Meetu Posted November 27, 2006 Share Posted November 27, 2006 Hi Everyone I have a 10 week old gorgeous cocker spaniel with a great temperament! My only worry is leaving him home alone during work days. I got this puppy 5 days ago and during weekdays he was supervised by some friend and my partner & I did as much training over the weekend. However I want him to get used to staying home alone. We tried leaving him in the backyard yesterday just to test him and he cried so much that it broke our hearts . I have since bought him a toy (I think it’s called CONG) which I’m hoping will keep him busy but I want to know what else I can do to avoid the whining. Secondly I’d like to know if its such a good idea to leave a puppy home alone for 10 hours??? If not then I do have friends in the meanwhile who are happy to keep him during the day. This puppy however is quiet intelligent and we hope that it’s only a matter of time that he gets used to being home alone during work hours. When we got him initially he would cry at night as he would want to cuddle up right next to me and as soon as I would let him cuddle up he’d sleep off instantly. However since the past couple of days we’ve managed to train him to sleep in his own bed without any whining . Please give advise for our dear SIMBA !! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Akitaowner Posted November 27, 2006 Share Posted November 27, 2006 (edited) errmmm i have a couple of questions - firstly why did you get a puppy if you are out for 10hrs a day ? do you think that is fair on the puppy? have you considered crate training him? does he have lots of toys/chews? Cocker spaniels are intelligent, as are many other breeds - and leaving him alone all that time he will get bored and destructive as well as lonely. unless you can make more time for you puppy i feel this may end badly...read up on training - you must not give in to whining - this encourages bad/undesirable behaviour and lets your dog get what it wants - he is training you... Edited November 27, 2006 by Akitaowner Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dog_Horse_Girl Posted November 27, 2006 Share Posted November 27, 2006 Oh, dear...a ten week old puppy home alone for ten hours a day...is that five days per week? What part of the world are you in, b/c in some places leaving a baby pup outside for that length of time is NOT a good plan. A pup is not able to regulate their body temperature as easily as a grown dog. That's just the first problem you may face. The next is that ten hours is a VERY long time even for a grown dog. I leave my dogs for a maximum of 8 hours, but usually it's not that long b/c we have someone home much earlier than me. I am changing jobs so will be able to come home for lunch every day. That means my dogs will be alone for only four hours or so at a stretch (lucky them!). A pup needs to learn toilet training, which is more difficult if you're leaving him outside through the day. How will he know not to go to the toilet indoors? A pup needs to eat three meals a day until four to six months of age, which means breakfast, lunch and dinner. How will this be managed? A pup needs to be monitored in case of illness, as young pups can go down VERY fast. What happens if he gets sick while you're at work? Did you think that your pup would be alone for this length of time before you adopted him? Did you make the breeder aware of this, and what did they advise you if they were aware? One toy (Kong, BTW) is nowhere near enough to keep a pup or dog amused and stimulated for ten hours. I would think you need to turn your yard into a doggie amusement park for that sort of absence if it's more than one or two days a week. Best of luck, I hope it works out for you. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
curvey Posted November 27, 2006 Share Posted November 27, 2006 (edited) we have just got a 16 week old ACD from rescue- now both myself and my partner work monday to fridays i work 9 till 5 and my partner works 11 till 5.30 monday-thursday and 1-9 pm on fridays so the most he is left by himself is 6 hours HOWEVER we have organised a friend to feed him his lunch and play with hima bit during the day. Caspa has access to alot of toys- kongs, soft turtle (which he loves to run around with and kill lol), tennis balls, chew toys etc etc so there is alot of mental situlation for him so for him not to become bored, lonely or desructive. He is walked sometimes before work if time permits and also after work without fail. During the weekends and some weeknights he will come to the horses with me and get a good free run around too. He also comes to bike races and travels in the car to partners parents etc etc. So even tho yes he is left alone for sometime the time that we spent when we are home is quality time with him and we make arrangements and as a good enviroment that can be considering our working hours Edited November 27, 2006 by curvey Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Meetu Posted November 27, 2006 Author Share Posted November 27, 2006 we have just got a 16 week old ACD from rescue- now both myself and my partner work monday to fridays i work 9 till 5 and my partner works 11 till 5.30 monday-thursday and 1-9 pm on fridays so the most he is left by himself is 6 hours HOWEVER we have organised a friend to feed him his lunch and play with hima bit during the day. Caspa has access to alot of toys- kongs, soft turtle (which he loves to run around with and kill lol), tennis balls, chew toys etc etc so there is alot of mental situlation for him so for him not to become bored, lonely or desructive.He is walked sometimes before work if time permits and also after work without fail. During the weekends and some weeknights he will come to the horses with me and get a good free run around too. He also comes to bike races and travels in the car to partners parents etc etc. So even tho yes he is left alone for sometime the time that we spent when we are home is quality time with him and we make arrangements and as a good enviroment that can be considering our working hours Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Meetu Posted November 27, 2006 Author Share Posted November 27, 2006 i know I sound really cruel although the truth is there hasn't been a single day that he's been left alone. if we're going to work then he's being dropped off to a friends. SOMEONE IS ALWAYS THERE FOR HIM! Even during the Christmas break we plan to stay at home to give him our company & train him as much as possible. he will be alone from January onwards ...is that ok then!! he will be 4 months then!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
