Raising a Puppy While Working Full Time

Bringing a new puppy home is hard work, regardless of your lifestyle or working situation. Raising a puppy takes a lot of time and energy, and you need to be committed.

While raising a new dog or puppy while working full-time is definitely more challenging, it isn’t impossible. Puppies have many needs, so you need to be able to make adjustments to your lifestyle and routine to successfully raise the new dog. While it can be done, you will need help, whether that be from friends, family, or hiring dog walkers or other professionals—such as our professional dog trainers in Northern Colorado.

To help you out, we will be covering a variety of topics to give you success in raising a puppy while working full-time, including:

• Establishing a schedule and sticking with it can be difficult, but it is crucial for a new puppy
• Puppies have smaller bladders, which leads to a more frequent need to go
• Puppies are naturally curious and get distracted, so a lot of supervision is needed
• Balancing together and alone time can be tricky but leads to the best end results

 

Making A Good Puppy Schedule

The first step to getting your puppy on the right path forward is to give them a consistent schedule, which provides the foundation for learning good behaviors and potty training. Even though working a full-time job and maintaining a puppy schedule sounds daunting, you can strike a balance! Just be aware that a young pup may only be able to hold their bladder for a few hours (we go into this further below, too). Below is a simple suggestion for a daily schedule; it will need to be adjusted based on both your schedule and your puppy’s:

7:00 am (or when you wake up) – Let your puppy out immediately! Do it before you get ready or eat or anything- your puppy needs to go.

7:15 am – Confine them for some playtime (can be in a puppy pen or a blocked-off portion of a room)

7:30 am – First meal and water time. Only give them 10 minutes to eat- even if they don’t finish within that time.

7:40 am – Take your puppy out on a leash! Give them a distraction-free potty time, as it is not a time for play. You must keep an eye on them to ensure that they go; never just assume they went.

If they don’t go within 5-10 minutes > Return them to a crate inside for 10 minutes before trying again > Repeat until they go. (This applies to any potty time after a meal!)

12:00 pm (or your lunchtime) – Potty break first!

12:15 pm – More confined playtime.

12:30 pm – Second meal and water time.

12:45 pm – Take your puppy out again – following the same rules as before.

1:00 pm (or end of your lunchtime) – Confine them to a crate.

5:00 pm (or when you get home) – Take your puppy out ASAP.

5:15 pm – Last meal and water time – no more feeding after this for the day!

5:30 pm – Take your puppy out again.

6:00 pm – Play time – must be supervised!

6:30 pm – Confine them to a crate again so you can eat and unwind a bit!

7:15pm – Take them out again. At this point you will also pull their water for the night- to reduce chances of nighttime accidents!

7:45 pm – More (supervised) playtime

8:45 pm – Confine them to a crate again.

9:30 pm – Take your puppy out for the last time of the night – it is important that you make sure you know that they went (follow the guidelines above).

9:45 pm – Bedtime for the puppy (in the crate).

Repeat and adjust as needed!

 

How Long Can Puppies Hold ‘It’ (meaning body wastes)?

Puppies will vary in the length of time they can hold their pee or poop, but there is a simple equation that can be used.

• First, take your puppy’s age in months and add one. This will give you an idea of how many hours they can hold their bladder.
• For example, a one-month-old puppy can hold their bladder for two hours. A four-month-old puppy can hold their bladder for 5 hours.

Once the puppy reaches 6-7 months, you can expect your dog to level off since no dog will be comfortable holding its pee for over an 8-hour period.

 

How Long Can You Leave Your Puppy Home Alone?

Using the formula mentioned earlier, puppy’s age + 1 = average estimated pee holding time, you can see what is a rough estimate for each pee break period. In the beginning, they will need to go more frequently than other times, but eventually, they will be able to hold on for longer.

During these periods it is important to help create a routine that they can learn in order to be sure that your dog is able to hold their pee when necessary. In this process, you are training their bodies to be able to hold it instead of going right away, so it takes some time, and every dog is different. When they are proficient, they can then plan ahead for their potty times, and you can properly potty train your dog. Leaving your dog alone for 8 hours isn’t best for any dog, regardless of age, so be sure to add periods throughout your day to let them out. Staying consistent is also important, so make sure the time chosen works best for most days.

 

How To Handle Potty Training While Working

There are a few different components that lead to success in potty training: a routine (such as a Puppy Schedule)), a management system (discussed below), and constant supervision.

