Working and puppies

"Be careful what you wish for" - we've all heard the phrase, and that's what came to mind when I received a call from a good friend today, who had finally gotten the puppy she's wanted for oh-so-long.  Under the tree on Christmas morning sat an 8 week old, 22 lb., cute, fluffy Leonberger (same as the long coated dog in the picture above).  Being a U.M. employee, it's been great, she's had some time off, and is due back to work on Monday.  They've been working on housebreaking and crate training, frolicking in the snow, taking naps together on the couch, it's been pretty idyllic...but Monday looms, and panic is descending.  What is she going to do when she's gone all day?  Maybe you're in this position as well.  At some point, dog lover's almost always have to deal with a puppy in the house, unless you're like  a friend of mine who only adopts adult dogs.  If you work, and there's no one at home all day, what do you do?  It's just not fair to leave a puppy under the age of 6-8 months in a crate for more than about 4 hours.  They're bored, frustrated, and physically uncomfortable if they need to relieve themselves.  Plus, puppies this age really need to have a mid-day meal, and unless you have a bowl that snaps onto the side of the crate, and a  puppy who isn't a water dog, they need a drink. 

If you're able to go home at lunch - that's great!  Let your puppy out, feed it, give it some loving, and you're all set.  But if you're like most of us, this isn't the case.  Luckily, there are other options.  Maybe you have a neighbor who'd be willing to help you out for a small fee.  As long as they're reliable, this is an OK option.  There's also dog daycare (a shameless self-plug) which is an excellent option.  Your puppy will get plenty of time to play with other dogs, some have yards where the dogs can play, others rely strictly on walks to get the dogs outdoors, some, like mine, do both.  Most offer training, some have packages where you bring your dog daily for a certain period of time, and they help crate train and house break.  Many offer grooming, transportation to the vet for appointments, and overnight boarding.  Giving your puppy its lunch is no problem.  Plus, you get the added benefit of being able to pick up a tired, happy puppy who has had a fulfilling day, and is looking forward to going home for dinner and a nap.  Expect to pay 20 - 25 dollars a day for this type of service.  Even if you take your puppy only one or two days a week, the benefits are tremendous. 

 

 

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