curvey Posted November 27, 2006 Share Posted November 27, 2006 i know I sound really cruel although the truth is there hasn't been a single day that he's been left alone. if we're going to work then he's being dropped off to a friends. SOMEONE IS ALWAYS THERE FOR HIM! Even during the Christmas break we plan to stay at home to give him our company & train him as much as possible. he will be alone from January onwards ...is that ok then!! he will be 4 months then!! Meetu, would it be monday to friday for the ten hours? or would it include some weekends with your training? If your friends are happy to puppy sit for you thats great too, but im assuming that they cant always do this? I think whether the pup will cope i guess comes down alot to the puppy in questions. Caspa seems to cope but then i know other dogs that wouldnt, did the breeder help you in deciding about a pup that would suit your situation. With Caspa's Kong i put treats into it and actually froze it- he finds it very entertaining lol Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cowanbree Posted November 27, 2006 Share Posted November 27, 2006 (edited) There is nothing the matter with leaving your puppy alone for short periods of time but 10 hours is to my mind not doable now or anytime in the near future. At a minimum he will need someone to drop in and feed him at lunchtime and I would not even consider leaving him unsupervised in the yard. He is just a baby and they get in all sorts of mischief, barking may be the least of your worries. Personally I would not leave an adult dog alone for that length of time let alone a puppy. I would seriously consider paying someone to visit midday and as he gets older perhaps walk him. Also perhaps consider getting him a companion Edited November 27, 2006 by cowanbree Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
curvey Posted November 27, 2006 Share Posted November 27, 2006 BTW- would love to see pics of Simba too Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Her Majesty Dogmad Posted November 27, 2006 Share Posted November 27, 2006 I work for a group that would not rehome a puppy to this situation. 10 hours if far too long I'm afraid. Some breeds feel it more than others but it really is not good enough. Simple as that. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Meetu Posted November 27, 2006 Author Share Posted November 27, 2006 I have just spoken to the breeder and they have one of the puppies too who is alone all day form 8:30 in the morning till 6:30 in the night. And he stays out all night too unlike mine who sleeps in our bedroom! Looks like I'm not the only one leaving my puppy alone & I joined this forum to get advise as I'm really concerned. Once he staying home alone(as i have mentioned he starts doing that only in January) I'm willing to get a dog walker to walk him & feed him during the day too. BTW - here's his Pic! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sas Posted November 27, 2006 Share Posted November 27, 2006 Some breeders I have spoken to insist that a puppy never be left alone, other breeders say a dog is a dog and people have to work. It's a catch 22 isn't it, you need to work in order to look after and care for your puppy and keep a roof over your own head, yet some people think that a puppy shouldn't be left for more than 4 hours if at all. I would look into a kennel for your yard to keep your puppy safe, depending on your yard of course and how puppy safe it is. Or as another poster mentioned, look into crate training, I'm not sure that popping a dog in a crate for 10 hours is a terribly healthy thing to do though. Have someone come around and feed puppy it's lunch and have a play etc. Remembering puppies sleep alot as well......no one seems to have mentioned this? I'm not saying that I agree that leaving a puppy unattended for 10 hours is a suitable arrangement but considering this is going to happen I hope that people will give your some good ideas as to how to keep a puppy entertained and calm during this time period. If it were me, I'd be doing short leaves and going longer and longer, showing the puppy that I will return. I'd also be providing things like a sandpit, interactive toys such as treat balls, a shallow paddling pool when the puppy is older. Popping a shower radio outside to keep the normal inside noise going, scatter feeding etc etc. Never giving in to whines or crying etc. Some Great Dane people say that Great Danes can't be out on their own for more than 4 hours....they just can't handle it........bollocks to that! I'm bringing home a puppy next year, I'm fortunate enough to have a dog friendly boss and puppy will be coming to work with me until he's old enough and big enough to be at home with my girl. As to those who said, what happens if the puppy gets sick etc whilst you're not home.......well that could happen to those who only leave their dogs 2 hours, also what about adult dogs are left to their own devices throughout the day. I understand where you are all coming from, but I think there's a need to be a little realistic as well. There are ways this can work and it would be better putting comments to how it could work rather than make the poster feel like an incompetent new puppy owner. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
