I'm a first time ( want to be pug/z owner) Please help!!!

[furanku]

I live in downtown Seattle. I've loved pugs way before my sis n law got one that is my best dog friend...

I'd like to adopt also I'd like to have that first real connection with a puppy to make him my own and give him grow up to know me as his best bud.

Though, I work 8 hours a day and 5 days a week. ( possible new job that would make 3 new 12 hour days or 7 new 12 hour days twice a month.

That's why I'm considering two... That way they can stay together and keep each other company.

I'm educated with many books on the breed an know all the complications and short span potty issues.

I'd like a girlfriend and/or wife~! that would Super help~! but yeah... I'm stuck with the super desire to own and love a pug.. for 9 years...

Frank...
Please help!

[Spud]

I am on a rotating shift of 12 hour days, one week of on days is monday, tuesday, friday, saturday, sunday the next week is wednesday, thursday. When I first picked up Spud I was on 8 hour days and normally some one will be able to let him hour to use the bathroom within the 12 hours. I got him as a puppy and potty training was not easy at all. It took a lot of time but he is good now.

I don't have nearly the knowledge of a lot of the people on this forum but I am glad I just got one. I love my Spud so much but it was enough to train one, I really couldn't imagine training 2 at the same time.

[CSollers]

Welcome to PV. We all agree with your loves of Pugs, they are the best! Training a puppy is a serious time intense business. It would be tough on the schedule you have. There's no way a puppy could go 12 hours between potty breaks. I don't know if an adult could go that long. The bond with a rescue dog is every bit as strong as one with a pup you've raised. I say this from experience, we have one of each.

[Tinker's mom]

Hello & to the village! I applaud your decision to adopt! My advice is to adopt one at a time. If you have to potty train it will take time and you will have to have someone come in and let your puppy out. If you adopt an older dog they will still bond to you but again someone will have to come and let them out midday if you're on 12 hour shifts.The time and patience required will reward you in many ways. Pugs are such people dogs you'll be loved the rest of their lives. Let us know what you decide and of course we'll need pics of the new addition/s.

[Hellas]

Welcome! Pugs are the best, so I totally understand you desire to adopt a pug (or two). They make life so much better :)

I know that there are some different opinions on this issue, and some will certainly disagree with me, but here are my two cents: I don't think that any dog should be left alone for more than a few hours per day. I'd say 4-6 hours in total would be my maximum. (In my country, it's actually illegal to leave a dog alone for more than 6 hours). As you know, they are pack animals. That confuses some people into thinking it's ok to leave them for many hours if you have two. Untrue, in my opinion. What you have then are two lonely dogs. They want their human there. I have two and when I leave them, all they do is sleep and wait for me.

So, I would never recommend anybody to buy a dog - puppy or adult - if they must leave the dog alone for 8-12 hours every day. Just having somebody come let the dog out at midday is not enough. You have to consider what quality of life you are offering your dog. If left alone for that long, it will bored out of it's mind and sleep it's life away. Worst case scenario, it will develop behavioural problems. Barking, chewing up furniture etc can be used as a means to alleviate boredom and excess energy.

The solution, if you work full time and still want a dog, is to find some sort of doggie daycare. Either a daycare centre where you leave the dog all day, or perhaps a retired person who is willing to take care of your dog for a few hours every day, take him for a walk and cuddle him. There are also professional dogwalkers, but I think a dog needs more than just a midday walk. They need some actual company.

I think that A LOT of the problems people have with their dog's behaviours are caused mainly by the dog being bored and having excess energy.

[Pugs-R-MandyBait]

Welcome! ;-)
I have Doxies ... my Motherrr has the pugs ... and let me give a small piece of advice.
Puppies are cute, adorable, sweet - and more work than an infant. With your work schedule, reconsider the rescue of a young adult. You will still get the bond, the closeness, the companionship ... and be ahead of the curve with housebreaking and training.
Let me introduce you to my youngest dog.

