Please help! Outside or Inside!

[dukesmomma]

We just adopted a male named Duke. He came from being an inside dog all the time and was raised that way. So far he hasn't been left home alone. Starting next Tuesday my college classes start. I have classes on Tuesday from 10:50 til 4 and then on Thursday from 10:50 til 9. My mom thinks that I should just put Duke outside for the whole day but I don't want him to do that because he isn't used to being outside for long periods of time. Plus I don't want him to get too hot or too cold or go crazy cuz we have cats outside. But at the same time I don't know if he could hold it all day if he was put in my room. Should I just leave him in the with a puppy training pad and teach him to go on that? Please help me. This is an URGENT matter!

 

[Cami]

Boxers are NOT outside dogs. While they may be fine (weather permitting) as far as comfort is concerned you are just setting yourself up for a TON of behavior problems due to boredom. Add in a long list of other issues that could be really negative too.
The first times you listed are certainly do-able as far as being able to hold bladder (assuming this isn't a pup or non potty trained dog) but the longer time you included is asking A LOT.
Isn't there anyone else at home to help out with potty breaks? If not hire a dog walker to come over in the middle of your time away and let him out and get him some exercise.
The cost is not expensive and would be money well spent.

 

[caruse]

I would never leave my two outside unattended for so long...if we have to be gone they are inside...you don't know what they can get into to get injured, ect...please reconsider...you don't want something happening to you puppy while you're gone and you won't be there to help him...
Barbara

 

[dukesmomma]

Thank you both for the suggestions. I'm not going to leave him outside. I've thought a lot about it but it's not going to happen. As to the dog walker. I live out in the middle of the country and there is no one around to do that. In most cases there should be somebody here to let him outside. But if not then I guess I'm going to have to go with the whole puppy training pad idea. Since he is still young I'm hoping that he will understand what it is for. Thanks again for reinforcing what I was already thinking about the whole outside thing. I just needed extra backup.

 

[demcj]

have you considered crate training him?

it's worked out well for sydney when we have to leave her at home alone.

 

[Boxeruahua]

Have you thought about a doggie Door? A few treats and mine loves his. He comes and goes as he pleases. This also helped me with our 3 little dogs too. It was full of win for all of us.

 

[JaspersFam]

is he crate trained?? i know it seems like a long time to leave him in there, but on the one to two days a week that jasper has to be in his crate from about 8 until 5 or so my wife and i have seen no ill side effects... we just make sure that we show him extra love and attention on those particular days.. i was REALLY worried that it would show in his personality but he seems fine and since we have no other way to do it other than leaving him outside (which i refuse to do) it has been a fine alternative... personally i wouldn't let him have the run of a room though, i think he would destroy it out of boredom...

 

[iluvfrankie]

My girl has the run of the house except my bedroom and the kitchen (she likes to open presses and eat things!) when we are out and apart from the odd time i leave a newspaper out she is an angel. She sits on a single bed by the window and watches the world go by. I wouldnt dream of leaving her outside. But the longest she is ever left is 9-3 and she is fine- not a bother too her.

 

[jinkiesp]

I keep Coco in her crate when I have to work. I work a variety of shifts. I think the longest I have kept her in her crate is 9 1/2 hours. I just make sure to let her out and walk her almost immediately as soon as I get home. And then I let her play outside for awhile after the walk to run off all the excess energy. She barks when she wants to come back in so I know she has had enough. Its the only time she ever barks, LOL!

 

[mhache]

When I'm going to be gone for longer periods of time I take my 2 boxers to doggie daycare. They get well socialized and are watch all day by certified trainers. And the bonus is they come home absolutly worn out. Its great excercise and I find they are less destructive. And the bonus is they get training while they are there on problems like, jumping, rough housing, barking etc. Its the best thing i've ever done