Lonely Puppies

[kspice501]

So only people that don't work should get a yorkie? I think the puppy will be fine with the previous suggestions. Get a kitten for free and they can be buddies. My Lucy loves our outside cat and they play together on potty breaks! I'm a teacher so we got Lucy this summer when we're home to train her, but we go back to school in a month and she'll be home alone.

[cesar49]

Originally Posted by kspice501

So only people that don't work should get a yorkie? I think the puppy will be fine with the previous suggestions. Get a kitten for free and they can be buddies. My Lucy loves our outside cat and they play together on potty breaks! I'm a teacher so we got Lucy this summer when we're home to train her, but we go back to school in a month and she'll be home alone.

cats are felines and dogs are canines
different animals.. dogs need dogs not cats
get another dog or your pet will be in LIMBO
but its not a perfect world and these are only suggestions

[schmoosmummy]

Originally Posted by kspice501

So only people that don't work should get a yorkie? I think the puppy will be fine with the previous suggestions. Get a kitten for free and they can be buddies. My Lucy loves our outside cat and they play together on potty breaks! I'm a teacher so we got Lucy this summer when we're home to train her, but we go back to school in a month and she'll be home alone.

What l am saying is that the pup should be looked after during the day. Of course people can work. Possibly giving the pup a playmate will help as they are pack animals not solitary ones. I wouldn't even leave a kitten on its own at first if l was out all day. I would definatley have 2 kittensm,so they are company for each other.
Anyway are'nt young pups and kittens supposed to be on 3 or 4 meals a day. Its not fair to make them wait for so long.
I still think a neighbor popping in or dog sitting is the best thing. Again its whats in the best interest of the pup that matters. Before buying or rescuing an animal, you should think about them first. What is their quality of life when you are not there.There could always be another family that could love it as much as you but not leave it for long hours.

I am sure that all dogs will get used to their own company in the end but that doesn't mean they are happy dogs when you are not with them.

So many dogs end up in rescue centres as they are destructive or badly behaved.

[House]

My little girl does fine while I am at work. The drive is too far to go home so she is alone for about 8 hours, 5 days a week. I currently keep her in the master bathroom using a baby gate. I leave the tv on in my room (animal planet) and I put all her toys in her room, along with her crate to sleep in and a bowl of water.

I feed her twice a day (morning and night) and I will leave a puppy kong stuffed with food and a couple treats for her to eat during the day. When she was younger, I would do that as well as leaving a small amount of food in her bowl because I worried about her going hungry.

I've been doing that for 3 months now and she's fine. I can usually tell which toys she has played with because they are moved around. I am sure she would prefer it I stayed home all day, hey I would too. I would LOVE to not have to work. Unfortunately, that's not a possibility yet.

And leaving your dog alone for 8 hours a day does not automatically mean she will start exhibiting bad or destructive behavior. That has to do with training.

[vberkeley]

I have had my little guy for 17 months now and I work crazy hours. He's just fine at home. I think one of the keys is to get him as much exercise and attention as you can when you're with him. When he was a baby, I was able to get home to him at lunch and take him for a walk. Although my guilt really eased when I stayed at home with him for a few days and realized that he slept all day! Now, I run with him in the mornings or put him on my treadmill and play with him for at least a half hour every night. Trust me, it gets easier!

[CharBar]

Originally Posted by schmoosmummy

First question - What is a belly band?

Also l am trying not to be rude here, but isn 't it a bit selfish to get a pup and then leave it alone for 8 hours a day? I think that all those who are thinking of getting either a pup or adult dog should think what is in the best interest of the animal before themselves. Also why put your self through all this guilt?

If l was working those hours, there is no way that l would leave a pup on its own. The poor baby is going to be traumatised within a few minutes of you leaving. Have you not got a a friend or neighbor that you trust who could have the pup during the day? Or what about a puppy day care?

Again l am not trying to be rude but just leaving toys and a tv on is ni comparison to having you with him.

