Hello,

This message is a bit long, but I could really use some advice from experienced poodle/dog owners.

Just prior to Thanksgiving 2001, I adopted a 6 year old toy poodle (named Peanut) from a local shelter. I live in a suburban area in a studio condo and am away at work for 9-10 hours a day.

I was concerned about this as a suitable environment for the dog, but at the shelter they seemed to think that was ok. They said with the age and the size (9.6 lbs) of the dog, it would be fine and what really matters more was how I treated him when I was around.

For the first week, he barked, whined, and scratched the door when I left for work or groceries. It was bad enough for me to get a nasty unsigned note from a neighbor.

He seemed to get more confident and stopped whining all of the time after that initial period. He would whine when I left to do laundry or some task where I was in and out of the condo, but didn't seem to do it so much when I left for work.

I was gone for 2 weeks over Christmas break and Peanut stayed with my parents. I picked him up last night and brought him back to the condo. This morning, when I tried to leave for Church, he started whining again in a big way. It really broke my heart.

I went to one of the next door neighbors, explained that Peanut had been away for a while and needed to get settled in again. He confirmed that the dog had whined and barked a lot when we first got him but then they stopped hearing him. They thought I was taking him to work. My neighbor also confirmed that a couple of my other neighbors had complained to the condo association.

So, here I am. Peanut is such a great little dog, this is really his only problem. He comes when he is called, tolerates baths and nail clippings, doesn't engage in any destructive behavior.

I am sympathetic to my neighbors and really don't want to cause a disturbance. I also don't want to create a situation that makes Peanut miserable.

My problem is, I read and hear a lot of different opinions. Part of me thinks that since Peanut "seemed" to have adjusted before, that he will again and that he isn't miserable. I have also read that dogs really don't have a great sense of time and that 30 minutes away is pretty much the same thing as 9 hours and that what does matter is how you love the dog when you are around.

I could really use some advice and thoughts from experienced poodle/dog owners. Is this ok? Should I try to find him another home?

Thanks much for your time, Peanut and I thank you!

Adam

-- Anonymous, January 06, 2002