Question for you dog owners

[lostt1]

So I just have a quick question for those of you who have dogs and work full-time. Do you use a crate for your pup during the day? Do you hire someone to come let him/her out during the day? Do you run home during a lunch break? I am asking because I will probably be adopting a 7 month maltipoo on Tuesday. She has been crate-trained and would

Comments

[marishna]

For the majority of the time we've had dogs we've always had an 8-5 schedule that didn't allow for time to come home during the day. The animals learn their schedule pretty well. With one of our dogs we fed her as soon as we got up, then we put her out to pee and poo. We used to do out, food then out again but it was easier to let her do her thing for a longer period of time until we got home. Our dog now is NOT a morning dog so she's slow to get up and when she does she just pees and goes back to bed and that's about it until the evening.

Also, none of our dogs were crate trained, either, so I don't know if that helps or hinders you.

[lostt1]

Thanks, that definitely helps. I guess I'm just a bit paranoid because even though I've fostered a dog (with help), I've never truly owned one. And this one is just so adorable. But she's a puppy, so she has a lot of energy. And she's a small breed, so I...well, I just worry. But I was hoping to find a dog that was this breed to adopt. I met her today and we just clicked. She really is so cute and fun. I'll have to figure out what to do when I travel home, but I have a few months before that happens. One issue at a time. :)

I'm also going to warn my neighbors. I figure she may whine or bark when I leave, at least the first few days. I'm going to ease her into it, though. My boss is out of the office for the next two weeks so my schedule can be a bit more flexible.

[billysgirl5]

Speaking as someone who as dog-sat for years for my brother's shitzapoo and yorkie, both crate-trained. When they get up in the morning, the dogs were let out of their crate and given food/water. After about half an hour or so, the dogs would be let outside to do their business. When it was time for them to leave (8-9am), the dogs went into the crate (it was a huge crate that they shared) and they stayed until a little after 5pm when my brother/wife got home. As long as they have plenty of time to do their business after they eat and before they're back in the crate, they should be fine...just make sure you don't have food/water dishes in the crate with them. My brothers dogs, though, while they may be on this set schedule, they have no problem adjusting to different schedules when I'm with them and then switching back to my brother's schedule. Hope that helps you out!

[lostt1]

That's actually rather reassuring. I've only really cared for my brother's dogs and they are large breeds. And it was usually with help. I've always had cats, but had to get rid of them due to allergies. My doc told me I should see about getting a maltipoo and I finally found one. I guess I'm just worried because it's new. I definitely plan to walk her and play with her as much as I can before I go to work. And I figure on the days my friend wants to head to the gym after work, I'll just run home at lunch or have someone else do it for me. I'm just trying to plan ahead. Thanks for the comment. It seriously does help me put my mind at ease a bit.

[missyjack]

Firstly - Congratulations!!!

using crates is almost unheard of in Australia, so can't help you there. I can't imagine you would want to keep a dog in a cage all day tho.

Obviously a lot depends on the dogs personality. My advice would be - make sure you go for a walk in the morning or at least have 30 minutes of playtime ro trainign with the dog before you got to work. (and again at night obviously). Toys and or bones and chewy things will help with boredom too.

Also - is there anyway you can have a dog door to an outside area? i think its less imp for the wee/poo thing and more for them having a change of scenery.

My dog is alone for at least 8 hours a day and basically sleeps the whole time - so I'm lucky!

[lostt1]

Thanks! I'm rather excited. I've fostered a chihuahua before, but that was with help. This time it would be on my own and it's a breed my doc recommends, not only for my allergies but also they apparently make great therapy dogs (I have vertigo issues). I probably won't crate her for long. Just to start with since that's what she is used to and she's still pretty young. I can't add a dog door, unfortunately. I live on the second floor of a condo complex and our HOA is strict about no alterations to things like doors, balconies, etc. I will take her for walks at least 2-3 times a day and play with her a lot before I go to work. I figure if I can only come home once or twice a week at lunch, then I'll try to do it on the days that I plan to go to the gym after work. Her owner will be sending most of her things with her, such as her toys, clothes, leash, etc, which is a huge help. And it will hopefully help her to have her familiar items. I figure there will be some barking issues at first, so I plan on warning my neighbors

[missyjack]

Oh she is adorable!!! Hope she settles in well. I know she'll bring so much into your life! Mine certainly does.

[masja_17]

In Sweden where I live we have "daycare" for dogs. They take her out twice a day. She is there from 0830 to 1600. My son picks her up after school. And leaving a dog alone more than four hours is considered as animal abuse in Sweden. So a usual day she gets four to five walks!
Just wanted you to know. :)

[lostt1]

We have doggie daycares here, too, but they can be costly. I've been looking into them, but right now, I just can't afford to do it, at least not every day. I may try to do it once or twice a month, though, so she can get the social aspect of being around other dogs. I'm also going to see if one of my neighbors might help out once a week or so. It doesn't take care of the daily issue, but it's better than nothing. Thanks for commenting! I like hearing how things differ in various countries.

[strgazr04]

I would probably only use the crate if you didn't have a large room you could keep the dog in that you knew was pet-safe (i.e. no cords to chew or poisoning products to get into etc). If the dog is used to being in the crate, it might also help them acclimate to the new house. Many times, dogs view their crate as their sanctuary but it all depends on how the first owner/breeder trained them to use it. My cousin's dog was trained to use the crate as a bathroom and thus freaked when they put her in there for long periods of time. Personally, I've had four dogs and never used a crate. But there are also four people in my household so there was usually someone who could come home. However, my service dog would come with me to high school. That's an 8 hour day and he'd never ask to go to the bathroom. So it's not unheard of for a dog to hold it that long. It's just harder when they are a puppy. Keep in mind then that there will very likely be a few messes for you to clean up as the puppy learns but it shouldn't take more than a few months