CockersOnline Forum
Cocker Specific Discussion => Puppies => Topic started by: michelle and findley on August 24, 2013, 03:49:11 PM
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hi we have had our 11 week old cocker Findley a week and am going back to work on Tuesday really worried that he is going to cry and become stressed any suggestions ?
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What arrangements have you made for anyone coming in to walk him/take him out for wees/poos?
I'm also going back to work (probably Wednesday), but my pup's nearly 16 months, so is used to being left on his own! I'm getting someone to come in to take him out for 2 hours between 1 and 3, so he'll be on his own between 9am-1pm-ish and 3-6.30pm-ish. When I leave him I plan to give him some treats (I've bought a 2kg bag of fish4dogs round fish skin treats) and will also stuff kongs with salmon mousse and freeze this - takes his mind off being left and gives him something to look forward to when being left.
A young pup is bound to cry when he's left - we didn't leave ours until he was 5 months, and gradually worked up the time we left him and videoed him to see how he coped. Is your pup left in a crate or a pen?
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Hi and thanks, we are investing in a crate although do we leave the door open or close him in, fortunately the jobs we do he shouldn't be left any longer than 4 - 6hrs of a morning as we both start really early.
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Are you clicker training Findley? We've been clicker training Stanley using Kikopup's videos on YouTube - this one focuses on training your pup to be left happily in a pen http://dogmantics.com/2010/06/19/how-to-train-your-dog-to-be-left-alone-clicker-training/
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Hi and thanks, we are investing in a crate although do we leave the door open or close him in, fortunately the jobs we do he shouldn't be left any longer than 4 - 6hrs of a morning as we both start really early.
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I'm sorry if this sounds a bit harsh but that is a long time to leave a small puppy on it's own ph34r can you not get anybody to come in and let him out and play with him for a wee while ?? x x x
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Agree with poppsie I don't leave my seven and a half year old alone for more than three ish hours normally! Even if somebody could just come over around lunch time ish to let him go to the loo and have a small play?
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4 - 6 hours on his own is way too long. He will need to be let out.
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The breeder should have asked about your work. You are leaving him for far to long, they should be taken out to the toilet roughly every 20 minutes while awake.
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I have to agree with everyone else, my breeder ask what jobs my husband and I do. Tilly gets left at max for 2 hours, but as hubby is a shift worker it's never everyday.
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I have to agree with the other posters, I wouldn't leave my adult dogs for up to 6 hours every day let alone an 11 week old puppy, it's just too long. Although mine are fine being left and there is the occasional longer stint of 5-6 hours the most I'm happy with leaving them regularly is 3-4 hours. With such a young puppy it would be much less than this though, apart from needing to be let out to the toilet and fed regularly pups also need human company, and they need to be accustomed gradually to being left for short periods so that it doesn't cause them distress. I would really try to arrange a neighbour/friend/family member to come and spend time with him regularly while you are out - at least every 1-2 hours - or failing that get in a dog walker to do the same (a lot of them offer a service whereby they spend time with young pups in clients' homes, they don't actually have to go for a walk).
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Luckily my pup goes to my parents wed thurs fri the rest of the days were home, but I go shopping etc. the longest is 2 hrs and I drive like a looney home. People must notice me running through the town centre shouting my dogs name " MAE... mummy's COMING"!!!!!! Try and get someone to pop in and check or try and get home on lunch breaks, My breeder didn't ask about my hours.. He should of and I had the story ready to tell. But he knows we're decent people keen to learn. :D
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Personally I would have arranged some day care before getting a puppy. Puppies do not thrive if left for long periods of time alone and it will be extremely difficult to house train him. A puppy should be left for no longer than a maximum of two hours. If you have no one to come in like a neighbour then someone else has suggested a dog walker. This is what I plan to do when we get our next puppy. They will come in and play with the puppy and continue with basic training or even investigate a doggy day care facility in the early days where he will be looked after in some one else's home while you are at work.
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I'm amazed that you are leaving a puppy for so long, and your breeder never questioned you about your working day.
I was recently thinking about another puppy, after losing Charley, and the breeder was adamant that she would not sell a puppy to anybody who left a dog home alone. Puppies need companionship and certainly should not be left for more than an hour or so.
