Home alone Help me!

[bianca]

My new puppy Bianca is a 3 month old Maltese. I just got her two night ago. She is the sweetest thing alive and is completely in love with me and my husband.

I work 7-4 and my husband works 9-6. One of us goes and spends 45 minutes with her at lunch time.

What do you think? Will she be okay? Is she going to be really scared and get depressed because she is left alone?

Right now I leave her in a big crate that I bought for her. For how long should I leave her there?

Please give me some thought. My heart is breaking from worrying for her.

[4Dogsihave]

I think as long as she is in a safe place with maybe a few toys and her food and water shewill be ok. She might miss you but should be ok. I think my dogs sleep all day until we get home. (Or tear up the house! Rotten little devils)

[bianca]

I am crating her. She has a very big crate with food and water and toys and in the corner she has her potty papers. The crate is big enought to give her space to play and the potty papers are all the way in the corner so they don't get in her way or gross her out. She actually uses them which is great. They are only for when she has to potty and I am not home. When I am home, I kind of know the time she has to go (usualy around 30 to 45 minutes after she eats) and I take her outside. My method is working okay for now but not great. I am not sure if I am doing it the best way. She still has accidents. What do you guys think?

[Riley'sMom]

CONGRADS ON YOUR NEW BABY
I know your so excited!! I have a 3 month old Maltese as well, as of Tuesday, just curious when is your baby's b-day?
Me and my b/f have similar schedules as well. We have found it easier to use a "puppy pad" for Riley to use the bathroom on if we're going to be gone for hours at the time, since their bladders are so small its not good for them to go long periods of time before going potty. Something to think about; my hair dresser has 2 mini snauzer's she said whatever age they are is the longest amount of time they need to wait before going to the bathroom. Ex. 3 months= 3hrs, 5 months=5hrs. But I'm pretty sure its not good for any dog to hold it longer than 5-6hrs anyway.
What you're doing now may work best for you & your husband your puppy may be fine with that. As long as you keep him/her on the same schedule everyday.
I've also read with crates its the puppy's individual space kinda like a child's room its their space that they feel protected and secure, their own space. Atleast for me it makes me feel better putting Riley in there thinking of it like that instead of thinking of it as a pen I lock him up in.
We also use a babygate to pen Riley in if we want him to have a bigger space, as well as a play pen we take with use sometimes like if we're going to the beach and are going out to eat or to the ocean. Just an idea.

Maybe that has helped a little.
Let me know if you have any other questions or if you want to share your ideas as well I'd love to hear them!!

God bless & good luck,
Lindsay
AKA Riley'sMom

[bianca]

Hi Lindsay,
THanks so much for the tips. Since we both have maltese puppies of the same age, we should keep in touch and share thoughts.

Tell me, are you crate traiing your puppy? How is house training going?

My bianca is exceptionaly shy and timid. How is yours?

Do you think we should talk on the phone? I could really use some emotional support...

[Riley'sMom]

Hey I'm going to email you so we can chat and exchange info