Are you a prospective owner who works full time?
Here is an interesting Q&A dialogue from a Havenese Forum - Keep in mind that these are the opinions of a variety of people with a diverse range of needs.
"My question is how many of you work full time and have to leave your puppies home while you work? For how long each day? My husband an I will be empty nesters come august and I want to get a new puppy... We lost our dear Greta this last February and I miss her so much but my husband wants me to wait to see if we like the empty nest thing... He says we can leave when we want to go and won't have to worry about kids or pets! Plus we both work full time and we won't have the kids around with helping let them out durning the day. Any opinions???"
I think the key for us is that we have two dogs. They keep each other company when we are not home.
Two suggestions: 1) potty pad training. Say you run into friends at a show and they invite you to go for coffee or a drink, you are not bound to go right home to let the dog out. And, if you use washable potty pads, you are still washing "diapers" to ease that empty nest feeling. Just like the old days. 2) establish a reliable nanny. That way when your hubby surprises you with tickets for a week in Paris, you have a caregiver at the call.
I would wait until you're home more, and I agree with having a puppy sitter already lined up for those last minute trips
I won't sell to working families. These are 24/7 Velcro dogs and they want their people with them.
We are planning to get a puppy early next year and also both work full time. However, my husband and I work different shifts from each other and usually only are both working 3 days per week. I checked and I am able to bring my dog with me in the car and to work most days... Have you asked at either employer to see if you could bring your dog with you?
I am home all day with my little one, the longest I leave her is maybe a couple of hrs....
I truly believe that Havanese adjust to their owners life style. Working would not necessarily be a reason not to get one. We all want what is best for our babies,
Both my husband and I work full time and my breeder only allowed us to adopt Maddi because she knew Maddi was going to be able to come to work with me most days...they are very social and either need another dog or to be with their people a lot of the time.
I had the same situation. We waited and enjoyed a few years of freedom first. When I retired we got Quincy. I'm glad we traveled a lot first. We have never left Quincy longer than 3 hours at a time. He has not developed any separation problems and really was easy to house train. I would never get a havanese and leave them all day.
We leave Mitzi in her "Casa" (crate) and she is very comfortable there. We rarely leave her for more than 4-5 hours.
My husband and I both work regular 8 hour jobs. When we got our 2 Havs, the kids were still living at home. Now, we just have 1 kid at home and he attends community college and works part time. Our dogs have done great. They are not crated during the day and we leave pads for them if they need them. We love them so much, can't imagine our life without them. They were rescues and I would say they are way better off in our home than they were at the pet rescue place. We even have a security camera and my husband will check on them occasionally while he's at work. They usually just sleep!
Dogs sleep a lot! Maybe add much as 16 our 17 hours a day.
In a perfect world we could all stay home with our babies. That is not reality. I have a 7 year old and she is very happy in her crate. Her crate is also surrounded by a pen and of course a potty pad. This is what she knows and she happily goes to her crate in the morning. Of course she is happy to see me when I return. It is what she knows and she does just fine. I am able to take her to grandma's house if I have an unusually long day. Ps, I got her when the kids left the nest. I love her more than I could ever imagine!
Thank you... I respect all of your options! My husband and I are very responsible pet owners... We love and take care of our pets (spoil) as much as or sometimes more than our kids! Greta went to daycare every day due to having so many health issues. Since she passed away I'm lost... She gave me so much love! Yes we both work to pay the bills and help the kids. We will have to work for years to come and hopefully be able to retire someday. My vet also suggested 2 puppies. He said some people are made with hearts to love and take care of pets... And some are not!! His office keeps showing me photos of new litters. My husband does not stop home at all but I come home for lunch... My 2 oldest children live 2 minutes away and are stopping in to do laundry, eat, rob the pantry and we know this because they still leave the lights on. All I can 100% say is that if we get any puppies... They will be loved!
Margie, your situation sounds just fine for a wonderful Havanese baby. I know my baby wouldn't trade her hard working mama for anyone else!
I often hear rescues and shelters say "every home should know the love of a dog." If this were to be reality, then a lot of doggies would end up in homes with 8 - 10 hrs work schedules. And that's okay! They're better of there than at a shelter!
