Discussion
My sister has recently bought a Shar Pei puppy 8 weeks old. Overall it is relatively placid and has taken to my sister very well.
When speaking with the breeder the dog was originally kept in a cage for the first four weeks however has for the last few weeks slept in the kitchen with its parents and has never been back in the cage. This includes being left during the day from early morning (07:30am) to 17:00pm however it had both parents and another sibling to keep company and occupied.
In my sisters situation the puppy will also be left for a considerable amount of time during the day while she is at work therefore is it worth buying a cage to keep the dog in during this time? Obviously this will keep the dog from damaging any of the furniture or trailing any of its mess through the house however would this cause any behavioural issues or cause any distreaa to the dog?
You advice and thoughts would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks and Regards
Ross
When speaking with the breeder the dog was originally kept in a cage for the first four weeks however has for the last few weeks slept in the kitchen with its parents and has never been back in the cage. This includes being left during the day from early morning (07:30am) to 17:00pm however it had both parents and another sibling to keep company and occupied.
In my sisters situation the puppy will also be left for a considerable amount of time during the day while she is at work therefore is it worth buying a cage to keep the dog in during this time? Obviously this will keep the dog from damaging any of the furniture or trailing any of its mess through the house however would this cause any behavioural issues or cause any distreaa to the dog?
You advice and thoughts would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks and Regards
Ross
randlemarcus said:
If so, please give it a cuddle, and take it back to the breeder. I'm sure they can dig out a plush toy that will be just as suitable.
This. An 8-week old puppy - or any dog for that matter - is not just something you can shut up for 10 hours a day. It's just cruel. Get a (grown) cat, they can go out to play or just sleep happily.Ross_328i_sport said:
In my sisters situation the puppy will also be left for a considerable amount of time during the day while she is at work therefore is it worth buying a cage to keep the dog in during this time? Obviously this will keep the dog from damaging any of the furniture or trailing any of its mess through the house however would this cause any behavioural issues or cause any distreaa to the dog?
Has any consideration been given to this little dog? Yes it will cause it considerable stress being left all day with no company in a confined area. Why don't people think about the responsbilities of having a dog? Is a young puppy supposed to be left in the "cage" for hours without any opportunity to go to the toilet?My advice too is (please) take it back and then there wont be any risk of its leavijg "mess through the house" or "damaging the furniture". Grrr
To answer your query, yes a crate is a good idea for some but seriously how long is this pup going to be left in it? Really a young pup shouldn't be on it's own for more than 3hrs during the day without some time out. Night time is different.
I've got to say that I do not understand why someone will spend a lot of money on a pup (that is likely to have bad ears/skin and dubious temperament) then leave it on its own for hours a day, if this is the case. This is not the sort of breed that will cope with this well.
I've got to say that I do not understand why someone will spend a lot of money on a pup (that is likely to have bad ears/skin and dubious temperament) then leave it on its own for hours a day, if this is the case. This is not the sort of breed that will cope with this well.
Edited by bexVN on Wednesday 15th February 23:13
Crating a dogy for a few hours at a time is reasonable, however a puppy needs feeding 4 times a day at 8 weeks old, reducing to 3 times from 3 months old up until at least 6 months, when it can be fed twice a day.
Pups require lots of company, love and attention, time to pee/poop after sleep, play, feeding (so a good 12 times a day), 5 min training sessions to learn basic commands - especially as it has only just left its parents. At the 12 weeks of age mark they tend to go through a lack of confident phase too when additional socialisation/company is highly recommended if you want them to be a well adjusted dog.
Clearly your sister's pup had the company of its parents and sibling at the breeders - on it's own, it will be very lonely and unhappy I suspect. Are you sure they were closed in the crate, as opposed to leaving the crate door open (which is more normal for breeders?).
We have a 10 week old pup and apart from overnight, it is not crated at all, but has access to it during the day - it learns that it is a safe/nice place to be and if anything like our Springer, will take itself off to sleep in there late evening for the night.
Whatever she decides, please make sure pup is put first - the reality is a young pup doesn't fit into a full time work life - it's pretty much a full time job looking after one until they're older. In answer to your question - the pup will be distressed left for that long whether in a crate or roaming around.
Pups require lots of company, love and attention, time to pee/poop after sleep, play, feeding (so a good 12 times a day), 5 min training sessions to learn basic commands - especially as it has only just left its parents. At the 12 weeks of age mark they tend to go through a lack of confident phase too when additional socialisation/company is highly recommended if you want them to be a well adjusted dog.
Clearly your sister's pup had the company of its parents and sibling at the breeders - on it's own, it will be very lonely and unhappy I suspect. Are you sure they were closed in the crate, as opposed to leaving the crate door open (which is more normal for breeders?).
We have a 10 week old pup and apart from overnight, it is not crated at all, but has access to it during the day - it learns that it is a safe/nice place to be and if anything like our Springer, will take itself off to sleep in there late evening for the night.
