what to do with pup while I'm at work? Long but please give input...

[b131]

I did some searches and found info on what people do while they are at work but I still have a dilemma with what to do with my future boxer pup when he arrives. I am at work M-F 8-5 which mean I’m gone from about 7-5:30 or 6. I have 3 choices but would like your input.

1. I could drop him off at my parent’s house on the way to work and pick up after. Here he would be socialized to the max but I’m afraid that he may pick up bad habits since I know my family would not follow my strict instructions on how to train the pup (crate training, feeding (they tend to feed all our dogs table scraps), socializing and false rewards, etc.), regardless of how much I beg and plead. I also have a 5 year old niece there who may do more harm than anything else (not physical but just picking up bad habits). Somehow I just don’t trust the family enough to feel comfortable leaving the pup there. Don’t get me wrong, they are loving and caring, but I think they are little too much and may spoil him in a bad way.
2. I could leave the pup in an enclosed area at home (like the kitchen or other room) and then in a huge run (gated) outside in our back area once he is much older. Leaving him in the kitchen or other room as a pup will not help in proper crate training methods since he will have free roam of entire area and do his deed wherever he sees fit whether it be on paper or those toilet sheets bought at pet stores. I would be gone about 10-11 hours a day so I think this would be too long for him to be alone (my opinion).
3. I can begin crate training for longer periods of time (I am a strong believer of crate training and plan on beginning this on day 1 but only when I am present). Is a few months old too early for a pup to be crated while I am gone for lets say 4 or 5 hours (I would have to go home during my lunch break, hate to do it but don’t see any alternative other than #1). When much older, 3 or 4 years, what’s the longest time possible to leave a dog crated? A bad side to this is that something might happen at work that would prevent me from getting away during lunch to let him out (my field of work has this happen from time to time).

In your opinions, which is my best option? I only want the best for my pup. I had a Rottweiler before but he was a different breed, very dominant and did not need a lot of attention compared to what I am expecting from the new pup. He was left outside in the huge run I built at my location while I was away and he was perfectly fine and enjoyed it, but then again, he was already 3 years old when he started using the run. Before then, he lived with my parents and had the whole backyard to roam free. Thank you in advance for the replies.
:confused:

 

[Barkley's Daddy]

My boy is now 8 months old and has been living outside when we are gone since he was about 2 months old.. (same schedule) we don't have a huge yard, but big enough and he loves it. He is always greeted right when we get home and spends the rest of the day with us along with the weekends. I haven't seen a happier or healthier pup.

 

[luvfritz]

Hi,

I don't mean this in a bad way - not a personal attack - I'm just curious. With your demanding schedule why are you getting such a young puppy? I know it is workable but not without a lot of help. I'm not passing judgement on the post that leaves his puppy outside but (it must work for them) I would be worried sick about leaving a young puppy in my fenced in yard. I wouldn't be able to function at a job if I was thinking about my little boxer roaming my back yard alone. There must be more details than they mentioned. And maybe I read your post to quickly. Please tell me, I might have some day care suggestions if I knew more. Do you have neighbors who can help during the day? Thank you...

 

[vasha]

hi! i was pretty much in the same predicament. i HAD a job that allowed me to come home at lunch so i would take my babies out then. things happen and i got laid off :( so i was home with them for a month. i just started my new job monday and have worked out this schedule . . .

monday - their "aunt" (my friend) comes over and plays with them from 12-6

tuesday - doggie daycare

wednesday - "aunt" day

thursday - doggie daycare

friday - my bro comes and walks them midday

it's not the best schedule in the world, but it's the best i can do right now.

i'm also planning to go to the dog park every night they're not in daycare (they're too pooped tonite) so that they get their needed exercise.

hope this gives you a few ideas

a snuggles n kisses lovicon
kaiser hugs n slobbers
VaSHa

 

[Chewy's Mom]

Our Stella is not quite 3 months old. We also work, though not quite as many hours as you do. We started out by puting her in the kitchen - blocked off with a child gate. We put her crate in the kitchen with her so that she could go in and lay down. She didn't love the kitchen, but I knew she was safe there.

