new puppy...working long hours
by k
(delaware)
I just got a thriteen week old puppy...right around the same time I started having to work long hours.
She is only alone about six hours a day 3 days of the week....the rest of the time I put my sister in charge of her care....and when I am home (which sadly is only about ten or so hours a day...including sleeping time.....she is with me....she sleeps with me and everything.
But I am worried that she will not recognize me as her "mother"...her primary care taker... what can I do to make this run more smoothly?
Hi
Your puppy is going to be with you for a long time, and presumably you won't always be working these hours, so you have plenty of time to spend together.
But, I do understand your concern right now. Firstly, I would make sure that you are the one to feed her, you can feed her twice a day - once before you go to work, and then again when you come home. If she's a tiny breed and needs feeding three times a day, your sister will need to feed her sometime midday to afternoon.
Also, spend a little time each day working on basic training. If you're the one to teach her manners, commands, tricks etc., your sister can reinforce the learning when she's looking after her but you will be the primary 'teacher'.
Make sure she spends as much time as possible with you when you are home, and take her with you whenever possible at weekends and such. If you can take her to formal obedience lessons (you can often find classes that are held on a Saturday) will help strengthen your bond and communication.
As long as you are consistent in the time spent with her and show her lots of love, attention and discipline when necessary, she will recognize you as her 'momma' and she'll love you unconditionally.
Best of luck!
