Raising a puppy when you work
Why would a person decide to get a puppy while employed at a full time job?
Dogs can be found in 70% of all households in the US. Dogs are easily the most lovable pet because of the bond they share with people. Dogs are beneficial to man in more ways than one. There’s no doubt that if not adequately managed, leaving a puppy alone while at work could result in creating a sad, neglected puppy. But despite the cruelty some might direct at a full time working pet owners, they shouldn’t be deprived of the joy and companionship owning a dog would bring.
Isn’t it cruel to leave a puppy alone at home?
It’s not. It’s actually a mistake to have your puppy constantly in your company because it will result in the puppy being over-dependent on people and won’t be able to be on its own. British studies show that in 2005, 90% of pet owners see their dogs or cat as a valuable family member. But owning such lovely pets offers pleasure and responsibility in equal measure. But irrespective how much we love our puppy, most of us have a full-time job to attend to so it’s inevitable that most dogs live in homes that are unoccupied for the most part of each working day.
Caring for a puppy is much more delicate compared to dealing with an adult dog, so it’s essential to really understand the needs of the puppy. We should have made an arrangement for entertainment. We need something automated way to keep it engaging. Best automated dog ball thrower could be a great option keeping him/her engage. We Raising a puppy while working full time requires maximum commitment and you will probably need outside help.
Needs of a puppy:
- As much attention as they can get
- The companionship of their owners
- Frequent meals and
- Potty training.
Is it possible for you to raise a puppy while you work full time?
Yes, definitely, if done right. And in some cases, it may mean paying for some extra help.
How long can your puppy be left alone
The amount of time a puppy can be let by itself depends on some crucial factors, but the most important is “how long the puppy can hold its bladder which is usually the current age of the puppy (in months) plus one. Others are;
- The age of the puppy
- The stage the puppy is with its potty training
- And whether the puppy is crated or not
Is leaving the puppy in a crate while at work safe?
Yes, in fact leaving the puppy in a crate gives the puppy a sense of safety after they get used to the crate and it’ll also keep them from hurting themselves. The kind of help you are going to need for different development stages:
Leaving a puppy at home alone while at work requires giving the puppy comfort breaks when necessary because whether the dog turns out trained or not depends on this potty training. Some of the hints you need in figuring out the help you’re going to get with each development stage include;
When the puppy is 8 – 10 weeks old:
The puppy would require a lot of attention because for the first few days, it would consider its new abode a stranger’s home and it’d be very upsetting if it is left alone. So you need to either find a way to create time off work to stay with him/her or hire a sitter to look after it while you’re at work to help with the following;
Ensure the puppy frequently taken out to its toilet area and make sure he’s gradually getting accustomed to spending more extended hours alone.
Take the puppy out on a lot of outings for exercise, entertainment and teaching it social skills.
When the puppy is 10 – 12 weeks:
Its bladder capacity would have increased, but it may still not last the number of hours before you get back from work. So, if you crate your puppy or use puppy pen (which is advisable to keep the puppy safe and prevent any mischief), you’d need someone to help you let the puppy out in the mid-morning, or its equivalent, depending on the time it’d be alone.
When the puppy is between 3 – 4 months old:
The puppy’s bladder should now be able to hold out for three to four hours so he could be comfortable sleeping the hours of absence (not more than 4) away in a large crate. If you are going to be away from the puppy for more than four hours (travel time included), then a puppy pen arrangement is probably your best bet.
You should take note of the following even though every dog is different:
- Some puppies can jump very high in this age bracket so care should be taken to avoid situations where it’ll escape the pen.
- Also pups at this age get dangerously destructive, so it’s best not to familiarize them with the house yet
- It’s best to consult with your vet and other dog professionals to shed more light on this to take note when leaving your puppy at any particular stage of its development.
For proper care of your puppy, your options include;
- Checking in during your breaks
- Designating a friend or neighbor to check in regularly
- Employing the services of a dog walker or puppy sitter
- Leaving your puppy with a friend
- Daycare for dogs
Monitoring your puppy
There are many available pet monitors which can be linked with your mobile device Wi-Fi signal to help keep an eye on your dog to be fully appraised of your dog’s condition. To know if it is getting upset while you are away or causing a general disturbance in the neighborhood. Some of these monitoring devices have motion detectors which are only activated when your puppy is moving around. And some are even equipped with a two-way microphone that will enable you to communicate with your dog at home.
On the other hand, others dispense treats for the puppy and even create a sort of entertainment for the puppy in the form of games.
In conclusion, if you are full time working person, always have a backup plan in case your go-to person disappoints. And the arrangement you made to care for your puppy while you’re at work is disrupted. Follow the guidelines, and you’d end up with a trained and happy adult dog you’d be satisfied with.