Since I’ve had a dog for almost a year, people frequently inquire about how I manage to raise a puppy while maintaining a full-time job. I assumed that many people struggle with this since I have had several of my close friends ask me about it frequently. Before I continue, let me say that while it is possible to get a puppy while working a full-time job, it is not simple.
Although I am not an expert on dogs, the following advice is what I found to be helpful in raising George.
No matter how you obtain your puppy—from a breeder or a rescue center—do your research first. You don’t need to create a binder, but you should make sure before you adopt that bundle of fluff that you can afford and care for him or her. I am OCD when it comes to planning, so I made a binder with vet information, trainer information, insurance plans, a feeding chart, a budget, etc. Make sure you are aware of the costs of food, shots, upcoming procedures, and monthly supplements (Flea/tick and Heartworm preventions). The majority of veterinary offices are more than happy to go over these costs with you. Getting a puppy, even if you rescue one, is expensive. Given that different breeds require different nutrients, I advise speaking with your veterinarian or your puppy’s breeder about the best food for your puppy’s needs. Be aware that it probably won’t be the $20 cheapo bag from Walmart. Consider how much your food costs each month; it almost certainly exceeds $20. Their body is fueled and built by what you feed them, so you want to give them high-quality food so they can live a long, happy life.
Make a schedule: You’ll need to rise earlier than usual to exercise your dog if you work a full-time job. When they wake up, they must leave as soon as possible. In order to play with George, take him to the park, feed him, and then take him outside once more, I began waking up an hour earlier. According to the rule of thumb, puppies can hold their bladder for one hour for every month they are old. As an example, if you pick up your puppy at two months old, they can only hold it for two hours; at three months, it can hold it for three hours; and so on. Making a schedule will help you determine how frequently and when they should leave the house. You must take your puppy outside as often as you can in the first few weeks so that it learns that the outside is where you go to the bathroom. I also advise taking the first week off of work, or at least a few days, so you can concentrate on building a relationship with your puppy and acclimating them to their new surroundings. When you use treats, trigger words, and a schedule when potty training, it’s simpler than you might think. Feeding, potty training, and crate training will be simple if you keep to your schedule.
The puppy schedule is as follows: 6 AM – Park Playtime 7 AM – Go Home & Eat 7:30 AM – Potty Break & Go in the Crate 11:30 AM – Back in the Crate 1:30 PM – 30 Min to 1 Hr Rover Visit (2 Potty Breaks & Play Time) 5 PM – Park Playtime 6 PM – Dinner & Potty Break 7:30 PM – Potty Break 9 PM – Potty Break 10 PM – Last
I spent a lot of time playing with George and exercising after I got home at 5 PM. Following the arrival of George, I followed this schedule for about three months. While we are at work, we use the Rover App to ensure that George has all the bathroom breaks he requires throughout the day. They send pictures during their visit, it works well, and George always appreciates the walkers. Since George is older, we no longer take him on a Rover visit during lunchtime, but he still enjoys a daily long walk and a visit to the park.
We found that this routine was most effective, and he never had an accident in the crate. In addition to following a schedule, one of the best recommendations I can make is to make sure your puppy is exhausted. Don’t overdo it, but if he is awake, make sure he is active. Also, invite your friends over so he can get used to a variety of people, walk him to a variety of locations, and take him along when you run errands. If your puppy is bored, they will get into mischief. Although it is exhausting, keeping your puppy tired will keep them well-behaved, happy, and able to sleep through the night. It will also make training them simpler.
Be Ready: When you pick up the puppy, have everything you need available. When you pick up your new family member, I’ll leave a check list below so you don’t have to worry about forgetting anything. I will link anything that I have loved. Have your house “puppy proofed” ahead of time. Make sure there are no chemicals present that they could ingest. Put away anything you don’t want chewed up and out of reach.
Puppy Essentials Checklist: + Leash and Collar – RuffWear is the best brand we’ve found; it’s sturdy and practical. + Dog Tag – This one we purchased from Etsy is still functional almost a year later. + Poop Bags – You can never have enough. These biodegradable ones are great. Food: We use Royal Canin Golden Retriever Puppy Food; consult your veterinarian to determine the best food for you. Crate: We purchased this one and absolutely love it. + Toys – Purchase these at TJ Maxx because they are less expensive and your puppy will go through them quickly. TJ Maxx has excellent, reasonably priced options for treats, but be sure to check the ingredients to ensure they are of high quality. The best chews are Nyla bones; avoid using raw hide bones because they are typically made with dyes and other chemicals that are harmful to dogs. If you don’t want to use a Nyla bone, try a large frozen carrot instead because it is healthy and can soothe teething gums. Plus, TJ Maxx and Target have the cutest selections of dog bowls. + Dog Place Mat – Seems extra but prevents spilled food and liquid from damaging your floors. + Carpet Cleaner – This one is safe and effective.
Training: With the right instruction, any dog can become a good dog. We initially used Petco to help us teach George the fundamentals, but as he grew older, we made an investment in a better trainer. Petco is fine; our issues were with his jumping and leash training. George has been listening much better since we started working with our new trainer, and we now know how to better redirect his behavior. Although he is still a work in progress, training has been crucial. Most dog trainers are familiar with the teething and “puberty” stages that dogs go through, so they can explain why your puppy is acting a certain way.
I heartily recommend Cis with Canine Intelligence Agency to all of my Chicago dog moms.
