I am supposed to be getting a puppy here in 2 weeks and I don't know if I should. No one is home from about 8-3:30. I have a place to keep it during this time but would it be wise to do it for that long.

How old is the puppy? Will someone like a neighbor, friend, or family member be able to give the pup a mid day potty break? If it is a young puppy, and no noe can let him out mid day, then you're right, it would not be wise to get a puppy.

You definitely want to have some free time when you first bring your puppy home. You want to spend time with it, get it used to its surroundings, and work on potty training.

Like Katie said, if no one can stop in for a potty break, its probably not a good time.

I have never had a problem with leaving even a 7 week old puppy 4-5 hours, but I am afraid almost 8 hours is asking too much of a puppy. If you can't find a neighbor or professional dog walker to give it a mid day break, relief, a meal, some play, and just a break from being by itself, you better forget getting a puppy. I would hate to even see an older dog go that long. Of course, an older dog could be left at a doggy day care.

Well I agree. Spend some time with it. But if you are uncomfortable leaving it in the house while no one is home than you should build a kennel type thing with a fence around a piece of yard and a dog house so then she has place to run and do her business also sleep and be sheltered. Also put out food and water so it won't be hungry. Or get 2 dogs so they can keep each other company while your gone.
That is what I do with my dog when no one is home. Just make sure you spend lots of time with the puppy or it may start to feel ignored. - don't quote me on all this- just someone trying to be helpful.

DogLover62

When my oldest son first wanted a puppy, he was 10 at the time, we said no puppy until Summer. When our son was home and able to interact with the puppy and take care of it. Puppies are a handful - they deserve the attention they want and to leave them be all day by themselves is cruel. We did build a dog run that went all along the backyard fence that connected into the kennel. So when the pup was a bit older and more secure, he had a play to be that was safe for him.