Should I get this puppy??

[FlashJackson]

I have my 3 yr old furbaby, Jackson and we have found out that his parents (well just his dad) has had another litter. We saw the pups and are considering a little girl. We just moved to a 16 acre farm with so much room to play and jackson loves it and we thought maybe it would be a good time for another boxer in our lives. Here's my question: Is it fair to get a puppy when I work 4 10-hr days even though the rest of the time is filled with hikes and swimming and playing or it is too hard for a puppy and I should probably just stick with my buddy Jackson as a single child?

I was in college when I got Jackson and was home with him most of the time so it was really nice. I'm just torn on what is the best thing to do so I thought I'd throw it out here for the experts on BW! Thanks!

[SILLY6PAK]

do you have time for training? If yes then go for it. Jackson will love the company. Do it with the realization that this pup should be a priority for the next two years.

If you put a lot int the dog during their formati e years then you will have a great companion.

A better choice might be an older rescue.

[Caney Creek]

I wouldn't get the puppy unless you can make arrangements to spend more time with it or have someone help you (come over and let it out to play/potty a few times a day) at least for the first few months. You obviously can't leave a young puppy crated for 10 hours a day; even if you don't crate, a puppy shouldn't be alone for that long. BF and I both worked when we got Caney, but we were lucky that BF works in a casual office environment, and his boss allowed him to bring Caney to work with him for a few weeks. When she was old enough to be crated for 4 hours at a time, he would leave her home and let her out during his lunch hour.

If you can find a way to make it work, then great -- I'm sure Jackson would love a companion But keeping your current schedule wouldn't be fair to the puppy.

[Barron's mom]

My puppy is 4 months old and his trainer said he should not be kept in a crate for no more than 4 hours at his age. Is it possible for you to hire a pet sitter to come to your home? It would be expensive considering the age of the puppy, but necessary if you want a housebroken pet. I am lucky in that my adult son still lives home and we have alternating work schedules.

[FlashJackson]

Yeah that is pretty much what I was thinking but I thought I would present it to you guys. I have pretty much decided that if someone can't come and let her out, I can't get her. While Jackson would like a friend, he'll have to just keep himself occupied with us, the barn cats, and local groundhogs to chase! Thanks!

[Jan]

I beg to differ. I really don't see why you can't get a pup. It is just going to be a little more work on your part. I was gone at least 10 hours a day when I got Moto. I used an exercise pen to keep him confined. He had a bed and puppy pad to potty on and lots of room to move around. Tara was there to keep him company. Moto has turned into a well adjusted dog, so I really don't think it hurt him too much.

A rescue dog would of course be another option. I think it may be a bit more difficult to confine an adult dog that you don't trust, than a puppy.

Good luck with your choice. I am sure that Jackson would like a companion.

[FlashJackson]

Thank you Jan for presenting the other side of the coin. I am relieved to hear that your dogs are both well adjusted and happy. i will consider this and maybe I should think about it more closely.

We tried to rescue a boxer about a year younger than Jackson from a very bad home....it didn't work out. They couldn't get along b/c the rescue was so desperate for attention that he would shove Jackson out of the way and fight. We ended up giving him (named Qu as in Rescue) to my hubby's sister. We thought a puppy would be better for Jackson to adjust to than a full-grown, based on our past experience.

I appreciate your input!!

[Kaybie's Mom]

I have to agree with Jan. I think it's very unrealistic to think that the only people that can raise a well adjusted dog are stay at home parents.....people have to work.....doesn't mean the dog suffers. I don't think I actually know anyone that got a dog and was able to be home with them all day. I work a normal full time day job M-F and got Kaybie as a 6 week old puppy.....I came home on breaks to let her go outside and when I was gone, she was crated. She never had any adjustment problems. She's a happy healthy friendly 2.5 year old now. And then I got Atreyu with the same work situation and he was 7 weeks old when I brought him home. Again, I came home on breaks to let him out (if I couldn't make it home, I arranged someone to come by). He is now 1 year old and him and Kaybie are best friends. I would do it all over again if the situation presented itself. I think your current dog and the new pup would be very happy in your home. I say go get that pup!

[BT and Ozzy]

I am doing the "come home during breaks" method right now for Vinny. I work 8 hours a day five days a week and Vinny has been doing great. I make sure that I wake both Ozzy and Vinny up in the morning and play with them for a while so that they are awake when I leave. Also make sure they potty 1 and 2 so no accidents in the crates. Usually when I get home during lunch they are both asleep. Once they're awake they are excited to see me and they both go out and do their business. I let them play for about ten minutes then I have to go back to work. Ozzy seems to enjoy his crate. It's a safe place for him. Plus if their crates are next to each other they can keep each other company. All in all, it's really up to how it makes you feel. I know you'll take great care of your dogs so you're own guilt for leaving them home so long will be the only thing you need to conquer. I felt bad for a couple weeks until I saw how well Ozzy was doing with it.
Do what you think is right!