Poodle/Life Balance - Page 2 - Poodle Forum - Standard Poodle, Toy Poodle, Miniature Poodle Forum ALL Poodle owners too!

frankgrimes · 11-23-2012, 01:37 PM

Thanks for your support everyone! I guess as a new dog mom I need to hear that it is OK to venture off without the fur baby!

Indiana you are so right. As long as he has his exercise he just flops around the house at night waiting to see if anything fun is going to happen. If it doesnt he just naps or watches TV. I figure he can do that without me a night or two a week.

liljaker That is great advise you've received (and now given) thanks!

Jdcollins · 11-23-2012, 01:53 PM

A poodle for the poodle is a GREAT idea!!

I never feel guilty anymore as long as they've been walked and fed and have water and toys and of course ...have each other :-)

Sent from my iPhone using Petguide.com Free App

-Lilith- · 11-23-2012, 02:07 PM

If you are being anxious and nervous about leaving your dog. They will pick up on it. My pup is in her kennel during the day when I'm at work. I get her out. Let her go potty and back in she goes if I have something going on. I put her in there while we eat or if we can't keep a constant eye on her (still potty training she is only 13 weeks).

Sent from my iPhone using Petguide.com Free App

Poodlemama99 · 11-23-2012, 02:12 PM

I think we always feel guilty but trust me when I say they sleep when we are gone. I have the webcams to prove it. Lol.

Sent from my iPhone using Petguide.com Free App

poo lover · 11-23-2012, 03:43 PM

I'm a dog walker and Kruz is my right handman so we walkmost of the day together so I think he maybe happy to get rid of me

Lily's-Mom · 11-23-2012, 04:50 PM

I think it's totally fine to go out for a few hours. Especially since you will have the chance to spend a few hours with him before you leave again. But I think most of us feel the same way you do. My husband and I like to trade off running errands so Lily isn't left home alone too much on evenings and weekends. But I think as long as you are able to give him attention, play and exercise time, he won't care about an extra couple of hours without you there.

Ms Stella · 11-23-2012, 05:05 PM

Oh yes, its ok to go out and have a life outside your poodle!! We both work and my dogs are alone from 8am till 4pm. They just sleep..I feel the need to come home and let them out and feed them..but we do go out maybe twice a week for dinner or errands..we take the dogs with us if we can but they are fine if we leave them a 2nd time in a day. Dogs really live in the now..I dont think they ruminate about things the way we do..if their needs are taken care of .. they are fine :-)

Karenl39 · 11-23-2012, 06:05 PM

Holy cow let me know when you figure this out! I haven't had a moment since Bailey came home! We have 2 other dogs that were never this much trouble. We went out the other evening and put her in her crate. We got home at 11 and she kept us up all night.

MollyMuiMa · 11-24-2012, 10:58 AM

I'm retired so my Molly is with me constantly...but I have no qualms about leaving her on the rare occasion she can't be with me. I usually make sure she has a potty break and then plenty of chewies before I leave. I also leave the TV on to keep her company!
I don't have to crate her so I guess I'm lucky with that aspect! And OH! it is so much fun when I get home ! She gets so excited to see me, it makes me feel good! I feel it is healthy to teach them to be left alone....no separation anxiety!

Fond of Poodles · 11-24-2012, 11:11 AM

Take up agility,obedience, conformation instead of yoga, then you can take your poodle with you, lol!

Whenever possible I take a dog or two in the car with me (weather permitting).

I have an ex-pen in my trunk. When I go visit friend and family, all 4 dogs come with me. I can leave 2 in the pen, 2 out, and rotate.

For social time, invite people to your home instead, lol.

Have more than one spoo.

Doggy day care a couple of times a week can help too.