Having a puppy is somewhat similar to having a baby -- you must adjust your entire life to make sure your pet companion is taken care of at all times. If you work a full-time job it might get challenging to properly care for a puppy. Housetraining, which requires constant supervision, takes a backseat and you also risk your puppy getting bored and lonely, which might trigger destructive and inappropriate behavior. With some creative thinking and lifestyle adjustments you might be able to minimize the stress of having a puppy while maintaining a full-time job.
Feed your puppy and take him outside before going to work. Let him relieve himself and play fetch with him to tire him out. Exercise relaxes him and might motivate him to take a nap while you're at work.
Confine your pet companion to a small, puppy-proof room, such as the kitchen or bathroom. The room should have enough space to play, sleep and go potty. Close the door to the room or use a baby gate to keep your pup from getting out.
Place your pup's water dish and his crate or bed on one end of the confinement area, and position a puppy pad or several sheets of newspaper on the other end. Keep your puppy's potty area away from his sleeping area, because dogs dislike pooping and peeing in the area that they lounge in. To make the potty area extra appealing, place a paper towel that was used to clean up an accident on the puppy pad or newspapers. It helps your puppy recognize the area as his potty.
Provide your dog with plenty of entertainment while you're at work. Place your pup's favorite dog toys in the small room and turn on the television or radio.
Arrange for a trustworthy neighbor or friend to check up on your pet companion while you're at work. Have him take your pup for a walk so he can go potty and get some exercise. If possible, go home on your lunch break and take your puppy for a walk.
Tips
Remember, your puppy can only control his bladder for so long. Go by his age in months -- if he's 3 months old, he can only hold his bladder for up to three hours.
If possible, have a neighbor or dog walker take your puppy outside more often at the same times each day so you don't need an indoor potty area and avoid the risk of your pup developing a surface preference, in which he poops or pees on the preferred surface throughout his life.
If you work long hours, consider getting an older dog instead of a puppy. An older dog is able to stay confined until you come home without inappropriately eliminating.
Tips
Remember, your puppy can only control his bladder for so long. Go by his age in months -- if he's 3 months old, he can only hold his bladder for up to three hours.
If possible, have a neighbor or dog walker take your puppy outside more often at the same times each day so you don't need an indoor potty area and avoid the risk of your pup developing a surface preference, in which he poops or pees on the preferred surface throughout his life.
If you work long hours, consider getting an older dog instead of a puppy. An older dog is able to stay confined until you come home without inappropriately eliminating.
Items You Will Need
- Baby gate
- Dog crate or bed
- Puppy pad or newspaper
- Dog toys
- Radio or television
- Trustworthy helper
References
Tips
- Remember, your puppy can only control his bladder for so long. Go by his age in months -- if he's 3 months old, he can only hold his bladder for up to three hours.
- If possible, have a neighbor or dog walker take your puppy outside more often at the same times each day so you don't need an indoor potty area and avoid the risk of your pup developing a surface preference, in which he poops or pees on the preferred surface throughout his life.
- If you work long hours, consider getting an older dog instead of a puppy. An older dog is able to stay confined until you come home without inappropriately eliminating.
Writer Bio
Kimberly Caines is a well traveled model, writer and licensed physical fitness trainer who was first published in 1997. Her work has appeared in the Dutch newspaper "De Overschiese Krant" and on various websites. Caines holds a degree in journalism from Mercurius College in Holland and is writing her first novel.