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Luckily my pup goes to my parents wed thurs fri the rest of the days were home, but I go shopping etc. the longest is 2 hrs and I drive like a looney home. People must notice me running through the town centre shouting my dogs name " MAE... mummy's COMING"!!!!!! Try and get someone to pop in and check or try and get home on lunch breaks, My breeder didn't ask about my hours.. He should of and I had the story ready to tell. But he knows we're decent people keen to learn. :D
glad i'm not the only one :005: :005:
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I'd echo what the others have already said. In addition, you could try the following:
- If using a crate then I think it would be ok for an hour or so to leave the door closed if they are comfortable sleeping in it already. You can cover it with a blanket if that helps stop any crying. I wouldn't leave an 11 week old pup locked in a crate for more than that if you were out myself.
- You could invest in one of those puppy play pens, or if you have a room with a tiled or hard floor that you could pen off then I'd recommend doing that. In our case when I first returned to work on a part-time basis we kept Merlin behind a babygate in the kitchen with his crate, toys, etc. As he got older we eventually let him also have the lounge.
I think it's key that you control what they have access to when you aren't around so that they don't get into bad habits when you aren't there to redirect the behaviour.
- If you haven't already, immediately start building up time away from your pup so they get used to you going and coming back. Start with as little as 10 seconds out of sight, build up to longer, then go back to basics on time but put your coat on as if going out, head out front door, wait 10 seconds, then go back in etc. Rinse and repeat multiple times daily until your pup gets used to you leaving without crying about it.
As others said, you can support this by providing a frozen kong, frozen teatowel, etc. to help keep them busy.
I can't stress enough how important it is to have a dog walker or someone coming in regularly when you are not there with a young pup. If this doesn't happen you are likely to find that toilet training takes longer, etc. I hope you find someone suitable :)
For your own peace of mind you could also setup a webcam as cctv focused on the area that you'll limit your pup to; we found this very helpful when training Merlin to be by himself and still use it now to check in on him :)
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You've an eleven week old cocker puppy and, after less than two weeks in your care, you're going to leave him alone, regularly, for between four and six hours a day? >:(
Words fail me. (And that doesn't often happen). The Kennel Club's recommendations are here... http://www.thekennelclub.org.uk/item/398
Bob.
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Far too long for a puppy. I work shifts and 5 times a month we are both at work, so the little fella goes to the dog sitter and at £20 a pop it's not something that we budgeted for, but he loves going and is worn out by the time he gets back. But I have to disagree with some about leaving a dog no more than an hour or two, I think it's perfectly fine to leave a dog 4-6 hours occasionly.
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Think we (the forum) have frightened the OP off, which sadly means she will be leaving the pup for 4-6 hours. Such a shame
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But I have to disagree with some about leaving a dog no more than an hour or two, I think it's perfectly fine to leave a dog 4-6 hours occasionly.
It's fine to leave an adult dog that length of time - although I still wouldn't do it every day, up to 4 hours on a regular basis with the occasional longer stint really would be the maximum regardless of the age of the dog - but it's definitely not ok for a puppy.
I hope the OP has read the responses and taken them on board even if they don't post; nobody has said any of this just for the sake of it, it's out of genuine concern for the welfare of the puppy.
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Whilst I agree with much of what has been said I have to say I don't like the way in which some of it has been said. Some-one has come on here with a genuine concern to seek advice and in a couple of cases has been criticised not very constructively.
Lets hope you haven't 'scared' someone off if she needs advice and if you have it's nothing to be proud of as she is also part of this forum.
If I have offended anyone then I apologise but I have seen a side to this forum that I don't particularly like.
I think Miadanu has said everything that needed to be said.
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Think we (the forum) have frightened the OP off, which sadly means she will be leaving the pup for 4-6 hours. Such a shame
I think you could be right. :'(
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I don't think anyone said anything too harshly at all Panda :huh: - message was pretty blunt on many posts, but I think in this situation that is the advice that was required.
I hope the OP isn't 'scared off'. If you are lurking please come back! You have only be given honest answers by people who have a lot of knowledge and experience, they are only to try and help you in the best way they can, some advice may come accross as blunt, but so be it and they only have the welfare of your lovely pup at heart.
When I got Pen my partner and I used up all our annual leave from work to settle her in, she still started at her doggy daycare young at 13ish weeks. If we'd had to work before then the dog lady offers a visit service to check on new puppies. This has already been suggested in the thread, but I think it would be the best option for you just now until the pup is older. There are lots of other benefits of dogs going to daycare like socialisation and training, so whilst it does costs, you get extra benefits above your dog being cared for when you are away.