I agree with you that a TV or radio is no substitute for having me there to care for my puppy during the day, but honestly- some people just have to work during the day to make a living and that's that! I got my puppy because I knew that I would love him and could afford to care for him and would do everything in my power to provide him with all the love and affection he needs- regardless of my work schedule. Its a crappy situation for a puppy to have to fend for himself, but I'm just trying to work with it and make the best of it. Luckily, my husband works close enough to our home to walk Wall-E on his lunch break three times a week so that helps. For all the working folk out there- I'm sure you understand that its tough, but it doesn't make us bad dog owners for working. I've known some people who ARE home during the day and pay zero attention to their pets. Ultimately, as long as my yorkie knows he's loved (which I am working on ) then he'll be ok! Does that make sense?

[cesar49]

Originally Posted by CharBar

I agree with you that a TV or radio is no substitute for having me there to care for my puppy during the day, but honestly- some people just have to work during the day to make a living and that's that! I got my puppy because I knew that I would love him and could afford to care for him and would do everything in my power to provide him with all the love and affection he needs- regardless of my work schedule. Its a crappy situation for a puppy to have to fend for himself, but I'm just trying to work with it and make the best of it. Luckily, my husband works close enough to our home to walk Wall-E on his lunch break three times a week so that helps. For all the working folk out there- I'm sure you understand that its tough, but it doesn't make us bad dog owners for working. I've known some people who ARE home during the day and pay zero attention to their pets. Ultimately, as long as my yorkie knows he's loved (which I am working on ) then he'll be ok! Does that make sense?

that is why it is better to have 2 puppies... especially if you work..
not a perfect world .. but it is just better for everyone

[Julie1760]

Originally Posted by CharBar

See- I would LOVE LOVE LOVE to get another puppy so he can have a buddy to play with (the more the merrier, right?) and not be so lonely but there are two very good reason why I can't:

1) my husband says "One's enough! we just got him" and I can't argue with that!
2) I don't think I could afford another one! I wanted to get a yorkie from a reputable breeder and NOT a puppy mill or pet store, so I had to pay alot for my little guy... so for now I think I'll tough it out, give my pup all the love I can give him when I'm home, and pray for the best when I'm not there and also try to fill his pen up with toys!

The radio and hormone diffuser are goods ideas too... i'll try to find find one of those diffusers if I can.

Since you have to work..and getting another is out of the question. I think the radio/tv left on is a great idea. Just for good measure, throw in one of your shirts that has your scent on it for comfort while you're gone. Good Luck, I'm sure things will be just fine.

[CharBar]

Okay, WIsh us luck! Today is Wall-E's official first day at home alone for 8 hours... I hope all goes well. I woke up super early, tried to tire him out- we went on a long walk, we ran up and down a couple flights of stairs, played fetch... gave him lots of kisses, tucked him into bed, and put one of my shirts in his bed. Made sure he had extra food, filled his pen with toys and a kong, turned on the radio, and ran out the door!

I know he'll be fine. Wish us luck though! The first day alone is always hard!

Thanks for the support!

[cesar49]

Originally Posted by CharBar

Okay, WIsh us luck! Today is Wall-E's official first day at home alone for 8 hours... I hope all goes well. I woke up super early, tried to tire him out- we went on a long walk, we ran up and down a couple flights of stairs, played fetch... gave him lots of kisses, tucked him into bed, and put one of my shirts in his bed. Made sure he had extra food, filled his pen with toys and a kong, turned on the radio, and ran out the door!

I know he'll be fine. Wish us luck though! The first day alone is always hard!

Thanks for the support!

that is great. what a wonderful and responsible pet owner you are..
you go girl

[schmoosmummy]

I do hope all goes well and l can see that you are tying your best, the piece of clothing is a really good idea actually.

Again l am trying not to be rude, it's just my opinion. My husband is retired and l work part time. We just recntly lost my GSD Seiger aged 12 Bless him. We now only have the 3 little ones and the oldest Schmoo is having his first birthday on the 28th of this month.

I suppose if we had a major financial crisis and we both had to work full time - we would be in your position too of whether to leave them on their own. I would probably have to think really hard about whats the right thing to do, but at the end of the day, they do need to be fed and that takes money!

Anyway peace to all us animal owners and our beloved pets. Long may we have them as there little lives are short!