Leaving my pup for an extended period of time....

[LKLMommy]

I feel like i'm always asking for advice! I'm sorry....but thats why you guys are here, right? lol...anyway...i have a 5 month old rottie pup, and i am a stay at home mom, so i've been here with her from day one. shes been in her crate for short periods of time when i run to the grocery or something. and she was in her crate at night, too, but since she is now fully house broken, and isnt bad about chewing on things that she shouldnt, we figured she had earned her spot in our room, and now she sleeps on her bed on our floor next to our bed. Anyway, a family emergency came up, and me and my kids are flying from arizona to ohio next monday for 3 weeks. my husband leaves for work at 5:45 am, and returns around 6 pm. So, she will be alone all that time. is that too long?? he wont be putting her in her crate...i have a large kitchen that we will be gating off for her. she will of course have toys, food, water, her bed, and the cats to keep her busy! but i'm fairly new to my neighborhood, and dont know anyone who could come and take her out through the day. I'm not worried about accicents because its on the tile floor. i'm just worried about her being alone for that long! will she be okay? any advice on things to keep her busy, or reassurance that she WILL be alright during the day is appreciated! oh, and my husband already walks her for 45 min. everynight after dinner, and he's prepared to spend a little more time exercising her in the evening.

[mamamia1]

I think it would surprise you how much trouble a pup that age can get in to over that period of time, especially out of her crate. I would put her in a kennel or have someone come by through the day.

[Odus]

I raised my dog in the same manner. There was always someone home with him (my husband or I). When that wasn't possible (he was around 6 mths old)I would leave for work at 8am, return at noon to walk and play with him for awhile then come home aroun 5:30 and he was cool. I left him in a crate for his own safety. He was house trained and and didn't chew on anything but I felt he was safer in the crate. Perhaps you could do a test run before you leave to see what he would do before you go or maybe you have a friend or neighbor that wouldn't mind stopping by during the day to let him out for 15 mins or so? My dog is 2 years old now and can wait 12 hours or so to go to the bathroom, I'm not quite sure if he could've done that at 6mths old?
Liz

[AngelBunny]

Originally Posted by LKLMommy

...a family emergency came up, and me and my kids are flying...to ohio next monday for 3 weeks. my husband leaves for work at 5:45 am, and returns around 6 pm. So, she will be alone all that time. is that too long??

You are proposing to leave a 5 month old puppy unsupervised for more than 12 hours a day.

Yes, it's too long and it's unwise.

I understand you're fairly new to your neighborhood, but I suggest you look for a pet sitter. Ask your vet for recommendations, look in the phone book, ask at grooming salons and stores selling pet food.

Another option is doggy day care.

Yet a third option is asking your puppy's breeder for help.

[brunie's mom]

Leaving a 5 month old pup alone for 12 hours is far too long. See if you can get a dog walking service to let puppy out even once during the day while you are away.

This is such an important time with house training and socialization...and to be left alone for 12 hours a day for 3 weeks is cruel.

What about your breeder? Could you leave puppy at your breeder's for this time?

Gina