To spring or not to spring?

[oldskoolvw]

Hello. We are a young married couple and have been seriously considering buying a springer spaniel for at least 2 years now! Recently we have secured work closer to home (within 2 miles). Previously work had meant that there was no way we could give a puppy enough time during the day. We have a 100ft garden backing onto fields and a huge desire for a dog. But to be fair we really are trying to be sensible, hence why we need some advise from the professionals!!! We would now be able to walk a dog in the morning for 45mins max, 30mins max at lunch and for any length of time after work. Therefore the puppy would be on its own for max 4.5hrs in the morning and 3hrs in the afternoon. Do you think that a puppy could fit in with this? It is more than likely that for 1.5 days between monday - friday one of us would be around all day long. Obviously we would have all weekends to spend loving it too! Please let us have your views on what you think. Thank you.

 

[Spudlet]

Hello, welcome!

I don't know if a little puppy could cope with that routine but an older dog might. Also not too sure about a springer as they can be little devils if they get bored! There are plenty of other breeds that could do though. Sure you will get plenty of advice here though!

 

[kirstyhen]

Have you had Springers before??

If not please please please make sure you know exactly what you are letting yourselves in for!!

As for leaving them alone, my Springer was left for 4 hours a day from the age of 5 months, and has been left all day with a check at lunchtime before, but was bonkers during that time and I wouldn't want to do it permantly!

 

[spacefaer]

Springers don't stop..... they have more energy than both of you combined - and then they have more....

IMHO,I'm not sure it's fair to leave a puppy of any breed by itself for that length of time - with an older dog, maybe. I'm sure there are people who do it and have no trouble but I wouldn't be happy doing it.

We had a viszla who was only 6 months but had been with a couple who worked - he was returned to the breeder to re-home as they realised that it wasn't working. The saddest thing to see was him going to his crate when the TV was switched on - it had been his company while they were out and he associated it with being shut in the crate.

 

[Puppy]

Have you considered re-homing a slightly older dog?

I have a half springer - currently 15 1/2 months old, and she is *very* energetic!!! You really wouldn't believe something so small (the other half of her is terrier) could have so much energy!!

 

[Cedars]

I think you'd be mad taking on a springer - however, we have a lab puppy and she is going to do timings similar to that (shoot me down people, i dont care) when my OH starts work. But we've done trial days and she doesnt seem to care about it cos shes got so many toys! Kongs are the worlds greatest toy lol xxx

 

[Puppy]

Toys are hardly a substitute for company....

 

[Scranny_Ann]

[ QUOTE ]
Toys are hardly a substitute for company....

[/ QUOTE ]

true ... but whilst he/she a puppy all they really seem to do is play and sleep!! Plus, they soon adapt to a routine, its very important to establish a routine from the outset and stick to it. He/she will get all the company he/she needed as soon as they were home. As long as the time you do have with the puppy is spent wisely and it is well socialised with other people and dogs. All our dogs we have had since puppies have been left alone for up to 4 hours at a time, all fed/watered, cared for in the appropriate manner whilst we are there and left with a 'play haven' full of toys etc, as unfortunately (unlike in an ideal world) even dog lovers have to work for a living!

Didnt do them any harm. *even though they are all slightly nutty spangles too ... with the odd one out being the nutty lab!!*

Or .... you could just get two puppies lol problem solved .. company for each other

Good luck and do keep us updated *preferably with pics

*