Hi,

I'm thinking about purchsing a 3 or 4 month old puppy. I haven't had a dog since high school. The dog I'm thinking about is a smooth or long-haired dachshund. The problems is I teach sometimes long hours....I'm working on that!

Anyway I'm single and a recent home owner as of a year ago and I'm been thinking about a dog and the summer is the best time for me to purchase a dog....but already I have possibly a short trip 1 or 2 days and I couldn't take the dog. How old does a dog have to be before you board them? It's not a good idea to board puppies, is it?

I start school the 18th and unless the puppy is crate or paper trained it would be hard. Help am I already not a dog owner candidate?

Usually puppies have to be neutured and/or spayed before you bring them to a boarding place.. It's so important to choose the right place to board your dog. I've heard some disaster stories.. but I live in Toronto Canada and the number one place people are using here is a place called Dogs at Camp Cookstown. Check them out and you'll see why.. I would try and find a place like these guys or call them and ask them if they know anyone in your area. I have brought my two dogs to them for years now.

We never required a dog to be spayed or neutered before boarding it. To be honest, I don't know why it should matter. The dogs were not allowed to be together unless they were participating in a play group. Play group dogs were required to be spayed/neutered, though.

We did require that they have all applicable vaccinations, as per state law. Other than that, I'd just suggest you visit some of the boarding kennels in your area and ask for a tour of their facilities, along with their requirements.

I don't see any problem with boarding your pup if you find a good boarding kennel.

By the way, congrats on your choice of breed. May I encourage you to seriously consider the longhaired variety. They're a lot more easy going and bidable than their smooth counterparts. I had smooths for years before getting my first longhair. Now I have two, one standard and one miniature. From now on all my doxies will be longhaired.

I wanted to add one more thing on top of what Vergroomer already said...

When going to visit/interview a boarding kennel DO NOT call first or make an appointment, just go and walk in. The reason I say this is if they do not know you are coming you will see the place te way it REALLY is. I once worked in the grooming dept. at a boarding kennel that would only allow people to enter at certin times... so that they could CLEAN the facility before people came in. It was always MUCH cleaner when people came in and was rarely like that in reality.

I have also pulled up to visit kennels (in my traditional pop-in style) and heard the staff yelling at the dogs "SHUT UP SHUT UP YOU F#%$ DOGS!"

If they know you are coming they will be on their best behavior.

[Kingsbridge Cav]

Some good suggestions from all previous. The only thing I would add is that puppies don't have their immunities built up yet. I would be hesitant to introduce a boarding kennel to a very young pup. You will want all puppy shot series completed and then the longer you can wait the better.
I think you show good qualities of a good pet owner just by asking the questions that you have. Don't deny yourself the joy of a great friend just because you are sometimes out of town. If you are concerned about the dog being lonely while teaching late hours, you may want to consider a second dog to keep each other company. Try it with one first and see how it goes.
Good luck!