Bichon Frise

steps_3314

Thinking of getting a couple of these pups for my 2 years old daughter.

My question is "Would it be acceptable if the dogs have to spend 3 or 4 days of the week alone at home during the hours of 9-4pm.

I have heard they can become lonely.

But in buying two would this help.

baldymac

hi,

me an my gf have a bichon frise 10 months now, an he has never been on hes own, they are a dog type that wants attention an be near some1 at all times, we if we move from room to room he wud follow etc

i would not recommend have bichon left alone for that amount of time

kylith

While getting two dogs means that they won't be lonely when you go out, I wouldn't recommend leaving puppies alone for anywhere near that long.

Most breeders won't home two puppies with one person unless they are very experienced with dogs (even trainers I know won't get two puppies). This is because the pups tend to bond with each other rather than their new families, and this can make training, and socialising them with other dogs much more difficult. Anyone I've talked to has recommended waiting at least a year before getting a second pup.

LucyBliss

I got two pups at once - it was a litter our rescue dog had - but only because I was home all the time to train them and mind them. It is a lot of work. Frankly, it was like keeping an eye on two mad toddlers who liked to chew on the furniture when your back was turned. That's not to say I didn't enjoy it. I did. Pups have such fantastic energy and seeing the two of them bound about the garden was a real lift after a lot of personal drama. Plus they entertained my 100 year old grandmother no end, who I was also caring for at the time.

It's something you really need to commit to, especially with a small child in the house who also demands your time. I'm just saying, there's little point in getting mad at a pup who poops or pees indoors because you were occupied with your child at the time. That's not a criticism; many's the time the two got up to mischief because I was tending to my grandmother. It's just you need to be prepared for that kind of thing.
I also don't think you should leave any pup alone for that length of time. They get bored easily and it's time that could be spent teaching them and stimulating them so they don't destroy things.

steps_3314

Thanks for the replies all.

I have also heard this morning that getting one to start would be best as he will bond with us instead of bonding more with his sipling.

People are saying that he should be ok on his own also.

In two minds now as i really wanted the two for the daughter and now probably cant get any

kylith

Have you thought about rehoming an older dog? Rescues would be able to evaluate them with children before being rehomed, and an older dog would be able to cope better with being left alone for periods of time.

Toulouse

Bichons are notorious for being difficult to house-train and for separation anxiety. Couple that with leaving it on it's own for most of everyday and you're going to run into problems.

I'd really advise you to do alot of research before you jump in. I really don't think it's ideal to get any dog and leave them alone for that long but you also have a young child who needs alot of attention so you really don't want to be underestimating how much time it takes to look after one dog properly let alone two. Factor in training, vet visits, walking, grooming, feeding, having to constantly supervise the child with the dog, etc.

It's a nice idea for a child to grow up with dogs but only if you have the time to give and I don't think that at the moment you do.

Galway K9

Taking into consideration the breeds traits, Dogs must suit our routine not vice versa otherwise alot of dogs would be put down and in shelters more than what is already, a lot more!

steps_3314

Thanks for all the information.

Many Thanks

morganafay

9-4 isn't a very very long time, if they had someone to come in and feed them at lunchtime and spend a little time with them, then that wouldn't be so bad. Two would definitely keep each other company, but they do needs lots of human company too . . .

I have an 11 week old puppy, and for the first couple of weeks she needed a lot of attention, but I have 3 other dogs who look after her, so I feel fine to leave her outside with them for a lot of the day, but play with them every few hours. But I don't think I'd leave her from 9-4 without giving her some kind of attention . . . she'd probably be fine, but she'd need food during that time for one thing, and she gets lonely and will start barking/crying if I leave her too long.

steps_3314

morganafay wrote: »

9-4 isn't a very very long time, if they had someone to come in and feed them at lunchtime and spend a little time with them, then that wouldn't be so bad. Two would definitely keep each other company, but they do needs lots of human company too . . .

I have an 11 week old puppy, and for the first couple of weeks she needed a lot of attention, but I have 3 other dogs who look after her, so I feel fine to leave her outside with them for a lot of the day, but play with them every few hours. But I don't think I'd leave her from 9-4 without giving her some kind of attention . . . she'd probably be fine, but she'd need food during that time for one thing, and she gets lonely and will start barking/crying if I leave her too long.

Thanks for your thoughts. They would be fed during the time we are gone by my neighbour and also my wifes hours are not set in stone. Of the 4 days a week that she works she will have appointments with clients and this means some days she starts late and others she finishes early. I say 9-5 as this is the at worst situation. Overall in the full week we are at home mostly and dont work weekends so it could be much worse.

Some good points from you.

dancingqueen

Hi OP

I am going to get slated for saying this BUT leaving your dog alone/spending every waking second with your dog is a matter of personal choice and opinion.

I have a 15 week old puppy (Yorkshire) and she is left for the day when I am at work. She is not destructive, mainly because I left nothing in her path when I first got her, and now she plays with her toys and her toys only. Yes, she'll grab anything that looks new and try to eat it but that is a puppy for you. She is extremely well looked after and happy.

She is fed in the morning and evening, and walked both before I leave and when I return. At the weekend she comes everywhere with me and my BF. When we got her first, we left her for short periods and came back, and built time up gradually. This was to show her that when we leave, we are not leaving her. She was no trouble to toilet train, and was trained to her puppy pads after day 3 of having her.

She isn't bold, she doesn't howl, she never cried at night and she doesn't crave attention, playing by herself even when we are home. I am happy that she is independent of us, but I do love the cuddles and so does she, and she loves a game of tug, or playfighting with us!

I think one dog is good to start with, and I agree that children should be brought up with dogs and taught to resepct them and it's especially good for teaching responsibility. I think it's cruel when children are afraid of animals; it's completely unnecessary. It's something I have seen a lot of lately, where parents point to dogs and tell kids not to go near because dogs bite. Fair enough, be careful, but don't instill fear in your child!

This is only my opinion - like other posters. It is different for every household and yes dogs take time, money and patience. You get out of it what you put into it. Once you commit yourself to having a dog, stand by your commitment.

boodlesdoodles

I have to agree with dancingqueen. I have a 2 year old Westie and we did the same thing with him, building up the time we'd be away from him. He never howls or cries when we leave in the morning and we leave plenty of toys and hidden treats around for him. He is purely a house dog and has only ever soiled when he's had an upset tummy and that is very rarely. After 7 or 8 months that we'd had him I had a week off work and he used to spend the day sleeping beside me. At the weekends he gets tonnes of attention and during the week he gets loads of walks etc. Obviously when he was a tiny puppy I took a lot of time off work and then came home every day for a few weeks at lunch time. He's well adjusted and happy and that, in my opinion, is all that matters.

dancingqueen

Thanks boodles...

As long as your dog is happy and well mannered, that's the main thing!!

steps_3314

Thanks guys. So decided to get one of the pups for now. I think thats best. These days both husband/wife have to work etc so its probly more common. And who knows perhaps in 6 onths we might get a second. But for now we can give one pup the attention it needs and train him from the off.

dancingqueen

Congrats! I hope it all goes well for you!