Having a puppy at home isn’t easy.

You need to have a lot of time, energy, and patience to make sure your puppy grows healthy and well-behaved. If you have a full-time work, however, those things can be a bit tricky to have.

But, is raising a puppy when you have to work really impossible?

The answer is no and in this article, you’ll learn exactly why.

How do you potty train your puppy?

Puppies are prone to accidents because they still can’t hold their urine for long. Their bladders are a lot smaller, too.

For people who aren’t working, letting out their puppies after a couple of hours can help with potty training. However, since you are working, this part can be a little tricky.

After all, going home after a couple of hours isn’t practical.

It can also be irritating for your relatives or friends to be asked to drop by your place just to let the dog out.

The solution?

Start out with paper training during the first couple of weeks.

You should, however, refrain from completely relying on it. If you do, your puppy will never learn to hold his bladder and wait to be let outside to potty.

What if your puppy gets lonely?

After getting your puppy, try to spend as much time as you can with him to ensure you build the right bond. Try taking a few weeks or so to help your puppy get accustomed to his new place.

A word of caution:

Failure to help your puppy adjust can result in separation anxiety which can result in destructive behaviours. The list includes:

• Excessive chewing
• Howling
• Loud barking
• Defecating and urinating anywhere in the house

To address separation anxiety, one of the best ways is to make your dog accustomed to having an “alone time” gradually. Try not to give him a full day of attention and then leave him alone for 8 hours straight.

And since separation anxiety can put your puppy’s safety at risk, it’s good if you can invest in a pet monitor. It doesn’t have to be extremely expensive, so pick one that’s reasonably priced but still can get the job done.

Take note, however, that some expensive monitors offer extra helpful features for dog owners like you. They can come with two-way communication, sounds, and lasers to entertain your puppy.

If you have the money, those pet monitors can make a really great investment. If you don’t, leaving chew toys and a familiar blanket can help.

Where do you leave your puppy?

If you know you’ll be out for several hours, avoid leaving your puppy in a crate. This can only make him feel more anxious and agitated.

Skip the dog house and leaving your puppy outdoors as this can compromise his safety. Since he’s likely to have accidents and chew on things, you shouldn’t leave him running around the house, too.

For a safer choice, you can get him a playpen or you can choose a room and puppy proof it for him.

In choosing a puppy room, consider the things he can get in contact with.

Your kitchen, for example, has table legs, cables, and skirting boards your puppy can chew on. Your bedroom has linens and clothes he can accidentally wet.

If you choose to keep your puppy in a playpen, make sure that it’s big enough to allow him to play around, stretch, and empty his bowel without wetting his sleeping bed.

You should pick something strong and durable, too.

How long can you leave your puppy alone?

During your puppy’s first 8 to 10 weeks, he’ll need all the attention he can get. This is when he needs to be let out frequently for potty training and socialization.

Be with your dog for much of the day during this period to make sure you meet all his needs. If you fail to do that, your puppy can get extremely distressed.

Once your puppy reaches 10 to 12 weeks of age, you can expect him to hold his bladder longer. Take note, however, that although his bladder’s capacity increased, your puppy may still not be able to hold his bladder for up to 4 hours.

This means that you need to be home by mid-morning or evening to attend to his needs. If that’s not possible, assist for someone to do it for you.

At 4 to 6 months of age, your puppy can keep his bladder for about four hours. This should be enough if you work nearby.

If your workplace is several minutes or hours away from your home, you may need to keep your puppy in a playpen to prevent accidents.

A word of caution:

At such age, your puppy can be strong enough to jump high and destroy things. If you find him escaping, giving him the run of the house might be wiser but be sure to puppy proof your home.

Where should you get help?

Let’s be realistic.

While the idea of raising your puppy alone can feel satisfying and fulfilling, it won’t be easy. There will be times where you’ll need help and you shouldn’t feel ashamed of that.

Your puppy will require lots of attention and he can’t really be left alone for an entire day in his first few weeks at home. So, ask some of your supportive family and friends if they can help you out.

If that’s not possible, you can always get professional help. There are doggy day care centres and professional dog walkers you can hire to attend to your puppy while you’re at work.

Conclusion

Keeping a puppy while working isn’t totally impossible. It is, however, a bit harder than raising a dog when you don’t work full time.

The answer?

By knowing the right tips and tricks on how to raise a puppy if you work a full-time job and with some help from your loved one, the process can be a little easier. Remember, it takes some dedication, consistency, and compromise.