Would this be cruel?

M

Morrigan_Lady

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Im picking up the golden retriever puppy on Friday and was thinking, I dont really wont to leave him (or her) at home all day while Im at work, I could pop home at lunch time, but I only get half an hour so would be a real rush.
So I was thinking of getting one of those cages and putting it in my car and pupp could stay in there for the day. That way, I ll have my whole half hour lunch to spend with it and can keep going out to check on it.
Of course there would be water, food and toys in there.
So would this be abit cruel, or would puppy be better off at home all day?
 
Why not collect the puppy on Saturday?

With temperatures due to plummett again this week - can't think of anything worse for the poor thing than freezing in the car (I'm not sure it's actually legal anyway).

Or take the day off on Friday.

Either way - you can't leave the poor wee thing on it's own
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Hmm its not an ideal situation i was going to ask if you work full time everyday? will the poor puppy have to be in there everyday? its so cold we don't even take ours to the yard in the car at the moment its so cold for them to sit in the car.

Just my view !
 
Having picked up our new puppy last Thursday I really don't see how you can have a puppy whilst working full time
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. The amount of time they need in play and socialising is all consuming (as I'm sure you know). I really don't think it's fair to get a pup and then leave it at home all day
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Current pup timetable in household is:

6.30am Pup wakes up, has breakfast, outside for toilet, play inside for 30mins then pup falls asleep about 7.30 until 8.45ish

8.45 Outside for toilet, lots of play, drink of milk

10am pup falls asleep

12pm dinner, toilet, play (inside and out)

1pm - 2.30pm sleep

2.30 - 3.30pm toilet and play

3.30 - 5 sleep

5pm tea, toilet, play (inside and out)

6.30 - starts to fall asleep until about 8.45pm, then toilet and play..

9.30 - 10pm supper, toilet, 20mins play then bed

12am, 2am, 4am 6am up for toilet in the night.

How are you going to haouse train pup if you're not there?
 
Did you not think all this through before buying a puppy
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(please note, not having a go, I'm genuinely wondering
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I managed full time with a great dane puppy, but, she was 16 weeks, and I worked mostly in the evenings when my OH was at home, so she was only left 3 hours max, plus she was crate trained when she arrived.
Wasn't toilet trained exactly as they had access to the garden all day, so we had to train her to let us know, or she had to train us really in her signals
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With our black lab I worked only evenings so OH was there when I wasn't and she was a superstar pup to train. 2 days at home and she was toilet trained at just over 8 weeks old.
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I am really lucky as I drop my dogs off at Mums on my way to work, sort out the horses then collect dogs on the way home Mon-Fri, then they stay with me all day weekends. They soon get used to that routine. Also Mum has dogs too so they have company all day (unless Mum nips to Sainsburys!!) Could you sort out similiar arrangment with your Dad ? Have you had a puppy before ? What did you do then ?
 
I'm confused. You're picking it up on Friday, yet in your other post (made after this one) you can't decide whether you want a boy or a girl...which suggests you've not been to see or chosen a puppy yet?
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Happy Bird - That is the sort of arrangment Ill have with my Dad. He'll love it, he's retired and is always moaning how bored he gets, not any more!!
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You've had a productive hour. Glad to hear your dad has spontaneously agreed to look after your new pup.
 

I went to see the litter a few weeks ago and the breeder said as they all looked the same at that age there was no point choosing one then. So she tld me to come back and pick one and take it home a few weeks later (which is this weekend)
Make sence?
 
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Happy Bird - That is the sort of arrangment Ill have with my Dad. He'll love it, he's retired and is always moaning how bored he gets, not any more!!
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You've had a productive hour. Glad to hear your dad has spontaneously agreed to look after your new pup.

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Im not sure I like your tone!
 
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Happy Bird - That is the sort of arrangment Ill have with my Dad. He'll love it, he's retired and is always moaning how bored he gets, not any more!!
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You've had a productive hour. Glad to hear your dad has spontaneously agreed to look after your new pup.

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Im not sure I like your tone!

