I have a longer than normal day soon...what to do with puppy?

[AmyL]

There is a day coming up soon where my husband and I have to be gone all day (7am to about 11pm) and can't take our 3 month old pup with us. We live in a house with a fenced in back yard. Zeus occassionally gets out of the fence when we are home, but doesn't go far. The longest he's ever been in the backyard by himself was and hour and we were home, but still gets out. We don't want to board him at such an early age, even for just one night. So far, he's in his crate during the day when we are at work and at night when we sleep and it's been working famously. We don't have a lot of friends and/or family here, so we don't really trust anyone coming over to our house. We were thinking of putting him on a tie out with some food, water, shade, and lots of toys and bones. I don't particularly think this is a good idea and he's never been on a tie out before, especially all day when we can't watch him. I can't make any modifications to the fence or yard because we don't own the home. We don't want to put him in the bathroom or because he will tear it up and we don't have any other puppy safe rooms. Any suggestions on what we should do with him? Thanks so much!

[goforit]

Well, I don't think leaving him outside is an option. Anything could happen in that length of time. To tell you the truth, I wouldn't even leave my puppy or older dog outside by themselves if I was only doing to the store. And I have a fenced yard. In a week or so I will have to go back to work which means I will be away from the house for about 9 hours. I do worry about leaving my 10 week old Emma in the crate for so long, but this is not the first time I have had a puppy and worked a full time job. My last attempt was with my Yorkie who I bought a puppy pen for and covered the floor with papers and puppy pads. What a disaster. Each night when I came home it was worse. Papers torn up and puppy full of urine and poop. My suggestion is that you crate him for the day. He will be unhappy and have accidents, but at least he will be safe.

[Jaan]

If you can't arrange for someone to let him out multiple times during that day, board him. It is completely unfair to ask a 3 month old to hold off defecating/urinating for that long and tying him out alone is a non starter. I have a 3 1/2 month old that winds the leash around herself so tightly that strangulation is the next step---and I am at the other end of the leash! Imagine what could happen to a bored puppy by himself in the backyard. You may well have a dead pup and definitely a traumatized one. It is your responsibility to make the proper arrangements or don't go to this function together. Either you or your husband should stay home. The welfare of this pup is your most important consideration.

[hokisteph5]

Based on everything you've written, I agree with Jaan. If you don't want to board, you may be able to find a pet sitter who can come to your house.

[Shelby427]

I would definitely not leave a puppy that young unattended for such a long period of time. He will be fine at a boarders for a night. I wouldn't want to risk leaving my pup outside alone for that long...what if he gets into something? What if someone throws something over the fence? Or what if someone got over the fence and took him? I think the best bet is either board him or get a sitter.

[catrine01]

Why don't you ask your vet for a reference for a dog sitter? I have a 5.5 month old rottie who is crated from 7:30-8am til about 5:30-6pm, m-f. I have a pet sitter who comes by mid-day to feed and walk her and that works very well for us. It takes a lot of worry off my shoulders as Gabi loves her pet-sitter and our pet-sitter loves Gabi.

I wouldn't leave a puppy that young alone; the puppy's first four months are critical for personality development . . . you could do some damage here.

[Sharon Marples]

Here is a list of boarding facililties in Savannah:

Georgia Dog Boarding, Dog & Cat Boarding kennels & Dog Day Care in Savannah

Or, call your vet and see if they board. It is well worth the peace of mind to not have to worry about him hurting himself while you are gone or worse yet, having someone come in and steal him. It's always good for pups to go to new places, see new things.

Please do not do a tie-out!

[brunie's mom]

No tie out for a puppy or for any dog. So many bad things can happen from strangulation, to someone taking the pup....or teasing or taunting the pup.

I am also concerned that your pup is crated all day and all night? How many hours a day is this 3 month old pup crated?

You must get someone to come in and let the pup out during the day...even if it's a couple of times it will be better than spending 8-9 hours in a crate.

When you go away for the longer day...please board him....if he has had his shots, it will not harm him in the least...and he may have fun.

Gina

[Anne]

You really only have two choices. Either board him for the day and night or one of you stays home for the day and gives the function a miss.

If you tie out your pup you are taking a number of unecessary risks with his life.

[AlphaLeader]

tying him out is the worst thing you could do. i would find a way to take him or board him.

[Dieselpup]

NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO! No! Don't tie your 3-month old outside. He could strangle himself, tip over his water; you just don't know what could happen.

Leaving such a young puppy outside may be an invitation for someone to enter your premises and take your pup.

Perhaps you could check to see if there's a vet tech at your veterinary clinic who might want to come over to your house. Or, ask your vet to recommend someone.

I'm not too crazy about boarding a young 'un, myself, but if the option above isn't available to you, boarding may be the very least of all evils.

Good luck. Let us know how this works out for you.

[AmyL]

Hey guys. Here's an update. Please don't bash me or put me down if you don't agree. We have security cameras all over the exterior of the house, including the back yard. We have great neighbors as well. Zeus stayed outside that day. It was 73 degrees and gorgeous. He loved it!! We bought him a wading pool for drinking/swimming. He had a dog house for shade. We bought a million of his favorite toys and the backyard had plenty of sticks. We barracaded the fence and left out food and some bones. The neighbors checked on him throughout the day and we checked on him via the cameras online. He basked in the sun, played with his toys, took a few naps, and went for a swim or two. He had is own little doggie resort. He didn't dig, chew, or destroy anything. He actually loved the restricted freedom. It's the only time we would ever do that. I know we were lucky, but the outside worked. Thanks for your suggestions and input. And now we know to NEVER tie him out! But next time, we'll board him!