lonely dog what should I do?

[Caney Creek]

I could leave her in a certain room, which does give her more room, but I think she will be just as bored. If she's in a crate or a room, she'll have more room I agree, but I think that she's lonely by herself. I'm sure out of the 10 hours that she's alone that she sleeps at least 5 of those hours if not more, but I think being alone for 5 hours is a little bit sad.

I'm hoping that getting her another dog will help. But if I get a puppy that's not housebroken, chews things up, then it might be in a crate as well.

The worst reason for getting a second dog is to keep the first one company. If the first dog is really that lonely/bored/misbehaved that probably means it isn't getting enough attention from its owners. If you don't have the time to spend with one dog, how are you going to handle two? Roxy is still a puppy herself, you have a long way to go with her and I think she deserves a little more attention and guidance from her owners before even thinking about getting another dog. And when you do get another dog, THAT one will require a good bit of attention as well no matter if you get a puppy or an adult. Getting a second dog will NOT make things easier for you. They will still both need regular training sessions, daily walks, and several potty breaks throughout the day.

Yes, I would definitely agree that Roxy is probably lonely considering the amount of time she spends by herself each day. But I don't think getting another dog is the answer. She is still going to want attention from you (and so will the second dog) and without your attention bad behavior will likely be the result.

I'd just put the idea of another dog out of your mind right now. Focus on finding a way for Roxy to get more exercise and more potty breaks during the day.

Confining her to one room might help to wean her off of the crate once you're ready to do that, but at the moment there is still the issue of her not being able to hold her bladder for the length of time you're asking her to, so even though she'll have more room to move around she's still likely to have accidents which will only prolong the process of housebreaking her. Again, the BIGGER issue at the moment is that she needs MORE FREQUENT POTTY BREAKS during the day.

 

[jboboxer]

As far as walking during the day, I also live in FL and while it's freaking hot...the dog's have no problem walking on the sidewalks...they have well equipped pads that work well in the heat. So don't let that detour you.

Are these some type of boots? I'm trying to look online and puppy pads or any other name is showing me more training pads

 

[jboboxer]

Again I would really discourage you in getting another dog at this point. It wouldn't have to be a puppy (I'd REALLY advise against that), but regardless you shouldn't get another dog to fix a problem, you need to fix the problem FIRST and then get another dog if YOU still want another dog. Adding more work, stress, etc to your environment as well as hers is, IMO, an extremely bad idea. It's like having another baby to fix a bad marriage, it very rarely works and more often than not makes things worse in the big picture.

yeah, I don't we're going to do a puppy again. It really does appear puppies are designed for people who either work at home or our housewives. I don't see my wife becoming a housewife any time soon and I think Roxy even if she could roam the house/back yard completely free that she would be bored without a friend. Once Roxy is healthier with her red mange and spayed, hopefully when she's about a year old we were hoping to get her a friend. We're most likely going to get a little bit older rescue dog

 

[jboboxer]

I totally agree with the above post. So bottom line..your pup needs to have access to water at all times and she needs more of a break during the day...which is pretty easy to work out.

I also agree with NOT getting another dog...it's not the answer. Getting another dog is double the work and is not as easy as you think it would be. They DONT entertain each other as you think they will, yes they may play but they always look to you. They each need individual time and each dog brings their own issues. My suggestion is to wait until your current dog is two and then add another if you are up to it.

Wow 2 years old, I feel kind of bad for her to be alone even roaming the house and back yard until she was two years old.

Originally we were actually going to get two puppies at once and the reason we didn't was because I saw what my sister went through. It seemed twice as hard to housebreak them, twice as hard to train them. It seemed like other people who had one dog and then later got another dog that it was easier to train, because they could follow the leadership of the first dog. It's really the only reason we didn't get two dogs at once.
We knew our schedule before we bought Roxy, well my wifes schedule has changed for the worst, but she's not enjoying the new schedule and probably going to get a job somewhere else anyway. Right now for the most part she's only coming home to sleep at night.

In all honestly it seems every single person I can think of who has a single dog is either a housewife or works at home. If both husband and wife work, then it seems they always have more than one dog.
Of course I know there's people who keep their dogs outside only and people who could care less if their dog is bored or lonely.

