I think I know the answer, but I'd like your opinion anyway

divabride Posted: Jan 06, 2005 12:34 PM

I think I know the answer, but I'd like your opinion anyway

So the last two weeks we've been dog sitting a shih tzu (TJ) for my mom. I've always had a dog in my life, and I cant wait to get a puppy of our own. FH never had a dog, but he spent a lot time with TJ and grew very attached to him. Now he wants a dog, and so do I, but here's our situation. We live in an apartment. The dog will be alone from 8:15am to 7pm. I'd want to get 2 yorkies to keep each other company, but Im still worried that the time difference is just too long to keep them alone. What do you think?

Valentinegirl Posted: Jan 06, 2005 12:38 PM

Re: I think I know the answer, but I'd like your opinion anyway

I couldn't leave my puppy alone for more than 4 hours. I even went home at lunch to let him out everyday. I would say the most they can hold their pee is 3-4 hours til they are about 7 months. Now I leave him for up to 8 hours at home.

bxgell2 Posted: Jan 06, 2005 12:40 PM

Re: I think I know the answer, but I'd like your opinion anyway

Would you consider adopting two small, but older dogs? That way you could leave them at home longer and not have to worry. Otherwise, puppies take a lot of work and need to be walked much more frequently, until you have them trained.

MrsTC Posted: Jan 06, 2005 12:42 PM

Re: I think I know the answer, but I'd like your opinion anyway

i agree, the puppies cannot hold their pee .... an older dog would be great if they are house broken and can hold their pee.

Valentinegirl Posted: Jan 06, 2005 12:43 PM

Re: I think I know the answer, but I'd like your opinion anyway

Posted by bxgell2

Would you consider adopting two small, but older dogs? That way you could leave them at home longer and not have to worry. Otherwise, puppies take a lot of work and need to be walked much more frequently, until you have them trained.

Good idea.

diamondgrlie Posted: Jan 06, 2005 12:57 PM

Re: I think I know the answer, but I'd like your opinion anyway

That is kind of a long time. Do you know anyone you trust enough to come in to walk him and play for a little while?
I took off a week after getting Murphy to get him mostly housebroken and then after that I was lucky to have the guy who lives in the downstairs apt. come in to give him a snack and walk him. Now he is fine from 10am to 5:30pm. I think he sleeps all day.

divabride Posted: Jan 06, 2005 02:02 PM

Re: I think I know the answer, but I'd like your opinion anyway

Well, growing up with dogs all my life, I know all about paper training. I would probably take 2 weeks off to train and have FH take 2 weeks to finish training. But my concern is their loneliness. That's why I would consider 2 dogs instead of 1. I dont know anyone that would come in and take them out, so they would be by themselves the majority of the day.

Sassyz75 Posted: Jan 06, 2005 02:29 PM

Re: I think I know the answer, but I'd like your opinion anyway

get 2 chihuahuas
they'll go on the paper and keep eachother company

divabride Posted: Jan 06, 2005 03:08 PM

Re: I think I know the answer, but I'd like your opinion anyway

I want two small dogs, but not chihuahua's. They scare me

No offense to chihuahua owners

bxgell2 Posted: Jan 06, 2005 03:20 PM

Re: I think I know the answer, but I'd like your opinion anyway

Dh and I just recently adopted Sparky, a 9 year old Chihuahua mix, and to be honest, I wasn't thrilled at first because I've always been a big dog person. BUT, after 4 months of caring for him, I'm totally and completely IN LOVE! He is the BEST dog! He's so smart, sweet, snuggly, playful... there is not one thing in him that is flawed... don't be scared! Here's some pics of my sweetie...

divabride Posted: Jan 06, 2005 04:04 PM

Re: I think I know the answer, but I'd like your opinion anyway

Although I really love yorkies, I really have my heart set on a brussels griffon. They are so tiny and lovable.

Sassyz75 Posted: Jan 06, 2005 04:38 PM

Re: I think I know the answer, but I'd like your opinion anyway

I thought the same thing about chihuahuas until I visited a breeder and met the dog.. they are VERY sweet and tiny (if you like tiny- my dog is only 4 pounds)....

Most of the scary chihuahuas out there aren't well socialized and that's why they are nasty...

My boss has a yorkie and he goes on the paper as well...

diamondgrlie Posted: Jan 06, 2005 04:53 PM

Re: I think I know the answer, but I'd like your opinion anyway

Posted by divabride

Although I really love yorkies, I really have my heart set on a brussels griffon. They are so tiny and lovable.

I think that is the dog from 'As Good As It Gets' too.

They are so cute!

But to find a breeder around, thats going to be a tough one!

Mrs2b Posted: Jan 06, 2005 07:11 PM

Re: I think I know the answer, but I'd like your opinion anyway

Hi there! I have a Brussels Griffon! He is the cutest guy ever!! I do have to say that on the whole they do tend to be clingy and a bit neurotic (that whole scene with the dog jumping over the cracks in the sidewalk with Jack Nicholas my dog does that too, actually keep a huge running list of things he's afraid of like the black door mats that are out to get him) leaving him from 8am to 7pm would make for a very depressed little guy as they tend to want to be attached to you at all times.. but they are just the sweetest dogs

SFP0214 Posted: Jan 06, 2005 10:40 PM

Re: I think I know the answer, but I'd like your opinion anyway

I am out from 830 to 400 and daisy is fine. The first few weeks were hard but she had a bad tummy problem. Still she only went #2 in her cage once and she was really really sick. Some days I come home for an hour at 400 and then leave until 830. I think the taking time off will be good so you can train them well. then block off areas or crate them so they can't get into puppy trouble.

lolita4life Posted: Jan 06, 2005 10:43 PM

Re: I think I know the answer, but I'd like your opinion anyway

i would adopt a slightly older dog then.

(then again, Iggy is still available! lol)

patti08 Posted: Jan 07, 2005 05:19 PM

Re: I think I know the answer, but I'd like your opinion anyway

A pups bladder size is an important consideration that most have mentioned and are correct about, however there is another important issue.

While it's nice to have two dogs to keep eachother company, dogs want human contact. Many dogs suffer separation anxiety and depression when owners are gone for a full day.

It's just not kind to leave a dog alone for more than a few hours everyday. I train dogs and I see many anxiety problems and behavioral problems from what I call 'latch key' dogs. Please consider your dog's quality of life.

A simple solution is a dog walker mid day, not so much for bladder sake but for company for a dog/dogs of any age.

cocoa Posted: Jan 07, 2005 05:41 PM

Re: I think I know the answer, but I'd like your opinion anyway

i think the idea of older dogs is smart, considering they are least likely to be adopted and yes, the are usually very trained. adopting two is also a good thing. you could always call the phone and leave messages too for them or leave the radio on.