[wilforeal]

I currently bought my girlfriend a puggle. (8weeks). I fear that we work too much for the puppy even though we made arrangements to leave work to take Him out to go potty. We are currently trying to houstrain him using a crate and watching him like a hawk when we are around. So far he has only had 2 accidents in the house and provides us his routine so we can watch out for it. Here is the dog's schedule: at 12am I take Prince out for his midnight walk, 5 am my girlfriend gets up for work takes him out for potty, feeds him and puts him in the crate for 20 mins then we take him out for potty again and also a brief walk, Prince is then put back into the crate until I wake up at 6 I try to take him out when he is whining less if any at all and take him potty, while I get ready and prepare work things he is running around playing close to me on a leash before I leave at 7am I take him out for a walk around the block (its a struggle because he's getting more lazy everyday). from 7- 12:30 he is in his crate, Either me or my girlfriend leave work and quickly drive home (about 30 mins drive) take him out to potty and play for 10 mins. from 12:50 - 4 he is in his crate until either my girlfriend or I get home from work. from then we feed him put in his crate for 30 mins and take him out to potty and long walks. By the most he will make 1 trip to his crate before bed time which is around 9 or 10. Now I just want to know if we are doing an ok JOB? or are we leaving our puppy in the crate for too long, Im looking for advice or suggestions since we read a lot online because it is our first baby puppy and we keep reading things that scare us and several articles have their own views. PLease help!! (By the way I'm trying to work something out with my mom or little sister to have either one of them come to take him out somewhere between 12- 4. )

[cigwyllt]

I'm sorry, I really don't think your routine is fair on a puppy. I don't know what your vaccination routine is or whereabouts in the word you are (I'm guessing you're in the States?) but surely he hasn't had his vaccinations? He certainly shouldn't be going for long walks, vaccinations or not! Leaving him for 9 hours with a 10 minute break is not suitable.

I don't know what to suggest because of course you are committed to him now but your lifestyle is totally unsuited to keeping a puppy.

[DoggieVogue]

Hmm that does seem like a lot of crate time. However, I am curious as to why he goes back in the crate while you are home and after he eats etc.. I would recommened leaving him out during those times. But I do not think you are doing a bad job at all! It seems you are very dedicated to the puppy, which is good because they are so much work and commitment. Every family is different and must find out what works best for them and their puppy.