband returns home then play time in the evening.

After the month our next door neighbour will be able to pop in to keep an eye whilst he is still a pup but I don't want this to be a long term solution as their circumstances might change or we might move.

We are always home evening and weekends so he will be a massive part of our family whilst we aren't working.

Any advice or opinion is greatly appreciated. Please don't be rude as I am thinking about this so much and if I feel it won't work then I won't do it as I don't want an unhappy girlie
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Old 08-13-2014, 06:28 AM   #2
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Hi Kirsty - and welcome to YT ! So glad you found us and joined.

I think you sound like the absolute perfect home for any fur kiddo - as it's very clear you care so much about providing a home where their needs are met and they're properly cared for and nurtured. You will be a wonderful fur-Mum and I'm sure your Bert will thrive with you and your husband. I think your plan for his first couple months sounds just perfect.

Best of luck and please do keep us posted on your upcoming new addition to the fam!
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Old 08-13-2014, 07:21 AM   #3
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Hi Kirsty....and welcome from 'just-down-the-road'!!!!

It all sounds like a great plan to me - the only thing I can think of is your little Bert won't be able to go out for walkies until 10/14 days after his last shots (but you probably know that, anyway!).

Good luck to you, look forward to getting to know you, and Happy Bert-Hunting!!!
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Old 08-13-2014, 07:37 AM   #4
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Bert... LOL That's such a cute name. Welcome to YT! It's great you're doing all the research and have planned things out already.

How long is your work hour? (8 hrs is the 'standard' full time in US) If you can afford it, you can hire a dog walker to pop in every day or every other day for a walk. Leaving the tv/radio on so it "feels" like there's someone home is one of the things I do.

Bert will most likely sleep while you're gone. You can set up a camera to check on him while you're at work. If window is accessible, put stairs for Bert to climb up and look out the window.

I'm sure others will provide tons of good advice/suggestions. Please post pictures when you get Bert!!!!
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Old 08-13-2014, 08:37 AM   #5
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Thanks for the replies! I'm going to name him Bert after my granddad :-)

I don't get home until 7 but my husband will be in at about half 4 when he will be let out in the garden then he will walk to the station to meet me. Then lots of play and cuddles after dinner.

Unfortunately can't afford a dog walker at 10 quid an hour its just not realistic for me unfortunately.

I can't wait its just a shame Christmas is so far away!
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Old 08-14-2014, 05:15 AM   #6
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Quote:
Originally Posted by KirstyUK View Post
Thanks for the replies! I'm going to name him Bert after my granddad :-)

I don't get home until 7 but my husband will be in at about half 4 when he will be let out in the garden then he will walk to the station to meet me. Then lots of play and cuddles after dinner.

Unfortunately can't afford a dog walker at 10 quid an hour its just not realistic for me unfortunately.

I can't wait its just a shame Christmas is so far away!
The waiting is the worst part!!!
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Old 08-14-2014, 05:08 PM   #7
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Yep, the waiting is the hardest part!
Sounds to me like you having things well planned out, and Bert will be one spoiled Yorkie

Do you have an XPen to keep him confined to a safe area?

Love that your hubby and Bert will meet you at the train when you get home.
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Old 09-12-2014, 02:12 AM   #8
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No but I have read that the xpens are good. I would get some lino for underneath to protect my wooden floors as we rent.
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Old 09-12-2014, 03:12 AM   #9
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Hi Kirsty,


Welcome


Your plan sounds great. I did the same thing as you last year (got my puppy on December 28th). He was housebroken in about 2 weeks and we acclimated him to his crate and our schedule...or so we thought.


What we didn't realize was he was suffering from separation anxiety which became really apparent at about 7-9 months of age. He also developed other anxieties like going outside, etc and the symptoms of these intensified as time went on.


My point is, even with the best intentions and forward planning etc., you may end up with a dog who can't stand being left alone even for ten minutes despite all of the conditioning you do prior to returning to work to ensure a smooth transition from the puppys mother to your home.


Things may work out but, in the event they don't, just ask yourself if you're prepared for the frustration, extra cost and alternate considerations which may have to be made in the event things just don't work out.


Many times, my new puppy tested my work ethic, my temper and even my marriage.


I recently stopped working (not due to Teddy) which has resulted in Teddy improving in a lot of areas. Are you able to do this? If not, are you able to cope with the aforementioned issues?


I didn't think I'd be one of those dog moms with the problems I have, but I was and I am and I think I couldn't have continued with Teddy and us both working and pretending it was fair to us or him.


