Our 2 labs are 7 weeks old... we have them were they can play eat and sleep... but they are alone for 8 hrs weekdays... will they be OK?

8 hours is a very long time for puppies. I wouldn't leave them alone that long. I always had someone come in, walk them, water them, play with them.

Hi.. I'm a dog trainer and I specialise in gun dog training with labs. It's best not leaving them for too long.. Especially 7week old puppies and they should be on a feed that's every four hours to 6hours.. So leaving them for 8 is a no no ! They'll lose their respect for you too.. Because you're not there.. Anything else you need to know please don't hesitate to ask... Hari x

Thank you for the Information... I will get my neighbors to check on them and play with them throughout the day... Dixie and Rebel will be happier with this new information!!

Sincerely,
Michelle

Hi .. I'm a dog trainer and I specialise in gun dog training with labs. It's best not living them for too long .. Especially 7week old puppies and they should be on a feed that's every four hours to 6hours .. So living them for 8 is a no no ! They'll lose there respect for you too .. Because your not there .. Anything else you need to know please don't hesitate to ask ... Hari x


I have a question - a dog will lose respect? I've never heard that before. Do you have a source for that?

I also was wondering the same thing JKT. Most people who own dogs work 8 hours, some even longer due to commute. While I agree that 8 hours is quite long to leave 7 week old pups, who really shouldn't be away from their pack just yet to begin with, I have never heard of a dog losing respect due to a person leaving the home for work. The more they are not socialized, the harder it is to train them, but nothing obedience and ample work and play time can't fix.

I think it's a great idea to have the neighbors check in on the pups while you are working. My dogs, granted not exactly puppies, are left for 8 hours a day. Some days they are only left for 4, but in the normal run of my work week it's 5, 8 hour days.

AB, absolutely - I have had "pet sitters" come in when my dogs were babies. As adults they are perfectly fine (and happy and comfortable) being alone when I work. Of course, I've explained the need to get money to buy dog food and biscuits so maybe they understand.

The "respect" thing sounds like a semi-educated guess at how dogs think. I am curious to know.

I don't know about 'respect' either, but due to their age and potty training needs, I wouldn't leave them for eight hours. They actually need very frequent trips to their 'toileting' area through the day.

I will add that you should make certain the people you have take care of your pups know what commands and behaviors you are trying to teach them. Pups learn best by consistently repeated actions and reactions. Like children, they pick up on good and bad behavior through our interactions with them. So, you want anyone who interacts with them to follow your rules and ways of doing things. Those rules/actions may be no overly rough playing, no using teeth while playing, no jumping up on people, etc. You might also have them taken out for a potty break with no playing until after they have gone potty. You also don't want other people to allow them on furniture if you aren't going to allow it later in their life.

You also want to make certain they correct the pups the way you do especially if they potty in an inappropriate place such as the living room floor. Some people still think that rubbing a pups nose in it is acceptable, but we know it only teaches them to hide instead of alerting us to their needs. The person will also need to know how to properly clean up a mess to discourage repeat accidents.

Congratulations on the new family members and may you have many happy and wonderful years together.

I will add that you should make certain the people you have take care of your pups know what commands and behaviors you are trying to teach them. Pups learn best by consistently repeated actions and reactions. Like children, they pick up on good and bad behavior through our interactions with them. So, you want anyone who interacts with them to follow your rules and ways of doing things. Those rules/actions may be no overly rough playing, no using teeth while playing, no jumping up on people, etc. You might also have them taken out for a potty break with no playing until after they have gone potty. You also don't want other people to allow them on furniture if you aren't going to allow it later in their life..


I am in no way disagreeing with you but my dogs, little con artists that they are, know EXACTLY who allows what. They are allowed on one sofa. I KNOW they sleep on our bed when we're not home because we open the door and run through the house like maniacs, trying to catch them. All we find is the warm spots on the bed and them on the floor.

Yes, they know what/when/how.

Thank you everyone for the great info... I have made arrangements for my puppies to get attention throughout the day... my neighbors are a God send and have Dogs of their own as well plus they come visit offten so my Puppies know them and like them very much... I feel so much better knowing their going to be happier now... I have surgery on the 15 th of this month so I will be home for a full month with them... I will use this time to bond and play with them and teach them valuable commands!! My husband and I spoil them they are like our kids and we love them with all our hearts!! Thanks again for the repies!!

Sincerely,
Michelle and Wade,
Dixie and Rebel!!

As a completely side note my heart was owned for a lot of years by a yellow Lab. He's dead 6 years and I miss him still.

They are GREAT dogs!

Yes I do.. I've had many people come to me with past history where the dog has no respect for there owner at all.. Being dominating... And not doing as they are told or been taught... Peeing in the house.. and when I ask them have they ever at one point left the dog for a long period time... Like work... Or holiday. They have done.. Also working in a boarding kennel for several years you see this case all the time... Family's going away on holiday or business yes the dog gets excited seeing them.. but when you get the odd dog in the kennels constantly for business even when they have day boards... You don't see that happy excited dog no more... And the customer always complains about the dogs respect... Taking charge.. Being aggressive... Peeing ( marking) or stealing food... This is when the dog is shown no affection and he'd also to his dog to training as a pup... Sad part in the end he put the dog down as it turned on him... This will most likey never happen to you! So dogs are just funny... Just like people we are all different..

I'll agree with everything you said except for the "respect" part. Dogs don't think like humans do. "Respect" is not in their vocabulary.

Being headstrong and/or aggressive are not signs of disrespect, nor is marking or stealing food.

When you get a dog.. You should always be the leader... By using domestic training your dog beguins to look at you as his pack leader... Everyone has there own opinion.. And when I train with a customer I see that as the dog looking up to you ( yes dogs don't understand respect, but I see that as respect.. Just like when the dog is in a pack he looks to the leaded)...

And, again, what Country are you in?

We are in agreement about who the leader has to be. I guess it's the word "respect" that tangles us up.

I think that 8 hours is too long for puppies to be left home alone... And I know this issue has been addressed.. My only concern is SIBLINGS being alone for 8 hours a day, 5 days a week...

I think that 8 hours is too long for puppies to be left home alone... And I know this issue has been addressed.. My only concern is SIBLINGS being alone for 8 hours a day, 5 days a week...


Everyone appears to be in agreement here - the pet owner has also gone the extra mile to make sure the puppies have some company. As we all know, THAT doesn't always happen!

- was waiting for you to join in.

The U.K... I'm welsh