Leaving Whippet Alone

[Whippet_FINN]

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hi folks just new to the forum and looking for some of your experiences and information. First time owners of a lovely whippet boy Finn, who is 3.5 months old.

Our question is should we crate him when we go out to work? we are out from 9-12 and 1-4 or 415 most days. he gets out for walks in morning lunch and night albeit a short work to stretch his legs. We have crated him since we got him at 10 weeks and he is happy to sleep in there at night almost right through occasionally needing a wee, however we have not crated him during the day when we leave, he has been left in kitchen with his crate open and fresh water and plenty of toys to play with and he either whines and chews everything but his toys or he is sound and lies in bed very contently.

has anyone got any tips for getting him more consistent in being sound and well behaved sleeping during the day? we worry about him every time we leave and its really starting to put a strain on both of us as we are trying to finish earlier and earlier to get back to him....and our neighbour has made a few snide comments about leaving him on his own.

There's just so much different information on what to do or not do and how long we can or cant leave him any help would be greatly appreciated.

 

[tiptoes]

Hi I would put him in his cage when you go out to work, as he is used to being in there during the night so he accepts this on a night, so you should probably keep to this routine when he is left during the day, once he is a bit older you may be able to leave him out during the day. As long as he is getting plenty of exercise when you are home, he should accept this as his routine, as longs as he has plenty of chewy things :thumbsup: in there he,ll be ok. Heather

 

[eve]

Your whippet is still a baby. Being left on his own for so long every day, it is not surprising that he cries and gets into mischeif.

Puppies need a lot of stimulation at that age to develop properly.

I should know, I take in rescues and dogs where the owners cannot cope anymore.

I have a dog that has taken 18 months to 'turn around' because he was shut in a kennel 8-10 hours a day from the age of 3.5 months - 7 months. He has been a real uphill struggle and is still a nervous and jumpy dog. At least unlike being in a crate he was free to move around.

I have another that has serious health issues probably aggravated by being locked in a crate most of the day. Not the owners fault. They loved their dog to bits but locking a dog that causes problems for you while you are out in a crate is not recommended.

I understand that it is hard to have a dog and work full time but dogs are thinking animals and need company.

He must be lonely and very bored being left all that time on his own.

Locking him in his crate will only make things worse as he is possibly likely to develop behavioural issues such as chewing his feet and eczema out of boredom, then there are the phsycological problems that can develop.

At his age he needs to be able to move around freely otherwise his joints may not develop properly.

I would recommend that if you cannot change your working hours that you employ someone to come in and look after him or a dog walker (although he is a bit young) on the days that you work. If you cannot do this then perhaps you should consider rehoming him where he can get the attention he needs. Putting your puppy in 'prison' just because he does not do what you expect or want of him is no solution. Harsh words but if you love your dog, you will act in his best interests.

 

[Whippets Rule]

I wouldn't crate him at all.....but I would find him some more interesting toys.....something like a Kong toy filled with tasty food or a decent chew toy.

If he's chewing things he shouldn't, I would buy some Bitter Apple spray or similar and spray all the things you don't want chewed.

I would also make sure you are up early enough to give him a decent walk/play session before you go to work in the morning.

also if possible could you temporarily alter your working hours so that he isn't left quite so much until he is accustomed to being left as he is very young to spend so much time alone....in an ideal world an adult dog shouldn't have to spend that much time alone. let alone a pup. )

 

[haycroft]

Your whippet is still a baby. Being left on his own for so long every day, it is not surprising that he cries and gets into mischeif. Puppies need a lot of stimulation at that age to develop properly.

I should know, I take in rescues and dogs where the owners cannot cope anymore.

I have a dog that has taken 18 months to 'turn around' because he was shut in a kennel 8-10 hours a day from the age of 3.5 months - 7 months. He has been a real uphill struggle and is still a nervous and jumpy dog. At least unlike being in a crate he was free to move around.

I have another that has serious health issues probably aggravated by being locked in a crate most of the day. Not the owners fault. They loved their dog to bits but locking a dog that causes problems for you while you are out in a crate is not recommended.

I understand that it is hard to have a dog and work full time but dogs are thinking animals and need company.

He must be lonely and very bored being left all that time on his own.

Locking him in his crate will only make things worse as he is possibly likely to develop behavioural issues such as chewing his feet and eczema out of boredom, then there are the phsycological problems that can develop.

At his age he needs to be able to move around freely otherwise his joints may not develop properly.

