I plan to go pick up my new pup on Friday the 30th of this month. My question to the "wisdom of the board" is regarding an immediate bonding issue.

I will be home with the puppy Friday evening and am currently scheduled to go to work early Sat morning for 8 hours and then again Sunday for another 8 hours, will then be off for 5 days, into my normal routine, as I only work weekend days at this point. My husband will be here while I am at work and plans to only let the pup out to do his business, then crate the pup.

What are your thoughts about the immediate bonding? I will of course be the primary caretaker/trainer over the long haul, but initally, do any of you think this will establish any bonding issues for the young pup in a brand new situation? Or should I just take that weekend off, or just that Saturday? Any thoughts?

I took a week off of work when we brought our pup home and was glad I did....not so much for the bonding (which was the original intention) but because I was exhausted! Having a new puppy is like having a baby/toddler in the house.

My pup probably spends more hours in the presence of my fiancee but I am the one he is bonded with. Not necessarily because I was home for a week in the beginning but more because I am the only one who trains him. Training creates the really incredible bond, IMO.

Michele, I don't think it will affect your actual bonding with the pup; that comes in time anyway (not long of course). You're probably going through pre-separation anxiety Perfectly normal for you, but I don't think it will affect the pup in any way, nor the eventual bond.

I felt the same thing when I had to go to the store a day after I got my pup! It was only an hour but I was all worried about him the whole time, silly me. He on the other hand, was busy playing with my son while I was gone

I wouldn't worry about it too much. It's only two days for eight hours each day; the pup will probably be asleep for half that time. What I would do is read up on establishing structure with the new puppy. The dog will bond to its pack leader.

Actually, leaving the pup alone for the first few days while he gets used to his environment has been suggested by many as the proper way to introduce the pup to a new place.

I was not so strong.

You being gone won't hurt your bond with the pup. I did take some time off when my pup arrived because, well, I wanted to. I'd been looking forward to to getting a dog like Carbon almost my entire life, so the first few days were like Christmas!

I had a similar experience to Sarah's...I was exhausted. Carbon would yell the entire night. The only thing that affected my bond with my pup the first few days was sleep-deprivation!

So, if you can take the time off, do it. If you can't, don't worry about it at all, you have zero to worry about in the bonding department. You'll look back on this one day and wonder what you were concerned about!

I'm so excited for you! I know how much you're looking forward to this pup. I'm sure we'll be hearing lots of new puppy posts from you soon after he arrives!

The pup will bond with both you and your husband anyway so don't worry about it. Where are you getting your puppy from?,
AL

Thanks for the insight for those of you who posted...

I am going through von Sidener kennels, Jason...yes, the Spy/Fetz breeding!!! Very, very excited to get back into the dog lifestyle. 4 months is a LONG time to go with out one when it's been over 20 of solid big dogs.

You are right Al, the dog *will* bond to both. In fact, that is an (itty bitty) part of my concern (?) that I didn't mention in the OP. My husband is a "natural" leader (ie: no books, forums, etc for him) and I instinctively know the dog will see him this way. So, perhaps this is my deeper issue...jealousy pure and simple...heee. I have had to read books and *learn* about training, whereas my guy is just a natural, you all know the type. In this case, it's a good thing, really.

But in all seriousness, I do of course want the dog to respect my husband and son too. Being that I will be spending the majority of time in the long haul with the pup, the first couple days for 8 hours is really nothing. Like Sandy said, prolly just some pre-separation anxiety for me!!!

Congrats on your pup! I agree w/everyone else. My dog spends most of her time w/my wife (always has), but as soon as I get home from work, she forgets everyone else and follows me everywhere (I do all her training). When I take a shower I have to look down when I open the door to walk out the bathroom because sure enough! my dog is laying right by the door.