[airwalk_man]

Hey Everyone,
My roommate purchased a cocker spaniel with another breed mixed, and he is only 4 weeks old. He's leaving the puppy in a small crate for 8hrs+ while he's at work. Subsequently, I've been home and I've let him out for elimination. What my roommate doing, is too early for a puppy correct? Not until at least 14+ months you should only leave the dog for no more then 6hrs. Please let me know cause it's become a sensitive issue.
Thanks
C.

[asking]

Sounds cruel to me. Why would you get a dog and then keep it locked up for long hours every day? They are active social animals. A puppy especially needs company and love. They are like children. I would recommend finding another home.

I'm not a dog expert, but I know a lot about animals. To me, this is heartbreaking.

[Silverfoxkit]

The puppy is far too young to be away from its mother let alone its owner! You should not purchase/adopt a puppy unless if you have the time to adequately care for it. At least the poor baby has you, but your roommate needs to realize its not your responsibility and if he does not have the time to take care of his puppy himself he should find it a home that can. Cocker Spaniels are sensitive dogs that need love, not neglect. If he is treating the puppy like this now, what about when its an adult when far too many owners leave to suffer alone on a chain or dump their dog because its no longer cute and little?

[TexasParent]

If the person choose to keep the puppy, here is what I would suggest:

1. Another dog around it's age to play with when the owner is away. When we got our first dog, we got two small dogs for this reason.

2. A larger gated area or playpen for the puppy to play (with or without another puppy) with an area so that it can do it's business (pee pads). I would put the crate in the larger area too so that the puppy gets used to it as a place of safety and it's bed so it doesn't deficate in it. As the dog gets older and is able to hold it's bladder and other functions longer, it will be easier to crate the dog and the dog won't have any crate stress.

If you can put gates up in the kitchen, many a puppy spends it's first couple of months in the kitchen when the owners are away until they are old enough and trained enough to have a stress free crate or playpen experience.

[airwalk_man]

If the person choose to keep the puppy, here is what I would suggest:

1. Another dog around it's age to play with when the owner is away. When we got our first dog, we got two small dogs for this reason.

2. A larger gated area or playpen for the puppy to play (with or without another puppy) with an area so that it can do it's business (pee pads). I would put the crate in the larger area too so that the puppy gets used to it as a place of safety and it's bed so it doesn't deficate in it. As the dog gets older and is able to hold it's bladder and other functions longer, it will be easier to crate the dog and the dog won't have any crate stress.

If you can put gates up in the kitchen, many a puppy spends it's first couple of months in the kitchen when the owners are away until they are old enough and trained enough to have a stress free crate or playpen experience.

Thanks, my next suggestion will be to buy a pen. Thanks for the ideas, I'll mention them.