Dog walking dilemma

[Puppy Madness]

We currently have Duke walked twice a day, mid morning and mid afternoon. We are moving this weekend and the price of dog walking is about $5 higher everywhere. We have talked about going down to one visit a day, and now due to the cost, we really need to. He can hold it longer for no problem but I just feel awful having him crated for longer during the day and not letting him get more energy out. He is pretty calm most of the time for a puppy but does have the occasional energy burst in the evening - we call it "zooming". I'm thinking we do two visits with the new walker for the first two weeks the go down to one visit a day. I will be working from home once a week so that will help, but its pricey. I really think of him as my baby and just need to accept that he will be just fine, many dogs are crated most of the work day right? Encouraging words welcome!

[Julie and Charlie]

I've forgotten- how old is Duke? 

You might want to consider leaving him in a safe room instead of a crate! When Charlie was about 8 months old, we started with this, and have not had any problems with accidents or chewing. He is in a wood floored hallway and has access to the laundry room and his water dish. We leave him with his bed, his fleece blanket, a safe toy, and a semi-long lasting but safe treat (like kibble and pumpkin stuffed in a Kong). He's fine, seems happy, and it's safe, but without being severely confined for hours. My preference is to leave him for 5-6 hours, but he's gone as long as 8 (after a couple of months with the practice) and has been just fine.

[suzanne m. denman]

I think we all have the same concerns about our canine babies. Nellie is in the laundry room with her crate open, food and water, and her toys. My suspicion is that she sleeps most of the day. The shortest amount of time we leave her on work days is 9 hours. Now, I do take her to daycare 1-2 times per week, which gives her time to socialize with other pups. I pay $25 per day, which I feel is a great rate, and it gives me time to run an errand or 2 after work one or two days a week. Good luck!

[kristine & Auggie]

I also  looked into a dog walker for Auggie and it was less expensive to take him to doggie day care.  He is entertained and socialized all day long.  He is sooo exhausted when I pick him up that I can rest when I come home instead of him needing my constant attention.  I guess it depends on where you live as to the availability of a daycare facility and what it would cost.  For me it is $20 for  full day.

When I go out I leave Auggie in the kitchen with the gate closed to the rest of the house and he is fine.  Better than the crate, he has more room to move around.  I feel exactly like you do when leaving my puppy.  I actually wanted to retire so I could stay home with him lol

Good luck with finding the right situation for your puppy.

[Star and Goldie]

One time a day is plenty. Don't beat yourself up for reducing it down to once a day. As you said, several dogs are crated all day while their owners are at work. I have a dog walker come only once a day and that works perfectly for us. I had never even considered more than once.

[KLN]

The fact that you are even asking this question means that he is probably loved more than a lot of kids in this world and will adjust just fine.  ;)  Until I moved into my house last year I lived in an apt where I crated my pups while I was gone for the day.  I came home every day at lunch or had a dog walker come at lunch and I beat myself up over it ALL the time.  I felt so guilty about it but then I had to just come to the realization (and accept) that I loved my dogs, that I spent as much time as I could with them, and that they got a lot of attention when I wasn't at work.  I think having a dog walker come once a day that spends some time with him while they are there walking him will work out just fine, especially if you are only leaving him four out of seven days with you working at home from one day.  You will start to notice that while you are there during the day, he will probably sleep during the morning and afternoon anyway.  Just don't beat yourself up too badly...as long as he is getting exercised in the mornings before he goes in his crate and in the evenings when you get home, he should be a happy and well adjusted puppy.  :) 

[KLN]

BTW, Duke is SOOO cute! 

[Jane, Guinness and Murphy]

I think once a day would be fine as long as he gets plenty of exercise in the morning before you leave and in the evening when you return.  As long as he's getting physical and mental stimulation when you are home, he should be able to handle just the one walk mid day.