I got both my pups at 4 months- 6 months apart. I would come home at lunch during the training time (a puppy- I don't think should be left alone all day). For both- they adapted quickly. They are now 6 and 7. I let them out right before I go to bed (10 or so). Twice in the morning (5 am and 630) and when I get home at 430. They do wonderfully. They are crate trained and go happily and willingly to it- when they see me get my purse and keys. Never a crate accident.
That's what I say... Better than other sad alternatives. My dog is loved and spoiled but I must leave him 40 hours a week to make money and keep him in the life style he has grown accustomed to! And he is ok....watches tv, goes outside thru doggie door, sleeps on his king size bed. He waits for us to come home and he is well adjusted and happy!
Sounds like you have a good support system if you travel or have emergencies. If you're thinking of getting 2 I would space them out a few months at least. It's easier to get one trained or mostly before getting a second one. Good luck!
fStart leaving the pup alone from an early age and hope you dont get a velcro Hav, maybe you can discuss this with the breeder who can help with the choice of the puppy. Even when im home milo likes to sleep all day until 5pm so i know he is fine when i have to work some days!
But of course you should organize a walker to come mid way through the day
I was lucky, I was able to bring Pavy to work when she was a puppy. Now she stays home. My boyfriend comes home for lunch everyday for an hour. She does fine. We trained her to go on puppy pads and let her stay in the living room with lots of toys, food, and water.
Mine have been left since we got them. Max was alone but Mo has always had Max with him. I work close by so I always (and still do) come home most days for lunch so they can go out. We come and go with no problems. If we are going to be gone more than all day we make sure someone will be by to check on them...but we're not usually gone that long..we're home bodies..LOL
terrible separation anxiety... I work full time and am able to take Julian to work with me often, but for days I dont he has a sitter.
,with our Havanese there are so many choices and, as I'm sure you've noticed, many folks get firmly entrenched in their experience /beliefs /practices being the only right way to do things - from what to feed, how to potty train. .. - kind of mimics life that way, lol.
As I said before, personally, I think they can adjust to their families lifestyles. I believe we all find what works best for us and our pets and that what works for one of us, doesn't necessarily work for someone else. Just like our human kids, all Havanese are not the same.
I cannot imagine my life without my four-legged family in it. It sounds to me like you have a heart that is aching to share some of its love with another pup, and that you have the support system to do so.
i'm single and live with a roommate who works nights. i leave at 8am and freddie gets up, eats breakfast and goes out before then. my roommate leaves at 11:30 and lets him out again and then he is alone till 6 when i get home. he's fine and hangs out in his bed and naps or plays with toys while we're gone. always happy to see me and play when i get home though!
I have a dog walker who comes and takes Henry out once a day. It makes a huge difference and I'm not worried about him during the day. I found a great company, and they send me an update everyday with a picture of Henry.
I work and got Winnie at 9 wks...she just turned 8 months. Though a Velcro dog when I'm home she does great when I'm not. I either have a dog walker come in twice a day or take her to doggie daycare. She has the run of a few rooms when home alone and mostly find her a sleep near the door waiting for me to come home. Thankfully she's potty trained and can wait.
I think dogs adjust to their owners schedules so you should be fine. Winnie is my pride and joy these days. Not sure what I'd do without her now that she's in my life! So go with your gut instinct in a few months. Maybe wait a little to adjust to this new phase in your life and then decide. Since I got Winnie I realize how much I was never home. Definitely home much more now with her. Oh, I was very lucky Winnie doesn't have separation anxiety. Maybe because she had to adjust to my schedule from day one.
In a perfect world, we could all stay home with our babies! In fact, everyday as I am getting ready to trudge off to work, I see my babies sleeping on MY bed and wonder what is wrong with this picture! In reality however, most people have to work outside the home, and most that I know anyways, have a 2 income household. Imagine what the shelter population would be like if people who worked didn't adopt.
Havs are known as Velcro dogs because they LOVE to be glued to their people. They can 'adjust' to being alone but are best suited for situations where that is not the case. I chose a Hav after I retired. I had other breeds when I worked.
Our dog lives in a family with two hard working parents and a teenager, so he has long days at home but has the run of the house, a doggy door, a big back yard and a king size bed. He is always very happy to see us and we spend heaps of time with him on the weekends and if we ever have a day off. This has been the routine from almost day one. He is well adjusted (OK he is spoilt) and happy. I worry about him being alone but the teenager gets home from school quite early a couple of days a week so that helps.
