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Post by Paula on Jun 3, 2011 14:10:38 GMT
I would never get two at the same time either as they tend to bond to each other more than you.. You always want to be number one. Mine are bonded to me but are in love with each other lol I agree that can happen, although, as most of you know, I got Pip and Roo together from rescue and they were already very bonded to the point where the rescue didn't want to separate them. Despite their bond, they are both absolutely more bonded to me first than each other. They will nip at each other to get out of the way so they can get my attention first. LOL. ;D |
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Post by Kristi on Jun 3, 2011 15:04:33 GMT
Hubby and I both worked 8 hour days when we got Bryco...Bryco was a teeny tiny puppy that DID have hypo attacks. We had to alternate who went home on lunch to feed (or force feed) him, and hide kibbles throughout his pen so he'd find them and think it was a treasure and eat it (he wasn't to keep on the bowl bullcrap!). It was a lot of work but we managed and now he is just fine. We have 6 dogs and often leave them for 10-12 hours to go on a hike and they are fine. They have water, potty pads, chewies, beds, etc. but we're also home a ton w/ them too so it evens out. We did just fine working full time and bringing in new puppies so I think you could do OK as well just plan ahead.
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jess
Smooth Coat   
Posts: 200
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Post by jess on Jun 3, 2011 19:56:58 GMT
I work full time and have a chihuahua (puppy), basenji and 3 pugs. I work about 20 mins from home so cant get home to see them unfortunately as I only get 30 mins lunch break so I have someone come in and spend an hr with them, take them out for a walk and give them a bit of fuss. Evie the pup is in a pen in the living room and she has Maya the basenji (her foster mum) as company. I dont leave the pugs in with them as they are very rough and i'd worry incase they knocked the pen over or something and injured her, she had a rough start so is very very tiny and im paranoid about her getting broken! I've been on this routine a month now, since I started my new job and its working well. Had no problems with Evie at all, apparently she is always asleep when the walker goes to see her, and she's asleep when I get home. She gets left with her dry puppy food and water all day and she has milk and meat put in before I go to work, and gets top ups at lunchtime so she has plenty of choice of food and drink  I would love to be able to be at home all day with my dogs, but unfortunately I have to work to be able to afford them ;D Im very envious of those who can afford not to work, think I need to find a rich man  |
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Post by Chloe on Jun 3, 2011 20:20:12 GMT
i didnt work when i got Twig but she was older by the time i left her...so i would recommend getting an older chi ... on the few days i work a full day (and im just under 10 mins from home by car) what happens here is i leave for work dropping Twig at mums on the way.. and my mum comes round after about 1.5hrs and picks the other 2 up and walks them to her house (she lives in the next road) and i come home at lunch to my mums and see them there and my OH either picks them up on his in as he starts and finishes work before me, or mum walks them back in the mid afternoon...the longest they have ever been left is about 3 hours normally no more than 2, im lucky mum loves them so much and usually has them even if we are just going out for an hour
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Post by Lucy on Jun 3, 2011 20:50:27 GMT
All great advice above but just wanted to mention that there are some breeders out there who will not let their chi go to someone who works full time, even if you see them on your lunch break. I'm not suggesting you lie about your situation lol but just so that you are aware and are prepared to be turned down. I think the best route for you, is if it is possible, is to take your dog in to work. I wouldn't suggest taking on two dogs at once, especially if you've never had a dog before but also that just because a dog is older, doesn't mean it will be okay being left at home for an extended period through out the day. Dogs, and especially Chihuahuas, are companions and bond closely to their humans. Even if its older, it still might not take very well to being left at home. When you start contacting breeders, just explain your situation and say that you do have the option of bringing the dog in to work with you and they should be able to help you find the pup with the personality you are looking for, one who isn't likely to run about and go nuts at every little noise ;D Every dog is different so it will probably take some time. I know that Kristi's Oakley would go in to work with her and sleep but none of mine would ever be able to do that lol they're just too high energy! It sounds like you are willing to wait for the right chi so I'm sure you'll eventually find the one that is meant for you  |
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Post by banoffee on Jun 3, 2011 21:07:10 GMT
Thanks for all the replies, they have all really helped. I definitely need to wait until I'm completely ready to have a chi - I can't have one until I move house anyway as my flat is too small but hopefully I would like to find a small house with a proper garden next year. Would a breeder be able to tell which puppies are going to be more hyper than others, isn't it something that will change as they grow up? I wish I didn't have to work full time!! |
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Post by Lucy on Jun 3, 2011 21:19:11 GMT
Well I think it comes from their parents personalities as well and I do believe that you can get a preview of their personalities at 12 weeks! Kiki is exactly like her mum, very outgoing, always on the move lol.
Chaos and Gambit have the exact same personalities they had at 12 weeks!
Obviously its never a guarantee but I think if a pup is used to coming to work with you from an early age, they will know that the office is a place where they sleep or relax lol and not go nuts!
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Post by Rosie on Jun 5, 2011 19:28:11 GMT
Hello, I'm new too but thought I'd out in my two-pence worth. I got Alfie when he was 7 months old, I work part-time, with school-run's for my daughter at either end of the working day.
On a typical week-day I wake up at 6am and feed Alfie, spend about an hour on the sofa with him on my lap while I have coffee, watch a bit of TV and put on my face. My daughter wakes at 7am and we leave the house at about 8.20am. Alfie is left alone then until about 11.45am when I pop back from work to let him in the garden and spend 10 minutes giving him some fuss, before returning to work. He's then alone again from 12pm until approx. 3.30pm when I return with my daughter.
Alfie manages fine with this routine, he is most often fast asleep when I return at lunch-time and I have to heave him out of his bed to go in the garden lol. On occasion I have been unable to go back in my break for some reason or another and he has managed fine (not even a mess on the floor) but I wouldn't want to leave him for that long on a regular basis.
I don't think it's realistic to say that people who work can't have dogs, but I would say it would all depend on how long a period your dog would be alone from when you leave in the morning to when you return at lunch, and then again from lunch to when you return home. If you work a really long day it may still be too long a period even with a lunch-time return.
Good luck with whatever you decide!
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