Wondering what to do with a puppy when you’re at work all day?
Well, then keep on reading, and you’ll find some valuable tips to help you.
Getting a puppy should not be a hasty decision no matter whether you’re working full time or not. Raising a puppy requires commitment and a lot of patience and time. And when you’re working all day, it’s difficult to do that.
Fortunately, it’s possible to raise a puppy even if you’re working 8-10 hours a day.
Here are some tips what to do with your puppy while you’re at work.
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What to Do With Your Puppy When You Work All Day
Take some time off
When you get a puppy, you should try to take a few days off to help him get acclimated.
You can’t get him on a Monday night, then just leave him alone on the next day. Well, you could, theoretically, but I don’t recommend it. Put yourself in your puppy’s shoes. You’re separated from your mother, siblings, and the only home you’ve ever known. It’s scary, and you’re feeling lonely and nervous about your new surroundings.
Your puppy needs time to get used to this new person, who is taking care of him and the house.
And he won’t react well if you leave him with no one to play or keep him company. A loose, anxious puppy in the house spells disaster. Moreover, small puppies need toilet training and proper socialization or you’ll run into problems in the future. That’s why you have to be around to keep him company and make him feel safe in his new home.
If taking a few days off just isn’t feasible, then try this: bring your puppy home on a Friday (or whatever day starts your “weekend” if you work on Saturdays and Sundays) so you at least have two full days home with him. If possible, take a vacation day on Monday. That gives you a little more time to help him adjust.
Too bad jobs don’t offer puppy maternity leave, right?
Use a puppy pen
We all know that crate training has many benefits! It creates a den where your dog will feel safe and content. But you can’t buy a little crate, lock up your puppy in it and go to work. It doesn’t work like this.
First, young puppies 8-10-week-old can’t hold their bladder for hours on ends, and if you crate your dog too long, he will soil his bedding. That’s a problem because eventually, your puppy won’t mind doing his business wherever he sees fit.
Second, it’s cruel to crate such a young animal for long hours. Puppies are full of energy and being locked up can led to behavior or psychological problems.
Third, crate training takes time. Every puppy reacts differently, and while some may learn quickly, others might need weeks or even months. Besides, you can’t leave a puppy in a crate for more than an hour or so.
What’s your option then?
Well, you can you can purchase or make a puppy pen where you can keep the puppy safe and away from valuable and breakable objects. Just remember that puppies left alone for long hours will howl, cry and disturb your neighbor.
Provide enough entertainment and don’t leave him on his own for too long.
You can also puppy proof a room and use puppy pads to take care of the mess. But you should still take the puppy for a walk and start potty training.
Get help
8-10-week-old puppies should have company for most of the day, or they will start acting out and peeing everywhere. The solution, if you’re working full time, is to make arrangements for someone to keep an eye on your puppy while you’re at work. That person will also have to take him regularly outside to do his business.
For puppies up to three-month-old, someone will have to let them out of the crate to do their business at least once until you get home for lunch. Once the dog hits 3-6 months, he can probably hold it for four hours, but sometimes accidents can happen.
You’re probably coming to the understanding that it’s very difficult to raise a dog on your own.
So get all the help you can from:
- Neighbors
- Friends
- Family
- Dog-sitters
- Dog daycares
It won’t be easy in the first few weeks, so get as many people to help you as you can. And always have a backup plan in case something goes wrong and you can’t get back home on time.
You can raise a puppy while you’re working all day. You just have to be patient and find someone to help you, and everything will be all right.
However, if you are not sure that you can commit to puppy training and be there for your pet, think twice before you get a puppy. An older dog might be a better choice because it doesn’t require much training and housebreaking.
So what do you tip about these tips for raising a puppy? How did you do it while working all day? Share your story in our comment section.
