Seems I am the rare one that leaves mine home for 8 hours / 4 days per week, while I work. Mind you, she has her own bedroom, food, water, blankets, toys, pee pads, a crate if she chooses to go in and out of and a radio playing until we return. She is safe and I have peace of mind...
We began using the xpen, as I ( personally ) would never crate her for 8 hours a day. Then she figured out how to jump over it. We looked into covers for the pen, but finally decided to use a baby gate and just give her free reign in the small room. She quickly learned how to jump over and crawl under ( as we raised it a bit to see if it resolved the issue ) the gate. We've now moved on to leaving the door open and using 2 gates, one on top ot the other, and so far, so good.
And although I'm sure Chloe would prefer I quit my job, that isn't an option yet. We take her with us most times, she has full access to us and the house the other 136 hours of the week, so it's fine. And for those of us that doggie daycare or multiple dogs are not an option, they do adjust. You are home more than most and I think it's something you can work around. Do your research, make an educated decision and then get your puppy and enjoy! |