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Author
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Topic: Raising a Puppy While Working Full-Time
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Stacey
Junior Member
Member # 432
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posted December 13, 2003 12:09 PM
I found a 7- or 8-week old Chihuahua puppy in the street in front of my house in mid-November. I took her in, attempted to find the owner, took her to the vet for her shots, etc. I worked within a mile of my house so it made things very easy. I lost my job just before Thanksgiving and will be starting a new job Monday. This new job will require a one-hour commute each way ... my puppy will be at home alone with my 4-year old dog for 10 hours each day. I'm concerned that my new job will not allow me to continue puppy/house training her. My mother-in-law suggested that I find her a new home because a puppy need a stay-at-home caretaker.
Any suggestions on puppy training this now 11- or 12-week old puppy while being away from home 10-hours a day, M-F? I'm not sure I want to crate her during my new working schedule. Certainly there are other full-time workers out there who have welcomed a pet into their home.
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Stacey
Posts: 5 | From: LA | Registered: Dec 2003
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Dawn
Moderator
Member # 14
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posted December 13, 2003 12:58 PM
Why do you not want to crate her? That's really the only option that you have. Unless you have someone willing to stay at your house for ten hours a day.
Posts: 428 | Registered: Nov 2002
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Stacey
Junior Member
Member # 432
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posted December 13, 2003 01:45 PM
I believe in crating 100% (for her own safety, potting training, etc.); however, I thought that 10 hours would be a long time to be kept in the crate. I also realize that, at 11 or 12 weeks old, she isn't capable "holding it" for that length of time.
Posts: 5 | From: LA | Registered: Dec 2003
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Dawn
Moderator
Member # 14
Member Rated:
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posted December 13, 2003 07:04 PM
Well, you really don't have another option. Whether you crate her or let her run around the house, she's not going to be able to be let out. Unless you hire someone to come in in the middle of the day to let her out.
Posts: 428 | Registered: Nov 2002
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fullhouse9873
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Member # 222
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posted December 16, 2003 12:25 AM
My husband and I both worked full time when we got our first pup. We had to crate him while we were gone. We are lucky though - we both work only 5 minutes from home - so we went home and let him out on our lunch breaks.
Try seeing if a friend our family member would be willing to stop by during the day to check on her and let her out (you might want to offer them money for doing it - especially if there may be messes to clean up)
Posts: 247 | From: Jefferson, WI | Registered: Sep 2003
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