The great thing is that these components apply to anyone going through this. While it may seem particularly daunting or tricky to balance with work, it can be done! Some key things to keep in mind: Adjust the Puppy Schedule to your needs and utilize your lunchtime effectively for both of you (give yourself some time to eat when they are confined). Use positive reinforcement when they do something correctly; everyone likes to be praised! If you can’t keep a direct watch of them, you can attach the lead to your belt area so you will be notified if they are up to something. See below for some more specific tips to help while at work or not!

 

Crate Training A Puppy

Dog crates are a vital component of creating a management system for your puppy. In our experience most people had the greatest success in potty training when they started crate training immediately. To crate a train, you don’t need a crate specifically- a puppy pen or even a small area that can be closed off with a baby gate can work. While you may think that a crate is too small for comfort, it gives them their own space equivalent to a natural den area, which makes dogs typically feel safer and secure! Sizing is important, so as a rule of thumb, your puppy should be able to walk in the kennel, turn around, and lay down comfortably with 2 of the dog’s edges touching the edge of the kennel. A crate can be too small or too big, so when in doubt, you should always seek advice- pet stores that supply them can usually help find the right size for your situation.

Having a puppy that is crate trained will be vital for two major components of house training: sleeping and establishing a potty routine. In terms of sleeping- it provides a cozy space of their own, especially when you provide a safe chew toy to help keep them occupied! It is also very useful for establishing a routine as you should crate them if you bring them outside for a potty break and they do not go; simply put them back in the crate for 15 minutes or so and then try again. Then once they do go you should use positive reinforcement and give them some play time as a reward, they will connect the dots eventually!

 

Should You Hire A Dog Walker

We get it- not everyone has the time to walk their dog properly, but having them wait for longer is not a solution we would endorse (as it promotes bad habits and accidents, especially for younger pups with less control). If you are in a situation like this, hiring a dog walker is a perfectly fine solution! Whether you use a family member or a dog walker service, it is important to know if they have experience as a puppy sitter (as a puppy’s needs shift frequently- and keeping them on a routine is very important).

When your puppy is of age and fully vaccinated, you can consider using doggy daycare services. These services may aid in socialization and give your puppy a daily routine. Check out the K9 Corral if you have any daycare or boarding needs!

 

Are Puppy Pads A Good Idea?

Putting puppy pads on the floor may seem like the quick, easy solution to fit into your work life. However, you may end up regretting it in the long run! By using puppy pads inside it will teach your pup that going inside is an acceptable habit, additionally they will seek alternate sources, like rugs and carpets, when the pads are no longer there. If you wish to transition them to going outside, it will lead to more unnecessary difficulties, plus you will be dealing with more unpleasant smells and messes inside.

 

Do I Need A Pet Camera?

Pet cameras have become increasingly popular; however, we don’t typically consider them a necessity. They can be useful for supplemental puppy supervision when you are otherwise preoccupied. However, it is not a substitute for actual supervision! For example, a pet camera may be useful if you are gone for a few hours, which isn’t part of your usual routine, so you can occasionally observe them. If you have other dogs, it may also be useful to ensure that no bad behaviors are exhibited when you are not there. Pet cameras can also be good for dogs who are left in pets or in confined areas of the house when you are trying to teach them to roam more freely. They can even be useful for training dogs that have discovered they can do naughty things when their owner isn’t present. However, if you catch them doing something bad on the camera- you should only correct them if you actively catch them; if you try to correct them later, they will not understand why they are being punished.

 

Tips for Raising a Puppy While Working

Tip #1:  Leave Your Dog Home Alone

One of the biggest challenges for you and your new puppy will be leaving them at home alone, which is tough for you both. But it is important. If you spend too much time with your pup, they can become dependent and have separation anxiety. You may think it is bad to leave them alone, but it will ultimately benefit them.

The part to be worried about is bathroom breaks. The age of your pup will indicate how long you can leave them alone. Take the puppy’s age in months and add one, and that is the number of hours they can be left without going to the bathroom. As you can probably figure out, you can’t really leave your dog alone at home for a whole workday. You’ll have to find time to come home and let your dog out or hire help.