Separation anxiety is the biggest issue we have had with our dog. He was terrible to deal with the days I worked so we took him to doggie day camp for those days. I now work from home and he is always at my side. Can't imagine my life without him!
In my opinion, and that of many professionals, a Havanese is NOT the breed to get if it is going to be left home alone all day. We waited many years until one of us was not working before adopting one. They really need their people with them. It is not fair to stress a dog out everyday, just to have one. Think about the dog first and you will have your answer.
I work full time and I go home for an hour at lunch, but I have 4 dogs and they keep each other company during the day. Works for me, but I would never leave one home alone all day.
How about 2?
Maybe you could have someone come and spend some time with them mid day or take them to daycare as you would a human child.
Margie you'll be fine! I wish many more people would think so much about bringing a new dog into their lives.
I have two Havs and work full time. I take them out in the morning for a good 30min walk, then leave for work. They are alone for 10hrs until I come home. I then take them out for another 30-40min depending on weather, then again at 8:30pm. My guys are fine. The key is to get them used to a routine. It's been 8yrs on that routine. When I leave in the morning I leave a Kong with some treats stuffed in it so it keeps them busy throughout the day.
Yes, a Havanese may adapt to its living arrangements and can survive, but I think they are constantly stressed when left alone. They may sleep, but I believe it's because they are bored and want to block out their unhappiness sometimes. A happy dog is a tired dog, not from boredom, but from walking, playing and socializing with their owners, friends, and other dogs. This may not be the right breed for your situation, unless there are others who can come in every day to be with him.... I believe the Havanese are the closest thing to a human baby of any dog out there and require similar attention. I can't help but be this opinionated on this....
My two are left alone for 7 hours/4 days week. They have the run of the house. I have a puppy cam and watch them. They sleep and play throughout the day and are fine when we get home. They are 2 and 3. I think the key is they have each other during the day.
I am retired, and work one day at home, and 1 day away from home, so I have no issues with our havi puppy, however we have two friends who each have havi's, and they both work full time, and their havi's seem fine. They do spend much quality time with them when they are off from work.
That's the key, Leah, the minute that I get home, it's quality time and one on one with the pets, walks and fetch, etc. They know the routine.
Joy, exactly! I spend a couple hours in the am with them and love on them from the minute I come home until bed. Heck they even sleep with me so there are kisses at night.
Oh yes, up early in the morning to run around too.
Our little girl is too young (14 weeks) to leave in her crate all day. Wondering at what age we can leave her for more than a couple of hours? She goes into her crate at night without complaint but putting her into it during the day, she howls and cries, breaking our hearts.
I get up at 5:00 AM and leave for work at 7:30 or so, home for lunch for 45 minutes or so, then home after work.
I wouldn't put any dog in a crate all day. I have a 4x8 playpen complete with a small crate, a dog bed, a piddle pad and water.
My dog has never been in a crate...
Two of mine stay out in the morning, three out in the afternoon and the youngster stays in his playpen while I'm away for his own safety if you get what I mean, he's into everything.
They all enjoy their own personal space to rest. When I get ready to head out the door, they paw on their playpens to get to their own area.
give her a tiny treat every time you put her into a playpen, she'll enjoy the freedom of one and if you have a tiny crate in there, she can go in there if she chooses to.
She's way too young to stay out right now, you don't want her in danger while you are away, chewing on inappropriate things such as electrical cords, etc. As an alternative to a playpen, perhaps you could gate off your kitchen, laundry, or bath area for her.
We use a baby play yard with a door. We chose it because it is 30 in high. It can be made into a rectangle which fits in a spare bathroom. Inside is her bed, water, and a pee pad. I put in toys like hard Kongs that I don't have to worry about choking b...See More
I've worked full time forever..lol.. U can attached a playpen..to the crate...u can get a playpen on eBay for around 28-35 dollars open it attached side to crate leave door open put bed inside ..wee pads water toys etc outside
I think your husband has very valid points. Pets, especially havanese I have learned, are wonderful loving parts of our lives...but always need to be taken care of. You want to stay out late, but have to let the dog out. You want to go away for the wke...See More
Oh, I forgot pee pads...we used them too!
