What do I do with my barely 2 month old Shih Tzu pup?? I work at a large home daycare and I could bring her to work w/ me, ut I dont know if I should before shes at least 6 months old! I dont know if it will be good for her to be around all those children, or if it will mess up me trying to house train her. BUT!! will it hurt her just as much to leave her home alone all day?? Im afraid I will damage her learning or training or her mental state.... I need details in a bad way!! before i do something to hurt her... progress. ??? Help...

Hello! right before some one comes on and states that i am being nasty i am not!!! Why did you get a puppy if you work all day
and you must have known that you would have to leave it so why ask now??? but that said and done have you got a crate which you need!
you could take pup to work if you have a crate to put puppy in while you are working but you are there to feed and let out puppy will
need 4 feeds aday- when pup has been fed take it out side with you not with lots of children around let it go to the loo have a cuddle then
back into crate place the crate where you can keep an eye on it.Then as it grows the children can help look after it with you.

it was givin' to me by a relative, who Obviously had not thought about my work situation. sorry to annoy you so much..... thanks so much anyway.

I think Corso Girl is just worried about your pup. If you can take her to work, it's an excellent way to socialise pup.

Good luck and let us know how you get on

liberty :)

Oh dear, what a sorry situation :(  Ofcourse you can't leave her at home, but at the same time you run the risk of her being hurt by the children when your back is turned - you can't give your puppy 100% attention while you're supposed to be working (and I can't see your employer being pleased if she makes a mess in the house)
Do you have a friend or neighbour who could have her while you're at work?

If you have the opportunity to take her to work then I would do that.  Get a large crate, big enough for her to walk around in and a comfy bed up one end.  I did this with my pup from 8 weeks old, they soon get used to the routine.  You must however be prepared to take her out for a wee every couple of hours and after each meal.  As they get older you can cut this down a bit.

She will love the company, the children will have to be told not to disturb her while she is in the crate, she will sleep a lot at this age.  Little play sessions with the children under supervision at set times during the day will be good for both of them.

Good luck
Sandra

As the others said this is far from ideal situation.

A puppy needs company and care so that it grows up well adjusted and happy. 

Ideally you would provide this, but working full time means you can't.  There are alternatives.  From your writing style I guess you are in USA or Canada.  On the breed email lists I am on I notice that Doggy Daycare is something that exists over there, and know a few working list members that use this option.

I would expect that option may be more than many people can afford.

Have you an older neighbour who likes dogs that would enjoy having her company in the daytime, or would be prepared to come in twice a day for an hour or so fat a time for a small amount of money.

Your Vet may know of someone who doesn't feel able to have the responsibility of a new dog due to their age, but would love to share one.

If none of this is possible I would take her to work in a crate, taking her out for regular toilet breaks and for a game during your lunch hour. 

I would not let the children over face her, as unfortunately children tend to treat puppies like animated toys, and can scare or hurt them.  Also due to their small size they keep wanting to pick them up which as they get molder they are les and less likely to appreciate.  As long as her associations with the children are pleasant she will be OK, but they shoulde be kept short and not too many kids at a time.

Also puppies need their rest, and if overtired c an become grumpy and bitey.