Preparing to go to work on Tuesday & Questions- help!

[yorkiemalt]

She is darling! what a beautiful name!

I agree with everyone else...definitely give her the kitchen area.

The only thing is I don't think I'd leave her alone with a flossie or any kind of chewy. I like to supervise when mine have them.

[Heycher]

Great idea on the towel covering the sides and back of her crate. That makes perfect sense. And yes, I've got the radio there and ready to go. My heart is going to BREAK on Tuesday!

Being that this is my first experience as a dog owner, I am suprised by how much similarity there is between this and having a newborn baby. I was expecting the amount of work it is (a lot), but have been surprised by how much emotional bonding there is already. I am full of worry, joy, protectiveness... all the same feelings I had when I had my daughter 7 years ago. It's amazing how the emotions rush back!

Thanks so much!
Cheryl

[wemple2]

Violet will be just fine, you wait and see. I really don't think Winston does anything but sleep while we're gone. When I come home he's all curled up in his bed and looks up at me with his sleepy eyes...stretches...then comes a running, always happy to see us. The bonding thing is very emotional, they get as attached to us as we are to them. And it happens so very fast, before you know it...it's puppy love!!!

[HighlandYorkies]

Firstly, I think Violet is a lovely name !
I don't mean to put the cat amoung the pigeons here, but I personnaly couldn't leave a nine week old puppy alone for 10 hours. Sorry, but to me that would be horrendous.
Do you have a close relative or friend who could break up the day for her a bit ? Could you maybe hire a dog sitter to come and play with her for an hour twice during that time ? What about another dog lover who lives nearby who you could maybe leave her with ? A neighbour ? She is so tiny......
I am so glad you are not considering the crate for such a long period, and yes, the kitchen is a better option, as long as it is well blocked off from dangers.
I cannot understand people getting puppies or dogs who then go to work for long hours, but at least you aren't like them and are wise to ask for ideas about options, and three days isn't as bad as five or more.
I know you will be worried sick, and I know you love her to bits, .....but trust your instincts and think about a person to check on her or leave her with, at least until she is a lot older.
Can you imagine what she could get up to - yes, she will sleep most of the time, but she might also chew, or have an accident or become unwell(10 hours is a long time for a puppy) and it certainly doesn't help in the toilet training stakes if she is forced to pee and poo indoors, and then would normally feel bad for doing it when you are home.
I really am not trying to make you sound bad.....we all have to pay our bills, and I am luckier than most being able to be at home with mine, so I am a fine one to talk, I know.
....I am just saying what others have not, and I am sure that since you are such a loving person to your wee Violet you would not mind me giving you some other ideas which haven't been mentioned before.
You know your own puppy - you will know yourself what you feel she can deal with.
Most of all, I wish you all the best of happiness with your lovely little lady....believe me you will have hours and years of fun with your baby, and these issues about having to leave her for work, will work themselves out I'm sure....it's a lot easier when they are older and know the routine and how to deal with it.
....Anyone else think of any ideas to help this lady ?

Best wishes as always......Debra x x x x
TARA CASPER TAMMY

[yorkiegirl83]

My advice would be to leave her in a big xpen, or two connected together ( my only reason for saying this is because my puppies have chewed all of my moldings and cabinets, when I've left them in the kitchen).

Also, with the crying -- never ever go pick up, talk or play with Violet while she is whining in her area. It is super hard, but by giving her a treat or talking or cuddling her, it will reinforce crying = i get out of here, or I get attention .

You are doing great! And she is sooo cute!

[PANAMA69]

Originally Posted by Heycher

Great idea on the towel covering the sides and back of her crate. That makes perfect sense. And yes, I've got the radio there and ready to go. My heart is going to BREAK on Tuesday!

Being that this is my first experience as a dog owner, I am suprised by how much similarity there is between this and having a newborn baby. I was expecting the amount of work it is (a lot), but have been surprised by how much emotional bonding there is already. I am full of worry, joy, protectiveness... all the same feelings I had when I had my daughter 7 years ago. It's amazing how the emotions rush back!

