Question:
Time has come. After 2 months of constantly taking care of my puppy(Lucy), I'm going back to work full-time. Tomorrow will be Lucy's first day on her own. I have tried my best to get her used to being alone for various periods, but deep down, I just know that she hates it.

She's only 4 months old now, but my God every single person is amazed by this little puppy's eagerness to learn. She's already "SHOW" material. She never attended any classes(as I have the "Do It Yourself" habit!), but she already knows all the basic obedience commands and in addition she can "DANCE"(Stand on two feet, shake her bum and hands), "Clap"(really clap!), "Shake Hands", "Roll Over"(unlimited rolls with no treat!), "Laugh"(put on a smile and make a happy sound), "Fetch"(still have trouble making her put the object in my hand!), and my mom's latest achievement after spending 1 day with her "High Five"!

I have spoiled her a lot, but fully obeyed the "Nothing In Life Is Free" program and she certainly didn't receive anything for free except on occasions where she totally shocked me by her cuteness and funny actions!

within the last 2 weeks I've been trying hard to get her ready for being lonely at home(for about 7 hours).

I bought the following things to be ready:

- 3 KONGs
- 5 cans of chicken-and-gravy to freeze inside the Kong
- Lots of toys!
- REAL bones. Paid a hefty price for them(they're freaking bones for god's sake!), but hey if they work, I don't mind!


All I'm worried about is the initial discomfort. There's absolutely no way for me to leave the apartment without her noticing. She'll jump on my shoes the minute I wear them and if I open the door she's outside before me, so I basically have to fool her into getting busy with her Kongs and the bone and sneak out the door in half a second! She'll most likely bark for a while after I leave and this could cause in complains by the neighbours, but OH WELL! TOO BAD FOR THEM!

I'll check on her during my lunch-hour on most days, so she'll probably not be alone for more than 3-4 hours at a time, but I'm still very worried!

Wish me luck!

Answer:
Soroush... are experiencing separation anxiety ? I'm sure everything will be fine. Just super 'puppy-proof" you house before you leave. Ummm- I hope I'm not being overprotective here but - you weren't thinking of giving her anything that can be chewed up and choked on - like bones - to occupy her while you are gone were you ?

Answer:
Originally Posted by mummummum
Soroush... are experiencing separation anxiety ? I'm sure everything will be fine. Just super 'puppy-proof" you house before you leave. Ummm- I hope I'm not being overprotective here but - you weren't thinking of giving her anything that can be chewed up and choked on - like bones - to occupy her while you are gone were you ?

Thanks for the reply mumum,

Actually I was! I have watched her go through 5-6 of these bones and in my opinion(or observation) there's no way for her to choke on them unless for some unknown reason she decides to completely swallow the whole thing?! Since she's really small she takes at least 4 hours licking and nipping at her bone, so I don't know why she'd change that all of a sudden?

Should I avoid it?

Answer:
Yup - like toddlers with small toys - you just never know and you pray never to be in the situation where you find out. All it takes is a small bone splinter and it can happen on the first bone or the hundredth. Wouldn't the bone be a wonderful treat for her in the evening when you are home? Best to play it safe and give her a bone (or anything that can be chewed up) when you are there to supervise. I leave the radio on softly for "company". You will probably find she burrows into a fave spot and snoozes all day (Bridie's is in the bathtub, Ceili snoogles into the bed and Declan likes to edge himself in underneath the diningroom table). If you are on good terms with some stay-at-home neighbours it might be worthwhile to ask them to let you know if she IS barking her head off all day (just in case she does experience some SA). Let us know how it goes - ahhh, I remember the days (and the horror stories we could tell !).

Answer:
The key... ok, one of the keys, is to try not to make a big deal when you leave. Probably more than half of what she will feel will come from you. Good luck... Hide your wires, shoes, remotes, soaps, etc etc.

Answer:
Good luck !!! I hope she doesn't freak out too much...I would make sure to give her lots of extra exercise (both physical and mental) before you leave.

I have never left Dodger with a bone but would a marrow soup bone be okay?? I'm just wondering if one of those would be safe since they are so big - not to mention he's never chipped any bones pieces off - just eats the marrow...

Answer:
I'll check on her during my lunch-hour on most days,
What about the other days? Is someone coming in to take her out?

Answer:
Originally Posted by Lucky Rescue
What about the other days? Is someone coming in to take her out?

No.

7 hours is not that long considering she's got all the living room to herself and is housebroken.

I just came home for lunch to check on her and she's wolfed through her kongs and is very happy to see me! I took mumum's advice and didn't give her the bone. Now I just have to refill one of the kongs and leave for another 4 hours.

I left the TV on and she seems to be ok(not as relaxed as I want her to be, but hey it's her first day!).


she did pee on her pee-pad which is lovely considering she much prefers the carpet if she's not supervised!

I'll take her out for 10 minutes before I leave.

Thanks for the replies everyone! She's doing well so far!

Answer:
Originally Posted by Soroush
7 hours is not that long considering she's got all the living room to herself and is housebroken.

your pup is only 4 MONTHS old. 7 HOURS is indeed very long for her to be alone.