I would recommend that if you cannot change your working hours that you employ someone to come in and look after him or a dog walker (although he is a bit young) on the days that you work. If you cannot do this then perhaps you should consider rehoming him where he can get the attention he needs. Putting your puppy in 'prison' just because he does not do what you expect or want of him is no solution. Harsh words but if you love your dog, you will act in his best interests.

i likly to agree with above

its a long day to leave such a young pup,i know we need to work etc

is there a neighbour /friend who could pop in or could you leave him at a friend/relatives house for a while

im lucky my dogs come with me and yes spend up to 3 hours in a crate in the car or they do stay at the house if weather is hot too cold, but they have regular checks and wee breaks

its hard to juggle work and a dog

hope you can work some thing out

 

[Whippet_FINN]

god i feel even worse now ! we do love him to bits and its not all the time that he seems to whine.......he had a good few days last week where he didnt chew a thing and slept all morning and afternoon and when we came home he was like nah i wanna sleep some more thats why im so puzzled as to how he can be ok one day and then not the next.......i am already looking for a new job with more flexible working hours and a walker is a possibility too as he is quiete happy out on the lead.

 

[willows]

Your whippet is still a baby. Being left on his own for so long every day, it is not surprising that he cries and gets into mischeif. Puppies need a lot of stimulation at that age to develop properly.

I should know, I take in rescues and dogs where the owners cannot cope anymore.

I have a dog that has taken 18 months to 'turn around' because he was shut in a kennel 8-10 hours a day from the age of 3.5 months - 7 months. He has been a real uphill struggle and is still a nervous and jumpy dog. At least unlike being in a crate he was free to move around.

I have another that has serious health issues probably aggravated by being locked in a crate most of the day. Not the owners fault. They loved their dog to bits but locking a dog that causes problems for you while you are out in a crate is not recommended.

I understand that it is hard to have a dog and work full time but dogs are thinking animals and need company.

He must be lonely and very bored being left all that time on his own.

Locking him in his crate will only make things worse as he is possibly likely to develop behavioural issues such as chewing his feet and eczema out of boredom, then there are the phsycological problems that can develop.

At his age he needs to be able to move around freely otherwise his joints may not develop properly.

I would recommend that if you cannot change your working hours that you employ someone to come in and look after him or a dog walker (although he is a bit young) on the days that you work. If you cannot do this then perhaps you should consider rehoming him where he can get the attention he needs. Putting your puppy in 'prison' just because he does not do what you expect or want of him is no solution. Harsh words but if you love your dog, you will act in his best interests.

:rant: :rant: :rant: Well said Eve too many people take on puppies as a fashion accessory without the time to look after them properly and then they end up in rescue centres because they are out of control. No 3.5 month old pup should be left regularly for at least 6 hours a day and be expected to not suffer from it and behave, sorry Whippet_FINN but perhaps you should have given more consideration to what a puppy is about before before taking one on without having the time to treat him as he should be, do the pup a favour now and find him a loving home with people that have time for him. :rant: :rant: :rant:

 

[eve]

Whoa!

That last is a bit OTT.

whippet_FINN is looking for and asking advice. They want their whippet to be happy and better to ask somewhere where constructive advice can be given than shot down in flames on their 1st post.

I do agree that working full time and taking on a puppy is not advisable but it is done.

Here advice is being sought on a way forward.

Crating as a form of control is definately not a good idea. It is cruel. It will store up a host of problems for the future and result in a very unhappy whippet.

Finn needs activity, stimulation and interaction with other dogs. If you can find a pet sitter / dog walker then, make some financial sacrifices and do it ASAP. If he has plenty of stimulation in the morning, he may cope better with being left for 3 hours in the afternoon.

If not, I do recommend that if you love your whippet, rehome him. Being shut up for hours on end whether in a crate or a kitchen is no life for a young dog be it a whippet or any other breed.

I have handled a huge number of whippet rescues over the years. Some stay with me when their issues are too deeply seated to be easily resolved (like my Toddy) and some eventually go on to new homes. My first proirity is the welfare of the dog concerned and preventing the need for 'rescue' in the 1st place.

I hope some of this is helpful and wish you well.

 

[Dotty&Duke]

Hi Whippetfinn and welcome. Aww you poor thing I really feel for you. I know what its like and well done for having the guts to come on here and ask for help. :thumbsup: We had a simmilar problem to you when we had our first Dotty Both myself and my partner worked full time but i did shifts so we managed to time our days so she was only on her own for 3 hours then a visit at lunch and then maybe 2 hours. On the days that we couldnit manage this we enlisted a dog walker and our neighbour popped in. Your little Finn is still a puppy so the chewing is probably also partly related to teething, Dots did this for about 6 months whether we were at home or not. Also when you leave Finn in the kitchen is the door closed or do you use a baby gate? We found out to our cost Whippets don't like to be locked behind a door in one room as soon as we had a baby gate fitted we began to see improvements. Also when we went out we have to do the give a treat and ignore thing which so that our little one never saw us going out as that big an issue, we also left her with a big kong stuffed with goodies eg markies and primula so that she would be kept busy for a while. Sounds to me like you are trying your best and have your pups best interests at heart. As far as the job thing goes yes I ended up changing my job to so that mine (we now have 2) are not on their own much nowadays at all. Don't be to put off by what some people have said you will find a lot of different opinions on here about most subjects Its a really useful resource. I'm sure you'll find a way that works for both you and little Finn good luck with him :luck: and make sure you put some pictures on here! so we can swoon over him :wub:

