Going back to work!

[knewlon]

I need some advice! I have a 7 month old dachshund and I have always been at home with him. If I am out of the house over a couple hours he always goes with me otherwise I put him in a crate which he hates . I just got offered a job full-time and I am scared of how my dog is going to handle being alone for 8 hours a day and what should I do with him? I could crate him but what about his food and water? He also goes potty quite often still. Speaking of potty, he is house trained as long as I am where he can tell me. I trusted him one day and let him run the house while I went out for 1 hour and he peed. Also if I'm in the shower and cant get him out right away he'll pee too. Anyway, I just bought a baby gate and thought why not put him in the bathroom with the door open and he'll have his food but then I dont want to have to clean up poo as soon as I get home. Has anyone else dealt with this? Sorry this is so long, I got carried away!

[trainingrixie]

I wouldn't keep him in a crate for the entire day. The bathroom idea is pretty good though. I'd keep the door shut if possible. but make absolutely sure that there is nothing poisonous, dangerous, or breakable or tearable that he can get to. I'd put lots toys, a comfy bed, food and water on one side and maybe some newspapers on the other for him to potty on. Hopefully if he does do a poody, it'll be on the paper and that's easier clean up.

IDEALLY I would look into a doggy day care, dog walker, or even just ask a close friend to come by and let the little guy out a few times during the day for relief and interaction. Eventhough Trixie comes to work with me every day, I wish there was a doggy day care around here; for socialization and also to get her used to being away from mommy for a somewhat extended time....I have to go away for like 3 nights at the end of the month and Trixie will have to stay at a kennel with Shelby b/c my parents will be gone too...AGAIN!

[knewlon]

I dont know if the newspapers will work. He has a fetish with shredding paper. I heard if you keep the bathroom door open then they wont feel so trapped and try to eat their way out. I also dont know if a gate will keep him in I havent tried it yet. I wish there was a doggy day care around here, it would solve all my problems. Thanks for the reply

[mainesheltie]

I like your baby gate idea. However, you might want to rig 2 up or somekind of other method to block the entire door.

I used baby gates (two doorways) to keep my baby sheltie in the kitchen while was at work. Well, I didn't know puppies could climb. Everything was going just swell until one day, baby boy climbed the baby gate. I was quite taken aback when I got home: puppy had diarrhea, carpet 'was' peach.

[fireworksinjuly]

Originally Posted by trainingrixie

I wouldn't keep him in a crate for the entire day.

Can I ask why not?

When used correctly they are wonderful and the safest idea possible.
Does your dog free feed or on schedule? Schedule is actually the better idea, as for water- hes not going to get dehydrated. However, the lack of water during the day will help cut down the number of times he has to pee.
Here is great tips on crate training- http://www.globalpaw.com/dog-article...-training.html (Crate Training)

[Rivsky]

Another thing I'd be doing is if you've got time leading up to when you start your job slowly start leaving him alone for longer and longer periods so he doesn't just go from having you home all day to spending 8 hours by yourself. Definitely leave lots of toys and stuff out to keep him entertained while you're gone.

I'd also be making sure he got at least some sort of a walk before you went to work - every morning. River goes to the park for about an hour and then we come home and play in between me getting ready - by the time I'm ready to leave for work he's knackered and ready for a sleep - also helps alleviate the guilt factor for you when you're leaving if you know he's had some time to burn some energy.

[knewlon]

Okay, I read the article on crate training and it says leaving a puppy in a crate for 8 hours or longer is a bad idea for various reasons!

Even though he is small I think the 2 gates might work Mainesheltie.

I have to be at work early in the morning while its still dark so I cant really take him out for a walk then (I scared!) LOL! I guess I could wake up 30 minutes early and play fetch until he passes out! LOL!

[StephanieandTeddy]

Originally Posted by Rivsky

Another thing I'd be doing is if you've got time leading up to when you start your job slowly start leaving him alone for longer and longer periods so he doesn't just go from having you home all day to spending 8 hours by yourself. Definitely leave lots of toys and stuff out to keep him entertained while you're gone.

I'd also be making sure he got at least some sort of a walk before you went to work - every morning. River goes to the park for about an hour and then we come home and play in between me getting ready - by the time I'm ready to leave for work he's knackered and ready for a sleep - also helps alleviate the guilt factor for you when you're leaving if you know he's had some time to burn some energy.

This is good advice...I would also hire somebody to let him out in the middle of the day...Hiring a pet sitter/dog-walker is also good for a "plan B."...(Being asked to work overtime...or some emergency) The last thing you want is to worry about your puppy being stuck in the house with nobody else having access to him.

Congrats on the new job!