puppies

[adik]

Does anybody know if it is cruel to leave a puppy on its own all day or will it amuse itself with the toys .

[JonnyBoy12]

Can non dog owners answer this question? If so then yes it is cruel to do this. They will miss you and may need attention. They may also leave a little surprise for you when you get home. I hope that others here agree with me.

[Milvus]

Dogs are social animals, they need to have company with them. Cruel to leave them alone for extended periods

[woofgang]

absolutely. Dogs are pack animals and a pup left on his own for any length of time will be permanently damaged by that treatment.

[B00]

Yes, and it'll also amuse itself with your furniture, carpets, infact anything it can wrap its needle like teeth around.

[LoftyLottie]

Yes, it certainly is and it will amuse itself with more than just toys - it will become bored, frustrated, unhappy and probably turn destructive. chewing at furniture, etc.

Don't even consider it. As dogs get a little older then leaving them for a while each day is fine, but not all day under any circumstances, unless you can arrange for someone to call in and walk them, talk to them, play with them, etc.

Dogs need company.

I suggest you buy some fish!

[mumsie_wumsie]

IF YOU CAN'T SPEND TIME WITH A PUPPY THEN DON'T GET ONE. ALL DOGS(WHETHER THEY BE PUPPIES OR ADULT DOGS) NEED COMPANY, THEY ARE SOCIAL ANIMALS. HOW WILL THEY LEARN TO COMMUNICATE WITH YOU IF THEY ARE LEFT ALONE ALL DAY?? IT WOULD AMOUNT TO CRUELTY

[JonnyBoy12]

No need to shout, Mumsiewumsie! We are not deaf!

[jules77]

Apart from the above comments, a young puppy requires 4 meals a day, and you would find it almost impossible to house train it if you are out of the house for 7 hours plus each day. Consider adopting an older dog, a retired greyhound may suit, or a cat.

[paddywak]

All the above answers are totally valid, the damage they do when they're bored etc, but those first few weeks are the ones were the bonding and training that will make all the difference to your dogs behaviour in later life take place.You also miss all the silly little things that puppies do that make up a large part of the pleasure of having a good dog

[sunflower68]

Adik I am sorry I thought you were joking but you are deadly serious I now think!

[mumsie_wumsie]

JB12, some people need to be SHOUTED at......(and it wasn't intentional, the capital lock was on,and I submitted my reply before I realised)

[welshlibranr]

yes iis very cruel, we have a puppy she's 14 weeks old, although we do leave her for at most a couple of hours, just to get her used to not being with us all the time, leaving a puppy for hours and hours is not good at all, they need interaction with you, they are learning, and need you to teach them and give reassurance!......a puppy left for long periods will never do well, and won't be the companion you wish for!......you need to put in your time in the early years!........and ever after too!.......

[RATTER15]

Please dont even consider getting a puppy if you are going to leave it alone all day, our dogs are all adult but we would never leave them alone for more than half a day and half a day being alone is a rarity!! and that is four dogs together.