 

[twinkletoes dylan]

it seems from your original post that Finn is left for 3 hours in the morning and 3 hours in the afternoon and you return at lunchtime, this doesn't seem excessive time to leave him if you do return at lunch. don't crate him during the day he does need the space in the kitchen to romp about, don't leave the same toys every day change around or they will be boring and as others have suggested a kong or similar with food in is a great time waster, as long as he has a good play exercise before you leave him in my opinion he will adapt and accept this routine, don't get tense when it's time to go to work though or he will pick up on it and be tense when you leave and make sure he has an area to pee in if he has to or you may all get upset about puddles etc

of course if you are gone all day then that isn't good, how is he going to learn any kind of house training and it's too long between meals at this age - he should still be on 4 meals a day

all the best with Finn, i hope you do manage to get a job with less or more flexible hours then you can enjoy your new pup and not stress all the time

 

[T Hoare]

I would say, get in someone who not necessarily needs to walk your pup..just let out in the garden to relieve itself but to sit (that means play..lol)for 15/20 mins inbetween your visit at lunchtime, at least for a good few months yet(longer preferably). Crating is not a problem if used in the correct manner.

 

[Liz Third]

Has he access to outside from the kitchen, why not use a dog flap so that he can run around an outside area, maybe a smallish area around the back door as a dog run would work, I used to do this when I was working.

 

[TTT]

Welcome to the forum. Have you any photos of your puppy? I'm sure he is lovely. Is this the first dog you have had? I'm sure with a bit of planning and patience he will settle.

I personally find that a suitably sized crate is a very, very useful bit of kit. It serves as a safe haven for my dogs - somewhere to sleep, eat and stay safely when unsupervised, when I am busy doing things in the house and need them from under my feet, or indeed when I have visitors. Cover the top and three sides with a blanket to make it cosy. They are also invaluable for safely containing my dogs in the car and to help with toilet training. Before you leave him make sure he has a play to help tire him and give him a kong toy stuffed with goodies and leave a radio on to provide a bit of noise. Make sure he spends some time in it even when you are at home so that he associates it with his normal daily routine and not as a prison, my dogs certainly like their crates and choose to spend time in them, they are not put into them as punishment. Does he make noise while you are out that bothers your neighbour?, if that is their problem ask them to be patient.

Maybe you could look into a dog walker/pet sitter calling in for a while. I would also recommend joining a dog training club for support and help with training and socialising - for you and your pup. :luck:

 

[Janimal]

Hi there and welcome to the forum.

I do believe that whippets need stimulation and company as puppies, but I worked part time when my dogs were puppies

and used a crate with no problems at all. Mind you none of mine were ever left for more than about 4 hours...and it wasnt

every day...just around my 3 day working week which Im lucky to have and this is seasonal too, so I have plenty time for the dogs.

If you make sure your puppy could maybe have some company in the lunch time as others have said, and possible a walk out

or playtime arrangement, I am sure things could be worked around. :thumbsup:

 

[jinnyfizz]

Hi, welcome to K9

Whippets are one of the most sociable breeds of canine and flourish in an environment where they have human companionship most of the time. It is really unfair to leave Finn on his own in a crate (prison) to what amounts to more than 6-7 hours a day and he could develop separation anxiety or even self-harming habits such as chewing his own paws because he is bored or frustrated.

Please do arrange for a dog sitter to come in twice a day and play games and do a bit of mental stimulation with him whilst you are out and please don't crate him. Having the crate there with the door open is good, but locking him in a cage on his own really isn't right or natural for any dog.

Lots of amusing toys are good if he is left on his own, as suggested in several of the posts above, but they are not a replacement for human company so I would suggest a dog sitter is essential in your situation.

Scruples Whippet Rescue never home any of our rescue dogs into a situation where they are crated or left for more than a maximum of 4 hours (occasionally) on their own. We see first hand so many whippets coming to us suffering from separation anxiety and a variety of other problems which have been induced from being left for long periods of time without company. It's heartbreaking :'(

Good luck with Finn :thumbsup:

 

[LM1981]

I am in a similar situation to yourself where I have a whippet and work full time. It is very hard and requires a lot of dedication, however if you are really committed to providing the best possible life for your dog (which I am sure you are) it is doable and you can raise a happy and healthy pup. I have had Mae since she was 8 weeks old and have left her to go to work since she was 9-10 weeks.