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Whilst I agree with much of what has been said I have to say I don't like the way in which some of it has been said. Some-one has come on here with a genuine concern to seek advice and in a couple of cases has been criticised not very constructively.
Lets hope you haven't 'scared' someone off if she needs advice and if you have it's nothing to be proud of as she is also part of this forum.
If I have offended anyone then I apologise but I have seen a side to this forum that I don't particularly like.
I think Miadanu has said everything that needed to be said.
Nobody on this thread has been rude, and COL in general is an extremely 'soft' forum compared to a lot of other dog fora. However if you or anyone else has an issue with a particular post then please report it to the moderating team in the first instance, there's a tab at the bottom of each post for that purpose.
Can the thread be kept on-topic now regarding the original question please.
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Please don't be put off............this forum is very good & helpful.
Some people may be rather strong in their opinions..............you now have the puppy, so now you need help and advice. The idea about using as much of your holidays is a good-one, so puppy can be trained to your ways. Be quick & find out what is available in your area if you can't ask help of friends & family to pop in for awhile each day. As a last resort, some kennels will do special rates for day care, they will not train him though. Good luck, its just a shame you didn't think of this problem first. Julie.
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Whilst I agree with much of what has been said I have to say I don't like the way in which some of it has been said. Some-one has come on here with a genuine concern to seek advice and in a couple of cases has been criticised not very constructively.
Lets hope you haven't 'scared' someone off if she needs advice and if you have it's nothing to be proud of as she is also part of this forum.
If I have offended anyone then I apologise but I have seen a side to this forum that I don't particularly like.
I think Miadanu has said everything that needed to be said.
Got to agree with you here.
Well done Miadanu.....you tried to remain constructive.
I feel it is totally wrong to leave a young puppy for so long.......but it's happened, and the pup is there.
Surely, knowing this, there is something we can all advise.
My advise would be.....a play pen, with lots and lots of stimuli. Ok, it does not replace human contact, but it is a better resolution.
Good luck whoever you are that asked for help.
Walk your puppy befor leaving, and be prepared to do the same immediately you get home.
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Whilst I agree with much of what has been said I have to say I don't like the way in which some of it has been said. Some-one has come on here with a genuine concern to seek advice and in a couple of cases has been criticised not very constructively.
Lets hope you haven't 'scared' someone off if she needs advice and if you have it's nothing to be proud of as she is also part of this forum.
If I have offended anyone then I apologise but I have seen a side to this forum that I don't particularly like.
I think Miadanu has said everything that needed to be said.
Got to agree with you here.
Well done Miadanu.....you tried to remain constructive.
I feel it is totally wrong to leave a young puppy for so long.......but it's happened, and the pup is there.
Surely, knowing this, there is something we can all advise.
My advise would be.....a play pen, with lots and lots of stimuli. Ok, it does not replace human contact, but it is a better resolution.
Good luck whoever you are that asked for help.
Walk your puppy befor leaving, and be prepared to do the same immediately you get home.
There has been plenty of advice given on the thread; surely a friend/family member/neighbour or dog walker coming in regularly, as has been suggested by most people, is a 'better resolution' than leaving the puppy alone and confined in a playpen for up to 6 hours every day :huh: At 11 weeks you can only walk the puppy for about 15 minutes at a time and that isn't going to last it for 6 hours in terms of toileting etc.
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Whilst I agree with much of what has been said I have to say I don't like the way in which some of it has been said. Some-one has come on here with a genuine concern to seek advice and in a couple of cases has been criticised not very constructively.
Lets hope you haven't 'scared' someone off if she needs advice and if you have it's nothing to be proud of as she is also part of this forum.
If I have offended anyone then I apologise but I have seen a side to this forum that I don't particularly like.
I think Miadanu has said everything that needed to be said.
Got to agree with you here.
Well done Miadanu.....you tried to remain constructive.
I feel it is totally wrong to leave a young puppy for so long.......but it's happened, and the pup is there.
Surely, knowing this, there is something we can all advise.
My advise would be.....a play pen, with lots and lots of stimuli. Ok, it does not replace human contact, but it is a better resolution.
Good luck whoever you are that asked for help.
Walk your puppy befor leaving, and be prepared to do the same immediately you get home.