Here is an interesting Q&A dialogue from a Havenese Forum - Keep in mind that these are the opinions of a variety of people with a diverse range of needs.
"My question is how many of you work full time and have to leave your puppies home while you work? For how long each day? My husband an I will be empty nesters come august and I want to get a new puppy... We lost our dear Greta this last February and I miss her so much but my husband wants me to wait to see if we like the empty nest thing... He says we can leave when we want to go and won't have to worry about kids or pets! Plus we both work full time and we won't have the kids around with helping let them out durning the day. Any opinions???"
I think the key for us is that we have two dogs. They keep each other company when we are not home.
Two suggestions: 1) potty pad training. Say you run into friends at a show and they invite you to go for coffee or a drink, you are not bound to go right home to let the dog out. And, if you use washable potty pads, you are still washing "diapers" to ease that empty nest feeling. Just like the old days. 2) establish a reliable nanny. That way when your hubby surprises you with tickets for a week in Paris, you have a caregiver at the call.
I would wait until you're home more, and I agree with having a puppy sitter already lined up for those last minute trips
I won't sell to working families. These are 24/7 Velcro dogs and they want their people with them.
We are planning to get a puppy early next year and also both work full time. However, my husband and I work different shifts from each other and usually only are both working 3 days per week. I checked and I am able to bring my dog with me in the car and to work most days... Have you asked at either employer to see if you could bring your dog with you?
I am home all day with my little one, the longest I leave her is maybe a couple of hrs....
I truly believe that Havanese adjust to their owners life style. Working would not necessarily be a reason not to get one. We all want what is best for our babies,
Both my husband and I work full time and my breeder only allowed us to adopt Maddi because she knew Maddi was going to be able to come to work with me most days...they are very social and either need another dog or to be with their people a lot of the time.
I had the same situation. We waited and enjoyed a few years of freedom first. When I retired we got Quincy. I'm glad we traveled a lot first. We have never left Quincy longer than 3 hours at a time. He has not developed any separation problems and really was easy to house train. I would never get a havanese and leave them all day.
We leave Mitzi in her "Casa" (crate) and she is very comfortable there. We rarely leave her for more than 4-5 hours.
My husband and I both work regular 8 hour jobs. When we got our 2 Havs, the kids were still living at home. Now, we just have 1 kid at home and he attends community college and works part time. Our dogs have done great. They are not crated during the day and we leave pads for them if they need them. We love them so much, can't imagine our life without them. They were rescues and I would say they are way better off in our home than they were at the pet rescue place. We even have a security camera and my husband will check on them occasionally while he's at work. They usually just sleep!
Dogs sleep a lot! Maybe add much as 16 our 17 hours a day.
In a perfect world we could all stay home with our babies. That is not reality. I have a 7 year old and she is very happy in her crate. Her crate is also surrounded by a pen and of course a potty pad. This is what she knows and she happily goes to her crate in the morning. Of course she is happy to see me when I return. It is what she knows and she does just fine. I am able to take her to grandma's house if I have an unusually long day. Ps, I got her when the kids left the nest. I love her more than I could ever imagine!
Thank you... I respect all of your options! My husband and I are very responsible pet owners... We love and take care of our pets (spoil) as much as or sometimes more than our kids! Greta went to daycare every day due to having so many health issues. Since she passed away I'm lost... She gave me so much love! Yes we both work to pay the bills and help the kids. We will have to work for years to come and hopefully be able to retire someday. My vet also suggested 2 puppies. He said some people are made with hearts to love and take care of pets... And some are not!! His office keeps showing me photos of new litters. My husband does not stop home at all but I come home for lunch... My 2 oldest children live 2 minutes away and are stopping in to do laundry, eat, rob the pantry and we know this because they still leave the lights on. All I can 100% say is that if we get any puppies... They will be loved!
Margie, your situation sounds just fine for a wonderful Havanese baby. I know my baby wouldn't trade her hard working mama for anyone else!
I often hear rescues and shelters say "every home should know the love of a dog." If this were to be reality, then a lot of doggies would end up in homes with 8 - 10 hrs work schedules. And that's okay! They're better of there than at a shelter!
