Me And My Shadow

Dear Dog Lady,

I recently purchased a Pomeranian named Shadow and wanted to know if it is a bad idea to leave him in his playpen while I am at work from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. I leave him in his large playpen where there is a crate, many toys, a blanket, some water, and a place for him to go to the bathroom. I am worried that leaving him home all day might be really bad for him. What do you think?

Stacy, Arlington, VA

Stacy, ah, the Shadow knows. Your dog will signal unhappiness by doing naughty things while you’re away and giving you cause for worry. On the surface, it sounds as if you have taken care of your Pom’s needs.

Yet, have you considered hiring a dog walker to break up the routine? Allowing your dog to soil an area of his playpen may be fine with you but Dog Lady does not endorse training our dogs to relieve themselves in the house. Once you allow this indiscretion, it’s hard to turn back. Your Shadow is new to your home. Do you really want to set such a low standard?

Finding a suitable dog walker will be a task – and not necessarily an unpleasant one. Check bulletin boards at local neighborhood hangouts, pet stores, or the vet’s office for candidates. Ask other dog owners for referrals. Interview carefully. The effort will pay off because having a shadow on Shadow for at least a portion of the day will be very good for the socialization and training of your Pom pup.

Posted by Dog Lady at April 17, 2008 05:18 PM