There has been plenty of advice given on the thread; surely a friend/family member/neighbour or dog walker coming in regularly, as has been suggested by most people, is a 'better resolution' than leaving the puppy alone and confined in a playpen for up to 6 hours every day :huh: At 11 weeks you can only walk the puppy for about 15 minutes at a time and that isn't going to last it for 6 hours in terms of toileting etc.
Of course i agree with all this. I look after my dogs extremely well, and am well aware of the needs of puppies.
However, this person was new to puppies, and obviously inexperienced. My suggestions were not made from ideal situation....but finding a resolve. I hope she does this.
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I would think that everyone who has posted on the thread - out of concern for the welfare of the puppy and equal awareness of the needs of puppies - hopes the same, hence all the suggestions that have been made throughout the thread.
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I would think that everyone who has posted on the thread - out of concern for the welfare of the puppy and equal awareness of the needs of puppies - hopes the same, hence all the suggestions that have been made throughout the thread.
Let's hope the poster has stayed around to read and absorb, rather than to run away in fear of the consequences.
Pity the breeder had not been more like my first one 'Michele', who actually interviewed us for the role of having one of her puppies.
I was lucky...this OP obviously was not.
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I've read through this thread and while a few comments have been a bit on the blunt side, there's plenty of excellent constructive advice too which I'm sure the OP will find useful. On any public forum, there will always be different styles of posting but all the comments I've read have been from the heart and posted out of concern for the puppy. I'm sure Michelle (the OP) appreciates that if you post on a forum, you won't necessarily like all the posts you read but if she can cope with an 11 week old Cocker puppy, I'm sure she can cope with the odd blunt comment here and there - Cocker puppy owners have to be made of strong stuff and are surely not going to be "frightened" by written comments posted by people they will most probably never meet.
Please can we now get back on topic and if anyone has any further tips to help the OP, then do post them :blink:
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I always leave the radio on when I'm out. I have done this with my house guinea pigs and have carried on for Tilly. When I first left her I was so worried on how she would get on that I quietly went round to the back of my house and peered through the window. The site I was greeted with was her laying flat on her back, showing her belly, legs apart and fast asleep. I had worried so much that she would be eating every cupboard :005:. I shouldn't have worried so much.
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If the OP is still watching this thread, it may be useful if we were given an indication of her rough location.
COL members are so widely spread throughout the country that there's every possibility that some of us could come up with details of suitable facilities or some other satisfactory solution within reasonable reach of the OP.
Bob.
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I hope the OP continues to read the thread for constructive advice :blink:
One thing i did think about which a new puppy owner *might* not is if the pup does end up crated or in a play pen when you leave the house, if he/she wears a collar please take it off as pups can get themselves caught and the rest doesn't bare thinking about.
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If the puppy is confined to a crate for that long, I would personally envisage an accident. Claws caught on the crate or anything puppy can be left to amuse itself with WILL be chewed and could be a choking hazard.
My only advice in this instance is find a kind neighbour or family friend who can either let puppy out a few times a day, or if that really isn't viable, I would personally remove ALL hazards and confine puppy to the kitchen and offer puppy mats for puppy to toilet on. Yes it's hit and miss but they can be useful. Sometimes a larger space feels less of a prison for puppy and it has room to move about safely. To confine to a crate where puppy needs to have an area for wees, etc, for those amount of hours, is too big and will encourage an escapist behaviour. Crating for that length of time is waaaay too long.
I have tried with Tali to use a crate at times but he never really took to it with the door closed. As soon as Tali could be left with free reign of the then flat and now house, I found he became more relaxed when I was out. Tali is about 3 1/2 now and I have twice left him to go out for longer than a few hours. The last time was for a concert and he was ok but that was only this July.
A puppy is a baby and requires more care, attention and time than most people either have or can regularly spare. The OP may find this causes trouble in the future with things like Separation Anxiety or destructive behaviour which will be a problem and require extensive reversal training. Conversely, as much as I don't believe in leaving a small puppy alone for that time, some dogs, and I stress SOME, do adapt and it works out fine, but there is no way of telling how a puppy will cope beforehand.
As a rule of thumb, good breeders know how to assess a new owner and to check about their working arrangements. Unless the OP deliberately misled the breeder, then I would say the fault lies with the breeder, not the owner.
