Hi - Advice Please

[geminii_22]

Hi,

I have been doing research and have decided to purchase a Chi puppy. I am located in Ontario Canada. However, before I make the purchase I realize that having a puppy is a huge committment. I am wondering, if owners who have been through the puppy phase with their Chi can provide some advice. I will able to take 10 days off when I get my puppy. Following that, I will be returning to work and my puppy will be in my apartment. Because I work close to where I live I will be able to return mid-day to check on the puppy for 1 hr and then would be returning at the end of the day. I am most concerned about leaving my puppy alone this long and would love to hear from someone who has been through this. Alternatively, I could leave my puppy with someone to sit with but am concerned that my puppy won't bond to me. Advice please.

Thanks.

Di

[Bella]

Di,
I bought my newest chi pup in July, she is now 6 months old, and I work every day from 8:30 to 5. I have to leave the house by 7:45 and don't get home till almost 6, granted my mom puts her in her crate around 9 and will take her out around 5 when she gets home because she only has a 2 minute commute to work, mine is 45 minutes. Bella is just fine though, she loves her crate, even goes in it when we are home. At first I thought it was mean but in reality it is the best thing for her till she is 100% potty trained, and she doesn't seem to mind. I go against what a lot of books say though, and I give her food, water, toys, treats and will take a section of newspaper and wrap it in a pee pee pad and she is set for the day (otherwise it is in a ball when the first person gets home to let her out). My grandmother who is not "all there" is home with her and says all she does is sleep. Although after being home with her for the first weekend I had her I put her in the crate and she started yelping like she was dying. Chi's are known for seperation anxiety, so I tried putting a shirt in that I had worn so she could smell me and all she did was poop on it, so now all she gets is the toys and stuff. They will cry at first when in the crate but it will get better with time. I kinda feel like I'm putting her in doggie day jail. But the routine I have her on seems to work great and when we get home play time starts and then we are in bed by 11 at the latest. Hope this helps!

~Laura

[veguroev]

Been there done that! Luckily, hubby and me work 5 minutes away from home so when we get out lunch break we come home to check on the babies. When we first got Chikis we didn't want to leave him in a crate so we opted for baby gates instead. We left pee pads all over floor and we also left a comfy bed in the room. He didn't mind at all. On your time off spend as much time as you can with him and make sure that you play and socialize him as much as you can too.
Congrats on you baby and welcome to CT.!

[Breny]

Thats awesome that you get to take 10 days off!

What I found works best is a childs playpen. when they are little I put their bed at one end with their food and water (I only put a "little" bit of water in the dish ) and I put the pee pad at the other end. (I use washable pads)

This works great for me while keeping the puppy safe while I'm away!

Good luck with your puppy!!!