Looking at getting a dog, and need some advice/help
22 April 2004, 03:22 PM
#62
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Sonic,
despite what some people are saying it would be irresponsible to leave a puppy on its own all day. Firstly, they need feeding four times per day to begin with moving on to three feeds for the first six months of their lives so you need to be there to feed it properly - can you at least get home for lunch?
The other major issue is of socialsing which is particularly important in the first year or so. It's not just a question of preventing them from being bored on their own, it's also down to you to exhibit the traits of the pack leader so that the dog knows not only who is boss but can also more reliably pick up on your own personality.
At the moment, we've got an eight week old Rhodesian Ridgeback puppy and it's a full time job keeping him out of trouble and on the straight and narrow involving myself, my wife and our four year old dog. Luckily, I work from home most of the time so its not a hassle but it does involve sacrifice in the early days.
My advice would be to go for an older dog preferably without any major behavioural problems and initially go home at lunch time to spend a happy hour with him and after a few weeks he can be left alone during work hours. Alternatively, think about getting two dogs because although it sounds like an old cliche two dogs are no more trouble than one.
Good luck in whatever you do.
despite what some people are saying it would be irresponsible to leave a puppy on its own all day. Firstly, they need feeding four times per day to begin with moving on to three feeds for the first six months of their lives so you need to be there to feed it properly - can you at least get home for lunch?
The other major issue is of socialsing which is particularly important in the first year or so. It's not just a question of preventing them from being bored on their own, it's also down to you to exhibit the traits of the pack leader so that the dog knows not only who is boss but can also more reliably pick up on your own personality.
At the moment, we've got an eight week old Rhodesian Ridgeback puppy and it's a full time job keeping him out of trouble and on the straight and narrow involving myself, my wife and our four year old dog. Luckily, I work from home most of the time so its not a hassle but it does involve sacrifice in the early days.
My advice would be to go for an older dog preferably without any major behavioural problems and initially go home at lunch time to spend a happy hour with him and after a few weeks he can be left alone during work hours. Alternatively, think about getting two dogs because although it sounds like an old cliche two dogs are no more trouble than one.
Good luck in whatever you do.
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