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For all those who are worried that the OP has been "scared away" by some of the constructive comments on this thread, she has not logged onto COL since 5.13 on 24 August so will not even have seen them yet :shades:
Some good advice already given, but the bottom line is that this is too long to leave a dog on a regular basis and even more so for a young pup :-\
Now you find yourself in this situation (without apparently having thought about it before getting a pup :-\ ), it is important to set up some sort of arrangement for someone to pop in to let pup out for toiletting, food and play, or arrange for pup to go to a doggy minder for at least part of the time. ;)
If some of the comments seem blunt, it is because there are many very knowledgeable and experienced people on here who care deeply about their dogs and tbh the welfare of the pup is more of a priority than the sensitivities of the owners ;)
Please stick around though, there is a massive wealth of information and advice available here when you need it (and you will :005: )
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I always leave the radio on when I'm out. I have done this with my house guinea pigs and have carried on for Tilly. When I first left her I was so worried on how she would get on that I quietly went round to the back of my house and peered through the window. The site I was greeted with was her laying flat on her back, showing her belly, legs apart and fast asleep. I had worried so much that she would be eating every cupboard :005:. I shouldn't have worried so much.
I leave the radio on for Jamie too! He's not a puppy but he wasn't used to being left on his own when I first got him. Previous owners suggested it and the slight whining when we left has completely stopped now. He's quiet happy confined to the kitchen and conservatory with the radio on when I leave him now. The plus side is that both have laminate floor so if he won't go and do a wee or poo before I go and has an accident whilst I'm gone its easy to clean up.
I definitely wouldn't let the puppy be able to go anywhere where if he does make a mess it's hard to clear up, like carpet. Not sure if others would agree with this but I might leave a small bowl of his food down? I do for Jamie sometimes if I'm gone for around 4 hours rather than my ideal 3.
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I have now read all your posts, as it happens I did think long and hard before getting Findley,I think some of your ideas are really good. I have been to work today and before doing so he was walked this morning, I then put him in the conservatory with his cage OPEN !! with toys in, food and water was also left and so was the conservatory door left open so he could roam in and out !! I was out approx 4 hrs, myself and my partner in the jobs we do thankfully he will never be left any longer and we do not work weekends !! Findley has settled in very well thank you and we have had no accidents in the house , as I get up with him during the night to let him out (as he is sleeping in our room), I also leave a radio on. This dog could not be loved any more than he is , so thank you for your comments but I came on here for advice not to be part of a witch hunt !!
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I have now read all your posts, as it happens I did think long and hard before getting Findley,I think some of your ideas are really good. I have been to work today and before doing so he was walked this morning, I then put him in the conservatory with his cage OPEN !! with toys in, food and water was also left and so was the conservatory door left open so he could roam in and out !! I was out approx 4 hrs, myself and my partner in the jobs we do thankfully he will never be left any longer and we do not work weekends !! Findley has settled in very well thank you and we have had no accidents in the house , as I get up with him during the night to let him out (as he is sleeping in our room), I also leave a radio on. This dog could not be loved any more than he is , so thank you for your comments but I came on here for advice not to be part of a witch hunt !!
It's good to hear things are going well but I don't see that there has been a witch hunt - you will inevitably get replies you don't particularly like or find useful when posting on an open forum but I'm sure you can appreciate this all comes from concern for your puppy and there has been no shortage of good advice either. Just one thing about leaving your conservatory open, do please be careful as dog thefts from gardens are quite common these days so you need to balance security concerns with giving your puppy freedom (also your insurance company won't pay out for claims where property is left unsecured) I'm not saying this to annoy you or upset you - just something to be aware of.
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Hi and Thanks we have made sure that all is secure and the garden and conservatory are fully puppy safe for him. I understand that we are all passionate but I think a few of the comments made were uncalled for, this is supposed to be a site to help and guide us all, not get on soap boxes, but anyway thanks for the concern.
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Hi and Thanks we have made sure that all is secure and the garden and conservatory are fully puppy safe for him. I understand that we are all passionate but I think a few of the comments made were uncalled for, this is supposed to be a site to help and guide us all, not get on soap boxes, but anyway thanks for the concern.
Fair enough but we do discuss all sorts of things on the forum so it's not all about help and guidance, there is discussion of all sorts of things Cocker related which often involve differences of opinion (soap boxes are optional though :lol2:)
Hope things continue to go well with your pup :D
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Hi Michelle
All I want to say is please, please take Toni's advice (if you haven't already done so) about leaving a collar on Findley. My first cocker got his stuck on his crate bars (as a young pup) and was choking, thank Dog I was there. To this day, none of my dogs ever wear collars at home, regardless of age.
