Working Full Time and New Puppy

[tigi818]

Hi,

I was wondering if those of you who work full time and have new puppies could share your experiences - what you do with them during the day, how well they adjusted, recommendations, etc.

Thanks!
Trish

 

[Lola's mum]

I'm lucky (or unlucky as my hubby might say ) that my mum lives with us so is here with the dogs while we're at work.
Some people crate their dogs and have someone come round to feed and let them out.

 

[Net45582]

Crate training and many runs home during the day worked for me....It helped that I had an older dog around so the pups didn't feel totally alone. Young pups need 3-4 meals a day and many,many potty breaks........

 

[graciegrace]

Mine are in the crate about 4 hours at a time. I am lucky that I work about 6 minutes from home and I can go home at lunch and I don't have to leave as early or return late.

 

[KonaKoffe]

We both work full time and my DH would make a run home at lunch to let Kona out, feed her and clean up any messes in the crate. For a few weeks we had messes in the crate but that got less as the pup got older. By about 5 months no more messes and at 6 months we no longer came home at lunch (down to 2 meals a day) and still no messes.

At 14 months she was completely out of the crate without any transition problems.

 

[Zoeys_Mom]

For the first 2-3 months I was lucky becuase I could bring Zoey to work with me. Although I found it very hard to get any work done! She was way too cute, AND my first dog, so I was constantly worried about her!
After 3 months or so I started to leave her at home in her crate, and came home as often as possible. If I couldn't come home, I would leave a spare key and get a friend to stop by and help out. There were a few times where she was stuck for a little too long () but for the most part it worked out well. Now she has her routine, and is happy in her crate for the day while I am at work. I still get home once or twice a day to let her out for a potty break. (She's 8 months now).

 

[tigi818]

Thanks everybody for your advice!

Luckily our work is about 15 minutes from our home so one of us will be coming home everyday at lunchtime to take care of our pup when we get her.

 

[Everest]

I work for the sheriff department in my county. Luckly enough I can bring Piper to work with me.( I work grave yard shift) We work a stressful job and nothing is more calming than a sleepy puppy on your lap to pet while you answer 911 calls! Plus she gets to meet new people (officers and other dispatchers). Once she's 6 to 8 months old hopefully she will be able to go all night with out all the potty breaks, then she can stay at home with my husband. Unless my partners insist I bring her to work, !