Doggy questions

[HEyHEY]

I'm most likely moving to this town for my job (should I accept it tomorrow)....

I would love to get a dog to keep me company. BUt I'm single and am worried about a puppy being alone all day.

SHould I get one? If so any tips on how to get a dog through it's first few months of puppyhood when you aren't around all the time?

[proud patriot]

1. Some breeds do better than other alone at home

However I'm of the opinion the new pups need
someone their to train them just like a human
child needs supervision .

[HEyHEY]

2. yeah that's my worry

I wouldn't feel right about leaving a little rascal all on his/her lonesome all day..it's not fair to the dog. But, there has to be a way. I'm guessing there's no doggy day care in this town.

[grasswire]

5. GEE!

So don't get a puppy. Get a grown dog, who can go without peeing for ten hours and won't shred your furniture.

Or, better yet, get two cats. Loads of fun, sweet companions, and can go without attention for a couple of days.

[HEyHEY]

6. hate cats

I was thinking about a grown dog. But I doubt there is a pound in town there.

[baby_bear]

3. Get two.

I did something similar in your place awhile back and I did everything wrong. She was such a sweet golden retriever. All she wanted was attention. Everyday when I went to work I put her out on the porch/backyard of my condo and she reacted as if that were punishment. Consequently she was very hard to house train and very unhappy during the days.

I'm not sure how to advise you, but I have a good friend who recently got two goldens -- he intended to get just one but ended up with brother and sister -- and they get left behind all day, but inside, in a limited area (he has a basement with lots of light), and they have each other.

My sweetie ended up being a great dog but not until I moved from that condo and lived with other people and pets.

I wish you luck. They are so much love and company, but they can be very vulnerable and needy. Much like people!

s_m

[HEyHEY]

4. maybe I should wait until my work relations are established

Then ask if I can bringhim to work.

[Red State Rebel]

9. I agree getting an older dog is best...

Check with a local rescue group they have them for every breed just about. We have Goldens and belong to the Golden Retriever Rescue in St. Louis. We have a dog door and electronic fence around the yard so they can come and go as they please.

If you are worried about lonliness, get 2 dogs to keep each other company.

Good luck!

[Gore1FL]

7. Just give it attention when you are there

At first, keep it in a bathroom with food and water while you are gone -- This serves 2 purposes --

1: makes for easy cleanup
2: helps to hous-train the dog

Yeah -- It sounds cruel, but it isn't

Once the dog is trained, it can roam the house (make sure it has something sensible and acceptable to chew on)

You aren't going to spend 24/7 with any animal. Dogs sleep a lot (not as much as cats) and it will spend much of its time doing so while you are out.

Just make sure you give it attention when you are there -- Dogs are pack animals and will need company -- but not 'round-the-clock.

I am single, have a 7 yr old dog I raised from a puppy. I donl;t know what I'd do wihtout him.

[HEyHEY]

8. thanks

I guess if I get him a comfy bed and stuff he'd be okay
Still not sure though

[Gore1FL]

10. Mine sleeps on my bed

or hangs out by the front picture window waiting for me.


When he was a puppy, I showed him that he could climb the back of the couch to look out the window. He proceeded to make a habit of climbing into the window and waiting on the sill. That was cute enough -- but now he is 50-60 pounds and still climbs up on the sill and looks out!

The biggest thing is having yard space, or an enclosed area -- if I had to take my dog out each time he needed out, I'd go outta my mind.

[Gore1FL]

11. added benefit

to having the dog sleep on the bed is that the warmth really is handy in the winter -- It is like having a really safe electric blanket that runs on dogfood.

[NicoleM]

12. I wouldn't leave a puppy alone all day.

I waited to get a dog until I could be home more. It's a good thing, too, because I got a dog from a shelter who has terrible separation anxiety. We've had him for six months, and he still doesn't believe that we're coming back if we leave him here by himself for a while.

[Robb]

13. Think about a six-or 8-month old

...Even a "yearling". Puppy is tough, even as a "pro" the first month or two is like having a full-time job.

Before you get one, get a great, great book by the Monks of New Skete called "The Art of Raising a Puppy". Actually, if you're feeling poor, PM me and I'll mail you my copy book rate. Must read. :)

[Catfish]

14. Crate training

When I first had my Aussie 4 month old puppies show up, I started working from home. They were maniacs and I wasn't puppy smart and didn't have the discipline to crate train them. It looked cruel to me. Problem was that I couldn't leave them alone for the first year, they would get into everything and it was also dangerous for them. However, I'm now a believer in crate training. It keeps the dog safe and they come to see it as a safe place. My foster girl is crate trained because it can make a dog more adoptable.

I would think about an older dog if I were you and I'd wait until you see what your work routine is. I also second the need for a good fenced yard, you don't have to leash your dog and go out with him in the middle of the night if he needs to go. Also, some dogs can't cope alone, I adopted an Aussie mix who was rejected by his first adoptive family because he went into a panic when left alone. Now, he's just fine as long as he has another dog with him.

[RebelOne]

15. I do hope that you will be adopting from a shelter.

Why get a puppy? You could get a grown dog from a shelter that is already housebroken and trained.