It's just something to think about with real consideration.


Whatever you decide - good luck and feel free to ask me or anyone else anything
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Old 09-12-2014, 03:36 AM   #10
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Thank you for the honest advice. I guess some dogs are programmed that way and it is pot luck.

It's put me off a bit. Such a tough decision. I want more than anything a fur baby but I could never give up work as I'd never afford the rent!
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Old 09-12-2014, 03:48 AM   #11
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Hey,


No problem at all.


I wish someone would have talked to me about it before I went ahead with things.


But, I actually had two Yorkies before this one and waited almost ten years in between getting another one and dedicated another full year to researching training, issues, breed suitability due to working etc and I still ended up with a dog who needs a lot more than just a few weeks training and conditioning who is nothing like my previous experience with this breed or other dogs.


I have, so far, spent £175 on ineffective training by a "dog behaviourist/psychologist" who took my money, ruined my self confidence, confused my dog and left me with the issues he said he could help with....


I will have to find another trainer but, until then, I'm still at a loss as to what to do with a few things. However, as I said before, being home with Teddy has seemed to help a lot of things a little bit. However, he still cries for members of the family even when I'm sat here with him! He paces, makes odd noises, is always high strung and restless, won't relax (EVER) and can't be left for even ten minutes in the afternoon without trying to dig through walls or pee up them....


It's very stressful and the only reason I can mentally cope with trying to help him is because I can dedicate full time to him now due to not working. My husband was not okay with having our house ruined by digging and peeing on our carpets and front door, the expenses which included me paying a trainer who didn't help after shelling out over £3k for the dog, toys, pads, crates, classes, vets bills, etc. Plus, I had to worry about him barking when I was away even though I live in a detached house - these little guys voices can carry far!


You may get a dog who adjusts really well and have no problems. It's just realizing that you may not get one who adjusts really well, or at all, and being able to deal with that in the way which is right for you and your dog.




Thanks for considering what I've said - it shows that you are very responsible and I admire that!
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Old 09-12-2014, 04:47 AM   #12
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Did you crate train your yorkie as I've read that helps a lot? I could also pay for a trainer if needed
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Old 09-12-2014, 05:39 AM   #13
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Hi Kirsty,


Yes, Teddy was crate trained from day one. He loves his crate and even seeks it when I'm home with him. He sleeps in it, takes his food and toys to it and "nests" which is really cute.


The problem arises when he's in the crate and I'm away. And, a few professionals opinions are that dogs who suffer from separation anxiety should not be crated as the confinement can result in further distress and harm to the dog trying to escape. (Sorry, I can't cite references but if you do a search on the internet, you'll come up with something).


This was the case with my dog but I would not have known this had I not installed CCTV to watch him from work which was only done after I had come home (after 3 hours!!) to find him sweating down his muzzle and crying like a lunatic. I suspected something was strange and things just kept going downhill.


Due to his anxiety in the crate when we were away, we let him roam the hallway and stairway when we were away thinking he would be better off with more space. However, he frantically paced up and down the stairs and at the front door and peed on the front door and rug even though he also peed in his litterbox as he was trained to do since he was 14 weeks old. He only did this when we were away which is a classic symptom of separation anxiety.


I also read that 30% of dogs suffer from separation anxiety and the theories regarding the reasoning behind this vary. However, no matter how true theories are, the real issue is the psychological pain my dog has to endure and ME and working full time added guilt to that as well as a sense of hopelessness I honestly never felt before.


I really don't want to make this about my dog, so please know that I have just offered my take on things because, like you, I was very excited about getting a puppy etc and never for a minute thought that my dog would be one of the 30%! I even knew the percentages beforehand! As I said before, things may be okay with you! People work full time and have dogs all the time and things work out.


It's just, sometimes, we never hear about the other stuff and sometimes people are embarrassed to admit how hard something like the above can be so things get left unsaid and puppies are brought home and given away as adults and it's very emotional and trying.


All the research, planning and good intentions do not guarantee that a dog will adjust and adapt. As I said, I knew beforehand of the possibility and read books to refresh my knowledge and I still have a very anxious dog. I love him, though. I have to be honest about that, too!
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Old 09-12-2014, 05:53 AM   #14
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Thank you do much for sharing your experience it has helped a great deal. I wish you and your yorkie the best x
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Old 09-12-2014, 05:55 AM   #15
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Thank you do much for sharing your experience it has helped a great deal. I wish you and your yorkie the best x


Awww, thanks! Good luck with whatever you decide to do - we'll be here for you x
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