Our Daily Schedule

[cefire]

Another puppy question for everyone. We are going to be leaving our little pup in an X-pen during the day and then crating him for sleeping during the night. The question I have is about our daily schedule as we both work. Right now I leave for work at around 8am. My girlfriend whom co-owns the dog and lives with us comes home at around noon and cares for the dog until 12:30. I am not home again until around 6pm.

Does this schedule sound workable, not in terms of training because we won't crate train until he is old enough but for the well-being of the dog.

[franp]

Andrew,
First off, your dog is old enough to crate train... But, I think that someone needs to come home at about 10 or so and then around 3 for a few weeks... I think leaving this little guy for 4 hours is just too long...

What makes you think he is too young to crate train?? Most breeders that I know have thier dogs in crates...from the beginning...and you are keeping him in the crate at night...

The rule of thumb is that the pup can stay in the crate one hour longer than they are old..Your dog is about 2 months..So about 3 hours...

[franp]

Andrew,
First off, your dog is old enough to crate train... But, I think that someone needs to come home at about 10 or so and then around 3 for a few weeks... I think leaving this little guy for 4 hours is just too long...

What makes you think he is too young to crate train?? Most breeders that I know have thier dogs in crates...from the beginning...and you are keeping him in the crate at night...

The rule of thumb is that the pup can stay in the crate one hour longer than they are old..Your dog is about 2 months..So about 3 hours... Plus he really needs more than a half hour to play and get tired...

[cefire]

The only thing that made me think he was too young for crate training was his age and the length of time we would have to be gone during the day. You said that 10 and 3 would be a better schedule for a few weeks, how many weeks and why? Just for crate training or for contact?

I know lots of contact for puppies is best but we both work during the day. I may be able to convince my girlfriend who is closer to come home twice during the day but need to know for how many weeks she will need to do that.

Thanks again.

[franp]

Actually, I meant 10, 12 and 3... for a few weeks...

How many weeks will depend on the puppy... Remember they are infants.. and really need ALLOT of attention..
Frenchies are notorious when it comes to housebreaking... My Dari was "young" when she got the concept... she was 7 months...

My schedule that first few months was upside down...I left for work late; came home early..took a longer lunch...

Perhaps there is someone you could ask/pay to come in to let your dog out??