Tip #2: Use Your Resources

It is clear your dog will need to be let out during the day. They need breaks, whether it is from you or someone you hire to help. You can come home for breaks during the day or ask a friend or neighbor with a different schedule to let your dog out. Other options include hiring a dog walker or dog sitter to come to your home at certain times to let your dog out. With apps like Rover or Wag, it is very easy for you to find reliable people to take care of your pup. Enrolling your pup in some kind of doggie daycare is another option if you can’t find someone during the day, or want an option that may also help train your dog.

Tip #3: Tire Your Dog Out

It is very important that your dog still gets everything it needs to be happy. You don’t want them to miss out on having a fulfilled life so it’s important to make sure you’re providing them with the proper activities. Before you go to work, make sure they are sufficiently tired. Make sure you take them on a long walk, play fetch, or give them a training session. This may require you to wake up a bit earlier, but it is important to leave your dog tired. You also need to give them things to keep them entertained throughout the day. This means incorporating toys, chews, or games that will keep them occupied and also get out their energy throughout the day. Some great toys that will keep your dog’s brain working and give your dog entertained while you’re gone during the day are the Kong, Puzzle Toys, lick mats and/or feeder toys.

Obviously, there are other things you need to account for, such as potty training and obedience. But these tips will help you generally have a better start with having a new puppy if you work full time out of the home. At the end of the day, there isn’t a magic number for how long they should be in the crate, but rather it is the quality of time spent out of the kennel that truly matters!

Tip#4 Puzzle Toys

Having proper mental stimulation is very important for people- the same goes for your puppy and puzzle toys are a great way to accomplish that! The purpose of the puzzle toy is to present them with a known reward (a treat), but then require some manipulation for them to receive it. Your puppy may seem to get annoyed at it. However, it is part of the process; they will learn to try new ways until they achieve that sweet success eventually. People use their hands for puzzles, however your puppy doesn’t have the paw dexterity for that, so their mouth is the best tool for them to learn with!

Tip#5 Crate Toys

Your puppy will need to spend time in their crates every day; it will even become like their very own home within your home. And while television is enough for most people to prevent boredom, the same does not go for your puppy. Instead, your puppy will need some toys to keep them occupied, as a puppy actively using it’s mouth will be far from boredom. Remember that not all toys are the same, similar to human babies- you don’t want to give them anything that could choke them, as they don’t have enough impulse control. Pet store employees can typically help determine which is right for your pup, so when in doubt- ask!

Tip#6 Use Vacation Time To Ease Puppy’s Introduction

It is very important to spend quality time with your puppy when you first get them to ensure you have the best bond possible. Working full time when you first get the puppy may work out perfectly well, however if you can take some time off for them it could make a world of difference. It doesn’t need to be all your free time or even a few weeks off, but at least some additional time to get them used to you as well as start on your routine and crate management system. An alternative is if you have a flexible schedule- try to be home more when possible to allow for extra potty breaks, especially when they are very young.

 

Preventing Separation Anxiety

Every puppy is different, and some are more prone to separation anxiety than others, however there are ways to reduce this as much as possible. It is very important to be patient when you first get them; they will need time to adjust and figure out what is happening. The crate should be a tool for making them calm and teaching routine behaviors; it should never be used for punishment! If you have a particularly clingy pup, you can attempt to use a door or heavy furniture to tether them to, which will get them to practice getting relaxed in a spot while distractions are occurring around them. If they seem to be averse to the crate, try to make it more comfortable for them and give them a toy for stimulation. It can also be beneficial to use positive reinforcement to help them come to this realization (be careful with overusing treats- they can result in a puppy only being motivated by the physical reward).

 

When To Start Obedience Training For A Puppy

Every puppy is different; however, formal training may generally begin as young as eight weeks old! You may start training them at home with very basic commands when they are younger; however, don’t expect them to catch on too quickly. Most formal training programs will need some form of immunization, so always ask about those requirements beforehand. Another thing to ask is if the training will be in-home or at a facility, as they each have merits! A great program to consider would be Sit Means Sit, where they can train your pup in basic obedience training all the way to when they are a well-adjusted adult dog. The puppy program at Sit Means Sit Northern Colorado can be utilized as a hybrid model, where your puppy can be taught using both in-home and at-facility lessons (giving you the best of both worlds). In addition, you would get monthly refresher lessons after the training has been completed because training is an ongoing process that requires upkeep to ensure you have a well-adjusted adult dog in the future. Give Sit Means Sit a call today, you can get a free evaluation too, so you can make sure that they are a good fit for you and your new fur baby!