katylil

Thanks for your response! Are there any other stimulating toys you would recommend for her? I've got her two kongs which I freeze, and also a Kong wobbler and a variety of rubber toys/balls/chew ropes. But I'm on the lookout for some other toys that would keep her stimulated.

I have a twelve week old border collie cross pup. She's just beautiful and I love her to pieces. I've had two border collies before her, however I got them as adults so she is the first border pup I've ever had. I work eight hours a day, five days a week. I spend a solid hour with her in the morning before work playing and obedience training. She is then left alone for five hours until lunch time, when I come back and spend another hour with her playing. I then leave her alone for another three hours while at work, then when I'm finished I spend at least two hours with her playing and training. While I'm at work she's kept in a secure dog enclosoure that I bought for her, with plenty of toys (kongs and other chew toys, i try to find toys that will occupy her mind while I'm gone). It's quite roomy (3 m x 3m) and very secure so that she cannot escape or dig out. I do have a large fenced backyard but I don't want to leave her in the backyard alone when she's young. I've been reassured by my vet that it is not inhumane to leave her alone for this length of time provided I make the effort to spend sufficient time with her when I'm home and give her plenty of mental stimulation. But I still feel so guilty when I leave her . It's been eating away at me, even though she doesn't seem distressed when I leave. She normally just sleeps or lays down and chews on her toys. Is it cruel to do this to a pup?