Whatever she decides, please make sure pup is put first - the reality is a young pup doesn't fit into a full time work life - it's pretty much a full time job looking after one until they're older. In answer to your question - the pup will be distressed left for that long whether in a crate or roaming around.
OP what hours does your sister work? when does she leave and when does she get home? how long would the dog be on it's own? what if she was running late? we crate one of ours when we are at work but only for a few hours.
A puppy needs attention, not to be left alone all day, not having a go at you as you are being sensible in checking but I do not think a puppy is right in this situation.
Any decent breeder will take the dog back if you explain your situation.
If she does not work long hours and has a really quiet social life then maybe give it a go, but if she will be out all day then off out again in evening and at weekends then you are talking about cruelty.
Having a dog takes a hell of a lot of time and commitment, I know of plenty of people who have taken on dogs and found that they dont have the time for them and they end up resenting the poor animal as it restricts them from some of the freedom they used to have (think of them like kids, just better tho
)
A puppy needs attention, not to be left alone all day, not having a go at you as you are being sensible in checking but I do not think a puppy is right in this situation.
Any decent breeder will take the dog back if you explain your situation.
If she does not work long hours and has a really quiet social life then maybe give it a go, but if she will be out all day then off out again in evening and at weekends then you are talking about cruelty.
Having a dog takes a hell of a lot of time and commitment, I know of plenty of people who have taken on dogs and found that they dont have the time for them and they end up resenting the poor animal as it restricts them from some of the freedom they used to have (think of them like kids, just better tho
)Do people on PH not work then? Or is everyone self-employed and able to go home as and when they want?
I hate this consensus that unless you are home 24-7-365 you cannot have a dog. There are dogs with owners who leave them for 8 hours a day and live a perfectly happy life and there are dogs who are with someone all day, everyday but get no attention/love at all and are miserable.
OP, at 8 weeks I wouldn't advise leaving the puppy for entire day and would try and get someone to come round several times a day to dog-sit.
I hate this consensus that unless you are home 24-7-365 you cannot have a dog. There are dogs with owners who leave them for 8 hours a day and live a perfectly happy life and there are dogs who are with someone all day, everyday but get no attention/love at all and are miserable.
OP, at 8 weeks I wouldn't advise leaving the puppy for entire day and would try and get someone to come round several times a day to dog-sit.
Donatello said:
Do people on PH not work then? Or is everyone self-employed and able to go home as and when they want?
I hate this consensus that unless you are home 24-7-365 you cannot have a dog. There are dogs with owners who leave them for 8 hours a day and live a perfectly happy life and there are dogs who are with someone all day, everyday but get no attention/love at all and are miserable.
OP, at 8 weeks I wouldn't advise leaving the puppy for entire day and would try and get someone to come round several times a day to dog-sit.
I'll think you'll find that these replies were related to the fact this is a puppy not an adult. And not all adult dogs cope with being left 8hrs a day 5 days a week, there are a lot of variables, some cope fine others don't. Nobody is saying a dog can't be left.I hate this consensus that unless you are home 24-7-365 you cannot have a dog. There are dogs with owners who leave them for 8 hours a day and live a perfectly happy life and there are dogs who are with someone all day, everyday but get no attention/love at all and are miserable.
OP, at 8 weeks I wouldn't advise leaving the puppy for entire day and would try and get someone to come round several times a day to dog-sit.
Donatello said:
Do people on PH not work then? Or is everyone self-employed and able to go home as and when they want?
I hate this consensus that unless you are home 24-7-365 you cannot have a dog. There are dogs with owners who leave them for 8 hours a day and live a perfectly happy life and there are dogs who are with someone all day, everyday but get no attention/love at all and are miserable.
OP, at 8 weeks I wouldn't advise leaving the puppy for entire day and would try and get someone to come round several times a day to dog-sit.
I am afraid that we did not get a dog until one of us could be at home at least half the day. When a dog is a puppy it needs regular food, training, and taking out to go toilet. As it gets older it can be left for longer but I don't think a dog should be crated 8 hours a day.I hate this consensus that unless you are home 24-7-365 you cannot have a dog. There are dogs with owners who leave them for 8 hours a day and live a perfectly happy life and there are dogs who are with someone all day, everyday but get no attention/love at all and are miserable.
OP, at 8 weeks I wouldn't advise leaving the puppy for entire day and would try and get someone to come round several times a day to dog-sit.
Ross_328i_sport said:
Thanks all for advice/ concerns. The dog is now with a new owner who has another Shar Pei and has considerably more free time to cater for the puppies needs.
I hope your sister feels ok, please tell her that she has done a good thing, hopefully in time she will be in a situation where she will have the chance for a pup. She could always look at getting an adult dog but I know there are reasons why people prefer pups. bexVN said:
I hope your sister feels ok, please tell her that she has done a good thing, hopefully in time she will be in a situation where she will have the chance for a pup. She could always look at getting an adult dog but I know there are reasons why people prefer pups.
THIS.She has done the right thing and put the welfare of the dog above herself.
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