Cochise is a priceless dog, as nearly perfect as they come, and an inspired teacher. I wanted the early bonding, the incomparable closeness and loyalty that comes from knowing your dog its entire life without earlier adult bonds to dilute that special love and loyalty. Our reality was not suited to the needs and demands of a puppy. I work out of town. Toilet training a young pup without the time and attention required is doomed to fail.
Pups lack the physical development and control to 'hold it' all day.
Clearly I'd be failing any pup when I couldn't provide this basic training. Taking vacation was a tempting possibility, but I wasn't convinced a young pup would be reliably trained even with a 3 week vacation. Coming home at lunch time isn't possible and my working day is long for even a well trained adult dog. Deciding to bring an adult dog into the house was the right thing to do though it wasn't my preference. Concerns with adult dogs centered on our need for gentle, tolerant dogs that were unfailingly reliable with children.