I feel so guilty

[mainegirl]

I need some advice from you all. Today was the first day I left my baby at home while I went to work. He is in his xpen with his bed, toys, food, water and pee pads. I got up at 6am and spent an hour playing with him and left for work at 7:45. I went home for lunch at 11:30 (got there at 11:50) to check on him and spend some time. He was doing fine and was so happy to see me. I only had about 45 minutes to spend with him and right as he was falling asleep in my lap I had to put him back in his pen and leave. He was crying and barking when I left. I'm sure he settled down after 10 minutes or so but here is my question...

Is it better to just leave him the whole day then to go home and get him upset again by leaving after 45 minutes?? Dogs have no comcept of time so would he be better off if I didn't disturb him?

Gosh I feel so bad. On monday he will be going to Doggie Daycare 3 times a week so that will be good. But the other 2 days I don't know what to do!

What do you all think? (I can't afford 5 days of Daycare..3 is killing me as it is..)

Thanks!

[txshopper73]

I see nothing wrong with coming home at lunch to check on him. I go home everyday during my lunch period to spend time with the dogs. They get use to it and so will your pup.

[Deenie]

If it makes YOU feel better to go and see him, do that. In time, he'll get used to it. Kids are the same way, they do adapt. (((hugs)))

[Hokule'a]

I come home at lunch to let my 3 out of the pen, have a snack, and play. They got used to the routine very quickly and know as soon as I start putting my shoes and coat on that they need to go back in the pen and wait for their treat. It gets easier, hang in there!

[LillieDoodle]

I would not beat yourself up too much about leaving him for a couple of hours. During the week when I am about to leave -- they are ready for their naps. I think they enjoy the break too. Mine are never alone more than four hours. I know they enjoy the break due to on the weekends when I am home all day - they will not take their normal naps because they are worried about what I am doing, so they get so tired and you can see it in their eyes.

You are doing fine.

[mainegirl]

Thanks for the advice everyone! I know I need to get over my seperation anxiety as much as he does. I hope it gets easier...that howling barking breaks my heart

[Ellie May]

I'd do what you are doing.

I have heard that dogs have no concept of time but from persoanl experience, it is not true. When Ellie stays alone for a couple hours she is VERY excited to see me but when she stays alone for 10 or 12 hours (very rarely) she is so overcome with seeing me that she acts like she will burst, so I think they do understand time.

[Akina]

I used to go home during lunch time but now I don't.
I feel that she gets so upset when I leave so I don't want to put her through twice a day of leaving her.
I have a webcam and I check on her and she is sleeping or looking out the window most of the day. (Nice to know what she is doing!!)
But if you get the routine and your baby get used to the fact he is used to seeing you for lunch, that's good as well, isn't it??
You are a good mom!!!!

[my baby Sadie]

i don't go home at lunch b/c it is very inconsistent. I don't get to do it everyday so ithere is no pattern. When i do come home she is very unhappy when i leave again. I get the "How Dare you do this again. We went through this already today!" She will tear up her pee pad and throw her toys around if i do go home and leave. If you are consistant i think you will be fine. She will get used to it. I wish i could afford to put Sadie in Doggie Daycare a couple of times a week. Also she may love her days off inbetween to be lazy and sleep all day i sure love when i get lazy days every once in a while!

You are doing great! Hang in there!You guys will get a routine and do great!

[mainegirl]

Thanks Everyone! I think tomorrow I will try and not go home. I will have to chain myself to my desk but if I work thru lunch I can leave an hour early...I'll see if he does any better.

Daycare is a whole other worry! Leaving my baby with some one else..oh I know how skin mommy's feel when thinking about leaving their kids for the first day of school!!! I feel good about the place though and he will be given special care because he is an itty bitty

[davis]

I go home for lunch almost every day and I feel guilty when I don't. I think it breaks up the day for them even though they have full run of the house along with my cats, they usually sleep in my chair by the bay window and when I pull up they stand up at the window pawing at it until I get out of the car and head for the house. Of course, that's just my opinion but I think they make it better if I come home for lunch.

[4doggiemama]

My boys and girls know when it is time for me to return to work. I just say, "Okay, it is time to go back to your pens." Off they run to their individual x-pens, curling up on their blankets, and looking up at me with great anticipation. I give each a small treat and I am on my way. They have adjusted very well. Hate thinking of the poor dears having to hold their bladder all day when I have the ability to come home and take care of them. This, of course, is JMO.
Joanne

[mainegirl]

I'm really struggling with this. He has everything he needs, pee pads, food, water, toys and his bed so he should be fine. He was barking and whining this morning when I left but I really think he'll just sleep and maybe chew his ziggy while I'm gone. I just hate to upset him twice in one day by leaving again. He does not go quietly in his pen and tries to run out as I'm closing it. Maybe one day he will get to that point, I hope I'm going to stick it out and go home an hour early and will see how he did...hopefully I can make it!

[kirsty88]

He will be fine when he is used to it. I used to leave Bailey and I was exactly the same, but now he accepts me going and he has toys, chews, food and water to keep him busy. He used to whine and cry when I left and I used to be able to hear him walking to my car but now he is in a routine. Your pup will be fine, he will probably need the rest if you are playing with him an hour before work every day! Sounds like you are doing a great job I wouldn't worry!

[autumn star]

I would go home and see him. He will get use to it! When I worked outside of my home I use to go home everyday for lunch to take care of my furbabies (not yorkies at the time......Great Dane and a pug) they looked forward to it. I think it would be worse to not go home and you would probably feel like you were missing out on something. Don't let the crying get to you!
Good luck!