Post # 1
Member
76 posts
Worker bee
Ok hive I have a slight non wedding related problem. My Fiance and I have just brought home the most adorable Spaniel Puppy! (LOVE HIM SO MUCH ALREADY) and are so excited to have this new addition to our family.
Everything has been great as I work at night and he works days so someone is will pup all the time. The problem is that his work have now just announced that he will now be doing rotating weeks of days and nights! Nightmare! There will now be a clash when I work night and he is on his night rotation. Can anyone suggest anything? Our boy is only 8 weeks old , and my Fiance can take an hour out and go home to walk, feed and play with him etc but this isnt enough.
If anyone has any suggestions they would be SOOO appreciated!
Thanks in advance Hive! xx
Post # 3
Member
237 posts
Helper bee
I don’t know how much money you have, but maybe you could pay a neighborhood kid to stop in for an hour or so to give him some affection a couple nights a week? Honestly, as long as you are both home during the day, giving him lots of affection, walking him, he will be okay at night. You should set up a “play pen” type area so he can’t run all over and chew up everything, but also so he doesn’t feel too overwhelmed in the empty house. Honestly, he’ll probably sleep a lot of the time – make sure you don’t let him nap too much during the day.
My friend is currently housesitting for a super rich family and their dog has social anxiety disorder (lol) and she has to leave the TV on at night so the dog doesn’t feel alone. Maybe keeping the radio or tv on? Seems kind of dumb to me but she says she has to for the job.
Post # 4
Member
76 posts
Worker bee
We are just new to the area so don’t really know any of the neighbours yet or that would have been my first port of call. My Fiance starts work at 4.30 when on night shift and I get ome around 11 so it would be around 6 and a half hours he would be by himself…. I have read about radios, playpens, tiring him out and leaving chew toys stuffed with treats for him but I just worry that it would be too long? Thanks so much for the in put 🙂
Post # 5
Member
1040 posts
Bumble bee
CONGRATULATIONS!!! I love puppies!!! Take lots of pictures, he’ll grow so fast and before you know it, you’ll barely remember what he looked like as a puppy. 🙂
If you can afford it, and if these exist near your home, you can explore doggy daycares and dog walkers. Doggy daycares will allow you to drop off the puppy for an entire day, and he’ll come home exhausted. Dog walkers will come to your home, walk the dog, refill his water and food, and make sure he’s exercised.
If you cannot afford these options or they don’t exist near you (I’m in California where we have tons of crazy dog things – haha) then I highly recommend Kong toys. They are DURABLE as heck, you can fill them with peanut butter/dog food and freeze them. It keeps puppies going for along time. 🙂
http://www.kongcompany.com/
EDIT: 6 1/2 hours should be ok. Remember, puppies sleep A TON! I’m psycho protective of my dog and we leave him for 6 1/2 hours no problem. And he’s a super, super hyper 2 year old. 🙂
Post # 6
Member
1026 posts
Bumble bee
It should be ok. When we got our puppy, we went to bed at 9ish, and it was 3 or four in the morning before she had to go out to potty. There are a couple things you can do now to make it easier.
1) Crate train/have a small sleeping area. There should be no water or food in this area, and just enough space for the puppy to lay down and sleep. It should know that in that spot, the only thing that happens is naps.
2) Set up a schedule and stick to it. If you are both going to be gone 4-11, start putting puppy to bed at that time now. A few days of it and his body should settle into that pattern, and he’ll go right to sleep.
3)Adjust his food and water schedule. Make sure his last feeding/drink is about an hour before he goes to bed, potty right before he does and he should make it without accidents until you are home to let him out.
Hope everything goes well with your furbaby!
Post # 7
Member
2695 posts
Sugar bee
Do they have petsitting services/dog walking in your area? If not, he should be okay that long. Its not ideal, but it can work.
Post # 8
Member
724 posts
Busy bee
Considering he can come home and walk him it shouldn’t be a problem at all! But DEFINITELY kennel him when he’s home alone. I felt to guilty to kennel my beagle when she was a puppy and she ended up destroying everything in our apartment and honestly she now feels more safe/less overwhelmed by being home all alone when she’s in her kennel.
Post # 9
Member
318 posts
Helper bee
Congrats on your new little one!! I would highly recommend buying a crate (kennel). They are a Godsend (really I promise!). Buy one that is for medium sized dogs and just section it off since he is little. He should need enough space to stretch out.
Make sure your Fiance and you walk him and play with him as much as possible when you are home.
Your pup will be okay. I know a crate doesn’t sound all that nice but they actually love it. It’s like a cave for them and makes them feel safe and secure. Our pup is over 2 and we will find her laying in hers every once in a while. 🙂
Post # 10
Member
35 posts
Newbee
Crate training is great! And you will find lots of info on the net to help training. Good luck!
Post # 11
Member
3695 posts
Sugar bee
Crate train your little buddy and you’ll all be happier for it. 🙂 6ish hours isn’t bad, especially if he can come home for lunch after three or so. A pup that young should be able to hold it for 3-4 hours, especially if you limit water before then and let it out right before you leave.
My husband and I got our dog at 7weeks old when we were both working full time (days) and she did ok. 🙂 He got up early and let her out, then I did breakfast and let her out again, then went in late. He came home for lunch, then was the first one home, so she was home alone for 3-4 hours at a time. When she was 12-16 weeks old (I don’t remember which) we cut out the lunchtime visits, which allowed him to come home earlier, so she was still only home for 6-7 hours. Now she’s 2.5 years old and stays home alone for 10+ hours. She’s a bigger dog, though (Golden Retriever), so, bigger bladder. 🙂