From: kkv@inel.gov (Jamie J Ferguson)
Subject: Re: Need some advice (possible new dog)
Organization: Idaho National Engineering Laboratory, Idaho Falls, Idaho
Distribution: usa
Date: Tue, 26 Jan 93 15:26:26 GMT

In article <C1FDzx.J6C@hfglobe.intel.com> jeffb@hfglobe.intel.com (Jeff Boone) writes:
>I'm currently debating whether or not to get a dog, and I have one very
>important question.  I'm interested in a larger dog, but would probably
>get it as a puppy, and I expect that it would spend the day outside in 
>a fenced yard or perhaps a kennel.
>
>The problem is, I live alone and work 8-5 or sometimes 7-7 (depending on
>project demands).  And, I have some misgivings about leaving a dog alone
>for that long, particularly a puppy.  I'm a contractor, and going home 
>at lunchtime may not be an option, depending on where I'm working.
>
>I'd like to hear from some of you who have similar situations, about
>your experiences (good or bad!).  Would it be a good idea to take a week
>or two of vacation at first, to allow the pup to get accustomed to it's
>new surroundings, before I start disappearing for the day?  Advice, and
>recommendations about breeds, outdoor accomodations, and so on, would 
>be greatly appreciated.
>

I have 3 dogs who are crated from 7:30am until 5 or 5:30pm, and they
are fine.  Our newest dog was 3 months old when we got him, and we
had to crate him right away (we were originally fostering him for
the Humane Society, but he never left...) -- he had to go outside
RIGHT away when we came home, but otherwise was fine being locked
up at that age.

About keeping your dogs outside, all 3 of mine dig (they taught
each other...), and if I kept them outside I'm sure my yard would
look like I had moles, not dogs.  They have dug pretty deep holes
in the past, and I'd worry not only about the yard, but whether
they would dig up something dangerous (they dug up the tv cable
already) and if they dug next to the fence they could definitely
get out.

If you have to leave your puppy outside alone all day you might
want to consider getting 2 to keep each other company.  Dogs
are left alone in the neighborhoods around where I live and they
bark constantly.  You also will need to consider your climate
when looking for a breed since the dog will be outside so
much -- like you probably don't want a husky if you live in 
Arizona.  It will also depend on what sort of kennel you build.

Good luck!


Jamie

*********************************************************************
     canines:  Kenzie -- 1 yr old black Lab X
               Meggin -- 8 month old Australian Shepherd X
               Harry  -- 4 month old Border Collie X

     felines:  Kieri  -- 5 1/2 yr old lilac point Siamese
               Zak    -- 5 1/2 yr old blue point Siamese
               Duke   -- 1 yr old seal point Siamese
*********************************************************************
========== long legal disclaimer follows, press n to skip ===========

Neither the United States Government or the Idaho National Engineering
Laboratory or any of their employees, makes any warranty, whatsoever,
implied, or assumes any legal liability or responsibility regarding any
information, disclosed, or represents that its use would not infringe
privately owned rights.  No specific reference constitutes or implies
endorsement, recommendation, or favoring by the United States
Government or the Idaho National Engineering Laboratory.  The views and
opinions expressed herein do not necessarily reflect those of the
United States Government or the Idaho National Engineering Laboratory,
and shall not be used for advertising or product endorsement purposes.
Newsgroups: rec.pets.dogs