^TaShiE^ Posted November 27, 2006 Share Posted November 27, 2006 (edited) Hey i have a puppy he is 3 months old ... i also have to put him away for afew hours at a time duin the day.. (he sleeps with me at nite) as he wants to keep biting my lil one (child) he stays in the bath room with a baby gate up so he cant get out n she cant get in but i also have fresh water with him n food.. But yeah 10hours a day for alil 10 week old puppy by itself he is most prob scared or will get bored n get into everything Cheers Tash Edited November 27, 2006 by ^TaShiE^ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Meetu Posted November 27, 2006 Author Share Posted November 27, 2006 (edited) Thanks Heaps for your response sas...phew!!! I have a month to make arrangements for him for the afternoon feed and walk - so will let you know how i go Edited November 27, 2006 by Meetu Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Diesel the Weasel Posted November 27, 2006 Share Posted November 27, 2006 My puppy was home alone from the age of 9 weeks, but I am lucky and live close to work, so he had a lunch time visitor every day! I leave him with a BIG basket of all different types of toys to keep him entertained and he has a kennel out the back, although for the first couple of weeks he stayed in the laundry. I also left him each time with a chicken neck which he loves. He copes well with 3-4 hours alone at a time Monday to Friday, but 10 hours seems a long time. I think the other posters ideas to pay a dog walker in the middle of the day is a good idea - 10 hours seems like a very long time for any dog, but especially a puppy! Also the comments about puppies getting sick quickly - definetly something to think about. My baby got very sick overnight and ended up spending 10 days at the vets! He crashed very quickly. Have fun toy shopping - I love buying new and different toys for mine, and he loves them!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Meetu Posted November 27, 2006 Author Share Posted November 27, 2006 Thanks Diesel the Weasel i have bought heaps of toys for Simba too. At the moment someone or the other is with him so he's constantly supervised and once he's alone i plan to have a lot of treats and interactive games for him. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Akitaowner Posted November 27, 2006 Share Posted November 27, 2006 i didnt mean to sound harse in my first post but you are new here - and we know nothing about you or how well you are looking after your puppy it was just concern for your baby you need to make sure that he has an area where he cant get into mischief - i built my puppies a big pen about 2mx2m and put it onthe concrete in front of my garage (so they couldnt dig) they were quite happy in there while we were out or doing household stuff where we couldnt watch them - its important to make sure you confine pup while your home too so they dont come to associate a pen/crate/being shut outside with you leaving. lots of stimulting toys - i especially like the baby wiggle giggle from target and similar it makes noise when its moved/shaken my furkids LOVE them they keep them entertained for hrs. if you can get someone to come in everyday to have a play and do a little training/walking that would be great - but i would make sure you have a backup as things come up and someone/friends may not be able to make it 1 day. I would also suggest that you get quite friendly with your neighbours - explain that you have a new puppy and you dont want him to give them any trouble - if he barks or cries while you are out you want to know about it - they may also be able to make sure he is ok by just looking over the fence? i have found my neighbours to be great with this - my girls got out one day - out of their pen and then out from behind the garage (so i thought they were pretty secure in a pen and fully fenced yard!!) the neighbours found them playing in their yard and gave me a call - i moved and the first thing i did was make sure my neighbours have my phone number i work in the city which is now much further from home and i wanted to make sure if they ever got out he new they were fine and very approachable etc and he could call me if there was a problem. im sure ull pup will be fine but plannng is the key - puppies often outsmart us in the simplest of ways! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Meetu Posted November 28, 2006 Author Share Posted November 28, 2006 Hi Akitaowner. No Worries at all and thanks for your advise. Since the majority of peole were being negative towards me I fratically started doing research on the internet on whether this is fair/ unfair but the fact is I really love my baby & want him to be well disciplined. I have introduced myself to the neighbours and luckily they are really nice & have agreed to put up with is crying - which is a big relief Infact today SIMBA managed to get out of the backyard(long story) and went straight into the neighbours garage & started playing with their kids (they loved him). i have also called dog trainers & taken suggestions from them - they say the same thing as you to leave him outside even when we're at home. I have started doing this and trying to be strong so that I don't give into his crying I will keep you posted on his progress!! Cheers Meetu Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kiahzen Posted November 28, 2006 Share Posted November 28, 2006 Meetu I have the same kind of issue at the moment but i have 2 dogs I have a 8 week old pup and a 5 yo and they spend about 3 1/2 to 4 hours at home alone. Currently my puppy goes mental when he is not with us... What thisgs can i do so he gets used to being here withour us.... At the moment before i go to work i leave them outside for about 10-20 mins on there own and he does nothing but cry,bark and growl.... I dont really think that 3-4 hours is a long time and they have sooo many toys to play with its not funny... any other suggestions to get him used to spending some time alone?? Meetu have you thought about having 2 dogs so that they can keep each other company while you are not there? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Akitaowner Posted November 28, 2006 Share Posted November 28, 2006 (edited) just thought i would add - that im not sure another dog at this stage (while simba is still a baby) is a good idea. 2 puppies can get into far more trouble than 1!!! there is also then 2 lots of training to be done when time with your baby is already limited - maybe once simba is 12 months + or so - when he knows the ropes of whats good and bad is a great time to introduce another pup. My boy is about 2.5yr and we just got another pup to keep him company and she has been a breeze really he keeps her in line and she has learnt a lot from his behaviour of whats acceptable and whats not. great to hear about the neighbours - also great about the socialising with the kids - maybe they would like to help (with parents help/supervision) - maybe they could go in and play at lunchtime with puppy during holidays etc?? just a thought ETA - where are the pics???, im afraid coming on here with a new puppy and not letting us see him is unacceptable behaviour!!?? Edited November 28, 2006 by Akitaowner Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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