Rescuing dog/leaving at home

[RoxMonster]

My husband and I plan to rescue a puppy from a local shelter right after Christmas. We don't know yet what breed for sure (it depends what puppies the shelter has when we visit), but right now we are thinking something along the lines of a beagle, dachshund, etc (smaller-medium sized dog) and definitely a young puppy.

My question is mainly how to get him/her used to being at home alone when we are at work and any tips you have. I'm a teacher and we plan to rescue while I'm on XMas break so I can spend the first week we have her at home with her.

However when I have to go back to work, there will be some days she'll have to be home alone for 8 hours. My H works 9-5 three days a week, and I get home at 4:30. So on those days, the dog would be alone from 8:45-4:30. On the days H works 12-8, she'll only be alone about 5 hours. On the weekends, we're both home. So we're really only talking three days a week that she will be home alone for longer than 5 hours (and at most it would be 8).

We plan to use baby gates to keep her in the kitchen while we are at work. A walk in the morning before H goes into work and then I will take her out and give her a walk when I get home from work. Any tips or suggestions for leaving her home on the longer days when we first get her and are working on potty training? (It isn't possible for either of us to come home during lunch; I commute almost an hour to work and H works 20 min. away with only a 30 min. lunch).

[redheadbaker]

Depending on the age of the puppy, being left alone for 8 hours may be too long. The rule of thumb is that puppies can only "hold it" for as many hours as their age in months (a 4-month-old puppy can hold it for 4 hours).

Can you hire a dog-walker to come by mid-day? I'm in a HCOL city, and the dog-walker that I used charged $15 for a 30 minute visit, but discounts to $60/week for 5 visits, at the same time each day.

As for potty training, crate-training usually is the quickest, most effective way to potty train. There should be links in our board FAQS: sites.google.com/site/petsboardfaqs/

[RoxMonster]

Do you have suggestions for places to get recommendations for reputable dog walkers? None of our friends around this area have one, and I would want to make sure they are reputable, trustworthy, etc (obviously). That sounds like our best bet for the days the puppy will be home more than 4-5 hours alone.

I have read a lot of information about crate training. Do you think that's better than confining them to one small room (the kitchen) while we are away?

[Xyz]

I would suggest looking either at an older puppy...like 6-7 months, or waiting until you are off in the summer. A young puppy that isn't house trained is not going to hold it for 5 hours much less 8 hours. Ask the rescue for reccommendations but young puppies are really tough if you are working. it is likely to tear your house up if it isn't crated, and house training can be grueling.

[RoxMonster]

Well I think we decided we're going to hire a dog walker/sitter to come for an hour in the middle of the day to take the dog out and play with her on the days we have to work until she is old enough to be at home that long by herself.

What are some good websites to find reputable, trustworthy dog walkers/sitters? Will it be difficult to transition the dog when she is old enough that we don't need the dog walker anymore?

[niemand88f]

I found my pet sitter through petsit.com. Some other sources are sittercity.com, angies list (if you already subscribe), craigslist, recommendations from friends or neighbors. You could even use a neighbor - my parents hired a retired woman on their street to walk their dog.

Make sure to post pics when you get your new family member

[midnightmare81]

Make sure they are bonded and insured... good luck with your new puppy!

[dearprudence]

Nov 23, 2012 17:52:45 GMT -5 RoxMonster said:

I have read a lot of information about crate training. Do you think that's better than confining them to one small room (the kitchen) while we are away?

I highly recommend crate training over confining them to a small room. One of the pets regulars had a dog who was able to turn on the stovetop. And the last thing you'd want is to come home to a fire and dead puppy. When I was a kid, before we started crate training our dogs, we had a "special room" for our dog. It was basically a finished room in the basement with nothing in it but carpeting, a bed, and food/water. We came home the first time we used it and the dog had scratched the door until her knuckles bled. There are dangers in other rooms like heavy furniture that can tip over on the dogs. Crate-training is a much safer option, and I know with dogs who have separation anxiety (like mine) it even helps make them feel more secure.

[sillystraw]

We also used petsit.com. Like pp said, make sure they are bonded and insured, and interview a few different ones. They should provide you with references that you can call as well. You can also try calling local vets or rescue groups to see if they have recommendations.