New Puppy and Full Time job

[penpen7073]

Originally Posted by kkubas

I just bought a beautiful yorkie puppy and I will be picking her up next week.
I live in a condo and I work full time, but I do live close to my job so I go home on my lunch break for about an hour everyday. Other than working I spend all of my time at home.

My question is, what should I do to ease the pain for both the puppy and me when I have to leave her for work? I told the breeder about this before I purchased her incase it would be too much for her too soon. She said it would be totally fine as long as I give her toys and plenty of food and a soft bed. I still feel bad about it though. I know I can only do so much but I would love any other good ideas or tips.

the only thing i can say is 2 get your new yorkie a play mate .. another dog about the same size ....if not she will more then likely she will cry and be down and out .... am looking for one for mine she dose not like to be at the house by her self

[BamaFan121s]

I have to agree with what everyone else has said in regards to the pup being too young to come home, which you have already admitted you are well aware of. ESPECIALLY if he is going to be left unsupervised for long periods of time. All the advice in the world won't change the fact that those are less than desireable circumstances. Precautions and extra efforts will only get you so far, maybe they will work, maybe not. Not really sure what else to say that hasn't been said or suggested already. Best of luck to you!

[alyx]

In the UK it is the norm to home a pup at 8 weeks...sometimes even 6 weeks. And they don't suffer from it at all. They are more than capable of eating and drinking, etc.

Those first weeks are so important for socialisation and they don't get that socialisation with a breeder, especially with all the safe carry bags you can get now so that pups can get out and about before they are fully vaccinated.

I picked my girl up a couple of days before she was 8 weeks and have had no problems. She had her first vaccination at 9 weeks and is due another next week...then she can go walkies a week later at 12 weeks. By then she'll be really used to meeting other dogs (not physically but seeing them from up in her carrier), people of all shapes and sizes, cars, boats, planes, etc. She'll be well socialised and we won't have any problems with yappiness, timidity, etc. She's already a happy, confident little dog who is enjoying seeing the world around her.

As far as I'm concerned, the only real benefit in leaving them with a breeder for longer is that you don't have to put up with their mouthing for so long. I was lucky with my pup as the breeder took the pups out in her yard (safe area) so she'd already got the hang of doing her 'thing' out there. Other than that she was in a crate with her mum, brothers and sisters...not learning much at all.

I had no problems the first night she was here. She got me up to take her in the yard twice but after that night she just slept right through and we've had very few accidents in 'that' department. She's happy, alert, fit, healthy, playful and well socialised in every aspect of our lives. We're even practising walking her on her little harness in the evenings so that she's fine when she is allowed down on the ground in a couple of weeks. She's content in her crate and a joy to own.

I have had older pups from breeders and one of them was totally unsocialised and never learnt how to play with toys. He never got on with other dogs (only our own) and was like a little old man who found it very difficult to show his character. I also find it harder to housetrain them when they're older.

As I say...it's the standard practise over here to rehome at 8 weeks and there's really no reason not to, IMO. As long as the new owner is committed to the pup there's not a problem, and if they're not committed then they shouldn't have a dog of any age.

[Micah my love]

Another one gone the same day she came. to the OP in case you check in again congrats on your baby and make sure she has food & water available at all times she will do fine

[sarahheartmaddy]

I think that the OP probably understands at this point that her BEST option would be to have the puppy stay with the breeder longer.

To the OP, I hope that the breeder was able to help you out and keep the pup a little longer. I understand that this might not have been an option (i.e., the breeder refused), but I hope you decide to stay on YT. As hard as it is to believe at the moment, there are some wonderful KIND members who have advice that can not be found anywhere else! Please make sure your new pup has plenty of food and water -- check the levels of the water, make sure she drinks. I would keep her confined since there is so much trouble she could get into. Something to chew on would be good too.

I hope you come back to YT and learn even more information and share pictures of your beautiful pup!

[Cerise]

Originally Posted by alyx

In the UK it is the norm to home a pup at 8 weeks...sometimes even 6 weeks. And they don't suffer from it at all. They are more than capable of eating and drinking, etc.

Those first weeks are so important for socialisation and they don't get that socialisation with a breeder, especially with all the safe carry bags you can get now so that pups can get out and about before they are fully vaccinated.

I picked my girl up a couple of days before she was 8 weeks and have had no problems. She had her first vaccination at 9 weeks and is due another next week...then she can go walkies a week later at 12 weeks. By then she'll be really used to meeting other dogs (not physically but seeing them from up in her carrier), people of all shapes and sizes, cars, boats, planes, etc. She'll be well socialised and we won't have any problems with yappiness, timidity, etc. She's already a happy, confident little dog who is enjoying seeing the world around her.

As far as I'm concerned, the only real benefit in leaving them with a breeder for longer is that you don't have to put up with their mouthing for so long. I was lucky with my pup as the breeder took the pups out in her yard (safe area) so she'd already got the hang of doing her 'thing' out there. Other than that she was in a crate with her mum, brothers and sisters...not learning much at all.

