Raising working puppy with fulltime work/study - Page 1

Hello PDB, I have started this thread because I am interested in your opinions on if you can properly raise a working line pup while studying or working full time, I myself will be studying. I raised a very high drive puppy about a year or 2 ago, so I know the commitment it takes to raise one. I no longer own this dog, so there will only be the puppy in the house. I am a bit concerned with the combined stress of studying, assignments etc while having a drivey pup. The pup will have to be in the crate during the day so I figure I will need to devote most of my time away from study to the dog.
The dogs bloodlines are of old working GSD type, the pup will most likely grow into a hard, dominant dog, and I feel with dogs of these type it is very important that they have the proper upbringing from 8 weeks.

Please share your thoughts and/or experiences, thanks.

It can be done.
One concern is the amount of exercise that the dog will need, if you can provide that, it should be OK. If you cant, I would advise against it. Leaving a dog crated on a daily basis is not a great life for a house dog.

Poor puppy if he has to be in a crate all day, hope I am getting that wrong. Would you go home for lunch at least and give pup some relief? There are so many better things for a growing puppy to do than sit in a crate for eight hours a day. Especially a high drive one. Of course it "can" be done. Is it the best for puppy, is what I wonder? I would suggest you PM pdb-member: weitle, who has been doing fulltime study. Even with a wife available as support, their high drive Mal pup was more than they expected. It is not a position you really want to find yourself in.

What can be done and should be done are very, very different things IMO. It seems to me that you are concerned about your own 'stress levels' but not about the pup's. Is being confined in a crate all day the 'proper' upbringing from 8 weeks for any dog, regardless of type ?  Not in my opinion, no.

There are strong all metal puppy pens about 8 feet diameter and 36" tall for less than $100 which I have used for entire litters of 4 to 5 up to age 4 months.  Better than a crate.  Two pieces of OSB or OSB tongue and groove flooring ($10-$20 per sheet) can serve as the floor to protect the flooring underneath.  Hang a water bucket on the side so the puppy can not knock it over or water when you can.  Puppies raised in such a pen from 8-10 weeks will stay in them into advanced ages without climbing out.  Leerburg has information on puppy raising and Michael Ellis is the master of early puppy work with markers, food, tugs and some of his videos are free on Leerburg.

I'd seek out a worthwhile local vet, day care or boarding facility. So that while your busy working for the first year your pups can get some stimulus and exercise. I got lucky with my pup, my vet who i worked for for over 8 years offered to let me day bard her for the first 9 months for a very small fee. So each day she got let out, played with, some social interaction with certain other dogs. She loved going to the vet for her day care and they loved playing with her. I have not had any negative issues with boarding her with others handling her. She's turned out to be a really good pup. Hopefully you can locate someone or some place to help keep yur pup busy and happy.
Good luck.
Fry

Definitely doggy day care would be my first option for puppy;  depending on how often you come home is a factor; do you have any neighbors  (maybe young teens) you could trust to come in and let puppy out and play, potty and water/feed.  I don't think the crate is a good option, unless you are only talking about a couple of hours. 

In all honesty, my recommendation would be to wait until after you are out of school.  If you are talking about a working puppy, you really need to fill it's needs "first" before your own particularly with socialization and training;  after that daily, then you can go about your business.  JMO  Best of luck  Nan

As others have said - you could, but should you ?

I would be interested in what happened to the other
dog you say you had "about a year or two ago", and
why ?  And why you are considering (already committed
to ?) getting a second puppy now ?  Is it all about being
able to compete in the sports arena - which you wouldn't
be ready for yet, in any case, if you are taking on a pup
rather than a young adult.

Very good ideas and comments raised by all who have
posted so far,  but the eventual decision is your own
and you may like to give further consideration to why
you want this to work.

I think it can be done. I also think crating for 6 or 7 hours is fine as long as there is a short break for potty. I work a fulltime job and it has worked out fine for me. When i first got my pup, I took off 4 days to get him used to the surroundings and start 
housebreaking. He learned quickly and never had an issue. For his first 3 months, i would wake up about an hour earlier than usual, walk him and do some trainings. Then maybe 15 or 20mins to be free. Then back in the crate whilei got ready for the day.
right before i left another potty break and then in the crate. I would leave about 8am and then come home on my lunch about 12-1pm. Potty break, water and play for about 30miins and back in the crate til i got home about 5 or 6. Then out time bed around
9 or 10. My pup is not 5 months and doing great. You just need to properly exercise them. 2 days a week i will take him to my mom's so while i am at work, he can play with their dog. Weekend I'm home so it's really only 3 days a week he's crated often.

You don't have to wait, just be mindful it's more work and if your ready for it. It's a commitment, that's all. Wish you the best of luck.

I would also say that I am studying  for very high level certs that are very intensive and my puppy is ok. Get an x-Pen and while you study put him in there. They don't always needs tons and tons of space.

Just be 100% sure you want the puppy and will to do all it takes. My social life revolves around my dog, if he can't come, i usually don't go. If i go to a bar or club, I keep an eye on time.

-Anthony

 

Crating for this amount of time in my opinion is cruel for every dog.