Since George is 11 months old, we no longer need to use the crate for training. George snoozes next to our bed at night, and if we are gone for a long time, we baby gate him in the kitchen during the day. Crate training was essential at first because we didn’t want him to hurt himself or the house, so this was the best course of action. He had all of his toys in the little bedroom we made out of his crate, and he didn’t mind going in there at all. We always welcomed him with a treat and created a pleasurable atmosphere. Recalling what I said earlier, whenever we left the house or went to bed, we made sure he was exhausted so that he wouldn’t be bored or anxious when he entered his crate.
These suggestions and tricks have enabled me to continue working full-time and raising a puppy. I hope that this article will help you deal with the chaos that comes with raising a puppy. If you are still debating whether or not to get a puppy, know that making the decision to get George was the best one Joel and I have ever made, but it is a significant commitment. You will manage the puppy stage with ease if you do your research, make a schedule, and get ready for the upcoming few months!
Leaving a Puppy Alone While At Work
Working full-time means leaving a puppy home alone.
It’s difficult to say goodbye to that adorable bundle of cuteness, but is it just?
Actually, yes it is. Having a puppy around you all the time is a mistake. This can make them over-dependent on people. This means they won’t learn the skill of being alone.
So leaving a puppy home alone isn’t cruel, but how long is too long?
A straightforward equation can be used to determine how long puppies can hold their pee.
At about 6-7 months, this equation levels out, and no dog can comfortably hold their urination for longer than eight hours.
Practically speaking, if you leave a puppy alone at home while you’re at work, you’ll need to give it comfort breaks when they’re needed. By forgoing comfort breaks, the puppy runs the risk of becoming confused about potty training and becoming an untrained dog.
Therefore, leaving a puppy alone for eight hours is not a good idea for any four-legged creature, regardless of age (especially if it is the puppy’s first time being left alone at home!). Although a young adult dog is technically capable of holding out for this long, a puppy requires regular bathroom breaks in addition to the stimulation provided by company.
What should I do about the dog while at work? The solution is to seek assistance. Keep in mind that this phase won’t last forever and the difficult times will pass.
The Challenges of Raising a Puppy When You Work Full Time
Raising a puppy can be challenging whether you are employed full-time in an office, work from home, or are unemployed.
Puppies naturally require a little more care and attention than older dogs to ensure proper development, avoid loneliness, and avoid maturing with any behavioral issues.
Here are some concerns that the majority of new puppy owners have, as well as some of the biggest difficulties you’ll probably experience if you’re a full-time worker.
Puppies are susceptible to “little accidents” when they’re young, just like human children are.
Their bladders are much smaller than those of adult dogs, and if they are left alone for longer than an hour at a time, they frequently won’t be able to hold in their urine.
Of course, coming home every hour or so to let your dog out into the garden to relieve themselves is simply not practical for people who work full-time.
Additionally, having family and friends drop by so frequently during the day can be taxing on them.
Paper training or using puppy pads that absorb the mess and odor when your dog uses the restroom are two ways that the majority of new puppy owners deal with this issue.
Puppy pads are great for containing those inevitable little messes in the first few months of a puppy’s life, but you don’t want your dog to start using puppy pads as a substitute for going outside when it’s time to relieve itself.
Making sure someone can check in on your dog every few hours or so and take them outside is the best way to prevent this. Puppy pads would then just serve as a backup for their regular toilet training in this manner.
Your puppy should be able to hold their bladder for about three to four hours between the 12 and 24-week marks.
You should be able to stop using the puppy pads at this point and just have someone check in once or twice daily.
When you first bring your puppy home, it’s critical that you spend a lot of time with them to establish a strong bond and make sure they feel at home.
The majority of new owners decide to take a week or so off work in order to acclimate their dog to their new surroundings.
It goes without saying that most of us will eventually have to return to our jobs; taking six months off to properly train and acclimate a new puppy is just not feasible.
However, your dog might find it challenging to adjust to only seeing you in the mornings and evenings after being around you all day.
Some puppies will become lonely and anxious if they are left alone, which can lead to issues. Dogs left at home alone frequently experience separation anxiety, which manifests as the following symptoms:
In addition to possibly causing damage to your house, a puppy with separation anxiety may also annoy your neighbors.
The best way to keep your Lab puppy from developing separation anxiety is to gradually introduce them to “alone time,” so they don’t go from enjoying constant attention to being alone for seven hours at a time.
We’ll cover all of these later, but accessories like chew toys, comfortable blankets, and even pet monitors can help your dog adjust.
Cats and Cold Weather: Get Ready for Winter
FAQ
Can you leave a puppy alone for 8 hours?
It’s not a good idea to leave a 6-month-old puppy alone for that long just because they can hold their bladder for up to 6 hours. They still have developing bodies and minds, so if you leave them alone for too long, you risk behavioral problems. No dog should be left unattended for the entirety of an 8-hour workday.
How do I take care of my puppy if I work all day?
If no one in the family is available, you could ask a helpful neighbor or even hire a dog sitter for some assistance. Some dog owners will drop off their puppy at a “doggy day care” facility before picking them up on the way home from work.
How many hours a day should you be with your puppy?
Most dog experts agree that for dogs to maintain a strong bond with their owners, they require one to two hours of dedicated dog time each day. Feeding, playing, grooming, training, and exercise can all be done throughout the day. Additionally, dogs shouldn’t be left alone for longer than eight hours each day.
Can you get a dog if you work all day?
Depending on your lifestyle and your willingness to make up for the time you spend away from your dog, it is possible to work and have a dog. You can have a dog and work if you adopt the right attitude.