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Arrr...well reading between the lines...I was hoping that your dad will continue this arrangement for the long term, not just for the initial first few weeks. If you continue to work full time for the life of the dog, will your dad still be happy to dog sit in five years time? It's a big committment for him, not just you, and he may regret his snap decision to help in months to come. (I know I did when I was asked to babysit a family member before or after school - seemed ok at the time, but a blooming bind 2 year later. lol)
 
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I went to see the litter a few weeks ago and the breeder said as they all looked the same at that age there was no point choosing one then. So she tld me to come back and pick one and take it home a few weeks later (which is this weekend)
Make sence?

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Yup, it makes sense on the one hand, but not on the other.

When we picked Bess, they all looked pretty much the same at that age. But we, and all of the others who viewed them, chose the one we wanted and it was reserved for us. Indeed we were later told that our pup could've been sold five times over as people who came all took a fancy to her colouring and blue eye. Most buyers have a specific requirement or take to a specific dog. I wouldn't have been happy to just be given any old pup....I'd have wanted to know I chose it. I certainly wouldn't have been happy with an "I have 8 pups, 8 people, lucky dip" type of arrangement....which yours almost sounds like, but I'm sure it's not quite that crude an agreement.
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It is for the long term, my Dad loves dogs and loves my Scottie and is looking forward to it.
There was nothing spontaneous or snap about his decision at all.

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Excellent news!!!!

Be sure to post pictures when he/she arrives.
 
Glad you have got it sorted out, my initial reaction to your first post was to reply suggesting you thought things through a bit more before getting a pup. As Patches said, hope your Dad realises the commitment, and to be honest, work a young pup is. He may regret his offer after his umpteenth visit of the day to the garden in this freezing cold weather
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Far, far too cold to keep a puppy in the care alone this week. Remember, all young animals are not as adept at regulating their body temperatures - that's one of the reasons they have parents and siblings, to snuggle with. My adult dog does spend some time in the car while I'm working, appropriately dressed (I wouldn't leave a puppy wearing a coat) and bedded, with the car parked in a sunny area (or shady when it's warm), with a toy, and with his feeding timed so he's digesting, doesn't need to go to the toilet etc. I let him out for a run every couple of hours, usually to play with the yard dogs, and he gets three walks, at least one before I start work.

I'd say he was at least ten months before I could do this with him reliably and both he and the car was safe.

I know you didn't ask, but you did bring it up and you know how forums work - is your Dad, really cool with having a puppy that age all day? It's a big responsibility and there's no doubt his house will get chewed, messed etc at least a little bit. I know my non-dog oriented father enjoyed having my adult dog but found even that tricky since his life was not set up for a dog. (Much easier if the person already has dogs and is in a routine.) The puppy will also need training and you and your Dad will have to be in full agreement how that gets done.

I know people sound a bit snippy (me included) when subjects like this come up but it's just because they're worried about the puppy. Lots of people on here have rescue dogs, do remedial dog training etc. and while I'm sure your puppy will be fine, they are often on the receiving end of dogs that don't work out with their original owners because of problems over time, training etc. I have to say, I've had dogs before but even I found it a shock to have a puppy again and know I was totally responsible for how he turned out. My OH, who has never had a dog but did lots of research, found it a HUGE shock that something so small and cute could demand such time and energy. As I said, I'm sure that's not going to be your situation but even the idea that maybe the planning is not all in place makes them nervous. It's really not personal.
 
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My Dad doeant work and he doesnt live too far away from me, maybe I could ask him to Puppy sit!

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That sounds like a far better idea.

Yes I think it is cruel to keep a dog in a cage for hours on end.
 
Perhaps it's just me (and yes, I'm ready to be flamed for this post), but I don't see why so many people have such a problem with puppies being left alone?

My puppy was left home alone for 6-7hrs a day 5 days per week, she had plenty of toys, the radio left on, and was left in a puppy-proof room (I don't agree with crates). She was never noisy, never destructive, never seemed unhappy, and was toilet trained within a few weeks of being brought home.

She's now 15mths old and impeccably behaved, never chews (you can leave anything on the floor and she doesn't touch it), I've never so much as heard her growl (despite her being an "aggressive" breed), is friendly with both people and dogs, doesn't suffer from separation anxiety and is a happy, healthy, loving dog. Even when I'm at home all day, she happily sleeps for the hours that I'm normally out for.

Each to their own I suppose, it worked out well for me.
 
