New Puppy and Full Time job - Page 2 - YorkieTalk.com Forums

Karrie · 04-02-2010, 10:18 AM

I got bailey at nine weeks and kept her in an expen while I was at work. All worked out fine. You can work and have a dog.

Good luck!!

Roccosmommy · 04-02-2010, 10:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Yorkiedaze

If you had done your homework and researched adopting a puppy that young you would have found out the puppy should be at least 12 weeks old. Next, did you have a well thought out plan as to how you were going to take care of this puppy's meal times, which should be several times a day, (and not left with dry stuff it could choke on) or how you were going to house train? Dogs are also social animals and don't do well when left alone, especially a young puppy. This alone will cause some unwanted behavior problems. That breeder sure didn't have the puppy's best interest in mind by selling it so young and knowing it would be left alone all day. How heartless of her! BYB!
My suggestion to those who want a puppy but work full time is simply don't! Not unless you have someone at home all the time to help take care of it. A better plan would be to adopt an older more settled Yorkie that is already house trained and is ok being left for a little while, and even then come home for lunch to walk and take care of the dog, or have someone come and do that for you.

Yorkidaze - Please don't take this the wrong way...I'm sure you are very experienced and have wonderful dogs, but I don't think it's a fair statement to say that just because someone works full time they should not be able to experience raising a puppy. Indeed, adopting an older "more settled" Yorkie could work, but that could also be a disaster, not knowing what behavior issues you'd be inheriting and if you'd be able to manage such issues. And your comment "did you have a well thought out plan as to how you were going to take care of this puppy's meal times, which should be several times a day, (and not left with dry stuff it could choke on) " sounded a bit sarcastic. The poster did say she would be coming home at lunch time. My vet told me feeding 3x per day is absolutley fine - I do this and my baby is extremely happy and healthy. Give the poster a break.

Yorkiedaze · 04-02-2010, 10:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Roccosmommy

Yorkidaze - Please don't take this the wrong way...I'm sure you are very experienced and have wonderful dogs, but I don't think it's a fair statement to say that just because someone works full time they should not be able to experience raising a puppy. Indeed, adopting an older "more settled" Yorkie could work, but that could also be a disaster, not knowing what behavior issues you'd be inheriting and if you'd be able to manage such issues. And your comment "did you have a well thought out plan as to how you were going to take care of this puppy's meal times, which should be several times a day, (and not left with dry stuff it could choke on) " sounded a bit sarcastic. The poster did say she would be coming home at lunch time. My vet told me feeding 3x per day is absolutley fine - I do this and my baby is extremely happy and healthy. Give the poster a break.

We all have our own opinions regardless if they come out a bit gritty don't we. I expressed mine, and will stick with it. I'd say the same things, maybe even rougher to my kids, sister, mom or any family member, but doesn't mean I don't love/like them.

BanditSocks2 · 04-02-2010, 10:49 AM

Is there any way the breeder can keep the dog until 12 weeks? It will be better for both you and the dog if you could.

When we got Bandit (11 weeks) we got him on a 3-day weekend so we spend the first 3 days of his life with him. My husband worked across the street from our apt so he came home at lunch to feed walk and play with Bandit and came home by 4:15. It is def possible to work and have a puppy, and it's great that you'd be able to come home at lunch to take care of him!! To help you can put a shirt you slept in inside his crate so he smells you. Is your breeder close by? Maybe she could let you mail a shirt or blanket that smells like you so the pup is familiar with your scent when he comes home. Good luck

Reese1 · 04-02-2010, 10:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kkubas

She is 8 weeks... I know.. she is so young. I was worried about taking her too early because I read that they should be 12 weeks when you take them home but the breeder said it would be fine. I attached a picture, hope it shows up :-)

Honestly I would go back to the breeder and tell her/him that you want to wait until 12 weeks after all the reading & research to give the puppy more time with Mom and littermates. A reputable breeder who cares about their puppies shouldn't have a problem with that and should want for the puppies to have the best start and learn important behavior steps before moving on.
If you read posts on YT from quite a few who got their babies at this age, there tends to be a recurring theme of similar problems they experience that a lot of people don't that waited until 12 weeks.
There is of course never a guarantee, but if it were me I would want to have the optimal situation starting out with a puppy!

DvlshAngel985 · 04-02-2010, 11:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BanditSocks2

Is there any way the breeder can keep the dog until 12 weeks? It will be better for both you and the dog if you could.