I had no problems the first night she was here. She got me up to take her in the yard twice but after that night she just slept right through and we've had very few accidents in 'that' department. She's happy, alert, fit, healthy, playful and well socialised in every aspect of our lives. We're even practising walking her on her little harness in the evenings so that she's fine when she is allowed down on the ground in a couple of weeks. She's content in her crate and a joy to own.

I have had older pups from breeders and one of them was totally unsocialised and never learnt how to play with toys. He never got on with other dogs (only our own) and was like a little old man who found it very difficult to show his character. I also find it harder to housetrain them when they're older.

As I say...it's the standard practise over here to rehome at 8 weeks and there's really no reason not to, IMO. As long as the new owner is committed to the pup there's not a problem, and if they're not committed then they shouldn't have a dog of any age.

YES they do suffer from it! Important socialization comes from it's mother, not by carrying a puppy around in a purse before getting it's shots.

[kkubas]

Originally Posted by NatNatt

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.

I am 100% in the same boat. My fiance is deployed as well and he bought her for me so I would have a buddy and something to love on and take care of while he's gone. I do the same thing, I go home on my lunch break EVERYDAY and play with her EVERY SECOND. She was having a problem with the crate training at first but I got rescue remedy and she is 100% different. No barking or crying now at all. She is a very happy puppy!

[sarahheartmaddy]

Originally Posted by kkubas

I am 100% in the same boat. My fiance is deployed as well and he bought her for me so I would have a buddy and something to love on and take care of while he's gone. I do the same thing, I go home on my lunch break EVERYDAY and play with her EVERY SECOND. She was having a problem with the crate training at first but I got rescue remedy and she is 100% different. No barking or crying now at all. She is a very happy puppy!

Glad to see you back on YT. There are many experienced members who can help you.

[kkubas]

Just an Update for everyone-

I did get her at 8 weeks. She is fine. She lived with 6 other dogs and a cat. I was really worried she would be very depressed when I took her home but she was SO HAPPY! So playful and loving and she was attached to me immediately (so cute!) She did have fleas and worms so I took her to the vet the next day and He took care of that stuff. I am crate training her. She sleeps in HER bed on my bed at night, but during the days she is in the crate while i'm at work. I come home on my lunch break and feed, potty and play with her everyday and then she's is back in the crate. I leave a shirt in her crate with her (the one I sleep in the night before) as well as some toys and food and water. She was having separation anxiety... BAD. I couldn't even take a shower without her trying to jump in the tub with me and crying and shaking. I was so worried I called the vet and they told me to get her rescue remedy. I gave it to her this morning and when I showered, no barking. When I put her in the crate this morning, no barking or crying. She is 100% different. Its great! She loves her new home and she is very happy.

Yes, maybe she was too young to come home, but honestly I would rather have her with me than have fleas and worms at her breeders house. (All the dogs had them) She is spoiled rotten and does great on the potty pads!

I appreciate all the support and advise, you guys are VERY helpful! I have received many encouraging messages and sincerely appreciate it. I now realize that some people on here can be a little overboard and completely RUDE but it doesn't get to me. Just because I brought her home early and work full time doesn't mean I'm a bad mom or that I don't love her and want the best for her. I work so I can provide a nice home and things for my pets and myself and I'm sorry if that offends you.

[RachelandSadie]

i got Sadie at 7 1/2 weeks old. i will advise that having an older pup will cut back on a lot of behavior issues such as mouthing, dear Sadie bless her heart is still not very good about that. she plays with her mouth and teeth all the time and barely listens to the "no bite" commands. her mother would have taught her not to if she'd been with her mom and litter mates longer.

having said that, she's not had any major health issues except for LP which isn't really an age factor but a breed thing.

i worked full time as did my husband. we worked on seperate shifts so he was home usually when i was working and she was only really here alone for about 4 hours most days, but when we worked the same shifts she'd be here about 8 hours.

we did the ex-pen thing with pads while we were gone and focused all of our time and energy on potty training when we we with her. we have never free fed our dog, she got three meals a day even if the third meal had to be later because no one could get home for lunch. at about 8-9 months she moved to two meals per day.

if you need any advice on raising a puppy you are in the right place. many members will have a hard time because the pup is so young and we try so hard to tell you not to get them young to try and protect you from bad breeders and from behavioral/health problems, but I for one promise to give advise if you need it and not be judgemental.

[RachelandSadie]

Originally Posted by kkubas

Just an Update for everyone-

I did get her at 8 weeks. She is fine. She lived with 6 other dogs and a cat. I was really worried she would be very depressed when I took her home but she was SO HAPPY! So playful and loving and she was attached to me immediately (so cute!) She did have fleas and worms so I took her to the vet the next day and He took care of that stuff. I am crate training her. She sleeps in HER bed on my bed at night, but during the days she is in the crate while i'm at work. I come home on my lunch break and feed, potty and play with her everyday and then she's is back in the crate. I leave a shirt in her crate with her (the one I sleep in the night before) as well as some toys and food and water. She was having separation anxiety... BAD. I couldn't even take a shower without her trying to jump in the tub with me and crying and shaking. I was so worried I called the vet and they told me to get her rescue remedy. I gave it to her this morning and when I showered, no barking. When I put her in the crate this morning, no barking or crying. She is 100% different. Its great! She loves her new home and she is very happy.

