Double Income Potty Training

[WTRiley]

New to Boxerworld:

We are picking up Riley at 7+ weeks on the 23rd.
With my wife and I working and kids at camp, we're concerned what to do during the day with the puppy. My wife can get back to the house at lunchtime, kids home 3:30 some days, 5:00 others.

I'm interested in others who have faced this situation and what they've done as a solution, particularly during this key period. Crating, penning, etc. are all solutions we've brainstormed, but we would love to hear others successes and failures when it comes to this predicament.

 

[Layla's Mom]

Welcome to BW! I would definitely reccomend crating--especially getting Riley used to it a young age will help tremendously. It will help your training and keep him safe at the same time--My Layla is 21 months and we have just started giving her "freedom" from the crate--she was not ready before this. As for potty training--be very consisitant and praise, praise, praise--if you feel like there will be a problem with someone coming home for Riley, maybe there is a dog-walking service in your area--This helped a great deal for us when Layla was a pup and we couldn't get home in time.

Good luck and enjoy puppyhood because they grow sooo fast!
Taryn and Layla

 

[meliss&kash]

Congrats on your new puppy! We brought home ours 4 weeks ago, she's now 12 weeks old. My BF and I also both work outside the home. We crate our puppy when we're away, you should definitely do that too. But they can only hold it in for so long (i've been told the rule of thumb is 1 hour per month of age, plus one.... did I get it right guys?), so you might need to take him out to potty more often then just at mealtimes. Ours now goes once at each meal, plus once in between the meals. We're lucky because my BF can easily come back to let her out. If you can't do this, you could always hire someone to take him out. Also exercise him well when you are home so he'll sleep when you're away (they sleep a lot at that age!) instead of trying to chew his way out of his crate or destroying his mat (like mine does)! Give him toys and chewies to keep him busy. Another alternative is doggie daycare, but you'll probably only be able to do that once he's got all his shots.

Good luck & keep us posted!
Melissa & Kashmir

 

[Oscar's Mom]

Congratulations on the new pup.
When we got Oscar at 9 weeks we got lucky because crate training was a breeze. He only pottied in the crate once. My husband and I both work as well. He could come home at lunch time to let him out but then we wouldn't be home until 5. Every puppy is different though.
I wish you good luck.

Myra