Fair to new puppy?

We are going to look at some English Springer Spaniels puppies that will soon be 8 weeks old and ready to go to new homes. One thing we are agonising over is it fair to leave it on it's own for any length of time at this age? our situation is that we are both semi retired and one of us would be home all day every day Sat to Tuesday. On Wed to Fri we leave the house at 0800 and my wife comes home for half an hour at lunch time, goes back to work and we both get home at 1730. Please be completely honest, we will respect your advice and not get a puppy if you think this an unfair regime.

Honestly?
No.

The pup will need the same attention as a toddler. Would you leave a toddler on its own for more than 5 seconds?
Really, you need to be with the youngster all the time in the first weeks, then train him or her to be content on their own for short periods.
Then after a month or so you need to be training and socialising.
Then the young dog will be a teenager and all hell breaks loose for a bit!

However - the Rescues are full of nice dogs who have passed the Kevin stage looking for a home. Admittedly, you might have to employ a dog walker but it`s worth a try?

on his own no, i have a pup and we are out a lot but he has two other dogs for company
ATD x

I agree, it is a definate no.

On a very basic level a puppy needs to go out to the toilet at least every hour so for that simple reason alone your situation would be extremely unfair on the pup.

I completely agree.Your puppy will have come from its mother and siblings, being alone will be something very strange and scary.It will need your time and patience,especially at the beginning . I know 1 of you will be there part of the week ,but on the other days the puppy will be alone for a long time .We got our 2 puppies,mixed breeds, unrelated to each other from the Rescue we volunteered at,when they were about 12 weeks old.We made sure that 1 of us was with them all the time for the first months ,trying gradually to toilet train them and introduce them to people,sounds,experiences.Then we began to leave them alone for VERY short periods,gradually increasing the time.Would you not consider an older dog,-one who would be able to cope with being left alone for a longer time.?So many are waiting for loving homes.Is there a reason you have chosen to look at Springer Spaniels, a very active breed.So glad you are asking for advice-it shows you are taking dog ownership seriously-unlike so many people today(.Sadly 1 of ours died suddenly last Friday ,we are devastated-would love to give another older Rescue dog a home,but our other dog has dementia and we have 3 cats so we will need to think about what we do)

I think it's great that you're asking, you obviously care

Is there anyone that can help look after the puppy on the one day you are both not there?

If not then alas, you will need to rethink having a puppy. They cannot be left alone for any length of time.

Have you ever considered a slightly older rescue dog? There are so so so many loving, lovable dogs in rescues just longing for caring owners like you!

Not unless you can find someone to look after the pup on the two days (or is it three days? you missed Thursday! ) you work. You might be lucky enough to have a family member that will look after the pup all day...or failing that, employ a pet sitter that will come in at regular times throughtout the day, which is the expensive option.

I don't think it would be fair to subject a puppy to being left this long. Have you considered an older dog?

We got our 2 from breed rescue aged nearly 2 and nearly 3. They are left mornings when I'm at work 8.00-1.00 and they are fine as I walk them before leaving. My husband is at home with them 2 out of 4 weeks anyway as he works shifts. I wouldn't have got a puppy even though I only work part-time as wouldn't be fair to leave a puppy this long I think.

I do agree with what has already been said. personally id try looking at a rescue, where alot of dogs, all different breeds and ages will be.
You may just find the perfect dog for you

Plenty of people who work full time get puppies. My parents got a puppy. My Mom took the first week off and then after that she worked from 7am to 3:30pm, coming home in the middle of the day to let the puppy out for a short bit before going back to work. This was Monday through Friday.

Do you know anyone who could let the puppy out an additional time on the days you're gone? I guess I have a different opinion than the rest of the folks here, but as long as the puppy gets a lot of exercise (before you leave and then when you get home) and gets let out, this isn't a horrible thing.

I WOULD suggest taking a week or two off of work to spend with your puppy though.

Crate training, btw, is a wonderful thing.

And I have to admit I'm surprised by the answers here. Puppies have to be with someone 24/7? How on earth does THAT work in the real world?