Small dog left home all day while I work

Hi girls.

FI and I have been fighting about getting a dog. I really want a Chihuahua (I am aware of the time, work, money, love that go into having a puppy), but FI says it is not right to leave a dog at home while we both work all day.

I would love to hear from some of you that have dogs that you leave in an apartment all day. We live in NYC and I really want to make this work. I need to justify to FI that the love we give the dog at night will make up for being left at home while we work.

Please let me know your opinions.

Re: Small dog left home all day while I work

you *might* be better off with an older puppy that is already housetrained. we'd leave our puppy hoome, but DH father was retired so he'd take her out at lunchtime and then put her back into her crate for when we got home.

Re: Small dog left home all day while I work

I have 2 dogs, so I'll use them as an example. Our Jack Russel I would NEVER reccomend in an apartment (my sister was stupid to get him)...they need exercise and can get really cranky and aggressive w/o it. they also need constran companionship. If we leave the room for 5 mnutes our dog does his business on the floor


Our Yorie is does VERY well home alone all day. She's very quiet, she doesn't destroy anything and she can use wee wee pads.

Re: Small dog left home all day while I work

If you want a chihuaua, then it is a little easier than getting a larger dog. My cousin and her husband have two, and they both work long hours. But the dogs are litter trained, so they can relieve themselves whenever they want. As for lonliness, if either of you work close to home you can go home for lunch and play with the dog for a bit; keep it company. I know people that have done that with puppies.

Re: Small dog left home all day while I work

I leave tyson home sometimes. He has a crate that we leave open so he can walk and out of it. Most of the time we find him in it since he feels comfortable there. We leave a TV on for some noise and he's a happy dog. We play with him tons when we get home. Once your dog is use to a schedule, being home alone shouldn't bother him. Dogs sleep most of the day anyways.

Re: Small dog left home all day while I work

We've had Charlie since he was 8 weeks old and for the first month or so, I would come home from work to walk him during lunch time and he learned quickly what he was and wasn't allowed to do. There are days when we don't get home for 10 hours (which I'm not bragging about) and he's so happy to see us and GO OUT!

It's a huge responsibility, but if you are ready for it, do it.... but research the breed first.