Aloha, there may be a few days a month when I and my husband can't be home all day, is it okay to leave my shihtzu in the kitchen with toys, food, water, bed, puppy pads?

[wishbone]

A day all alone by himself/herself? Don't you any friends or relatives to look at him/her or can't you take him/her with you? Sad to say that will not work out for you and your dog mostly when that situation will happen for so long time. Please have someone for your dog...

As long as it isn't happening very often (more than once a week may be too often at this age-- in a couple of more months, he will be a lot more mature), I wouldn't have any qualms about it, personally. We're talking about a dog here, afterall, not a four month old human! It is illegal to leave any human child under the age of 12 home unattended, but a dog is different. They don't need a babysitter every time you go out. I mean, geez, what about weekends? When my dog was a puppy, there were quite a few Saturdays when we all went out for the day, and left her home alone. After she was old enough to have more bladder control, she was fine being left alone. Even now, she just lazes about, sleeping all day when we are out.

Hmmm.. leaving him all alone is not advisable because he might get so naughty at his age that he might ruin the kitchen or get injured while playing all alone. Why not get a friend or a caretaker for the meantime? In that way you will be sure that someone is taking good care of him while both of you are away.

I think there is no problem leaving your puppy in the house all day as long as she won't starve.

Originally Posted by makahana

Aloha, there may be a few days a month when I and my husband can't be home all day, is it okay to leave my shihtzu in the kitchen with toys, food, water, bed, puppy pads?

its fine!!! I always kept my 2 (when I had only 2) in the kitchen as I could gate them in, the cabinets were secure and the trash was not the issue. Puppy pads is what I used. You may have a few missed the puppy pad accidents- leave a radio on softly too and a shirt of yours. All will be well. If you do see signs of separation anxiety you may want to re-think about it.

Thanks all,
Zoe does have separation anxiety, we leave her about 2-3 times a week in her crate and she cries and freaks out, so really don't want to leave her until she can handle a bit better. Sooooooooo, I guess I have to call sick lol.

Originally Posted by makahana

Aloha, there may be a few days a month when I and my husband can't be home all day, is it okay to leave my shihtzu in the kitchen with toys, food, water, bed, puppy pads?

Absolutely not. This dog needs love, fresh water daily and needs to go out to relieve itself. Call a pet sitter that either comes to your house or will take your dog to their house while you are away. Go to petsit.com....... put in your zip code and pet sitters will come up for you to call. Good Luck.

Originally Posted by makahana

Thanks all,
Zoe does have separation anxiety, we leave her about 2-3 times a week in her crate and she cries and freaks out, so really don't want to leave her until she can handle a bit better. Sooooooooo, I guess I have to call sick lol.

That may be a different issue. Crate training should be done daily with good quiet behaviour rewarded. Make it a happy place. Throw a cookie in and toys when your home. Then you can add more time- slightly close the door - it takes time work with the dog.
Leaving her in a kitchen gated in safely is not the same exactly.

People work and have puppies- its ok. Not everyone can afford to be home or hire pet sitters. Its when you see real anxiety and or destructoive issues then you need to step back and get some professional help

[Popcorn]

No i don't think it's fair on the puppy, it is only 4 months old. to leave for a few hours yes but not all day. could you not stagger the time when both of you are not going to be there, ie change your days off at work or get a swop with someone that you work with so you could be home. or even take half a days annual leave so you are back at lunchtime.. have you got no one at all, or neighbours you trust that could pop in for half an hour and let the dog out/play with it for a little while. Or as others have suggested pet sitter or walker that could pop in. some people take there dogs to doggie day care, at a kennels if they can't come home during the day, and if it's only a few days a month this may be a solution for you

About two days out of the work week is okay as long as you confined him to one area (as he is so young he will probalby sleep most of the day away anyway). Or, you can have someone drop by during mid-day to check on him, walk him and play with him a bit. These days Mochi goes to the grand-parents' house twice during the work week (they seem to enjoy his company and Mochi enjoys being spoiled rotten). And when he has to spend a few hours by himself we still confine him just so he will not eat our bills and other mails or scratch up the leather sofa or bother the bird =)

I had experienced this kind of situation wherein I need to leave my 4 month puppy for two days, I just left a bunch of foods for him, water around the area and things for him to play like balls and other soft stuffs, after I came home I saw him wiggling his tail and excited about my return, but at my surprise the whole first floor of my home is a mess, but I'm happy that he's still with me but need to clean a lot

THAT I would never ever do...........the poor thing

i suggest to ask someone to look for her... just to make sure..