what to do with a new puppy when i go to work?

[BULLBLASTER]

maybe i will section off some of the garage, and put a crate in there for him?
he will be 8 or 9 weeks when i get him

[jackelope]

the first day we left my lab pup at home i blocked him in the kitchen with a baby gate. when i got home, he had tried so hard to get past that gate that he ripped one front dew claw almost out and had bled all over the place.
i am a firm believer in crate training, but not for 8-10 hours at a time.
can you take him with you to work in the crate and let him out every few hours?

[SpokaneSlayer]

I take mine to work with me right now, but only because we are in the process of moving out of our apartment into a house.  He does fine.  Snoozes most of the time.  I let him out at lunch and he does his thing.  When we're finished moving, he'll have a large yard to himself.

[rasbo]

I used a crate on mine,really worked well.I worried more about what might happen outside the crate.lots of guys I know take their pups to work every break they go out to them.Ive got a larger one now still leave my dog in it,

[BULLBLASTER]

i have to park 1 mile from work and walk to work, so taking him to work wont work out too well either.
how long can i keep him in a crate for?

[jackelope]

no offense at all but have you done any reading or homework on owning a dog?
there's a lot to owning a dog and what comes with it.

the pup will need to take a pee every few hours and he will not pee in the crate.

[rasbo]

no offense at all but have you done any reading or homework on owning a dog?
there's a lot to owning a dog and what comes with it.

the pup will need to take a pee every few hours and he will not pee in the crate.

there is a paper thing like a diaper you put in the cage,they will pee on that,as they grow they will pee on that out side the cage.my cage is 3x4 works great

[jackelope]

that only works if the crate is big enough to use something like that. the principle behind crate training is that the dog won't pee or poo in the crate because that is where he sleeps. some say tomato, some say tomoto, but  a crate when i say crate is one of those plastic boxes with a swing out door on it, and using it correctly for crate training, it is not nearly the size of yours or the wire cage type deals. i've got one of those too.
2 different training methods i guess...

[Schmalzfam]

[/quote]there is a paper thing like a diaper you put in the cage,they will pee on that,as they grow they will pee on that out side the cage.my cage is 3x4 works great
[/quote]

I don't think that this would be a good idea, for a lab. They tend to eat anything and everything when left alone. With that said...don't leave him with a stuffed animal, to comfort him. I only leave kongs in their crates and the toughest one.
Walmart sells a wire crate, http://www.walmart.com/catalog/product.do?product_id=8056010
It also comes with a divider. That should be plenty big enough for a 8-9 week old lab for a bit. However, he will mess in it. I also wouldn't leave a pup alone that long with out water.

Have you thought of maybe finding a pet service to come let him out  half way through the day? or a neighbor?

Just some ideas.

[whitey]

Kennel Harley up,let Him out as soon as I get home.Sleeps inside with Me at night.I think a dog should feel comfortable in Their kennel. I put a metal roofed cover over Harley's last fall, got water ran to the kennel and power out to it.This spring I pour my slab complete with septic tank and He is set.Clean,comfortable,dry..

[Houndhunter]

put them out side early if your going too, less likely to try and escape if they've grown up in that pen. atleast thats what i think

[Grizzle]

Some breeds of dogs do better then others when isolated all day (indoor or out), the GSP isn't anywhere near the top of this list.   They tend to get very attached to their people and some will become very stressed when left alone all day.  If I knew my new dog was going to be in a "home alone during the workday" situation, I might look into other breeds or other daycare solutions (doggie daycare, a second dog, hire a dog walker, etc.)  Maybe check with you're breeder and see what they think? 

Here's a link to the GSP Club of WA - http://www.gspclubofwa.org/aboutgsp/gsprightforyou.htm

"If you and your family are gone all day, are not home at consistent times and spend a lot of time outside of the house going to activities....Shorthairs are especially social and don't do well left by themselves for long periods of time."

http://www.dogbreedinfo.com/germanshorthairedpointer.htm

"They are very people-oriented, and not happy if isolated from the family. If exercised sufficiently once or twice a day, the German Shorthaired Pointer makes a very agreeable family companion. If left to his own devices for long periods without exercise and or leadership, he can become destructive and nervous."

Also I'm sure you've heard they need a lot of exercise, preferably off leash.   A GSP left alone for 8-10 hrs a day will be bouncing of the walls to get out and run/play when you get home.  BTW walking a GSP for a few miles on leash isnt exercise for them.....these guys can run all day long.  If I didnt personally own enough property for them to get out and run, I would seriously reconsider getting a GSP.  It's recommended GSPs have a 6' fence (I use an invisible fence)

Congrats on getting a new pup. 

[NW-GSP]

no offense at all but have you done any reading or homework on owning a dog?
there's a lot to owning a dog and what comes with it.

the pup will need to take a pee every few hours and he will not pee in the crate.

there is a paper thing like a diaper you put in the cage,they will pee on that,as they grow they will pee on that out side the cage.my cage is 3x4 works great

ya sounds great till they crap then you come home to a dog and crate covered in crap!

[NW-GSP]

do you have any freinds that have dogs? if so see if your pup can stay with their dog during the day.

[BULLBLASTER]

he stays in the crate, and my dad comes by during the day to let him out and spend some time.