Hi from Dallas!
Her name is Nanny and we love her already. This will be my first OES puppy, but I've wanted one for practically my whole life. I'm hoping to get lots of useful advice from this forum though! Any help is appreciated. I do have one question already. We are in the process of getting everything ready (she'll be with us in mid-October), and I'm wondering how people juggle a puppy and working. Jason and I both work full-time, so we need to figure out what do for Nanny during the day. We want to crate train, but I know we can't leave her in a crate for 8hours as a small puppy. We're thinking of hiring someone to come over in the middle of the day to let her out to potty and play. What do other people do in this situation? Thanks! Nice to meet you guys! |
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| Hi and welcome to the forum! Congratulations on your new puppy!
We work full-time and did exactly what you plan to do. We crate trained and had a dog walker come once a day and it helped a lot. Not only do they get a potty break, they get some walking time so it's like exercise/training in a way. |
| Hi and WELCOME to the forum!
I am pretty sure that I've read that a puppy can be expected to hold it for as many hours as they are old. So a two-month-old pup can be expected to go for 2 hours, a three month, 3 hours and so forth. It would be cool if at first time could be limited to 2 hours in the crate at a time then after a month 3 hours then another month 4 hours. If both of you could come home at lunch along with a walker for one month, then one of you for the next month, then jsut the walker for the next 4 months that would be perfect. But we don't live in a perfect world! I am excited for you and I can't wait to hear all about your new puppy! |
| Unfortunately, coming home at lunch isn't really an option, since we work about 25 miles away from home. That would certainly be ideal though.
Would we need to have someone come by around 11:30am and then again at 3:30pm or so? We would be gone from about 8-6 during the week. I know we can't be the only people with a dog and with jobs who can't go home during the day. What do all of those people do?? Help! |
Hi Welcome. Can you take that 1st week off work when you get her? Do you have family members that live close or any neighbors that your friends with. I've been lucky with having some one close. You'll figure something out. I can't wait until you get her. Wouldn't it be great if you could take her to work  |
Welcome to the forum, congratulations on your first sheepie kid, careful they are addictive too, you can't stop at one.  |
Oh, I would love to take her to work! She could sit at my desk all day. 
My husband has way more vacation time than me, and I think he can take off for a few days after we get here. I definitely want to get her on a Friday so she has all weekend with us too. As for family members, my family is all in Houston (4 1/2 hours away) and his family is in East Texas, so no. But I'm going to search for a dog walker/sitter within the neighborhood, so we'll see. I'll still have 2 months to get it all straightened out. |
| Welcome to the forum. When we got Harry at 6.5 month I left him for about 4 hours the first day and then added a half hour each day. By the next Monday we were able to leave him for 8 hours. So I just think only those first few months are crucial. You may also want to check out the previous threads about getting a puppy weaned to make it through the night. Good luck! |
| Hi!! Welcome to the forum...
I just got my 8 week old OES girl last Tuesday. I have never had a puppy so young before, so I think I know what you are going through. I was able to take off work as soon as she arrived and I am very glad I did. The first couple of days was just like having a baby. Up every 2-3 hours for potty breaks ---so I was able to sleep when she slept. I just went back to work on Monday and boy was I nervous!! I am fortunate enough to work about 2 blocks from my home and I am able to let her out every 2 hours--(that in itself is distracting...do some work...oh!oh...gotta go let Heart out...do some more work..whoops it's already time to go back home...(I have a great boss!!!!). ) I think your idea of having someone come in is great but I would suggest, at least for the first week they come in every 2 hours if possible. It is a very exciting time and every day brings a new adventure...And remember...they do grow up fast...OMG, Heart is already 9 weeks old
Hope to hear from you often and don't forget to post pictures... Val |
| Welcome to the forum! |
| Welcome!
Between my husband and I, we took off work the first two weeks that Foz came to live with us. Fortunately, I was able to come home at lunch for the first 5 months. Then my office moved a little bit further away so it was too hard to come home at lunch. Foz made it 8 hours without going potty in his crate. |
| Congratulations on your first (but probably not your last) sheepie fur-person. Like potato chips, you can't have just one...LOL
Our first puppy was subject to both of us being away all day since we worked too far to come home for potty breaks. I used baby pampers so she could go and not mess up her crate. Be careful though to change them after every 'use' and be sure to wash her little bottom (Oh, the indignity!). Do you have a shady portion in a back yard? If so, a temporary fenced pen (6-8 feet in diameter) would solve your problem. If no back yard, then try a smaller fenced pen in the kitchen (or bathroom) with non-carpeted floors. Just some thoughts from one whos 'been there, done that, and used the T-shirt to clean up pee-pee'. |
| Welcome from Minnesota!
How exciting to be getting your 1st sheepdog puppy. We (hubby and I) are lucky to be working non-traditional shifts - both 12 hr shifts, and rotating. It has been great for our dogs as one of us is usually home, and we get more days off during the week too. I like the dog sitter idea - to help get your baby through the early puppy times. They do grow up really fast, so enjoy and take lots of pictures! |
| Well, thanks for your help everyone, but it looks like I'm not getting one of the new puppies afterall (see the "getting a puppy" forum, then "puppyfind."
Of course, I will keep looking. I already love this dog, I just have to find her. |
| Well, now it looks like we do get our puppy. It was a rough process, but I think everything has worked out okay. I'm looking forward to getting lots of advice from everyone and I hope to have better pictures soon. |
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