During the weekends even when I go to a restaurant I call in advance to see if I can sit outside in their patio and bring Roxy, because since we don't spend much time with her during the weekday I feel bad leaving her even for a minute in the weekends.

 

[jboboxer]

The worst reason for getting a second dog is to keep the first one company. If the first dog is really that lonely/bored/misbehaved that probably means it isn't getting enough attention from its owners. If you don't have the time to spend with one dog, how are you going to handle two? Roxy is still a puppy herself, you have a long way to go with her and I think she deserves a little more attention and guidance from her owners before even thinking about getting another dog. And when you do get another dog, THAT one will require a good bit of attention as well no matter if you get a puppy or an adult. Getting a second dog will NOT make things easier for you. They will still both need regular training sessions, daily walks, and several potty breaks throughout the day.

Yes, I would definitely agree that Roxy is probably lonely considering the amount of time she spends by herself each day. But I don't think getting another dog is the answer. She is still going to want attention from you (and so will the second dog) and without your attention bad behavior will likely be the result.

I'd just put the idea of another dog out of your mind right now. Focus on finding a way for Roxy to get more exercise and more potty breaks during the day.

Confining her to one room might help to wean her off of the crate once you're ready to do that, but at the moment there is still the issue of her not being able to hold her bladder for the length of time you're asking her to, so even though she'll have more room to move around she's still likely to have accidents which will only prolong the process of housebreaking her. Again, the BIGGER issue at the moment is that she needs MORE FREQUENT POTTY BREAKS during the day.

Are you suggesting that I shouldn't have a dog unless I quiet my job? Just to get it straight, I would have to give Roxy up then, because I have to have a job and you are telling me I'm not spending enough time with her right now. I'm really not sure what you are even suggesting. I can't take her to dog care, because she doesn't have rabies shots yet. I'm not sure how i feel about a complete stranger coming into my house to walk her for 20 minutes, when I already wrote before I can do this myself, but you are still telling me I'm not spending enough time with her. Please give me a suggestion then

How much should I exercise her, since you are also telling me I'm not exercising her enough? She's 5 months old and 20-30 minutes a day is what I've been walking her and I throw the ball with her every single night for about 20 minutes as well. My vet is telling me I shouldn't do anymore and your telling me I am not doing enough.

 

[Caney Creek]

Are you suggesting that I shouldn't have a dog unless I quiet my job?

NO! That is NOT AT ALL what I am suggesting. Many people who work all day can still have dogs, but all dogs require more exercise, more attention, AND more frequent bathroom breaks when they are young. What I am suggesting is that you FIND A WAY to let Roxy out to potty several times during the day, whether you do it yourself or you hire someone. I think that you coming home to walk her at lunchtime is a great idea, and and the one break during the day might be sufficient for some other puppies her age, but because Roxy has a bladder infection she NEEDS to be let out more often. Once she has recovered from it and has gotten a little older then she will be able to "hold it" longer, and who knows, maybe she will even be trustworthy enough by then that you don't even have to crate her anymore.

Strangers aren't all bad. You know how I got the job pet-sitting for the bulldog puppy? By responding to an ad for a nanny position on craigslist. I was a complete stranger when I started pet-sitting for the family with the bulldog puppy... AND nannying for their 8 yr old daughter. I treated those two like they were my own.

If you don't want to go with a professional pet-sitting service, post an ad for the job and set up interviews.

 

[ehayes21]

Are these some type of boots? I'm trying to look online and puppy pads or any other name is showing me more training pads

No. LOL...I was talking about the pads on the dogs feet. They are tough enough to handle a little hot pavement.

Wow 2 years old, I feel kind of bad for her to be alone even roaming the house and back yard until she was two years old.

Originally we were actually going to get two puppies at once and the reason we didn't was because I saw what my sister went through. It seemed twice as hard to housebreak them, twice as hard to train them. It seemed like other people who had one dog and then later got another dog that it was easier to train, because they could follow the leadership of the first dog. It's really the only reason we didn't get two dogs at once.
We knew our schedule before we bought Roxy, well my wifes schedule has changed for the worst, but she's not enjoying the new schedule and probably going to get a job somewhere else anyway. Right now for the most part she's only coming home to sleep at night.

