Not only do I not understand how you can bear to crate Tanner for up to 20 hours a day, how can you even plan to leave him 20 hours a day?
I am a teacher and my husband is a supervisor in a manufacturing plant. Right now, I am out for the summer, but during the regular school year (here in Mississippi that runs from August to May) we are gone all day. All day for us is like 9-10 hours. When we first got Emmy, in May 2006, I took her to back to breeder's home each morning. She was kind enough to watch her for us each day for a few weeks. Once school was out, I had more time to spend with her. BUT, I have never stayed with her or Oscar 24/7! I don't want them to have separation anxiety when school starts back each fall. What I do, even during the summer, is work around the house (and leave them in another room)...run errands to the store without them, so on and so forth. They are used to be on their own sometimes and they don't cry! They are in a controlled environment that is safe for them. They are excited to see us when we return and get mine and my hubby full attention when we come back in. But we have never left them alone for more than 12 hours and that was due to an EMERGENCY. They are like small children. They need their parents...I feel like the time I spend away during the day is like their "school" time. But I don't dawdle on my way home during the school year. I leave work on time and come straight home!
We do make sure they get plenty of us time and outside time. Evenings are THEIR time--one on one until bedtime. Don't misunderstand, we spend loads of time with them--we love them--but you do not have to spend every waking moment with them (although I would love to be able to do that--they are such funny little creatures--God made them so lovable).
I know I have gone around the world on this post, but I want you to understand you can have a puppy and a life--but him being on his own for that long is AWFUL and DANGEROUS! My daugher and her bf have two yorkies, were both full time students and worked, and have fun "college" lives. They just finished college and are moving to Atlanta. They are already looking for a new vet, puppy daycare, dog walkers, groomers, etc. They are just starting out on their own, but they understand their committment to their pets. Maybe you should rethink your committments...I am sure you would miss Tanner, but maybe now is not the right time in your life to have a puppy!
