I really want a west highland terrier, or any other small dogs similar to that. Everyone would be out of my house at around 8:15 am, and my dad will come home for lunch around 11:30 am. We would be home at around 3:00 pm. Is this ok for dogs like the west highland terrier or other similar or small dogs?
yes, I have left my dog, a miniature poodle, home alone for 8 1/2 hours. As long as the dog has food and water and can be taken out before you leave and then you dad takes the pooch out when he's home for lunch, then he/she should be just find.
Tags: west highland terrier
sure. i wouldnt let them run free for those 3 hours though. i'd get a good size crate to keep him safe and out of trouble.
References :
http://www.examiner.com/x-4513-Chicago-Dogs-Examiner~y2009m3d20-Picking-the-Right-Dog-for-your-Lifestyle
No matter the breed, a dog is a dog. When the dog is a pup special care must be taken for housetraining but as he/she matures you can leave them in the house for up to 7 hours.
As for a puppy, your schedule looks like it could work.
Good Luck!
References :
Of course it can. I have a westie and he has been alone since he was a puppy at 9 weeks old. He is now 10 years. He was crated for about the first two years when I wasn't home. Now he has run of the house. I go home mid day and let him out and he is with me when I am home. They do need exercise and I did a lot of training with him. He is not just left alone, there is a lot of interaction when I am home. This weekend our normal will be, yard time, walk at the park at least once, going to a store or two. Yes he goes in with me.(for his food and a garden store) as well as outside in the yard.
References :
my opinion
You are going to need to crate train. Specially a terrier. Terriers crave attention and are great in a family unit as long as the family is present. Left to their own devices though you are looking at destroyed furniture, shoes, clothing, carpet, doors….basically anything that catches the dogs attention.
I had an old roomate who crate trained a Chow Chow. It worked wonderfully. The dog actually liked the cage. She would sleep in it all night with the door to the cage wide open. As soon as my roomate was up then she new she could leave the cage.
References :
http://www.inch.com/~dogs/cratetraining.html
http://www.hsus.org/pets/pet_care/our_pets_for_life_program/dog_behavior_tip_sheets/crate_training.html
http://www.ddfl.org/behavior/crate-train.pdf
http://www.dogbreedinfo.com/cratetraining.htm
yes, I have left my dog, a miniature poodle, home alone for 8 1/2 hours. As long as the dog has food and water and can be taken out before you leave and then you dad takes the pooch out when he's home for lunch, then he/she should be just find.
References :
experience
I think that shouldn’t be a problem; we have a Westie ( now 11 years old), and she is often alone in the house for several hours.
Of course she likes to go our for a walk, but she can perfectly stay at home and keeps quiet in there.
Good luck and lots of fun with your Westie, they’re lovely dogs !!
Daniel & Patricia
Antwerp