Puppy advice

boswellbaxter · Post by **boswellbaxter** » Tue December 28th, 2010, 9:52 pm

Personally, I think it would be better for a young puppy to have someone at home, especially if you don't want to come home to accidents on the floor. I've had a home office as long as I've had my dog, so I don't have any experience in trying to take care of a dog while working away from home.

My gut instinct would be to say no if you're having second thoughts.

rockygirl · Post by **rockygirl** » Tue December 28th, 2010, 11:33 pm

I have a miniature schnauzer that I rescued 18 months ago. She was 2 when I got her. She, like many other rescue dogs, had some behavioral issues (forgot what house training was, barking), but it's all worked out. I was willing to clean up behind her, and work with her on the barking. I work 7 hour days, and she seems to be none the worse for it. I just make sure that I give her lots of attention the first fifteen minutes or so when I get home.

I wouldn't trade her for anything in the world.

If you are ready for a puppy, you'll know it. As has been said, many working people have dogs.

Margaret · Post by **Margaret** » Tue December 28th, 2010, 11:55 pm

I've had neighbors who left their dogs at home alone for 8 hours a day while they were working, and the dogs whined and barked and generally seemed unhappy. These were large dogs. One was in a smallish apartment, the other was tied up in the woman's driveway. Dogs are pack animals who like company around.

Have you thought about a cat? My two cats are tremendously affectionate when I'm home, and they mostly just sleep when I'm gone. They even chase balls, and one of them will fetch a small, makeshift ball of wadded up paper bag so I can throw it for him again. A kitten needs a fair amount of attention, but shelters have lots of adult cats looking for homes. Cats are often quite sociable (especially Siamese and part-Siamese cats, who are also very smart), but they are not pack animals and they can tolerate being alone for fairly long stretches of time. You'll want to choose your cat as carefully as you would choose a dog, since they are very individual. They range from aloof sorts who deign to let you feed them and tolerate your presence with a modicum of grace to cats who adore sitting on your lap so much that they will pester you until you rearrange your legs to make it possible.

Divia · Post by **Divia** » Wed December 29th, 2010, 2:35 am

I have a crazy cat. My room mate also has a cat.

I was talking about this to my friend who was annoyed that people would be so cruel and mean. However it is the Internet. I should have known better.

Michy I'm sorry you had such an experience.

Anyway, my friend said she would watch the puppy during the day. I will drop the dog off at her house, which is on my way to work and then pick it up on the way home. By the time Sept rolls around again the dog will be around 1 and should be fine at home. Every dog I have ever had was OK with being in the house for that long.

Margaret · Post by **Margaret** » Wed December 29th, 2010, 6:28 am

If the dog and the cat get along - and I've known of lots of cat-dog friendships - the cat will be company for the dog.

Madeleine · Post by **Madeleine** » Wed December 29th, 2010, 12:00 pm

Personally I think that if a dog, especially a pup, is going to be left for 8 hours a day, then you shouldn't have one - most reputable animal shelters/rescue centres in the UK would not let an animal (especially one that's already possibly come from a traumatic/neglected background) go to someone who works full-time and would therefore be leaving it on it's own all day, especially a young dog. I've lived next door to someone who left their dog all day, everyday, and he just howled the whole time; not fair on the dog or the neighbours! And if you're having second thoughts, then it sounds like you know that perhaps it's not a good idea. A cat might be a better option, as generally they seem to be more independent and not so dependent on companionship all the time.

Divia · Post by **Divia** » Wed December 29th, 2010, 3:02 pm

I already have a cat.

And I stated above my friend would watch the dog.

Michy · Post by **Michy** » Wed December 29th, 2010, 3:29 pm

[quote=""Margaret""]They range from aloof sorts who deign to let you feed them and tolerate your presence with a modicum of grace to cats who adore sitting on your lap so much that they will pester you until you rearrange your legs to make it possible.[/quote] I love cats (I love all animals, actually). Saturdays are the one day when I don't have to get up as early as the other six days, and my last kitty would do all sorts of things to wake me up and get me out of bed on Saturdays. She would spin round and round, chasing her tail -- while standing on my stomach, that is. Or she would sit up close to my head and gently bat my face with her paw. And when all else failed, she would just start meowing at me. As she got older she outgrew these behaviors -- and I missed them.

I have a lot of friends and acquaintances who hate cats. But you know what I've discovered? People who claim to hate cats have never had one as a pet. I tell them that if they ever did, they would discover how much fun they are. Totally different than dogs, of course, but just as enjoyable.

Anyway, best of luck with your new puppy, Divia.

Divia · Post by **Divia** » Wed December 29th, 2010, 3:39 pm

i know someone who hates cats but she is watchign her daughter's cat. She likes it, but doesnt like cleaning the litter box(well who does???)

You can tell she likes it. So I agree with your theory.

Michy · Post by **Michy** » Wed December 29th, 2010, 4:02 pm

[quote=""Divia""]She likes it, but doesnt like cleaning the litter box(well who does???) [/quote] To me, it couldn't be any worse than picking up dog poop. Which is, I guess, why a lot of people don't pick up their dog's poop, but instead leave it in other people's yards.

You can tell she likes it.

It is very hard for a professing cat-hater to admit that they actually do like a cat.