need some advice on adopting a pet

cford17 · New member Joined: 08 Feb 2007 Posts: 5

My boyfriend and I are looking in to adopting a puppy. With our two work schedules, the longest our dog would be home alone is 4hrs... what's the youngest we can adopt? is 4 hours ok left in a crate? I work swings 3p-11pm so I would be home in the morning with the dog, my boyfriend works 7:30am to 5:30 pm. he has weekends off, I have two days off in the middle of the week.

any suggestions on adoption???

thanks

honeybears · Super Senior Member Plus Joined: 19 Mar 2004 Posts: 3625

Hi there

Our puppy experts must all be hiding. Kudos for adopting dog. I know little about crate training, please use the search function and type in crate training and you will find a wealth of information. As for holding it. The normal rule of thumb is an hour for every month they are old. So a 4 month old should be able to hold that long,

Samsintentions · Moderator Joined: 19 Mar 2004 Posts: 4238 Location: Texas

Hi! Congrats on wanting to adopt. I would check your local animal shelters and SPCA's for a puppy. be sure you research the breed your intrested in before diving in and adopting. you want to make sure the breed suits your lifestyle.....

4 hours crating is fine. Just remember, with all puppies, you must start slow and gradually build up the time period in the crate.

And adults are great to adopt too! Alot of the times, their already trained.

Chezza · Posted: Fri Feb 09, 2007 4:10 am Post subject:

Can someone please put A picture of this "Crate" that you guys talk about, where I am, we dont use crates..Would someone put a Picc in of one, to show me what they are all about..Thanks.. Very Happy

charmedagain · Moderator Joined: 19 Mar 2004 Posts: 2224 Location: uk

Hi Chezza here are a couple of crates that can be used..

If they dont work you can have a look at

http://i127.photobucket.com/albums/p125/charmedagain_2007/dogcrate2.jpg

http://i127.photobucket.com/albums/p125/charmedagain_2007/dogcrate.jpg

Mike

hermann muenster · Member Joined: 19 Jan 2006 Posts: 304

Cford - glad to hear you are considering adoption rather than a puppy purchase!!

Have you and your boyfriend considered adopting a dog, say, 1 or two years old???

There are lots of advantages with taking in a dog. Most dogs in that age range easily adapt to their new permanant homes. Most are already and completely reliable with their potty skills!! Most are through their "destruct-o" power chewing phases and are begining to settle down. Most have had some obedience training and understand basic commands like - sit, stay, come, down, and heel. Most are already spayed or neutered. Most can handle being crated and alone for 6 hours. Most are physically in their prime and ready to give you years more of the same. And, most are very responsive to the kindness and love that they find with their new owners.

Overall, I think for two working people, adopting a grown young dog would be an easier transition for everyone. Puppies really need a lot of time, attention and training before you get to the "young grown dog" stage!

Be prepared though, any dog that you adopt will need time to get adjusted to their new home. Consider taking a week vacation to get your new family member settled in.

hermann muenster · Member Joined: 19 Jan 2006 Posts: 304

chezza -- what are crates called in Australia??

Sara · Posted: Sat Feb 10, 2007 12:21 am Post subject:

I agree that an adult dog is a good choice... Even I'd rather have adults in most cases than deal with the puppy issues...although...sometimes one from puppyhood is best...BUT not for any reason other than the cute factor. Any rescue dog bonds so if you're worried about bonding with an older dog, there's no worry because those older dogs bond with their people as readily, if not more-so than puppies. Monty is our pit that we found...or he found us and he's bonded strongly to us even from the beginning...that dog would no doubt die for us, to save us or to be with us.

Rescued dogs are definately a plus that way, they KNOW you saved them...it's a strange thing.

Good luck and we all expect pictures when you pick your new pet out and bring him/her home. Crating is fine for 4 hours while you are away BTW, depending on the breed, some need to run all day it seems so make sure to research the breed if you go for a purebred rescue.

Good luck and keep us updated.

Chezza,

Around here I like crates for most pet owners...especially for puppies. Crates often save lives for dogs either when they're given up and in need of a home or when they are puppies and may otherwise eat the house jeopardizing their life in the process (in more ways than one). My female pit would have been a horrid wreck of a dog with severe separation anxiety had she not been crate trained...even in the car the dog would throw a hellacious fit unless safely crated. In her crate she would calmly wait for us to return or nap...she loved her crate it was her safety.

This was our travel crate:

Chezza · Posted: Sat Feb 10, 2007 1:29 am Post subject:

cford17 · New member Joined: 08 Feb 2007 Posts: 5

so update we want to adopt a dog 6months-1yr old still checking out local shelters and pounds. Thank you all for the awesome advice. I'll keep you posted

hermann muenster · Member Joined: 19 Jan 2006 Posts: 304

best wishes in your endevour to find a new family member!!

bookmark this site!!! Many, many knowledgable doggy folks around here who are very happy to share many years of experience.

keep us updated!!!