New Pup with a 8 to 5 job ? Need Advice!

cwesley · 03-02-2009, 09:41 PM

Hello everyone, my name is Chad I'm new to this forum. I'm getting a 8 week boxer pup in May. The thing is I work from 7:00am to 5:00pm Monday thur Friday. What is my best options as to where to keep him until I get home, I will be able to come home for lunch to check on him. I do want to crate train him, but I think 4 hours at a time is too long for the new pup. How old does he need to be until he can stay outside on his own as long as the weather is nice, I have a big fenced in backyard with a covered patio. What would you guys do? I wanna dog really bad, but I can't quit my job for it...lol... I'm off everyweekend and in the evenings by the way... please give me some ideas!

Thanks in advance!
Chad

bruinsBoxers · 03-03-2009, 07:33 AM

First I suggest that you do not leave him outside unsupervised when you are at work . Boxers are very temperature sensitive , boxers are known to be able to clear a 6 foot privacy fence and many dogs are stolen from backyards .

If you want a dog badly maybe an older rescue who can handle being crated for 4 hours at a time would work for you . there are many great dogs waiting for someone to take them home .

If you are 100% set on a puppy then I suggest you do use a crate , just be sure to come home during the day to let him out to potty and get some exercise . By crating them it will keep him safe and to help house train him as dogs will not like to potty where they sleep .

Puppies ( and adult boxers too ) can get into trouble so it would be safer to keep them crated until they are 100% trustworthy alone at home . For most boxers this means they will be crated until a year old with some much older and other will never be trustworthy .

KeeperBoy · 03-03-2009, 07:38 AM

I agree 100%. My dogs are never unsupervised in the backyard, or even the car. It is unsafe for all the reasons already mentioned. Boxers are not outside dogs.

I also agree that an older rescue would be a great idea. Puppies are so cute but there are tons of boxers in need of homes that would be more suited to your lifestyle.

Maybe a neighbor or friend can come over every hour or so to let the dog out while you are at work. We had a rotation of dog walkers when Boo was a puppy even her housebreaking was difficult at times.

Keepers is 3 and is still crated when I'm not home. We tried leaving him out and he ate a bar of soap, needless to say that was the last time.

I also don't think bring a dog home at 8 weeks is always the best decision. Dogs learn a lot in the litter and most people (breeders and trainers) suggest bringing a puppy home closer to 10 or even 12 weeks old. If your breeder isn't willing to keep the dog an extra few weeks I would run away now.

Ron · 03-03-2009, 08:01 AM

I agree as well. In your situation, a rescue dog would be a perfect fit. A quit google search will likely direct you to a boxer rescue in your state/province.

KeeperBoy · 03-03-2009, 08:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Magtie

I agree as well. In your situation, a rescue dog would be a perfect fit. A quit google search will likely direct you to a boxer rescue in your state/province.

Also, petfinder.com is a great resource. We found Keepers that way because he was in a Dobe rescue, who would have thought to looks there?

In my experience Boxers act like puppies for such a long time that you can get a 1 to 3 year old dog and still have a "puppy" without all the pee and poop in the house.

JoeV · 03-03-2009, 09:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cwesley

Hello everyone, my name is Chad I'm new to this forum. I'm getting a 8 week boxer pup in May. The thing is I work from 7:00am to 5:00pm Monday thur Friday. What is my best options as to where to keep him until I get home, I will be able to come home for lunch to check on him. I do want to crate train him, but I think 4 hours at a time is too long for the new pup. How old does he need to be until he can stay outside on his own as long as the weather is nice, I have a big fenced in backyard with a covered patio. What would you guys do? I wanna dog really bad, but I can't quit my job for it...lol... I'm off everyweekend and in the evenings by the way... please give me some ideas!

Thanks in advance!
Chad

I agree with some that the breeder should hold your puppy for a few weeks longer with no problem. Most breeders want the best interest for the puppy, and money by a certain time shouldn't drive a good breeder to sell. In your case, I think if you brought him home say at 11 weeks, he should be okay in the crate during the day (as long as you make sure you come home every day at lunch to take him out and play, etc. for a decent time). Also thinking, are you able to take a week vacation? If so, maybe take the vacation for the first week the puppy is home (still at around 11 weeks) and train him consistently for the week and bond with him. Just ideas. Adopting/rescue is a great option as well if you are open to that.

cwesley · 03-03-2009, 07:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JoeV

I agree with some that the breeder should hold your puppy for a few weeks longer with no problem. Most breeders want the best interest for the puppy, and money by a certain time shouldn't drive a good breeder to sell. In your case, I think if you brought him home say at 11 weeks, he should be okay in the crate during the day (as long as you make sure you come home every day at lunch to take him out and play, etc. for a decent time). Also thinking, are you able to take a week vacation? If so, maybe take the vacation for the first week the puppy is home (still at around 11 weeks) and train him consistently for the week and bond with him. Just ideas. Adopting/rescue is a great option as well if you are open to that.

I think I will talk with the breeder I'm getting him from and see if they will let me take at 10 weeks old instead of 8. I am going to take a week off when I get him. So hopefully that will help. Hopefully the puppies bladder will be better at 11 weeks than 8... I hope.. Thank you

Ron · 03-03-2009, 07:46 PM

sounds like a good plan.

Keep us updated

KeeperBoy · 03-03-2009, 08:24 PM

If the breeder really cares about those puppies I'm sure she will be happy to hold the puppy longer. Those extra few weeks will make a big difference in potty training and behavior in general.

mswing7674 · 03-05-2009, 07:55 AM

My puppy when I got her was 8 weeks old and both my partner and I worked. She was alone for 4 hours at a time. However I did not crate her. I gated off the kitchen (linoleum) and put puppy pads down and just knew I would have to clean up messes when I got home. She was totally housetrained by 5 months and hasn't had an accident since. As for leaving her alone. She has run of the house now and is almost 10 months old and has never chewed anything that wasn't meant for her. I honestly think it depends on the dog itself. Good Luck!!! Enjoy your new baby!!