Thanks so much!
Cheryl

Let me tell for me was very streesful because we don't have skin kids, I remember the first couple days I cried because I thought man what I got myself into, I don't think I'm ready for this, but now is like boy I want another one. I forgot to mention that I bought from Waltmart some plastic covers things for the electrical outlets, you probably have those ones allready, that way I don't worry about she getting into anything

[iloveemmy]

Congratulations on the new baby girl! Violet is sooo cute! Sounds like you are doing all the right stuff. I have 2 yorkies--Emmy (1 1/2 years) and Oscar (14 weeks).

[Heycher]

Debra--

Thank you for you perspective, I appreciate your advice. Yes, my mom lives close by and at least for the first month or so she is going to try to stop by and play with her. She is not a huge dog lover though, so hopefully it will be something that will work. We actually just moved about 2 weeks ago into a new apartment, and there are lots of people with dogs here. I have been so busy unpacking and such, that I have not gotten out to meet them yet. I am fairly sure that there are people in here who do that sort of "check in" or pet sitting, so I've just got to do some networking and figure out who's who. Ideally I would like to find someone to "trade services" with... like if I could check on their dog a couple days a week and vice versa. I'll figure something out! Thanks again for your perspective.

Cheryl

[linm]

Originally Posted by wemple2

Violet will be just fine, you wait and see. I really don't think Winston does anything but sleep while we're gone.

Even though my two were a little older when I got them (4 yrs and 1 yr), I worried about them getting bored or lonely when we were gone. So, I set up a Video camera one day. I let it run until the tape ran out. Here's what it showed:

Seconds after I left them, they both crawled into the same crate (even though they each have one in the XPen!) They came out twice to bark. Once I figure was the Mail-man, and the other was for a deliveryman that rang the doorbell. They barked for only about 10 seconds each time and then, back into the box and off to Dreamland! Once in that 2 hour period, one of them came out for a very brief drink of water, and then back to sleep!

I felt so much better after I watched the Video that night! Try it if you can!

[HighlandYorkies]

QUOTE=Heycher;1253497]Debra--

Thank you for you perspective, I appreciate your advice. Yes, my mom lives close by and at least for the first month or so she is going to try to stop by and play with her. She is not a huge dog lover though, so hopefully it will be something that will work. We actually just moved about 2 weeks ago into a new apartment, and there are lots of people with dogs here. I have been so busy unpacking and such, that I have not gotten out to meet them yet. I am fairly sure that there are people in here who do that sort of "check in" or pet sitting, so I've just got to do some networking and figure out who's who. Ideally I would like to find someone to "trade services" with... like if I could check on their dog a couple days a week and vice versa. I'll figure something out! Thanks again for your perspective.

Cheryl[/QUOTE]
PHEW ! I am glad you didn't mind the suggestions - it's always hard to know how to word these things !
I am so delighted you have your Mom nearby - I am sure she will do just fab checking wee Violet, but remember to give her chocs or flowers, lol. (I bet that wee mite will turn her into a secret puppy lover !)
It also sounds promising on the new neighbours too - I would deffo check out that one - though be careful that they are trustworthy. Maybe your Mom knows some dog people who she knows are fine, as she lives nearby ?
I am so glad things are working out for you....it is such an awful time and I know you will fret the first few times until the routine is established as to what happens when Mommy goes to work !
Debra x x x x

[Gabe's Momma]

[F]I think you have a great setup for having to work. I work 40 hours a week and my puppy has been gated off in my bathroom with food, water, his kennel (with fav. blanket), and newspaper to go on during the day since he was 8 weeks old. I leave the radio on for him during the day and he is now 10 months old. He pretty much holds it all day long (although he could go on the paper) and he is a perfectly well behaved healthy puppy. He has had no behavioral issues at all, I have socialized him well at any chance I get, and has never had a single health issue. I think its fine for people to have puppies when they work (obviously, because I am one of those people ). I think ideally it would be great if everybody could stay home full time with their pets, and I do look forward to the day when I can spend more time at home with him, but i also know that he is healthy mentally and physically and I don't consider it cruel to leave them at home (once again obviously because I do this ) I hope this eases the feelings of guilt when you go to work tomorrow!! You are not damaging your puppy by leaving her in a large kitchen with all her necessities and she will get plenty of loving in when you get home! Trust me!!! [/FONT]