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Is getting a Chihuahua puppy reasonable for me?
august8pm wrote:
I appreciate the help people have given me and others and I want to ask this kind of "ultimate" question that I have. Because I live in an apartment building in a colder climate, I had planned to litter box train my dog. Yes, we'd still go out every day, weather permitting. Overall, though, I think because of my living situation and because I have a cat, litter box usage would be the most convenient and least confusing for all involved. Three days a week I work out of my house for about 8 hours. I am moving towards self-employment that will allow me to stay home more often and, when I do leave, stay away for shorter periods of time. But for now, this is it. So this is how I had hoped to handle housebreaking and puppy safety while I was away. I know it isn't reasonable to expect a puppy to "hold it" for 8 hours. What I had planned to do was puppy-proof my bathroom (which isn't big, but big enough to manage), put his/her crate in it, but leave it open with a litter box/puppy pad location placed where I expect to permanently locate it. The bathroom isn't drafty, but I'd make sure that the crate was cosy and well-stocked with towels and blankets, not to mention toys. Additionally, the bathroom is really the only place that I can close off from my cat (see below) while not disrupting his routine. My assumption is that if he's resentful of the new puppy (and me), which I'd expect, it would be less so that way, too. Ultimately, my goal is to allow the dog free reign of the apartment, just as my cat does. I want to raise the happiest, healthiest and most well-socialized dog that I can. Keeping it safe and providing the best accommodation for my puppy while I am away is of the foremost importance to me. I believe I am ready to handle the responsibility, but I am willing to wait if the time isn't right. How does this situation sound to experienced and more knowledgeable owners? Any feedback would be so appreciated. * By the way, my cat is one of the least aggressive, most well-adjusted ones I've ever met. He lost his partner about 6 months ago, so I really believe that once he became comfortable with it, he'd welcome the new addition. I think it would be ok to get a Chihuahua puppy because i litter boxed trained mine easily.Also living in an apartment is great since they dont get very big.Im sure the puppy will manage for eight hours in the bathroom by itself.I've had to leave mine alone for eight hours because of work before. |
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