Christmas - leaving a puppy/behaviour with older dogs

Now before I start I DO NOT want this to become another "leaving a puppy full stop is cruel blah blah blah" thread, however:

Woody does not get on with my parents Beagles. They are 9, in bred (I think), brother and sister and not very well socialised (and VERY spoilt!) Everytime I have gone over there with him he becomes manic and wants to run and chase them and hump them. Poppy growls and snaps and runs off to hide. Jackson sits there with his tail between his legs but doesn't mind being near Woody as long as we're there. I spend the whole time trying to pull Woody off them.

Now, he's absolutely fine with everyone else's dogs, but that's because none of them are scared of him and will put him in his place. I wonder if he becomes alpha male around the beagles because he knows they are nervous around him?

Anyway, because of this Neil and I can't go over there for Christmas, which is a shame but we're actually looking forward to our first Christmas at home, just the three of us!

So, I've organised going over there on the Sat after instead and we'd planned to take Woody. He might be a bit mad but should eventually calm down. Dad has now said however, that he thinks this would be a nightmare and has suggested we leave Woody at home. I said that's fine but it means we can only stay for a few hours as we wont leave him on his own for longer than 5 hours.

Well, my Dad (and brother now), both huge dog lovers have scoffed at this and said we're being ridiculous and that he'll be fine. They've accused me of molly coddling him and suggested that he will pick up on my behaviour if I treat him in such a precious way.

What do you all think, honestly? This is just a discussion and no matter what Neil and I will never leave him for longer than 5 hours while he's a puppy (and most likely when he's grown up to) because we do not feel it is fair. The 5 hours bit is bad enough but that's modern life for you!

Off you go and no flaming me, I'm in a good/happy mood ;o)

You could get him a dog sitter for part of the day or
Take him with you and his crate and put him in the crate when he gets too OTT

I'd take him and crate him as well, possibly in another room. Most of us have to leave our dogs at aoem point and I cant see anypoint feeling guilty.
I had to leave mine for about 7 hours yesterday as we had a commitee meeting and club show.
Normally we take them with us and leave them in the car but we decided they'd be better off at home in the warm.
Naturally they were pleased to see us when we got back but tehy were fine as well.

He is your pup, and five hours alone is hardly treating him in a precious way! Would they rather you left him for 10, lol it's not like you're pandering to his every whim, I would ignore them and leave him for however long you feel comfortable with, or bring him with you with his crate if you think he'll settle down.
I would suggest to your dad that he socialises his dogs and stops spoiling (molly-coddling? )them though, maybe the problem can be overcome that way rather than poor ol woody having to stay at home or crated in the future... or is that a bit cheeky

Yep, i'd take a crate if you have one.

End of the day - you have to do what YOU think is fair

It sounds like the other dogs need to do some socialising

Just thinking about this again and I definately think Woody and his crate is the best suggestion . Then he can have lead walks with the beagles and short periods with them so they can get used to each other . Woody can then get some time in his crate when he is getting over excited . It would be better in the long run for him to get used to your parents dogs and vice versa or you are always going to have this problem

I think that leaving a dog, be it puppy or geriatric, for longer than five hours is just not fair. Of course, there are certain situations that cannot be avoided like bad traffic making you late, a meeting, whatever but, if it can be avoided, five hours is long enough in my opinion.

If I were you though, not wanting to upset your parents, I would take the crate and if Woody can't behave, put him in the crate, either in another room/conservatory or somewhere. If he behaves nicely, then let him out. Perhaps your parents could put their dogs in another room for a couple of hours, so that Woody can be centre of attention.

I am sure it will work out. The more Woody meets the parents dogs, the quicker he will get socialised - call it a training exercise. I know you want to relax at Christmastime but I am sure if Woody has a long walk just after you arrive and then another little walk halfway through the day, he'll be calm, once he's got over his puppy excitement at being with other people and dogs. Just have a nice day and make sure you don't forget to pack Woody's crate in the car!

The crate is a good idea.

5 hours alone is a bit long for any dog, especially a pup (I take it he is quite young?)

When we first brough Bryan home from Dog's Trust I had to go out the next day for an hour or so. I was really worried about it and asked the girls at Dog's Trust if we should delay bringing him home because I had to go out the next day.

They said 'Why? You have to leave him at some point so the sooner he gets used to it the better'.

I don't think 5 hours is too long IF he's had a really good long walk before hand. But I also think taking the crate with you is an excellent idea.

It doesn't sound like he's trying to be 'alpha' male though - just an exuberant springer puppy

I fostered Zymi a week before Christmas when he was 6 months. We were going to a friend's for Christmas Day so I took his crate and he was in it while we were eating but out on a house line too. It worked fine and he's still here 5 years later