I got both my pups at 4 months- 6 months apart. I would come home at lunch during the training time (a puppy- I don't think should be left alone all day). For both- they adapted quickly. They are now 6 and 7. I let them out right before I go to bed (10 or so). Twice in the morning (5 am and 630) and when I get home at 430. They do wonderfully. They are crate trained and go happily and willingly to it- when they see me get my purse and keys. Never a crate accident.
That's what I say... Better than other sad alternatives. My dog is loved and spoiled but I must leave him 40 hours a week to make money and keep him in the life style he has grown accustomed to! And he is ok....watches tv, goes outside thru doggie door, sleeps on his king size bed. He waits for us to come home and he is well adjusted and happy!
Sounds like you have a good support system if you travel or have emergencies. If you're thinking of getting 2 I would space them out a few months at least. It's easier to get one trained or mostly before getting a second one. Good luck!
fStart leaving the pup alone from an early age and hope you dont get a velcro Hav, maybe you can discuss this with the breeder who can help with the choice of the puppy. Even when im home milo likes to sleep all day until 5pm so i know he is fine when i have to work some days!
But of course you should organize a walker to come mid way through the day
I was lucky, I was able to bring Pavy to work when she was a puppy. Now she stays home. My boyfriend comes home for lunch everyday for an hour. She does fine. We trained her to go on puppy pads and let her stay in the living room with lots of toys, food, and water.
Mine have been left since we got them. Max was alone but Mo has always had Max with him. I work close by so I always (and still do) come home most days for lunch so they can go out. We come and go with no problems. If we are going to be gone more than all day we make sure someone will be by to check on them...but we're not usually gone that long..we're home bodies..LOL
terrible separation anxiety... I work full time and am able to take Julian to work with me often, but for days I dont he has a sitter.
,with our Havanese there are so many choices and, as I'm sure you've noticed, many folks get firmly entrenched in their experience /beliefs /practices being the only right way to do things - from what to feed, how to potty train. .. - kind of mimics life that way, lol.
As I said before, personally, I think they can adjust to their families lifestyles. I believe we all find what works best for us and our pets and that what works for one of us, doesn't necessarily work for someone else. Just like our human kids, all Havanese are not the same.
I cannot imagine my life without my four-legged family in it. It sounds to me like you have a heart that is aching to share some of its love with another pup, and that you have the support system to do so.
i'm single and live with a roommate who works nights. i leave at 8am and freddie gets up, eats breakfast and goes out before then. my roommate leaves at 11:30 and lets him out again and then he is alone till 6 when i get home. he's fine and hangs out in his bed and naps or plays with toys while we're gone. always happy to see me and play when i get home though!
I have a dog walker who comes and takes Henry out once a day. It makes a huge difference and I'm not worried about him during the day. I found a great company, and they send me an update everyday with a picture of Henry.
I work and got Winnie at 9 wks...she just turned 8 months. Though a Velcro dog when I'm home she does great when I'm not. I either have a dog walker come in twice a day or take her to doggie daycare. She has the run of a few rooms when home alone and mostly find her a sleep near the door waiting for me to come home. Thankfully she's potty trained and can wait.
I think dogs adjust to their owners schedules so you should be fine. Winnie is my pride and joy these days. Not sure what I'd do without her now that she's in my life! So go with your gut instinct in a few months. Maybe wait a little to adjust to this new phase in your life and then decide. Since I got Winnie I realize how much I was never home. Definitely home much more now with her. Oh, I was very lucky Winnie doesn't have separation anxiety. Maybe because she had to adjust to my schedule from day one.
In a perfect world, we could all stay home with our babies! In fact, everyday as I am getting ready to trudge off to work, I see my babies sleeping on MY bed and wonder what is wrong with this picture! In reality however, most people have to work outside the home, and most that I know anyways, have a 2 income household. Imagine what the shelter population would be like if people who worked didn't adopt.
Havs are known as Velcro dogs because they LOVE to be glued to their people. They can 'adjust' to being alone but are best suited for situations where that is not the case. I chose a Hav after I retired. I had other breeds when I worked.
Our dog lives in a family with two hard working parents and a teenager, so he has long days at home but has the run of the house, a doggy door, a big back yard and a king size bed. He is always very happy to see us and we spend heaps of time with him on the weekends and if we ever have a day off. This has been the routine from almost day one. He is well adjusted (OK he is spoilt) and happy. I worry about him being alone but the teenager gets home from school quite early a couple of days a week so that helps.