Yes, maybe she was too young to come home, but honestly I would rather have her with me than have fleas and worms at her breeders house. (All the dogs had them) She is spoiled rotten and does great on the potty pads!

I appreciate all the support and advise, you guys are VERY helpful! I have received many encouraging messages and sincerely appreciate it. I now realize that some people on here can be a little overboard and completely RUDE but it doesn't get to me. Just because I brought her home early and work full time doesn't mean I'm a bad mom or that I don't love her and want the best for her. I work so I can provide a nice home and things for my pets and myself and I'm sorry if that offends you.

i don't mean to be rude here at all, but when you think of a good/bad breeder and how their dogs should be, doesn't the fact that this pup had bad fleas and worms make you see that the breeder was not a very responsible one and didn't really take the best care for his/her puppies? a good breeder would not allow such a thing to happen to their pups. i hate to say it, but this breeder was most likely in it for the money and not for the bettering of the breed. this doesn't mean your pup won't be ok and do fine in life, but i personally would feel bad supporting a breeder like that. i took a lot of grief for getting my pup so young, but at least her breeder took really good care of her health wise and she didn't come to me with fleas and worms and problems.

[sarahheartmaddy]

Originally Posted by RachelandSadie

i don't mean to be rude here at all, but when you think of a good/bad breeder and how their dogs should be, doesn't the fact that this pup had bad fleas and worms make you see that the breeder was not a very responsible one and didn't really take the best care for his/her puppies? a good breeder would not allow such a thing to happen to their pups. i hate to say it, but this breeder was most likely in it for the money and not for the bettering of the breed. this doesn't mean your pup won't be ok and do fine in life, but i personally would feel bad supporting a breeder like that. i took a lot of grief for getting my pup so young, but at least her breeder took really good care of her health wise and she didn't come to me with fleas and worms and problems.

Why do you just get finished saying you will NOT be judgemental and then do the exact opposite?

[RachelandSadie]

Originally Posted by sarahheartmaddy

Why do you just get finished saying you will NOT be judgemental and then do the exact opposite?

i guess because i'm reading along seeing the 8 weeks thing being the only negative thing about this puppy's breeder...then i see it came home with fleas and worms and i got a little bit more upset. age is one thing, the health and apperance of the puppy is quite another...a breeder is bad enough if they don't realize the damage they do with sending home an 8 week pup...they are way worse if they don't even care enough to keep it healthy.

i don't mind helping with advise about raising the pup now that she has the dear one, but i sure as heck don't like that the puppy came from such a terrible breeder.

[kkubas]

Originally Posted by RachelandSadie

i guess because i'm reading along seeing the 8 weeks thing being the only negative thing about this puppy's breeder...then i see it came home with fleas and worms and i got a little bit more upset. age is one thing, the health and apperance of the puppy is quite another...a breeder is bad enough if they don't realize the damage they do with sending home an 8 week pup...they are way worse if they don't even care enough to keep it healthy.

i don't mind helping with advise about raising the pup now that she has the dear one, but i sure as heck don't like that the puppy came from such a terrible breeder.

I see where you are coming from and trust me it REALLY bothered me. I did not know she had fleas or worms until I brought her home and it was a couple hours later.

I cannot tell you how much research I did on trying to find a GOOD breeder. It seems like all the breeders around me are in it for the money and are not concerned with the dogs well being at all. I went to the AKC website and found my breeder there. After I contacted her, I asked her a TON of questions before I purchased her. I did not want to buy from a breeder who referred to her as a "teacup" either because I know that is just a marketing thing and they are really selling premature puppies.

I was comfortable with this breeder because she was very into her dogs. The only downfall was that they had fleas. She doesn't believe in flea medicine because she is more of an "organic" and natural type of person. She bathes them in some type of shampoo, but the fleas are still there. I disagree with that and the fact that she lets the puppies go home that early.

Honestly, I am glad I took her at 8 weeks because I would not want her infested with fleas and worms, thats horrible.

[sarahheartmaddy]

Originally Posted by RachelandSadie

i guess because i'm reading along seeing the 8 weeks thing being the only negative thing about this puppy's breeder...then i see it came home with fleas and worms and i got a little bit more upset. age is one thing, the health and apperance of the puppy is quite another...a breeder is bad enough if they don't realize the damage they do with sending home an 8 week pup...they are way worse if they don't even care enough to keep it healthy.

i don't mind helping with advise about raising the pup now that she has the dear one, but i sure as heck don't like that the puppy came from such a terrible breeder.

As you know, many people come to YT with their first dog and have no knowledge of good breeders, BYB or puppy mills. There are many threads in their respective areas for such discussions. However, this thread is regarding the fact she now has a young puppy (who happens to be from a crappy breeder) and is coming for advice on HOW to help the pup and adjust the pup. Focusing on the breeder information ONLY is not going to help the OP. She now knows that the breeder was bad and WE know the breeder was bad... that does NOT help the pup.

So many threads fly off course and members scare the new ones away -- and ones with 8 week old pups are the ones that need to stick around!