We have a 7 week old german shepherd and she has generally been a great dog so far. The only problem is I work during the day and my wife works 3 nights a week as a nurse. So we don’t know what to do with the dog during the day. She’s fine in her crate at night but by 7 am she’s is ready to be out and she cries the whole time if we put her in there. My wife has to sleep during some days so what should we do?
Those of you that follow the current trend in dog raising are clearly off base which makes it hard to consider your answers. Regardless of the popular opinion, there is still argument as to when the best time to get a puppy is. Many argue that it is more difficult to housebreak a dog at 10-12 weeks. Our vet who has 30 years experience says it is fine. Socializing the dog is key and that needs to be done regardless of the age and can be done regardless of the age.
As for our schedule, it actually works out fine past these beginning weeks. The dog is fine at night as we take it out like anybody else would. My wife has 4 full days off a week which is way more than most and the days that she sleeps she wakes up at 2-3 and I come home for lunch to let the dog out and play with it.
My questions was simply what to do with her for the 4 hours shes alone which compared to other dog owners, probably most of you included, is rather short. I apologize for not being clearer before.
Not have a 7 week old puppy for starts. It should still be with mom. Crating a puppy is fine. It should be not crated when you or your wife is home. the puppy don’t understand that your wife works nights and needs to sleep, it gets frustrated because it wants to spend time doing puppy things and it’s stuck in a crate for too long. Adopt a older dog next time. Your schedule sounds to irregular for a puppy.
Not have a 7 week old puppy for starts. It should still be with mom. Crating a puppy is fine. It should be not crated when you or your wife is home. the puppy don’t understand that your wife works nights and needs to sleep, it gets frustrated because it wants to spend time doing puppy things and it’s stuck in a crate for too long. Adopt a older dog next time. Your schedule sounds to irregular for a puppy.
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Dal;ai
how long have you had this puppy? honestly, if you had left the pup with its mother until the recommended 10-12 weeks you would not have such a problem on your hands.
the best advice i can give you is to put paper down on kitchen floor puppy proof and leave toys, baby gate her in there.
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I hate to say this, but it doesn’t really sound like this dog was a good choice for you… sounds like you should have gone for a much smaller and less active breed. How did you get her so young, anyway? She should be still with her dam another week.
Perhaps enroll her in a puppy kindergarten?
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a 7 weeks old puppy should’nt stay in a crate for more than 4 hours.
You might not have a life suited for a puppy
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You shouldn’t have a dog. That sounds like a horrible environment for a puppy! Shame on you. You are traumatizing her. You are setting her up to be a neurotic adult.
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Who sold you a 7 week old pup? It should still be with it’s mom and littermates. Sounds like she’s spending way too much in he crate. Sounds like things just aren’t going right with the dog. Does your breeder’s contract allow you to return the dog? That’s probably what you should do.
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50 years ago when my parents got our family dog, puppies were not sold until 12 weeks. 30 years ago most puppies were sold at 6 weeks (at least in australia they were). Today it is recommended 8 weeks. I can not remember that our 6 week old pup had any more issues than our 8 week old puppy.
But to answer your question, don’t leave the pup in the crate in the morning, it would not be fair. You could consider blocking the kitchen or bathroom and letting the puppy play in this small safe area. This would be best in the short term. put some paper down in one corner, water container in another and plenty of toys. Also put a towel or something washable in another corner for its nap, make this bed washable as puppies have a habit of piddling, spilling water and spreading the mess.
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