The key is plenty of exercise and as much stimulation as you can provide. If your pup is tired he will be more likely to sleep in your absence than chew everything. Unfortunately this can mean a big change to your daily routine. This is my daily routine which may help to give you an idea:

. 5am get up -_- (couldnt believe they had invented another 5 o'clock at first)

. 5:30/5:45 go for a walk 40 minutes to 1 hour

. 6:45 Leave for work

. 12:00 Come home 20 - 30 minute walk & play total 45 minutes then return to work

. 16:00/17:00 Come home and walk for 1 - 3 hours

Granted this routine is flexible throughout the year, it is always going to be easier in summer, and some mornings Mae totally refuses to get out of bed . Over winter or if it is raining, I still get up at the same time and we play with some toys for a while or do some training, anything to stimulate the mind and use some energy.

I have also cut down on her food at meal times and instead leave her treats and a bit of wet dog food in a Kong to keep her occupied, I also leave the radio on, and it is a big comfort (I find Classic FM works best). Don't make any fuss when you walk out, make it as normal an event as possible, I just put the Kong on the floor stroke her head, say see you later and walk out, there is no build up and she is so interested in the Kong she barley notices me leave.

In answer to your question, no, I wouldn't crate your pup when you go out, just try a slight adjustment to your routine. At his age he won't need the amount of walking I currently do with Mae to get him tired but this is what you are looking at in the future (though I am an active person so Mae gets more time walking in the evening than she technically needs). Every dog is different and I have been lucky with Mae in that she has settled into the working week routine very easily, it is a bit of trial and error I'm afraid, but I hope this helps. I also have moments when I feel guilty for having to leave Mae for so long but then I look at the situation of some dogs and they don't get half the exercise, love and attention that Mae does. It is true that it is much harder to provide a dog with everything it needs when you work full time but bare in mind that people who are at home all day can still easily mess a dog up, it is simply a matter of commitment.

 

[Whippet_FINN]

Thank you all for your comments and suggestions.

I have to say that he doesn't get locked in a crate at all just now apart from when we are in bed at night and he sleeps right through. As i said before he gets a walk and loads of play time in the morning before we go out, a good walk and play at lunch time (almost an hour) and then at night he gets walked and gets to come up to stables and socialize with the other dogs there. we will be speaking to a local dog walker about getting him/her in to check on the dog and let him out in the afternoon for a run/wee.

We are fully prepared to make this work and will do what ever it takes.

 

[eve]

It is hard to work full time and keep a dog, especially one like a whippet that is sociable and needs company.

As Jane / Jnnyfizz said, no dog should be left regularly for long hours on their own.

I think that employing the dog walker / pet sitter will result in a very much happier Finn.

It will also relieve you of some of the guilt / worry / stress while you are at work.

I hope this solution works for you and Finn :luck:

With regard to the last post, I was gobsmacked. 5 hours in the morning and another 3 - 4 hours in the afternoon regularly.

I am sorry but in my opinion no one should leave a whippet or any dog young or old on its own for the best part of 9 hours a day.

I know that many dogs in the UK live in such circumstances but no amount of 'dedication' can replace the lack of stimulation and companionship.

Dogs are intelligent and sentient. There is not one rescue in the UK that would place a dog in such a home.

It does not matter how much it is 'loved'. Sorry but I am angry :rant:

 

[TTT]

Do any members manage to work and keep dogs as well?

 

[Janimal]

It is hard to work full time and keep a dog, especially one like a whippet that is sociable and needs company. As Jane / Jnnyfizz said, no dog should be left regularly for long hours on their own.

I think that employing the dog walker / pet sitter will result in a very much happier Finn.

It will also relieve you of some of the guilt / worry / stress while you are at work.

I hope this solution works for you and Finn :luck:

With regard to the last post, I was gobsmacked. 5 hours in the morning and another 3 - 4 hours in the afternoon regularly.

I am sorry but in my opinion no one should leave a whippet or any dog young or old on its own for the best part of 9 hours a day.

I know that many dogs in the UK live in such circumstances but no amount of 'dedication' can replace the lack of stimulation and companionship.

Dogs are intelligent and sentient. There is not one rescue in the UK that would place a dog in such a home.

It does not matter how much it is 'loved'. Sorry but I am angry :rant:

I think I would tend to agree...those hours will seem endless to a dog....

my neighbours collie is left in the house all day while they are at work......all I can hear is it barking all day long...and is it any wonder.....