Always wanted a dog but felt like your full time job would get in the way? Or returning to work and having to leave your new puppy at home? Juggling a puppy and a full time job can definitely have its challenges, but with the right approach and tools can still be done successfully.
Let's take a closer look at how to care for your puppy while working.
Your puppy is going to need a lot of attention when they first come home. Similar to newborn babies, they need to learn what is right and what isn’t, they need to not feel alone and most importantly they need to be taken care of. While puppies do sleep through many hours of the day, the hours that they are awake are crucial for their training and learning (learn more on about your puppy training timeline). Leaving your new puppy at home alone for long periods of time can lead to anxiety, destruction and other behavioural issues.
It is a good idea to set your puppy up with their own space right away. This provides them with a sense of security, but it also protects other areas of your home from getting a ‘puppy makeover’. Choose a room in your home that's not too noisy. Fill this space with everything your puppy needs such as a comfy bed, a few toys, food and water, something with your scent on it (an old item of clothing works well) and some puppy training pads. You may wish to use a crate in this space so that as your puppy grows, they'll associate the crate/room as their safe space. Read more about crate training your puppy.
As your pup grows, you can begin to expand this space. It is important that this space is ‘puppy proof’. Think of your fluffy new friend like a toddler, anything they can get their paws on they probably will. Remove any hazards from the space and cover power points with plastic covers. Make sure there are no loose wires your pooch can get ahold of.
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Top tip: Check out our Puppy Starter Packs which have all the essentials for your new furry family member.
Many new pet parents may choose to take some time off work upon the arrival of their furry new friend (we like to call this pawternity leave). Taking a week or two off work to spend time with your puppy can be beneficial in many ways. The first week at home is a critical time for you and your new pup to bond, but also the ideal time to lay down the groundwork for training your new bundle of joy. Being at home means being able to monitor their behaviour and teach them right from wrong. It is also the ideal time to begin toilet training them. If you’re lucky you may be able to get this done in a week or two.
If you are unable to take time off work then it is important to have a friend, family member or neighbour visit your puppy several times a day. Alternatively, find a local dog sitter, trainer, walker or dog day care who can make sure your pup is getting everything they need throughout the day.
Puppies can only hold their bladder for their age in months plus one in hours. For example, a 2-month old puppy will need to go to bathroom every three hours (2 months = 2 hours + 1 hour) and that doesn't include after they eat, drink, play and wake up.
This is a great general rule of thumb if you are planning to pop home from work several days, or if you have organised a friend, neighbour or trainer/dog sitter to come and check on your pup throughout the day. Remember that mistakes will happen. Puppy Training Pads can be a great addition to the home during toilet training time.
Make sure you (or your friend/family member) take them to the same spot outside for toilet time, that way your pup will identify the correct place to go. Don’t forget to shower them with praise and maybe even a treat or two when they do successfully go to the toilet. If you take them out and they don’t go toilet, try again in 15 minutes or half an hour.
On top of being taken out for regular toilet breaks, make sure your pup is getting a walk every day. Whether you do it yourself before leaving for work, or have a walker come and pick them up and take them out. Try and stick to a schedule, this is important for your pup - learn more about why schedules are important for puppies. This walking time is great to kick off their lead training too. Make sure you have the perfect collar, lead and harness for your pup.
Your puppy can sleep up to 18 hours a day, so make sure you have the comfiest bed possible. Play some music or leave the TV on as studies have shown that classical music can calm and soothe a dog’s nerves. There are also several Spotify podcasts designed specifically for dogs! There’s also a range of calming dog products available, including calming chews, nutritional supplements, sprays and clothing, like ThunderShirts.
Make sure the safe space you leave them during the day is filled with their favourite blankets and toys. Try a KONG toy, puzzle toy or a treat dispensing toy to keep them entertained while they aren't sleeping. You’ll also want some heavy duty chew toys for your puppies teething period.
Firstly, and here’s the hard part, try not to freak out. If you yell at your dog for chewing something they weren’t supposed to, they may just seek another item to chew. Yelling or punishing your dog for this behaviour can further unbalance them and actually make the behaviour worse.
Get to the root of what is causing the problem. Chances are that your puppy is chewing out of boredom or attention seeking. If this is the case, make sure you have the very best toys for them, and that they are getting enough visits and a walk every day. Chewing is your pup’s natural behaviour, so give them items that are acceptable to destroy. Try filling a KONG toy with peanut butter and freezing it to make the experience last longer for your pooch. You can also look into calmings aids such as including calming chews, nutritional supplements, sprays and clothing.
If you are concerned that a chewing problem is not related to boredom, contact your local vet for a check up.
If you have any questions about how to best support your puppy at home whilst you are at work, don't hesitate to reach out to one of Pet Direct's Customer Service Experts on 0800 200 240.