My dog is a year old, and I don't leave him for 7 hours without interaction or a potty break.

Answer:
7 hours is not that long considering she's got all the living room to herself and is housebroken.
She's housebroken?
she did pee on her pee-pad which is lovely considering she much prefers the carpet if she's not supervised!
A puppy who pees on the carpet is not housebroken, and even if she were, she won't be for long, since a 16 week old puppy cannot possibly hold it for 7 hours.

My dog is 6 years old and can certainly go 7 hours, but not at 16 weeks.

Answer:
Originally Posted by jessi76
your pup is only 4 MONTHS old. 7 HOURS is indeed very long for her to be alone.

My dog is a year old, and I don't leave him for 7 hours without interaction or a potty break.


jessi, she only experiences that 2 days a week and sometimes only 1 day a week(based on my mother's work schedule). Other days she gets a walk when I come for lunch.

Tried getting a neighbour to check on her, but NO LUCK :(

I've seen many dogs left alone for much longer than that. I know it's ultimately not a very sweet thing to do, but Lucy would end up dying of hunger if I didn't work!

Answer:
I completely understand you have to work, as do the rest of us. Trust me, I had a 16wk old pup AND a full time job at one point too. However, when my pup was that young I arranged for a family member to stop in and break up any long length of time. I realize not everyone has this option, but there are other alternatives such as hiring a dog walker or doggy daycare. And if you only need those options 1 or 2 days a week, it could be a very affordable option.

just some suggestions.

Answer:
Alright, I've taken your advice. I'm going home for lunch everyday so she won't be alone for more than 4 hours(not even).

Just a question:

When I go home for lunch or after work, should I pay attention to her upon entering? She goes crazy when I go in and wants me to pick her up and pet her, but I've read that I should be indifferent and pretend like nothing's happened!

It's very hard to do that considering how desparate she looks and sometimes makes slight crying noises as in "Where the hell have you been dad? Pick me up and kiss me before I have a heartattack!"

Answer:
Don't know if this will help, as I am a stay-at-home-mom and Melei is only ever been alone for a max of 3 hours and that has only been 1 time. but when I leave, I distract and run. When I get home she is going nuts with jumping and whining wanting to be picked up...even if I have only been gone 10 minutes and there is someone else in the house!

I refuse to pick her up until she calms down. I stand satill and let her have her 'moment' of sniffing and circling. she now will examine my legs for unusual smells and then sits down in front of me and waits to be picked up.

We decided she needed to learn to behave like this when I arrive home so we did it 2-3 times a day for a week and it worked.

hope my experience helps you a bit.

Answer:
In response to your acknowledgement of her when you walk in the door Soroush, 2.5 years later, I still ignore both of my dogs when I walk in the door for at least until I get my shoes off, coat hung, purse placed high up (Simon steals the nice shiny ipod for his very own precious), which totals about 3 - 5 minutes depending on the day. Peaches even now sometimes happy pees and yes, behaves like if I don't pay immediate attention to her, she will just DIE OH SO HORRIBLY. However, they're both very much alive and well, and I've decreased the incidence of happy pee and Simon's separation anxiety dramatically. Once I'm totally done with my routine, which they know quite well, all bets are off and it's play time on the floor for 10 minutes till it's time to go out. You'll figure out a routine and some dogs don't need to be ignored upon entering and leaving home, she'll let you know too

Answer:
I left the TV on and she seems to be ok(not as relaxed as I want her to be, but hey it's her first day!).
Has she never tried playing with cords? If it were me I`d be unplugging everything electrical before I left.

Answer:
I agree with rainbow re electrical cords. Is there a radio you could leave on somewhere that Lucy could hear but not have access to the cords - or even a battery operated radio? So far my Eskie has not chewed any cords - except for the cord end attached to the little gas fireplace - a big "except" and he did it after his attention was drawn to it by THE CAT who wants him out of here. Also agree with not leaving bones. Watch what you stuff into the Kongs - if it is too fattening you will have a problem later on. My just turned 2 Eskie has to lose just over 4 pounds which is a little over 20% of his body weight. We feed him human grade kibble, low fat cookies - and okay some people food - but limited amounts. He has a slow metabolism. This is day 8 of his diet and it isn't pretty. As far as not hugging him to death whenever I walk in the door - well I plead guilty to the hugs. Always have - if I don't, you can be sure there will be puddles. Eskies only give Eskie hugs to their special people, so I am ready - not that he is ever really left alone. Good luck with Lucy.

Answer:
No she's never tried biting any wires, but she can't really reach the TV wires anyway. They're behind a very heavy TV stand and there's no way she can get to them.

I came home today and as suggested tried to avoid picking her up, but holy crap she jumped up 3 feet all the way to my belt and cried, so I gave in!
I will definitely resist it tomorrow!

Answer:
I know the feeling, my Peaches was (and still is on certain guests who encourage her) a pouncer and all 55lbs of her at once is a bit much. So think of it as a long term solution (as tough as it is) since eventually she'll be not so wee

Answer: