However, puppies require a lot of time and training and you'll have a tough time, especially with potty training, if there isn't an adult at home most of the time. … If you can’t rely on people popping in, then use the puppy pen method. Raising a puppy when you work full time is possible, but it requires commitment and the chances are you are going to need some help. Label dogs as stubborn, hyperactive, out of control or stupid and then punish them for it. Don’t put your pup in the garden and leave them alone. There are lots of poisonous plants that are deadly to dogs and leaving them in a yard could mean having your yard dug up as young dogs love to dig. Try to do something you know they’d appreciate, like taking them out to dinner or some other activity every week or so. If you can, come home during your lunch break or ask a friend or neighbor to let your puppy outside while you are at work. How I care for a puppy if I need to sleep during the daytime? We use cookies to make wikiHow great. Dogs … Only return when he/she is quiet and then let them out and give lots of praise. I work in an office from 9:30 am to 6 pm. I have a dog, and similar schedules with my family. Their main objection is that puppies need companionship and plenty of play. If you’re wondering how to take care of your dog while at work, one of your primary thoughts will be how to ensure that your dog has appropriate access to food and water throughout the day. You soothe their crying, hence rewarding their anxiety. If you choose to get a more high-maintenance pet and you work a lot, you might have to pay someone to take care of them throughout the day. What to Do With Your Puppy When You Work All Day Take some time off When you get a puppy, you should try to take a few days off to help him get acclimated. This raises the question: What to do about the dog while at work? Within a few days of taking your new puppy home, you should bring it to your vet for a general exam. Consider ways that you can offer incentives and perks for your dog-sitting friend, especially if you’re not paying them. ALWAYS KEEP FRESH WATER AVAILABLE. She graduated from the University of Glasgow in 1987 with a degree in veterinary medicine and surgery. Puppies demand lots of time and attention, and can be a challenge for anyone who works full time. Thus leaving a puppy alone for 8 hours isn’t great for any four-legger regardless of age. Keep water, a dog bed, scent articles (like objects that smell like you), and favorite toys easily accessible. Yes, that sounds like a totally doable situation. All three of those breeds are particularly reliant on activities and people and bonding. This is the number of hours they can hold their bladder. Down this path lies the dog that is not house trained. Exercise Early. In practical terms, leaving a puppy home alone while at work, means you’ll need to give the pup comfort breaks at the appropriate times. Read more: How Long Can You Leave A Dog Alone? If I have someone let him out a few times during the day, can I do this? Be sure to tell your pup how clever they are for remaining calm. •Another option you may consider is to keep your doggy at a puppy care center. Moreover, you should have installed a gate on the stairs to make sure … Problem one sorted! Ask friends, family members, or neighbors if they can check in and walk your puppy while you’re at work. When you're not working, be sure to spend lots of quality time with your puppy. Then make the crate super comfy with a soft bed and some toys. Woofs to that! Make sure their facilities are clean and well maintained. While you are at work, keep your puppy in a safe area, like a crate or a puppy-proofed room where it has food, water, and lots of toys to chew on. Puppies have different needs depending on their age. Try to designate at least an hour at nighttime to play stimulating games like fetch with your puppy. We need a small dog that doesn't shed. Learn about the several distinct stages of puppy development and care requirements for each of them. Let’s say your amazing neighbors are happy to help. Can I leave my puppy in a playpen with pee pads if I work? Dr. Elliott, BVMS, MRCVS is a veterinarian with over 30 years of experience in veterinary surgery and companion animal practice. An early morning workout will ensure your dog doesn’t get restless for the time you’re at work. If you have a roommate or domestic partner, try to sync up lunch breaks so that they take their break either the hour before or after yours. By continuing to use our site, you agree to the use of our cookies. As virtual pet sitting goes, Petcube spells furry fun for your pet pal. Your kids can also give it attention while you are out of the house. First, crate train your puppy, and second, arrange for regular toilet breaks at appropriate intervals. From good nutrition to proper sleep habits, get all the tips you need for ensuring he’ll have a long, happy life. For example, spend at least 30 minutes walking or playing with it before you leave for the day to burn off some of its energy. My advice is that you should research dog breeds that can be left alone for a long period of time, such as: Basset Hound, French Bulldog, Chihuahua, Shar Pei, Pug, Bull Terrier, Chow Chow, or Akita Inu. By signing up you are agreeing to receive emails according to our privacy policy. She has worked at the same animal clinic in her hometown for over 20 years. In