Comments on: Getting a Pug, will it be fine under these circumstances?

By: pugpillow

pugpillow — Mon, 08 Feb 2010 04:20:58 +0000

NO NO NO NO NO !!!!!!! Pugs are NOT outdoor dogs. They are one of the brachycephalic breeds which means they have shortened respiratory systems and smushed in faces. They cannot tolerate even mildly elevated temperatures like 80 degrees. Plus, they are companion animals. That means they thrive on human companionship and absolutely malinger if left unattended that long. PLEASE reconsider. PLEASE.

Edited to add: You’re right. That is too long to leave any dog in a crate on a daily basis. They can be babygated into a kitchen, at least, and papertrained for pottying. Perhaps someone could come in a couple of times a day to walk the pug and to play with it. But, I gotta tell you, it doesn’t sound like a great life for a pug.

By: Chantel H

Chantel H — Mon, 08 Feb 2010 04:20:58 +0000

Maybe consider installing a pet door.
If you are nervous about getting one, there is a special doggy door, that only opens for your dog.
Here is the link
http://www.drsfostersmith.com/Product/Prod_Display.cfm?pcatid=10340&Ntt=doggy%20door&Ntk=All&Ntx=mode+matchallpartial&Np=1&N=2001&Nty=1

By: Wayne

Wayne — Mon, 08 Feb 2010 04:20:58 +0000

Who’d you plug?

By: healthylifestyle

healthylifestyle — Mon, 08 Feb 2010 04:20:58 +0000

Get your little pug chew toys and when you get home if he has been good give him a treat.

By: katslookup < Rude & Abusive

katslookup < Rude & Abusive — Mon, 08 Feb 2010 04:20:58 +0000

Pugs are not an outdoor dog. Have you considered installing a doggie door? That would give your new addition access to the indoors (in case of bad weather or high temps) and the outdoors for his "business". They are relatively cheap to purchase and install. (Less than $50 if I am not mistaking)

It is just an additional option. Other than that, I would contain him in a room. I really think leaving a dog outside, unmonitored for that long is inviting trouble. (escape, heat exhaustion, theft, etc.)

By: Jessica U

Jessica U — Mon, 08 Feb 2010 04:20:58 +0000

If it is trained to go outside, I’m sure it would be fine in your house for that amount of time. You could set his crate by the door, so if he really can’t hold it, he could use it to "do his business"

By: Rachel D

Rachel D — Mon, 08 Feb 2010 04:20:58 +0000

That sounds pretty good. What are you going to do during the winter/summer, though? I would suggest hiring a neighbor kid to let the dog out and play with him.

By: Oracle Blackrose

Oracle Blackrose — Mon, 08 Feb 2010 04:20:58 +0000

pugs are great dogs. you may want to have a trusted neihbor keep an eye on your pet while you are away. check your fence and make sure there is no way for a small dog to escape. try putting a few ice cubs in the water dish. ( my friend has a couple of pugs that love eating ice…)
you could always get a dog door installed to your own door. this would alow the pug to go in and out when ever it wanted.

By: Kayflower

Kayflower — Mon, 08 Feb 2010 04:20:58 +0000

i live in hot weather area, meaning summers get above 100 degrees. we keep one of those kiddie sand boxes shaped like turtles full of water. that way my dog can wallow in cool water. granted, that means the dog gets wet, but it’s doesn’t take much to towel him off.
i think that would be just fine for your dog. pugs, so long as they don’t get overweight, do better in hot weather than other flat nosed dogs.

By: Berri

Berri — Mon, 08 Feb 2010 04:20:58 +0000

Honestly, I wouldn’t recommend leaving a pug outside for that amount of time. They aren’t bred to be "outside" dogs. Pugs tend to have some breathing problems, especially in the heat. They also have very short fur which is not good at insulating them from the heat or cold. They also have large, protruding eyes that can be easily damaged on things like wire fencing, twigs and such. Beyond that it’s just never good to leave a dog for 10+ hours at a time. This dog will probably wind up barking all day, getting upset because it is alone all the time. Then you expect it to come inside for the night, but if it’s use to being outside all the time and use to peeing when ever it feels like it, you’re setting yourself and it up for problems inside the house too. How can you expect it to know when to hold it’s pee when it doesn’t have to on most normal days? This is a small dog. What happens if it gets loose? or if a larger agressive dog gets into your yard? Who would know that anything had happened? It’s just not safe. Are you sure this is the right thing to do at this time in your life? It seems like you really won’t have time to do anything with this dog, training, walking, etc. Why have a dog when you are never home? Perhaps you could have someone come in while you are at work and walk your dog? Loads of people find pet sitters or dog walkers to come into their homes, let the dogs out, play with them, feed them etc. Some will even work on your training methods while you’re out too. That could be a win-win situation for you. Your dog could stay inside where it’s safe and cool, but get to go out mid-day to play and potty, then you’d come home to a dog that’s ready to play with you and your family. I’ve been doing pet sitting for over 20 years and have had many jobs like that. If you find someone local it shouldn’t cost very much for them to take your dog out for half an hour to an hour. Give it some thought. It would certainly be safer and happier for the dog. Good luck!