In all honestly it seems every single person I can think of who has a single dog is either a housewife or works at home. If both husband and wife work, then it seems they always have more than one dog.
Of course I know there's people who keep their dogs outside only and people who could care less if their dog is bored or lonely.

During the weekends even when I go to a restaurant I call in advance to see if I can sit outside in their patio and bring Roxy, because since we don't spend much time with her during the weekday I feel bad leaving her even for a minute in the weekends.

There are lots of single dog homes that are perfectly happy. Rowdy was an only dog until he was three years old and did just fine. I worked an 8 hour day, but just made provisions for him while I was away. Don't be fooled that every dog needs another dog in order to not be lonely. You just have to do what you can to make sure they're not bored; like tiring them out before you leave, having some one come in mid-day for a little play time and a potty break, then lots of exercise and play time after you get home.

 

[jboboxer]

No. LOL...I was talking about the pads on the dogs feet. They are tough enough to handle a little hot pavement.





There are lots of single dog homes that are perfectly happy. Rowdy was an only dog until he was three years old and did just fine. I worked an 8 hour day, but just made provisions for him while I was away. Don't be fooled that every dog needs another dog in order to not be lonely. You just have to do what you can to make sure they're not bored; like tiring them out before you leave, having some one come in mid-day for a little play time and a potty break, then lots of exercise and play time after you get home.

Are you sure they can handle that kind of heat? I'm not sure where in Florida you live, but I've walked a few times barefoot and as a result had blisters all over my feet. There's been times I've gone to the beach and forgot my flipflops and didn't realize it was so hot and I have to run for shade. The people walking down the street with flipflops or shoes wouldn't have a clue how how the floors are.

I'm not sure if your aware, but sidewalks in my area reach up to 145 degrees, which I can't imagine being a dog having to walk barefoot in these conditions.

Now that we're getting cooler weather it might not be a problem, but I'm not sure how you can determine if your dog is uncomfortable or not?

It's a lot cooler at 6pm for me and I've noticed the few times I've walked Roxy during the day she is about to die. I mean she can go 30 minutes and come back home and want to play fetch and has a little bit of energy. If I take her during the middle of the day, she has trouble breathing really really bad and her tongue just falls out of her mouth the entire walk.

Because of the hot side walks that I feel she would suffer and the humidity, which I've read a few times that boxers don't do too well. I've been trying to walk her when it's a little bit cooler. I've noticed that if I'm sweating from the humidity bad, she is really breathing heavy.

"Because of their brachycephalic head, they do not do well with high heat or humidity, and common sense should prevail when exercising a Boxer in these conditions."
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Boxer_dog

 

[ehayes21]

Are you sure they can handle that kind of heat? I'm not sure where in Florida you live, but I've walked a few times barefoot and as a result had blisters all over my feet. There's been times I've gone to the beach and forgot my flipflops and didn't realize it was so hot and I have to run for shade. The people walking down the street with flipflops or shoes wouldn't have a clue how how the floors are.

I'm not sure if your aware, but sidewalks in my area reach up to 145 degrees, which I can't imagine being a dog having to walk barefoot in these conditions.

Now that we're getting cooler weather it might not be a problem, but I'm not sure how you can determine if your dog is uncomfortable or not?

It's a lot cooler at 6pm for me and I've noticed the few times I've walked Roxy during the day she is about to die. I mean she can go 30 minutes and come back home and want to play fetch and has a little bit of energy. If I take her during the middle of the day, she has trouble breathing really really bad and her tongue just falls out of her mouth the entire walk.

Because of the hot side walks that I feel she would suffer and the humidity, which I've read a few times that boxers don't do too well. I've been trying to walk her when it's a little bit cooler. I've noticed that if I'm sweating from the humidity bad, she is really breathing heavy.

"Because of their brachycephalic head, they do not do well with high heat or humidity, and common sense should prevail when exercising a Boxer in these conditions."
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Boxer_dog

I live in Orlando and it's freaking hot. Long walks are usually reserved for early morning and later at night, because they cannot handle the heat. But a potty break and a little play on grass won't hurt a bit.

 

[BxrMommieNAZ]

Are these some type of boots? I'm trying to look online and puppy pads or any other name is showing me more training pads

No she's talking about their NATURAL pads on their feet. Dogs are made to walk on ground, concrete, hot, cold, whatever, her natural feet will be just fine.