Now, she can jump a child gate, so we confine her to the living room + hallway + kitchen. We puppy proof extremely well, and she's actually been doing pretty good. We bought those puppy pads. She would rather chew them up than pee on them, though.

I personally just didn't like the idea of keeping her in her crate all day while I'm at work. She sleeps in her crate at night, and does really well. She hardly ever cries, and she sleeps through the whole night. So that's our crate training.

I would totally do doggie day care if I knew of one around here. However, I definitely would recommend against leaving a small puppy in the backyard when you are not home. We did that with our last puppy, and just a couple months ago the neighbor's dog jumped the 6 foot fence and killed her. She was even fairly big - 25+ pounds. But there's just no way that you can control the environment in a backyard unless you have a fully enclosed dog run.

Good luck. I hope you figure out a good solution.

 

[BRIDGIT]

I would go with the crate training option. We have crate trained Jasmine since we brought her home and it has been a good experience. I feel much better at work all day knowing that she is safe and secure. In the beginning someone would go home at lunch to let her out but since my fiancee has changed schedule's she is only in there for about 5 hours each day and does fine. I would advise against the leaving the dog outside option only becuase there are so many bad things that could happen. For example someone could take the dog while you are at work (it has happend), the dog could jump the fence and take off, (Jasmine jumps like a horse) or they could get into something they shouldn't. Option one would only reverse the training process for you. Good luck and let us know what you decide.

 

[D'sMom]

We had the same predicament as well when we first got Dasia...however we where lucky enough that Dasia went to work with her "daddy". :D the only down side of it is that she is now more attached to her dad then me :( . When Dasia got old enough she was left in a crate for about 7-8 hours in the beginning with my boyfriend going home on his lunch break to play, feed, and take her out....she is 11mnths now and is able to hold it....along with Bianca who is 4 mnths of course..their grandma takes them out and plays with them on wednesday and Thrusdays....I think people that have jobs still can have a puppy as long as you can just make sure you have the time and commitment for another life.

Barkley's Daddy: Just a question why do you keep your dog outside?? Are you not worried that your dog might get into something that he should not be getting into? Or some psycho neighbor or passerby throwing things over the fence that can hurt your "boy"? Just wondering...I am not attacking you in any way...I am just way to paranoid of having to leave my dogs unsupervised in the backyard and in the heat while i am at work....or any where for that matter. Guess i just think it strange...i love having my dogs with me constantly when i am home :D

 

[Cayenne's Mom]

I would go with crate training your pup. Just like Vasha I was able to come home at lunch time and take Cayenne out for a walk and some play time. For the first few weeks be sure to put only washable items in the crate. Just in case. Also put some things like Kongs and other good toys to keep them occupied. If your parents are willing maybe you can take your pup there a few days a week just to get the socialization and not have to be alone. Good luck with your new bundle of joy. I cannot wait to see pics!!!

 

[Dempsey J's mom]

If you think that you can get home at lunchtime with regularity, I'd definately vote for the crate training option. Vasha has worked out a schedule that looks like it really works for them--could you perhaps enlist someone ti help you part-time when you can't make it home?

One other thing, and forgive me if I'm being presumptious, but make sure you get your pup out for a good run after s/he's been in that crate all day. Boxers love to run and can get crabby and whiney and be generally poorly behaved when they aren't exercised enough. A good run can often solve a lot of behavior problems.

Good luck!

 

[lola]

Crate training is your best option. I had/have a full time job with the same type of hours, I came home at lunch time played with Benson and let Benson out. He stays inside the house in his crate in the winter and he has a welded kennel/running in the back yard for nice days in the summer. I was very lucky with Benson I never found any accidents in Benson's crate.