Need advice: leaving pup alone

[mareserinitatis]

What do you guys do when you have a pup you can't trust in the house but have to be gone for a while?

When I'm at work, Ada is normally kenneled and I come from work for lunch and let her out. However, I'm going to wedding in the evening and may be gone for several hours. This is also the time she would normally be having potty breaks and dinner.

Do you think it's better to feed her before I leave and let her stay in the back yard (which is fenced) or should I kennel her and feed her when I get back? Normally, a friend watches her for us, but she's dogsitting for someone else at this point.

 

[BLCOLE]

I would think about crate training the puppy.

 

[mareserinitatis]

She is crate trained, but this is about twice the normal length of time that she would normally be crated.

 

[Capri]

I would come home, feed her, walk her, play with her, train her, take her out again for a potty break and then crate her for the evening until you come back. In the evening I would feed her and walk her again before going to bed.

 

[Thehallk]

Gilly is okay to be left out now (with all doors closed and all counters bare) but we used to put her in her crate when we were out. If Ada can "hold it" through the night and sleeps in her crate I think she would be okay to be left there for awhile. I always feel guilty when we leave Gilly no matter where she is, but I just remind myself that she can "hold it" for 9 hours or so at night and even when I am home she just sleeps or wanders about with her toys anyways. How long do you think you'll be gone for and what hours?

 

[mareserinitatis]

We'd be leaving around 3 (which is normally the time we come home for the day) and wouldn't be back until 11ish. She normally eats and potties around 5 or 6. I guess that's the part that has me worried.

 

[Capri]

How old is Ada now? If you make her extra-tired before you leave (training, long walk), I'm sure she'll just sleep through the night.

(note that if you take her for a long walk, she drinks a lot after the walk, wait an hour or so, wake her up and take her out for a pee-break before you leave, then just leave her in the crate to sleep the night)

I think she'll feel more comfortable in the crate than being outside alone in the dark (because you haven't gotten her used to being outside for longer times, but you have gotten her used to being in the crate)

 

[YorkvilleNewfie]

Do you have any neighbors that could possibly do you the favor of letting her out for her normal potty time and have them give her dinner and water? Maybe ones that have a dog too and you could promise to return the favor?

 

[Henrys Mom]

I would feed her some before you leave and make sure she potties and leave her in the crate. She is used to her crate so I think she will feel safe there. Mason stays gated in the kitchen when we are gone. I would never trust him out alone in the house right now!! I know you are worried but I am sure she will be fine!

 

[Angela]

I wouldn't leave her loose in the back yard, but that's just me. I would be terrified something would happen to her. Any chance you could take her and her crate in your car with you?

 

[Sun Valley]

That's where a doggy door would come in handy...anyway you can install one? They are life savers!

LA

 

[AngusMcDubhsMom]

I wouldn't leave her loose in the back yard, but that's just me. I would be terrified something would happen to her. Any chance you could take her and her crate in your car with you?

I'm a fraidy cat too. I'd be afraid to leave her outside for that long. If you can't crate her, I'd consider hiring a reliable dog sitter to come and stay for the evening if you don't have a neighbor. How far away is the reception? Could you pop in on her during the evening?

 

[Tula]

I would never leave her outside. I am also afraid of doggie doors......anything could happen outside, unsupervised Just saying Kim

 

[DAWNMERIE]

We hired a teenage neighbor. My brother's wedding so we knew in advanced and worked everything out. (as in I had her walk the dogs with me, had her enter the house without knocking...etc) Also, was a good feeling knowing her parents and the fact they were 4 doors down in case of any problems. I kept my phone in hand the whole night in concern (I checked in about 3 or 4 times) but she was able to handle everything...and I'd do it again if I had too! They love their Nikki and look for her each time we pass the their house.

 

[mareserinitatis]

We ended up crating her and she was fine. We fed her a late lunch, but we couldn't get her to potty before leaving. She probably slept a good chunk of the time as she had obedience class a couple hours before we left. The neighbors I would have liked to check on her were gone. So we just crossed our fingers. When we got back, she didnt potty until after she ate, so I guess there were no problems.

It's hard getting used to having a dog...I'm so used to just taking off for the weekend and not having to worry about what to do with pets.