Also I would be very concerned about a puppy, that has access to outside, being stung by a wasp. There are loads about this year and a young pup would certainly try catching one in it's mouth as it flew past. Hopefully the horrible things will be gone soon.
Just my take on things which you will hopefully see as constructive. Can we have some pics of little Findley soon?
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I agree about the collar. Lila caught her collar on a handle of a coal bucket when she was a pup and would have choked if I was not watching her.
Years ago there were no dog walkers and doggy daycare etc and people still had dogs and went to work. Although it is not ideal it would be a shame to deprive a dog of an excellent home just for the sake of being left for four hours. Many working dogs are left on their own for most of the day in kennels, crates etc.
I have rarely left Lila for more than an hour or two and got her used to it gradually but even from being a small puppy she has just slept when I am out :D
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Most of our pups at some point have become gardeners :shades:
You may already be aware but there are plants that are poisonous to dogs,cocoa shell mulch if ingested is bad news too.
Most of our pups have tried eating stones,twigs,snails....anything they can get in their mouths really just like a crawling baby..
You may have a flag stoned garden maybe without any of these things but thought it wise to bring it up. ;)
Have you ever had a fox in your garden ? as i feel a fox wouldn't hesitate taking a small pup :-\ just something else to consider. :D
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Years ago there were no dog walkers and doggy daycare etc and people still had dogs and went to work. Although it is not ideal it would be a shame to deprive a dog of an excellent home just for the sake of being left for four hours. Many working dogs are left on their own for most of the day in kennels, crates etc.
Times have changed though - years ago it was more common for women not to go out to work and instead they stayed at home with their families (certainly the case for many of my mother and grandmother's generation) so family dogs had company most of the day. That's not to say that nowadays where both partners are likely to work that it's not possible to own a dog - it just takes more thought and arrangements in place so pups are not left alone too long. Re working dogs kennelled all day at least they generally have the company of other dogs so are not alone as such (not that I'm suggesting the OP gets another dog as I'm sure she has her hands full with young Findley :D)
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Another problem is that as he is not housetrained and will not take himself out for wees etc you will have to be prepared to come home to a mess , he may chew thing too and I would hate to think of a puppy being told off for something that is not his fault. Not suggesting that you would though :D
I had to work when I had a ten month springer and although he was walked before and I spent a couple of hours with him at lunchtime a neighbour said he howled all the time I was out. I had to leave and re-arrange my life around him. I wouldn't have known he was so unhappy if someone hadn't told me ph34r
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Unlike the majority on here it seems, we both work full time (having a cocker is expensive after all!) Dexter has been left alone for up to four hours since he was 13 weeks old.
We haven't had any problems with him, obviously in the beginning he had some accidents during the day but was fully house trained by five months.
He is penned off in our kitchen so has room to walk around freely and play with his toys. He loves a kong with frozen peanut butter, that keeps him occupied for hours!
He tends to use the time we are working to just chill out and then we play and walk and train around his alone times.
Good luck, it may take some getting used to but in my experience it hasn't had a detrimental effect on Dexter.
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We both work fulltime but luckily different shifts, so Daisy is only ever alone for a maximum of two hours a day and some days not at all. Today I set up a webcam to see what she gets up to when I'm at work, I'm watching her lying on my OH's computer chair fast asleep! :005: It has given me peace of mind that she isn't wailing the house down when I'm not there!
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We both work fulltime but luckily different shifts, so Daisy is only ever alone for a maximum of two hours a day and some days not at all. Today I set up a webcam to see what she gets up to when I'm at work, I'm watching her lying on my OH's computer chair fast asleep! :005: It has given me peace of mind that she isn't wailing the house down when I'm not there!
What a great idea. Xx
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They are companion animals, in my opinion it is selfish to expect them to provide you with companionship for the few hours you are at home but accept being left alone for the rest of the time :-\.
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They are companion animals, in my opinion it is selfish to expect them to provide you with companionship for the few hours you are at home but accept being left alone for the rest of the time :-\.
IMO there is just as valid an argument re quality over quantity. Merely being at home all day with the dog/s doesn't necessarily or automatically translate to a contented/ happy dog.