This is DiNozzo. He is almost three now. At almost a year old, he was dumped over the fence at my vet's into his kennel of hunting dogs. Doc scooped him up, washed him, neutered him, then called me to come get my dog. I had lost my husband four months previously .. and knew all my dogs were at home. He insisted and that is how DiNo came to me. From the moment I held him and he cleaned my cheeks, he was MY dog. He sleeps with me, he travels with me, he is ever present at my side. Of all seven of my dogs (all of whom are rescues and only one as a bitty puppy), it is DiNo who is my heart and comfort.

This is K.C. the Intrepid Dachshund ... the other half of the DappleDuo, Brain to DiNo's Pinky. He was rescued at 18 months-ish from CraigsList from a BackYard Breeder whose comment was ... "We are done with him now". The first two weeks home, he had to stay in a crate in the back room of the house. The crate had to be disassembled to put him out to potty as he offered to bite if reached for. Over the next month, K.C. did a complete 180* turnaround. He is my best friend, my companion, best buddy to the cats in the house. He is a clown and he is destructive, and he is so completely and totally my dog. When I lost my husband, all the dogs hovered and tried to comfort me ... but my near hysteria frightened them (I think). It was KC who would sit on me for hours. It was KC I took to the funeral home, to the service, to the memorial. He was stoic and brave and allowed me to sob into his coat without flinching.
Neither of the DappleDuo (or Remy or Mandy or Nemo or Peggy) came to me as puppies. But they all have a deep connection to me and they are solidly, completely, totally MY dogs. I am finally back to work. I leave at 8am and am lucky to be back by 7pm. First thing, even before I change, is to let the dogs out to potty and stretch their legs. The little dogs have to stay in since we have hawks on the property and I'd rather not tempt injury to dog or bird in an attempt to score a free lunch. As mature dogs, they can stand crating for that long. Puppies ... they can only go about an hour per month of age on average.
Again ... Puppies are cute and adorable - but the older adoptee can, and WILL, give you just as much love and connection and companionship as the pup.

Best of luck!!

[Wally 'n' Leto]

I agree, please consider adopting a young adult dog. Not only will you start in an advantageous position with regards to training, teething and potty training, you may actually have a stronger relationship with the dog in the end.

Right now I am sitting on the sofa with Leto snoozing with his chin on my leg. I'm stuck at home in the middle of a high risk pregnancy, and our special-needs, thrown-away adoptee is my guardian. He doesn't leave me alone for a minute. I honestly believe that rescues KNOW what you have done for them and have a gratitude that a dog raised from a pup will never match. Our Wally, who I adore with all my heart, has a sense of entitlement that comes from never having wanted for anything. In some respects, my relationship with Leto is closer and more fulfilling.

Here's Leto, keeping my husband warm for a nap....

[furanku]

Thank you everyone for the very sound advice!!! I've decided to adopt ( *o*)/ I have to wait to see if I can get this new job and I will have to save up a fund for any emergency surgeries and such that might pop up. I'm hoping to have one in 4 months or so. Actually live within walking distance to my Apartment so on my lunch breaks I can go home and let him out to use the restroom. That would be so sweet.... I will surly show pictures when I do get him. I want a black pug boy. 1-2 years old would be awesomeness!!! Thank you again for the warm welcome and the advice!

Frank

[pugtown]

We've adopted a 5 yr old and an 8 yr old. They're the best. Socialized. Not hyper. Learned the routine quickly. Already potty trained. Boy - I don't think I ever want a puppy again. The frustration, the accidents, the carpet...

[Pugs-R-MandyBait]

I will surly show pictures when I do get him. I want a black pug boy. 1-2 years old would be awesomeness!!! Thank you again for the warm welcome and the advice!

Frank

Pis would be terrific!! ;-) There are a number of rescues in your area, might not be a bad idea to introduce yourself now, and get your application approved. 1-2 years is a great age!!
Don't be a stranger!