fact, sneak out. Tip #2 – Your dog should get some exercise before you go to work. Be sure to take your puppy out for a walk first thing in the morning, when you get home from work, and at least once more before bedtime. Feed the puppy in the crate (with the door open). Feeding Your Puppy Choose the right dog food. Play with your pup and then settle them back down into the crate.. Repeat this through the day until you return home from work. There are several centers that allow you to keep your pooch with them while you are working. First, crate train your puppy, and second, arrange for regular toilet breaks at appropriate intervals. Crate training a puppy while at work is great for many reasons: Before you start, put two things in place. Or if your work allows it, buy a very small puppy, such as a Shih Tzu, Yorkshire Terrier, Chihuahua, Pomeranian or Maltese and bring it in to work. Let’s say your bundle of fun is 8-weeks old. Rates depend on your location and on the age and size of your dog, but average 15 to 20 US dollars per half hour for dog walking and around 50 US dollars per day of house sitting. Explore options like taking extended lunch breaks or working from home a couple days a week. If you want to use just a portion of a room or a room without a door, it … And for this, there’s a simple equation. Few puppies have any bladder control before 8 weeks of age, which is when training starts. You really shouldn't leave a puppy in the yard unless it is completely safe for them. Excluding comfort breaks means risking the puppy getting confused about potty training, therefore, leading to an untrained dog. If you leave your puppy alone in a particular room, take special care to puppy proof that area. So leaving a puppy isn’t cruel but…how long can you leave a puppy home alone? Leave a puppy tired and they’ll snooze through their first comfort break. Play with your pup and then settle them back down into the crate. When you’re home, speed up toilet training with Petcube’s top training tactics. Don’t go there! Read more: Separation Anxiety In Dogs: The Definitive Guide. Over the course of your puppy's first six months, you will see a lot of your vet. If the puppy links your disappearance with long hours of tedium, they may cry for you to return. Can I get a puppy that will be happy and healthy? This is a pattern of action and reward which ends with the dog always acting up when you leave. •With the growing number of people keeping dogs as a pet, some companies offer the option to bring your puppy at work. Puppy Training. Yorkies yap a lot, but are very sweet dogs. When a puppy realizes they get a reward simply for relieving themselves, they’ll start to save up their pee in order to ‘spend’ it for a treat. When they go, give the usual praise and reward. In order to properly look after your puppy while you are at work, make sure you puppy proof the house. I really want to get a puppy. No-one said raising a puppy while working was easy! This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply, Guide to Raising a Puppy When You Work Full Time, 10 Father's Day Gift Ideas for Modern Pet Dads, My Dog is Not Eating: Reasons & Solutions For Loss of Appetite in Dogs, 9 Free Courses and Books Pet Parents Shouldn’t Miss, How Long Can You Leave A Dog Alone? This makes toilet training harder, not easier, as a puppy learns you have an irrational dislike of their bodily function. I work 7-4 and cannot go home at lunch. Change the order in which you put on your coat and pick up the car keys. Expecting a puppy to not need to go while you are gone for eight hours of work is as unrealistic as expecting a baby to wear the same diaper all day long. Step 5 Arrange for a trustworthy neighbor or friend to check up on your pet companion while you're at work. % of people told us that this article helped them. If you’re lucky, some pick it up within 2 – 4 weeks, but others take much longer. When you first bring your new puppy home, it is vital that you can take some time off to get the pup established and settled in, at least a couple of weeks. I didn’t think that having a puppy would be free, of course, but I also didn’t … Give a pup too much room and they won’t learn to hold their bladder. How to TAKE CARE of a PUPPY? Also, we have 3 children who are 11, 8, and 5. If you prefer, use a room with a window and a door that closes to house your puppy while you’re at work. But it also involves leaving home in the ‘right’ way, without making a fuss. That's not likely to be the case, though. With some jobs, there’s no easy answer of how to take … And the next thing that pops into a puppy’s mind is that their pet parent going is a bad thing. How do you keep your puppy happy? that allow you to sneak out for a brief moment while at work, see your puppy and even give her a treat! So when you leave, you make a big fuss, give lots of cuddles, bury your face in their fur, and apologize for going. All Rights Reserved. Explore flexible options regarding your work. Is it possible for us to get a puppy still? Take the puppy’s age in months and add one. For a 10-week old puppy, make sure this is at least every 3 hours.. Take your pup to the potty training spot (by this time they should be busting), praise and reward when they go.. With 5 easy-to-follow, age-appropriate lessons, your child will know just what it takes to be a good dog owner. 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