hi everyone - i know what your thinking , you should never leave a puppy but its only for 30 mins - to an hour until i get home (as im a postman so finish early) Abbie is a 10 week old boxer pup and is great - but when left for this short amount of time i come back to a right mess( she has toileted everywhere).i dont tell her off but hope she will just grow out of it???
has anyone any advise ??
many thanks..

I would suggest a crate for the period when you're not there, or a room that is puppy proof both for your peace of mind and her safety. Give her toys to play with, and although I don't really agree with paper training, perhaps a puppy pad/paper for her to go on when you're out.

Wendy

Hi mac,
I dont think, half an hour to an hour is long at all.I leave my 14 week old cocker (Douglas) on his own for longer than that when shopping school run swimming(the kids not me).My breeder actually told me let him have time on his own.we have a huge puppy pen ( hubby made it..and no he`s not handy andy) which has his crate , basket,toys water ext all in.he may have the odd one or two accidents but most the time he`s dry when i come back.
Good luck chrissy (novice doggy owner;) )

Hi

I agree with what has already been said - leaving a puppy for 30 mins to an hour is not a bad thing at all - but a good thing. They have to be left at some time - it's just a question of being reasonable in building that time up. I would also support the use of a crate for that period. Your puppy is highly unlikely to soil her bed in such a short time - but you need to introduce her to a crate gently and make it a nice place for her that she likes going to.

It's also worth looking for what signs you are giving her that you are leaving, They can pick up on the signs and become agitated so that when you finally go she is distraught. Try not to follow a set pattern, for example, don't give her a chew every time you leave. Try leaving her for 10 minutes, 15 and so on building up.

Good luck - you will get there - she's only a baby.

Pam n the boys

A crate would be the best thing. I think it is a must for the dog and the owner. I use my crate until the dogs are a year old. Teeth finished etc..

Good luck.

Pam

My puppy is 12 weeks old and we have been leaving him for short periods every day now for weeks. He can be really noisy but because he is in his crate he can come to no harm and is clean and safe (and so is the house!) when I come back in.

Try making sure your little one is sleepy before you leave. I also find a radio left on low (don't just switch it on when you leave though as that'll become a signal that you are going) helps too. I also leave a tee-shirt with Kaiser which I have been wearing so it smells of me (poor chap ) This was all advice I have had from my breeder and although he isn't silent every time, at least its helping!

Good luck!

Linda

HI

I agree you are leaving your pup for a perfectly acceptable amount of time.

I wonder if before this, you had spent all the time with the pup and then suddenly left for 30 mins to an hour?

As the pup may, (possibly, just a suggestion) be slighty anxious because of the mess. Please dont be worried though as i may be wrong, i am looking at the worst scenario.

If you use a crate, introduce it very slowly or it will make pup more anxious, once used to a crate they do feel safe (well, usually!).

Have you tried leaving the pup for say 3 minutes to walk up and down the road, then 5, then 8, then 10 - over a period of weeks. I did this with my pup, her breed hates being left but she is great now at 13 months and can be left if necessary for up to 4 hours. (RArely happens but it's useful to know she is able to cope).

Use a child gate at home to get pup used to not being with you all the time.

Try to get hold of a book callled The Perfect Puppy from www.crosskeysbooks.com, it gives loads of help about this sort of thing.

Good luck

lIndsay

We used to leave Ollie in the kitchen which has a tiled floor, so it was easy to clean up any accidents.... We once got home from work and went into the kitchen, to find it was dog-less..Panicked like mad because we thought he had been stolen ??!! Happend to glance into the garden to see Ollie happily chewing the bristles on the yard brush....He had squeezed out through the cat flap and I mean squeezed, he must have dislocated his hips to do it. I went round to the neighbours to appologise incase he had been howling and they said they hadnt heard a thing..guess he was too busy with the bristles