View Full Version : my family want a puppy/dog but it would be left alone for 6hrs a day, what type...
...of dog would be best to get? preferably a small dog as our house is not that big. we were thinking a yorshire terrier but i know they do not cope so well with being left alone.
I think a small adult dog - after she has been acclimated to your home - would be fine left alone for 6 hours. You don't mention where the dog would be kept during these 6 hours. Hopefully, you will crate train her and provide her with all the comforts she will need while alone. I always have a radio playing while I am home and keep it on when away. This seems to calm my 3 boys as they associate the radio with my being home but no within eye contact. I did find out that when I only had 1 canine, he experienced separation anxiety but this was resolved once I adopted another pet. They keep each other company. Probably dance to the music while I'm away or have their fur friends over for a party. At least they don't get into the liquor cabinet. Just joking !
IF you get a puppy you won't get anyway and for sure DO NOT get a pomeranian puppy as they have thicker fur and they WILL go to the bathroom in their crate while they are gone so expect to do A LOT of work everyday you get home cuz you will have to bath the dog to get the urine and poop off the dog, then you will have to clean out the crate - EVERYDAY! you would be best at getting a dog 2-4 years old, but honestly it's people like YOU that shouldn't be allowed to own pets!
I'm well aware that in today's society, with most people of working age out at work all day, dogs are having to cope with living a very solitary life. But for me, this isn't right. Nobody can be there 24/7 with their animals, that would be ridiculous. However, I believe it's cruel to expect a dog to spend more than 4 hours alone on a regular basis, and crated ?!!!!! Now that is crate abuse. And a puppy simply cannot be expected to hold for that long - no more than 1 hour at a time at 10 weeks. Increasing as it gets older. It is marginally acceptable for a dog to be left, as in his human companions are out for long hours, if they have canine (or feline) company. I had to go back to work part time for a while when we were in financial trouble, but I had a lot of hounds at the time. It was still not something I'm proud of having to do. And I stopped again as soon as it was possible for me to do so.
I'm afraid people today want it all - and far too little thought is given to the animal, and too much to self. I know I'm going to get the TDs but I don't care, if it makes people think before getting a dog when their life-style really shouldn't include one. If you want a pet, get a cat - they are far more content with living a solitary life. And if you think your dog is content without you - try leaving a tape on while you are out, and listen to what's going on. They do not sleep all day, like they do when you are around. They stress and worry about where their 'leader' has gone. And of course they go nuts when you do eventually come home.
Its cruel to leave any puppy for this length of time. I will get thumbs down from the cruel people who do this,there are hundreds of them on this site.
Go to your local shelter and see what they have available. An older dog (one to three years old) is still young enough to adapt well to yoru family, but old enough to be crated for six hours a day (or left roaming feely if they behave well enough). You can see what might be available at www.petfinders.com. It is a site where shelters and rescues can list their adoptable pets.
A puppy would not be your best choice if you know it will be left alone for such a long period of time.
Puppies can not hold their bladder for that long a period of time and need to be taken outside every hour to eliminate.
I would suggest looking into getting a dog from a shelter, human society or rescue as older dogs make wonderful companions and can go longer periods of time without having to eliminate.
Also the dogs in these establishments are wanting to be apart of a family again and would love to be apart of your families lives.
Most of the dogs that are in shelters have been surrendered by their owners for not being able to financially care for them. It doesn't mean that they are bad dogs just that their owners could not afford them.
With the way the economy is many people have had to break their own hearts by surrendering their pets.
Of course there is also the poor little one that have been abused, neglected or given away by careless thoughtless people.
These animals are good choices as they are just looking to have a home and a family that would treat them right and keep them forever and one that they can call home.
you could get one and have a neighour stop in and take it out for potty and a walk during the day. This is too long for a dog to be alone.
racecarsnotdogs
14-03-10, 22:25
Definitely not a puppy and quite frankly I cannot imagine any good breeder letting a puppy go to a home that is going to do that, certainly not any of the breeders I know!
An older dog could cope especially a breed that is fairly lazy.
But you also need to consider other things, like what happens in the hours that you are home, how much time can you spend with the dog then, what sort of things do you want to do with your dog, jogging, agility or just walks and companionship.
Once youve thought about all that, go to a good rescue and discuss the dogs they have and if they have any that would be suitable for your home.
Good on you for doing some research and thinking of both your and the dogs needs.
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