When we got Bandit (11 weeks) we got him on a 3-day weekend so we spend the first 3 days of his life with him. My husband worked across the street from our apt so he came home at lunch to feed walk and play with Bandit and came home by 4:15. It is def possible to work and have a puppy, and it's great that you'd be able to come home at lunch to take care of him!! To help you can put a shirt you slept in inside his crate so he smells you. Is your breeder close by? Maybe she could let you mail a shirt or blanket that smells like you so the pup is familiar with your scent when he comes home. Good luck

Quote:

Originally Posted by Reese1

Honestly I would go back to the breeder and tell her/him that you want to wait until 12 weeks after all the reading & research to give the puppy more time with Mom and littermates. A reputable breeder who cares about their puppies shouldn't have a problem with that and should want for the puppies to have the best start and learn important behavior steps before moving on.
If you read posts on YT from quite a few who got their babies at this age, there tends to be a recurring theme of similar problems they experience that a lot of people don't that waited until 12 weeks.
There is of course never a guarantee, but if it were me I would want to have the optimal situation starting out with a puppy!

Welcome to YT and congrats on the new furbaby! It really would be for the best talk to the breeder. It wouldn't hurt to ask right?

T LYNN · 04-02-2010, 12:19 PM

Hi and welcome! I got my first yorkie at 8 weeks and the second when she was 12 weeks. They did great. And I work a full time job. (Not all of us have the option to not work. And just because we have to work does not mean we can not have yorkies or even raise a yorkie pup. Mine are very LOVED.) You just have to spend time with them when you are home. Coming home at lunch is great. Just be sure to leave water, toys, bed, and food out for the puppy.

Congrads on your new baby!

xxmxaxrxyxx · 04-02-2010, 04:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Roccosmommy

Not sure that this is really good advice for someone who is asking for help on a puppy that is already scheduled to come home.

although the puppy is scheduled to come home...it can be change since he/she is not home yet. i would suggest going back to the breeder asking if she can keep the puppy until at least 12 weeks old. i don't see why she couldn't do that. it would make the transition from previous home to new home especially since the OP works full time. Between 8-12 the puppy will gain so much from being with mom and littermate.

StacyDufner · 04-02-2010, 05:15 PM

Welcome to YT and congrats on your new baby. You will find a lot of helpful info and very experienced people here on YT

ArmaniMan · 04-02-2010, 06:03 PM

As others said, the best thing to do would be to ask the breeder to keep the puppy a little longer.

If you must bring this puppy home at 8 weeks however, the most important thing to do is have the puppy checked in on as often as possible, these little guys can go downhill fast... Can you take shorter breaks and go home for even 10 minutes every 2-3 hours? Can someone else stop in and just make sure the puppy is doing okay, eating, drinking, etc. Once the puppy is a little older it wont be necessary to check in as often, so just finding someone to help out for a short time would be good.

The best setup at this age is an xpen or very small room with puppy pads, food, water, and a bed or crate for them to sleep in.

Good Luck.

BellaMoon · 04-13-2010, 08:03 PM

I think its unfair how people aren't very nice about people doing their "homework" about bringing the dogs home too early. I got Bella at 8 weeks as well and i didn't know that it was important to wait 12 weeks. She has had her bumps and ups and downs but it doesn't make anyone a bad person. I am soo sick of people jumping down people's throats and acting like they are yorkie professionals and have nothing better to do than criticize people. This is a unique breed unlike most dogs which you can bring home at 6 weeks. I know now that you should wait longer, but at the same time Bella is now going on 4 months and amazing!

On a lighter note, congrats! I am so happy for you, people are looking out for your puppy and best interest they don't always say it in the most appropriate way. I will say, at first, I was only working 2 days a week which left a lot of time for me to be with Bella. I will agree with the others about the XPEN, thats the best way to get them to be happy while you are away with a bed, toys, water, a little food, etc. I think for Bella this worked so well because she sleeps in it as well so she sees it as a comforting home rather than scary. (it is in our bedroom) Try the xpen, you can get them anywhere just google it!

I also leave the tv on when I leave because now I am full time and can't be home with her. We puppy pad trained her so she doesn't have to be let out during the day. We are not working on training her to go out if she doesn't have her puppy pad I hope it works.

Again, congrats, its a lot of work but worth it. I think you will do great, just try these tips and see how it goes

SophieKatesMom · 04-14-2010, 03:59 AM

Congrats on your new puppy. I also work full time and when Sophie Kate as a baby I would come home everyday at lunch time and take her for a walk and play with her for an hour.

I cannot remember are you crate training her? that is what I did with Sophie Kate and it worked well. Remember to make sure she goes to the bathroom before she goes into the crate and immediately when you take her out.

The part about leaving your dog and feeling guility, it will never stop. Almost 2 years later I still feel guilty and miss her every minute I am at work or away from her.

Good luck and keep up posted on her progress.

Ellie May · 04-14-2010, 04:00 AM

When coming home for lunch, make sure pup eats and make sure pup eats before you leave in the morning. Really any exception to that could put him/her in a bad situation.

If possible, come home on breaks or have somebody else check in.
Yorkies are extremely vulnerable to hypoglycemia at this age.

I got Ellie at just less than eight weeks. Didn't know any better at the time and I don't think her breeder did either. I love her to pieces, but I also have learned a valuable lesson. That is, this is far from the optimal time to take a Yorkie home.

And just because someone works full time does not mean that they shouldn't be able to have a puppy! Wonderful for everyone that has the ability to stay home, but for only stay at home owners to be considered good puppy candidates really isn't fair, imo. As long as the pup is taken care of, it's just fine.

You may want to consider a playmate for your pup after awhile.

NatNatt · 04-14-2010, 04:24 AM

I was in the SAME situation as you. I got my puppy when he was 6 WEEKS!!!! He was just a baby and I worked a full time job and my fiancee is deployed right now. You are always going to feel bad about leaving them but I just got him a play pen with a puppy pad, toys, food & water a nice fluffy thing to sleep on and he will be fine. I got home from lunch EVERYDAY...I wont ever skip a day! But I dediciate my lunch to him making sure he eats play and get his excerise. I make sure to show him LOTS OF LOVE when I am there just to let him know that there is someone that really loves him and that you arent going anywhere!!! PM me if you have any questions..I would be happy to help.

gilu · 04-14-2010, 04:29 AM

If I am gone for more than 3 hours, my pup is in the pen. i put her cage at one end and papers at the other. during the day she likes to be outside of the cage (the cage door is always open) so i also have a cozy blanket outside of the cage too. the whole pen is set up about four feet long by 3 feet wide. I put a heavy plastic table cloth under the whole pen (one with flannel on the underside.) Just make sure there is water and food down. She should do fine especially if you are coming home mid-day for an hour.
Good Luck! and enjoy your new baby!!!

04-02-2010, 10:18 AM	#16
Karrie Donating YT Addict Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Missouri Posts: 903	I got bailey at nine weeks and kept her in an expen while I was at work. All worked out fine. You can work and have a dog. Good luck!! __________________ This is Bailey's world and we just live in it!

04-02-2010, 05:15 PM	#24
StacyDufner ♥ Boomer & Bailey ♥ Donating Member Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Belleville, IL Posts: 815	Welcome to YT and congrats on your new baby. You will find a lot of helpful info and very experienced people here on YT __________________ Stacy, Bailey and Boomer

04-02-2010, 06:03 PM	#25
ArmaniMan I ♥ Armani & Chloe Donating Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Upstate NY Posts: 3,895	As others said, the best thing to do would be to ask the breeder to keep the puppy a little longer. If you must bring this puppy home at 8 weeks however, the most important thing to do is have the puppy checked in on as often as possible, these little guys can go downhill fast... Can you take shorter breaks and go home for even 10 minutes every 2-3 hours? Can someone else stop in and just make sure the puppy is doing okay, eating, drinking, etc. Once the puppy is a little older it wont be necessary to check in as often, so just finding someone to help out for a short time would be good. The best setup at this age is an xpen or very small room with puppy pads, food, water, and a bed or crate for them to sleep in. Good Luck. __________________ Armani & Chloe

04-13-2010, 08:03 PM	#26
BellaMoon Senior Yorkie Talker Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: chicago Posts: 101 Blog Entries: 8	I think its unfair how people aren't very nice about people doing their "homework" about bringing the dogs home too early. I got Bella at 8 weeks as well and i didn't know that it was important to wait 12 weeks. She has had her bumps and ups and downs but it doesn't make anyone a bad person. I am soo sick of people jumping down people's throats and acting like they are yorkie professionals and have nothing better to do than criticize people. This is a unique breed unlike most dogs which you can bring home at 6 weeks. I know now that you should wait longer, but at the same time Bella is now going on 4 months and amazing! On a lighter note, congrats! I am so happy for you, people are looking out for your puppy and best interest they don't always say it in the most appropriate way. I will say, at first, I was only working 2 days a week which left a lot of time for me to be with Bella. I will agree with the others about the XPEN, thats the best way to get them to be happy while you are away with a bed, toys, water, a little food, etc. I think for Bella this worked so well because she sleeps in it as well so she sees it as a comforting home rather than scary. (it is in our bedroom) Try the xpen, you can get them anywhere just google it! I also leave the tv on when I leave because now I am full time and can't be home with her. We puppy pad trained her so she doesn't have to be let out during the day. We are not working on training her to go out if she doesn't have her puppy pad I hope it works. Again, congrats, its a lot of work but worth it. I think you will do great, just try these tips and see how it goes __________________ Bella's Mommy Last edited by BellaMoon; 04-13-2010 at 08:05 PM.

04-14-2010, 03:59 AM	#27
SophieKatesMom Donating YT 500 Club Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Canton, GA Posts: 3,242	Congrats on your new puppy. I also work full time and when Sophie Kate as a baby I would come home everyday at lunch time and take her for a walk and play with her for an hour. I cannot remember are you crate training her? that is what I did with Sophie Kate and it worked well. Remember to make sure she goes to the bathroom before she goes into the crate and immediately when you take her out. The part about leaving your dog and feeling guility, it will never stop. Almost 2 years later I still feel guilty and miss her every minute I am at work or away from her. Good luck and keep up posted on her progress. __________________ Cheryl,Mom to SophieKate

04-02-2010, 10:49 AM	#19
BanditSocks2 YT 1000 Club Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Crofton, MD, USA Posts: 1,522	Is there any way the breeder can keep the dog until 12 weeks? It will be better for both you and the dog if you could. When we got Bandit (11 weeks) we got him on a 3-day weekend so we spend the first 3 days of his life with him. My husband worked across the street from our apt so he came home at lunch to feed walk and play with Bandit and came home by 4:15. It is def possible to work and have a puppy, and it's great that you'd be able to come home at lunch to take care of him!! To help you can put a shirt you slept in inside his crate so he smells you. Is your breeder close by? Maybe she could let you mail a shirt or blanket that smells like you so the pup is familiar with your scent when he comes home. Good luck

04-02-2010, 12:19 PM	#22
T LYNN Yorkie Yakker Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Rhome, TX Posts: 72	Hi and welcome! I got my first yorkie at 8 weeks and the second when she was 12 weeks. They did great. And I work a full time job. (Not all of us have the option to not work. And just because we have to work does not mean we can not have yorkies or even raise a yorkie pup. Mine are very LOVED.) You just have to spend time with them when you are home. Coming home at lunch is great. Just be sure to leave water, toys, bed, and food out for the puppy. Congrads on your new baby!

04-14-2010, 04:00 AM	#28
Ellie May And Rylee Finnegan Donating Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Metro Detroit, MI Posts: 17,928	When coming home for lunch, make sure pup eats and make sure pup eats before you leave in the morning. Really any exception to that could put him/her in a bad situation. If possible, come home on breaks or have somebody else check in. Yorkies are extremely vulnerable to hypoglycemia at this age. I got Ellie at just less than eight weeks. Didn't know any better at the time and I don't think her breeder did either. I love her to pieces, but I also have learned a valuable lesson. That is, this is far from the optimal time to take a Yorkie home. And just because someone works full time does not mean that they shouldn't be able to have a puppy! Wonderful for everyone that has the ability to stay home, but for only stay at home owners to be considered good puppy candidates really isn't fair, imo. As long as the pup is taken care of, it's just fine. You may want to consider a playmate for your pup after awhile. __________________ Crystal, Ellie May (RIP), Rylee Finnegan, and Gracie Boo🐶 Last edited by Ellie May; 04-14-2010 at 04:02 AM.

04-14-2010, 04:24 AM	#29
NatNatt Senior Yorkie Talker Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: FL Posts: 201	I was in the SAME situation as you. I got my puppy when he was 6 WEEKS!!!! He was just a baby and I worked a full time job and my fiancee is deployed right now. You are always going to feel bad about leaving them but I just got him a play pen with a puppy pad, toys, food & water a nice fluffy thing to sleep on and he will be fine. I got home from lunch EVERYDAY...I wont ever skip a day! But I dediciate my lunch to him making sure he eats play and get his excerise. I make sure to show him LOTS OF LOVE when I am there just to let him know that there is someone that really loves him and that you arent going anywhere!!! PM me if you have any questions..I would be happy to help.

04-14-2010, 04:29 AM	#30
gilu Yorkie Yakker Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: charleston, sc Posts: 29	If I am gone for more than 3 hours, my pup is in the pen. i put her cage at one end and papers at the other. during the day she likes to be outside of the cage (the cage door is always open) so i also have a cozy blanket outside of the cage too. the whole pen is set up about four feet long by 3 feet wide. I put a heavy plastic table cloth under the whole pen (one with flannel on the underside.) Just make sure there is water and food down. She should do fine especially if you are coming home mid-day for an hour. Good Luck! and enjoy your new baby!!!