Hi, everyone. I have been considering getting a puppy for quite some time now. I've decided on an Australian Shepherd and I've already done a ton of research and waited until I could accept the financial responsibility of a pet. When I began searching for the right pup, I wasn't anticipating having to work for 3 months due to me switching jobs so I thought it would be the perfect time to bond with the new pup and train him.
It is now the end of the 3 months and I will be starting my new job in a week. I believe I may have finally found the right pup for my lifestyle (laid back and moderately active), but I'm worried about leaving him alone in his exercise pen while I work (I'd leave the house around 8am and return around 6pm). I understand a puppy can't hold its bladder very long and would need to be let out frequently. I plan on taking the puppy for a long walk each morning before work and again once I get home, following by play and training sessions. I will also be buying a two-way pet monitor to interact with him throughout the day but I'm not sure how effective that will be in bonding while I'm away at work. I would like to hire a dog sitter I found nearby for the in between potty breaks, however, I'm afraid he will bond more to the sitter than he does with me.
Can anyone please give me advice as to whether this is a feasible plan for a new puppy (bonding before and after work, drop-in visits throughout the day by a sitter) or if it would be better for me to wait? Should I be concerned about my puppy bonding more with the sitter? I will return to school in August and my schedule will be a lot more flexible then. I just want what is best for the puppy.
It is now the end of the 3 months and I will be starting my new job in a week. I believe I may have finally found the right pup for my lifestyle (laid back and moderately active), but I'm worried about leaving him alone in his exercise pen while I work (I'd leave the house around 8am and return around 6pm). I understand a puppy can't hold its bladder very long and would need to be let out frequently. I plan on taking the puppy for a long walk each morning before work and again once I get home, following by play and training sessions. I will also be buying a two-way pet monitor to interact with him throughout the day but I'm not sure how effective that will be in bonding while I'm away at work. I would like to hire a dog sitter I found nearby for the in between potty breaks, however, I'm afraid he will bond more to the sitter than he does with me.
Can anyone please give me advice as to whether this is a feasible plan for a new puppy (bonding before and after work, drop-in visits throughout the day by a sitter) or if it would be better for me to wait? Should I be concerned about my puppy bonding more with the sitter? I will return to school in August and my schedule will be a lot more flexible then. I just want what is best for the puppy.