Hi,

I have been wanting a shih tzu for so long, and now my husband has agreed I'm really excited. However I'm a bit worried that because we work each day it won't be OK on its own, I'm wondering if a shih tzu would be OK to be left in the garden, in its dog house - just during the day, until we get home from work.

Either that, or I would also bring it with me to work, leave it in the car, and then that way I would be able to let it out for a pee pee every couple of hours?

Can someone please let me know what there thoughts are - I have always wanted a dog... I would look after it so well, but at the same time I don't want an unhappy little dog

My thoughts are, and you won't like this. No, leaving a small dog in a dog house in the garden is not a good idea, for the whole day. And, really think about this. You CANNOT leave a little dog in your car all day, even if you go to see it every two hours to let it out for a pee. What if you forget and the temp goes way up. Do you realize how dogs suffer in cars when its hot. Sorry, you are not only going to have a sick dog, but a very unhappy one as well. Dogs are such social animals, Breslin and they need our company.

Breslin, you have now reached a forum with a lot of dog lovers looking after theirwellfare.

If you both work and can't even think of how you will manage having a dog then I don't think it is reality for you.

Dogs are pack animals and are usually unhappy when left alone. Also I'd consider a shih-tzu a companion dog and not a breed that would do well in a kennel.
NEVER EVER leave your dog in a car.

Its not fair to leave a dog alone all day. Dogs are sociable creatures and suffer loneliness when left alone. They also get anxious and bored. Please don't get a dog if you are not there to look after it during the day. As the others have said, its not practical to leave a dog in car.

Thousands of people leave their dogs home alone during the day and all survive. Never ever in a car. As stated a shih tzu does need a lot of grooming. Have you considered an older shih tzu, one already outdoor trained and can hold for a length of time

Dogs are like babies and will require more than you think of your down time

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Originally Posted by namtrah

Thousands of people leave their dogs home alone during the day and all survive. Never ever in a car. As stated a shih tzu does need a lot of grooming. Have you considered an older shih tzu, one already outdoor trained and can hold for a length of time

Dogs are like babies and will require more than you think of your down time

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They may survive, but this doesn't make it right. It is not a happy life for a dog that is left alone all week.

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Originally Posted by sajjw

They may survive, but this doesnt make it right. It is not a happy life for a dog that is left alone all week.

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It does not make it wrong either. I do not think she was saying all week, just during the day when at work. If every dog was to be home all day with a human no dogs would have a home.

Hi all

A few thoughts...

Do you want a dog? Or just a shih tzu? - and is that the right breed for you (e.g. does it match your lifestyle and activity level)? Maybe a less active dog is better if you're not home during the day.

Have you thought about hiring a dog walker, or swapping dog walking/some other service with someone in your neighbourhood that is home during the day? You walk their dog in the evening, for them walking yours during the day?

You can't have a puppy and leave it alone in the garden for a length of time They need constant care and love. When they are older you can gradually leave them on their own with sufficient shelter bedding and warmth they will be fine until you come home from work. As for that breed my auntie had one and it was the most viscious dog I've met horrible thing but might of just been the dog don't know what the breeds like

We have doggy daycare in our town where these people pay for an eight hour day to have their dogs babysat. In all my years of owning really great dogs, I never found the need to do anything like that. Yes, I have worked and left them alone, but have ALWAYS made an effort to get home in the middle of the day to interact with my dogs, let them out for fresh air. I have had some really great animals because I housebreak very well when very young, am firm and there is an old saying that 'you are not doing yourself and your dog any favours by not training well'. Think about it. The more time you spend with them when they are young, the better adjusted they are to your habits, their habits and time alone. I have never ever crated and never will.

I spent a lot of money for invisible fencing which always work very well for us, although my Walker hound has erred a few times over the years because she is a hunter, basically all is well and I would recommend it for inhouse and outside house.

My thoughts and my opinion only.

Tick

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Originally Posted by stablersgirl

You can't have a puppy and leave it alone in the garden for a length of time They need constant care and love. When they are older you can gradually leave them on thier own with sufficient shelter bedding and warmth they will be fine until you come home from work. As for that breed my auntie had one and it was the most viscious dog ive met horrible thing but might of just been the dog dont know what the breeds like

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Their temperament varies from dog to dog. I had a female shih tzu and she was the most loving little thing, but my mums friend who bred her has one that is a savage little brute! When buying a dog from a breeder always ask to view the parents.