New Dog Owner seek general dog advice from pros

lnelson

Hi, we (me, my fiance and our puppy) just moved/will move here on May 1 and seek guidance on dog-related quandaries. Since adopting him, I have been pretty much home with my puppy much of the day most days for bonding/snuggling/training, but will be returning to work full-time in early June and seek advice/suggestions as to what is best/what is reasonable from others with full time work and dogs. I know that options include dogwalkers, doggie daycare, just leaving him to fend for himself (as if!!) and so forth, but this being my first dog, I'm not sure what is reasonable vs what is over-the-top pampering. My available funds are moderate but I will of course pay for whatever he needs (I realize that "needs" is a subjective concept, but take it that I am the sort of person who thinks my dog "needs" premium dog food/treats but not handcrafted boutique doggie biscuits, and go from there...)
Suggestions, advice, etc. on this and all other Park Slope dogania welcome. And if anyone knows of an especially good basic puppy obedience class in the area, please chime in.
Only caveat - please don't tell me I can't work full time and have a dog, because (a) I know it's possible and (b) I have no choice.
Thanks!

sje

Is he housetrained yet? If not, crate him during the day, with toys and a bowl of water.

Don't worry, dogs sleep all day, my guys are fine, and very happy to see me when I get home. If you can afford it, a dog walker is nice in the afternoon, especially with a young animal. That gives you a little more time before you need to get home at night.

tnyc

Take advantage of the time that you are not working by training your dog to wait longer between walks. The crate training as stated above is excellent advice. In addition, take the dog for a walk in the morning around the time you would be leaving for work. Try to gradually delay the next walk, by taking him out 30 mins to 1 hr later each day until you reach the approximate time that you or your fiance will be getting home from work.

The crate will keep the dog safe if he is left alone, never use it as punishment. It should be his comfortable, secure, private place where good things happen. Throw treats into it to make him want to go in. Leave the door open while you are home so he can go in and out. A comfortable pillow (if he won't chew it and swallow it) will add to his comfort. If you engage a dog walker, the walker can put him back into the crate after his walk. Be sure to leave the A/C on for him in the Summer months.

whyfi

Walk the dog... a lot if he's he's high energy. A lot of bad behavior happens because they've just got too much energy. A long walk (45 min - 1 hr+) in the morning is a good thing.

chaplin'smom

first of all your dog is ADORABLE!
second of all, did you get it from a shelter or breeder? if a breeder make sure to ask the breeder all you possibly can re: settling in/excercise/etc. if you got it from a shelter- do you know what breeds it is? i ask because, knowing such might aid in knowing how/what to prepare for regarding temperment/size/excercise & nutrition needs etc. from the looks of it (if it is indeed the overly adorable pup in the pic) it might be part shih tzu... if so i have endless information about raising them as i have one and have grown up with them all my life.
A very good thing that i'd recommend is going to 'doggie kindergarten' to learn how to properly train your new baby. i found, even though i considered myself very 'dog knowledgeable' that going to classes my world was split open at recognizing how 'dog brains' work... As certainly a well trained dog (which is time consuming and at times frustrating at the begininning but ENTIRELY worth it by the time the grow up) provides a better companion to everyone.
I'd highly recommend Barbara Giella at
/www.educatedpuppy.com/
she teaches small classes with great loving knowledgeable instructors and you learn so much.
If you've any other questions please feel free to contact me directly.
And again, the first months or so can be 'challenging'... but stay strong as they more than pan out in the end.
best of luck!