I cannot see how you can effectively house train a puppy when you leve it alone 7hours of every week day
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We only have working dogs, and to a degree this is very different, as their training for the field starts later on, however, basic manners of the dog, house training and familiarising said puppy with handlers requires hours of work a day, I wouldn't be happy leaving a young dog alone for such frequent long periods.
 
sorry but as others have said you do not seem to have given this much thought. I have a new puppy too and 100% agree with what the Psephologist said in her post re daily commitment needed. Not only the commitment to their practical needs but to their emotional needs being at home all day. I couldn't imagine Layla, with all her needs and energy being alone all day at home as soon as she left her litter mates.

You had no day care, then 1 hour later you had your dad agreeing to look after the puppy. Did it go like this "dad getting a puppy Friday can you have it" "yes dear" "thanks dad" rushes back to forum. Don't mean to sound glib but you have to give more thought to a puppy's needs than that. You are now in another post, talking about possibly breeding from your dog? Did the breeder ask you no questions at all about your work arrangements or plans for the baby.
 
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Perhaps it's just me (and yes, I'm ready to be flamed for this post), but I don't see why so many people have such a problem with puppies being left alone?

My puppy was left home alone for 6-7hrs a day 5 days per week, she had plenty of toys, the radio left on, and was left in a puppy-proof room (I don't agree with crates). She was never noisy, never destructive, never seemed unhappy, and was toilet trained within a few weeks of being brought home.

She's now 15mths old and impeccably behaved, never chews (you can leave anything on the floor and she doesn't touch it), I've never so much as heard her growl (despite her being an "aggressive" breed), is friendly with both people and dogs, doesn't suffer from separation anxiety and is a happy, healthy, loving dog. Even when I'm at home all day, she happily sleeps for the hours that I'm normally out for.

Each to their own I suppose, it worked out well for me.

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What kind of dog? How old when you got it? What kind of upbringing up to that point?

I had a spaniel x that I got at about 5 mos, who was so soft she did pretty much everything right the first time - never chewed, never barked etc. On the other hand I was young, still living at home, and had tons of time to spend with her so it may be I don't remember it completely accurately. The dog I have now is lovely but a totally different kettle of fish and would not have done well on that routine.

It's no different than horses - we all know people who seem to do everything "wrong" yet it works out okay, at least for one horse and/or for a limited time/situation. But more often it doesn't work out as well and a lot of making up has to happen later. Just one of those things you don't know until you get there.

Also, some dogs simply can't "hold it" for 7 hours straight before they're upwards of six months. I was warned when I got my puppy that this was likely to be the case, complicated by the fact that he was raised in a barn, not a house, so did not have the advantage of having a "house trained" mother.

The problem is, with animals, you don't really get a "do over". Once the best developmental windows have closed it's quite hard to teach those puppy skills and the dog is more likely to have problems later, perhaps not even obvious ones at the time. I don't know dogs as well as I know horses but they can't be that different.
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I'll also stick my neck out on this one. My dachshund is a lovely, well adjusted, happy little dog. I've had a lot of positive comments about his manner and behaviour, and he's my first dog. When he was little I had to leave him 2 days a week for 6 hours with only a half hour break. Yet I managed to toilet train him no problems. (Puppy pads are great and they very quickly get the idea about waiting to go out.)

I now have to leave him 5 days a week as I am living on my own. Ex has moved out so there is no-one around in the day any more. It's not ideal but it was unforeseen and he is still a happy little dog. We go for a half hour walk in the morning and an hour at night, and yes, he is a bit more "cuddly" in the evenings than before (dachsies can be independent) but he's doing very well. No behaviour issues, no problems. And I defy anyone to suggest his life is worse than any rescue dog's, stuck in a cold kennel 23/7 and with the stress of all those other unhappy dogs. We have all the school holidays together and I am sure there are many, many other dogs out there who cope with working families. They just sleep!

Good luck with your puppy and I hope it works out with your dad.
 
She's a Chow and was 7wks old when she came home. Her breeders worked, so most of her time was spent with her one littermate and her mother. During the day she was left with puppy pads, which she used quite happily.

It is not the wrong way to do it, simply a different way. I have a happy, healthy dog who has a much better quality of life than thousands of other dogs out there.
 
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