Bit of a moan

[barnacle]

Before I got my puppy I asked my mum time and time again if she would mind helping out with watching it on the rare occasion that I am out all day, longer than that I intend on using kennels. She assured me every time she did not mind and that she would enjoy it.

Well, we have had him for a month, he is now 12 weeks old and next week my son has to go to a specialist hospital for an op, it is 50 miles away. I will be staying over night, but my husband will be coming back later that day to look after the kids and dog.

Barney would have been on his own from 8am until 4pm which I think is too long, so I asked mum if she will have him and she said my husband should stay home with him because she doesn't think she will be able to cope with the puppy! I really want my hubby with me so am thinking what shall i do with barney, I have never left him longer than a couple of hours before and don't want to set off some seperation anxiety or something. Is he too young for kennels?

He is not toilet trained and a bit chewy but overall an angel , I find him a doddle compared to the kids! I think the novelty for my mum has worn off and the reality set in, i just wish she had have been honest with me before I got him. I dare not send him there now in case he eats something he shouldn't!

What do you all do if you are out a long time, it is a very unusual situationfor us.

[debsallen]

hi

Sorry that you are having problems, I am sorry I can not help, I do not think that you can take dogs to kennels until they are over 6 months.

is there anyone you can ask to come and take him out for a walk or come sit with him for a little while? 

[debsallen]

what part of the country you in?

[amanda9586]

Oh no poor you.....

I feel so lucky that my mum helps us out so much with Poppy - we both work from home but there are days when we are both out or need to stay overnight and she happily has Poppy.  Dont know what we would do without her and step Dad.

I did look into (before we got Poppy just in case Mum could not have her or she did not get on with her dog) using a company called Barking Mad rather than kennals - they take your dog and place it in someones home rather than kennels.  They also offered Dog walking or puppy sitting!  They were not cheap and it seemed like the kind of thing that you had to book reasonably well in advance but I would see if there were things like that in your area?  

I did not like the idea  of Poppy going into a kennals and she is just working herself up to being alone for about 1 1/2 hours!  (our fault because we are with her all the time but trying to build her up!).

Are there any nice neighbours who would like a puppy for a day ?!?!

Good luck I hope you sort it out....

Amanda & Poppy x

[barnacle]

I am in Kings Lynn

[Mrs G]

when I had my old doggie, my father was taken ill and was in hosp, i would go and see him straight from work, my daughter, son and daughter-in-law would come in ( all got keys of course!!!) let Kasper out and sit with him for a while, my son used to say he had his own army of home carers!!
Do you have a friend or other relation who would have you dog?

[debsallen]

I am in Kings Lynn

I am just a little too far, you are an hour away, I would have him here though

[Sian P]

If the thought of her house being wrecked has put your mum off, is it possible she would consider looking after him at your house? Then surely it'll just be a case of occasional playing and mopping up and no need to worry as it's your house.

[barnacle]

It is a good idea suggesting she has him at mine, I will ask her tommorow. He is not too bad with the toilet training it is just a full time job keep taking him out as you all know.

[Doggone Mad]

How about seeing if there is anyone near you who does dog walking/dog sitting or a doggie day care centre ?

[Cob-Web]

How about considering contacting the breeder and seeing if she will take him for the day as a one-off? 

If not, then there are pet sitters who you can pay to come into your home or take your dog to theirs - we used one regularly when Molo was a puppy and we went back to work 

[JaspersMum]

Are there any dog owning neighbours who might help, I am so lucky as a neighbour round the corner has a cocker and kids go to school together, she come's in to let everyone out and afternoon feed Heidi on my longer work day and another neighbour said recently they would help if ever needed.

Today I met a lovely lady who was walking on her own, she'd had cockers for years but decided they were too old to start again so they look after their neighbours if they have to go out for the day.

Is it worth asking any of the neighbours if they could help as a one off, it could turn out they have the same problem and you could help each other in the future

[barnacle]

Good News! My husbands friend will  have him for the day, we will pay him of course. What do you suggest for a days puppy sitting? I have no idea!

[Cob-Web]

Good News! My husbands friend will  have him for the day, we will pay him of course. What do you suggest for a days puppy sitting? I have no idea!

Not wanting to be a doom-monger, but if you pay anyone a fee for looking after your pup, then it becomes a business transaction and changes the issues of liability and insurance if anything (doG forbid) should happen while you are away    Professional sitters have public liability insurance and are covered for damage or injury caused to anyone, or to the dog under certain circumstances, while the dogs are in their care.

This of course doesn't apply if you give him a "gift of your appreciation"........does he appreciate wine, or spirits?

[PennyB]

Good News! My husbands friend will  have him for the day, we will pay him of course. What do you suggest for a days puppy sitting? I have no idea!

Not wanting to be a doom-monger, but if you pay anyone a fee for looking after your pup, then it becomes a business transaction and changes the issues of liability and insurance if anything (doG forbid) should happen while you are away    Professional sitters have public liability insurance and are covered for damage or injury caused to anyone, or to the dog under certain circumstances, while the dogs are in their care.

This of course doesn't apply if you give him a "gift of your appreciation"........does he appreciate wine, or spirits?

My own dogsitter refuses money from me even though she is a professional one (fully insured etc.) --- I usually give her a bottle of wine, or one time I bought HMV vouchers for her 2 young daughters