I have read some posts on this site with interest. I am in the situation where we were going to buy a puppy. We have been after one for years and waiting for the "right time" whatever that is seems to be here now. My partner and I work full time but we were planning on employing someone to come in at lunchtimes 4 days a week. Plenty of quality time could be spent with the puppy in the evenings / weekends and so on. We have a problem because we can't find anyone to cover the full week so there would be one day a week that the puppy was on its own from 8.30am to about 5.30pm. What do people here think? Is this ok? Thank you.

No, I don't think it would be fair on a young pup to be left alone that amount of time, even just an hour at lunchtimes as company between 8.30am and 5.30pm wouldn't be fair on the poor pup, they need constant attention, how do you intend house training, socialising etc. if you aren't going to be around? I certainly wouldn't sell one of my pups to full time workers. I know it can't be helped, maybe you could think about rehoming an older dog?

Sorry if you didn't want to hear this, this is just my opinion, I'm sure somebody else will be along soon with more comments.

I totally agree :)

It does take a LOT longer to train a pup when no-one is around.
As already mentioned it is very hard to toilet train your pup if no one is watching it all day .
:(
Could you not take on an older dog ? One that is already trained and knows the house rules so to speak . Honestly- rearing a pup is a full time job . They are lovely when little but they dont stay that size or age forever so for you and for the dog it may be advisable to home an older dog . Young dogs/pups also get bored and can be destructive with no one there to let them know what is acceptable and unacepptable behaviour and it would be cruel to crate it all day

How would you be able to fit in 4-5 meals a day ,when there is no one around on that day, The puppy would want Breakfast, lunch and tea and supper.

I don't think the time is right for you to get a dog at the moment. Thistle is 2 and I never leave her alone for more than 5 hours, and that's just when it's unavoidable. Dogs are pack animals and become unhappy when alone. If you leave doggie alone for 9 hours a day then 8 hours at night when your in bed, that's not allowing for any evenings out s/he will be alone far too much.
If you want doggie company at the weekends places like the blue cross are desparate for dog walkers. Sorry if this sounds negative, but you did ask for people's opinions and good for you. :-)
Jane

I do know lots of people who have done the same and although its not an ideal situation the dogs have have been happy and loved. Most i have known have taken time off and not left the puppy alone when it was really small.