Separation anxiety is the biggest issue we have had with our dog. He was terrible to deal with the days I worked so we took him to doggie day camp for those days. I now work from home and he is always at my side. Can't imagine my life without him!
In my opinion, and that of many professionals, a Havanese is NOT the breed to get if it is going to be left home alone all day. We waited many years until one of us was not working before adopting one. They really need their people with them. It is not fair to stress a dog out everyday, just to have one. Think about the dog first and you will have your answer.
I work full time and I go home for an hour at lunch, but I have 4 dogs and they keep each other company during the day. Works for me, but I would never leave one home alone all day.
How about 2?
Maybe you could have someone come and spend some time with them mid day or take them to daycare as you would a human child.
Margie you'll be fine! I wish many more people would think so much about bringing a new dog into their lives.
I have two Havs and work full time. I take them out in the morning for a good 30min walk, then leave for work. They are alone for 10hrs until I come home. I then take them out for another 30-40min depending on weather, then again at 8:30pm. My guys are fine. The key is to get them used to a routine. It's been 8yrs on that routine. When I leave in the morning I leave a Kong with some treats stuffed in it so it keeps them busy throughout the day.
Yes, a Havanese may adapt to its living arrangements and can survive, but I think they are constantly stressed when left alone. They may sleep, but I believe it's because they are bored and want to block out their unhappiness sometimes. A happy dog is a tired dog, not from boredom, but from walking, playing and socializing with their owners, friends, and other dogs. This may not be the right breed for your situation, unless there are others who can come in every day to be with him.... I believe the Havanese are the closest thing to a human baby of any dog out there and require similar attention. I can't help but be this opinionated on this....
My two are left alone for 7 hours/4 days week. They have the run of the house. I have a puppy cam and watch them. They sleep and play throughout the day and are fine when we get home. They are 2 and 3. I think the key is they have each other during the day.
I am retired, and work one day at home, and 1 day away from home, so I have no issues with our havi puppy, however we have two friends who each have havi's, and they both work full time, and their havi's seem fine. They do spend much quality time with them when they are off from work.
That's the key, Leah, the minute that I get home, it's quality time and one on one with the pets, walks and fetch, etc. They know the routine.
Joy, exactly! I spend a couple hours in the am with them and love on them from the minute I come home until bed. Heck they even sleep with me so there are kisses at night.
Oh yes, up early in the morning to run around too.
Our little girl is too young (14 weeks) to leave in her crate all day. Wondering at what age we can leave her for more than a couple of hours? She goes into her crate at night without complaint but putting her into it during the day, she howls and cries, breaking our hearts.
I get up at 5:00 AM and leave for work at 7:30 or so, home for lunch for 45 minutes or so, then home after work.
I wouldn't put any dog in a crate all day. I have a 4x8 playpen complete with a small crate, a dog bed, a piddle pad and water.
My dog has never been in a crate...
Two of mine stay out in the morning, three out in the afternoon and the youngster stays in his playpen while I'm away for his own safety if you get what I mean, he's into everything.
They all enjoy their own personal space to rest. When I get ready to head out the door, they paw on their playpens to get to their own area.
give her a tiny treat every time you put her into a playpen, she'll enjoy the freedom of one and if you have a tiny crate in there, she can go in there if she chooses to.
She's way too young to stay out right now, you don't want her in danger while you are away, chewing on inappropriate things such as electrical cords, etc. As an alternative to a playpen, perhaps you could gate off your kitchen, laundry, or bath area for her.
We use a baby play yard with a door. We chose it because it is 30 in high. It can be made into a rectangle which fits in a spare bathroom. Inside is her bed, water, and a pee pad. I put in toys like hard Kongs that I don't have to worry about choking b...See More
I've worked full time forever..lol.. U can attached a playpen..to the crate...u can get a playpen on eBay for around 28-35 dollars open it attached side to crate leave door open put bed inside ..wee pads water toys etc outside
I think your husband has very valid points. Pets, especially havanese I have learned, are wonderful loving parts of our lives...but always need to be taken care of. You want to stay out late, but have to let the dog out. You want to go away for the wke...See More
Oh, I forgot pee pads...we used them too!