Sounds like a teenager is not an option if you are home from work by 3:00. Your local vet may have part-time assistants looking for extra work. Also, some people who work as pet sitters advertise their services at the vet's office. In any event, your vet's office is probably the best place to inquire, especially in a small town. Twelve weeks is really young to be home alone for so long! I went out for one darn evening, and when I returned, my three babes (well, I know it was just two of them) had gone hog-wild, tearing through the house, pulling little T-shirts out of a bag and dragging them into another room, chewing on my work papers I had left on the coffee table! And I imagine the time will come when you will want to get a companion for Tank. My two cents is avoid Tank's breeder. He (Tank, not the breeder) is absolutely adorable, but I'm not a breeder (I would keep all of the puppies) and I know his mama, at 3 1/2 pounds, is too small for breeding, and especially a tiny should not be released at only 8 weeks. It is certainly not your fault ... how would you have known this? But you are doing the right thing in educating yourself now. Good luck, and welcome!

Hey and welcome to YT:)

I agree with the others, this baby is too young to hold it for long. I too tried crate training but it didnt work for us- he did his business in there. But luckly im home all day with him. Ofcourse you have to work, so you've come to the right place to find great advise. He's too young for daycare and i know not everyone has axcess to a pet sitter.

Anyway, I agree that a play pen might be the best solution for you. I was going to purchase one too before i quit my job. 1. they have a limited place to potty 2. its safer, they're confined.

Don't feel bad, we all learn as we go and I'm sure your doin the best for your little guy. Post pics soon :)

I was finally able to put up some pictures. He had a great day!! He is in the bathroom with plenty of pads and his comfy kennel (open, to come in and out) and all his favorite toys!! I will be able to be home with him tomorrow, which makes me feel a lot better. I came home to a clean baby today :)

Good news! I bet he is happier, too! :)

He is a cutie pie..love the pics!

That's great news! :) He is so cute!

Great to hear it's going better. Oh, the pics are darling, and gosh if I was anywhere near you I'd be volunteering to dogsit for free, just to play with that little doll.

Now how did I already envision he would be such a cutie patootie! Tank, you rock, son.

He is a real cutie! And I'm happy everything is working out

Tank is super cute ;)

Thank y'all so much!!! I think he's pretty handsome myself! ;) no another question... I know their skin is sensitive. I use an oatmeal based wash, but how often is ok to wag him?

Wash...not wag :)

I've always heard for a puppy every two weeks. But I now bath mine once a week. If there are any cling-ons then I do a butt wash only, as needed. I was using oatmeal also and I can't say I really noticed much of a difference. Uni is an itchy baby. I recently started taking out all grains in her diet, and adding virgin coconut oil in her food and on her body topically and has worked really well so far.

Biogroom is a good shampoo I use. The one I'm using now is really good but I forget the name. I just started using it and I'm not at home right now, but I bought it from mimimomo, who is a member here. She has good stuff and good prices. Also I love the Madan brushes she sells. check her out at toplinepet.com or PM her. :)

He honestly isn't itchy. I just don't want to cause him harm

I bathe mine every week to 10 days during the summer when they are outside and rolling in the grass more, dropping down to once every 2 weeks during the winter. You want to give them time for their acid mantle to rebuild it's self to prevent the skin being vulnerable to infections. A warm wash cloth over their face, paws and bottom every day is fine though.

Oh, then why the oatmeal?