Leaving adopted Shih Tzu home while at work

by Steve
(Middleport, NY)

Hi everyone. Two months ago, we had to have our beautiful 8 1/2yr old female Pekingese "Pepper" euthanized during surgery when doctors told us her intestine needed to be shortened, giving her a lifetime of diaherra and possibly the inability to absorb all her nutrients no matter how much she ate. It was THE hardest decision in my life, and I miss her terribly.

Less than a week ago after much thought, my wife and I adopted an estimated 5year old female Shih Tzu "Jaci" from a small breed rescue group. She is very shy and somewhat nervous, and was quite matted when she was rescued, but they cleaned her up very nicely. She seems very healthy and has a loud bark when the door bell rings.

I took off 1 week from work to get her settled in here. Next Tuesday, I return to work and am trying to do the right training to get her used to being by herself 8 hours a day - four days a week. I work Tu-Sat and am home on Mondays. Both of our "kids" are at college and my wife leaves at 8am. I am home by 4pm. I am trying to teach her to use puppy pads then transition to newspapers on a litter tray in case she needs relief when we are gone. I clean up this area every day and it doesn't bother us to do it.

Can anyone give me any other ideas to try over the remaining 5 days at home? I will walk her EVERY day after I come home for about 30-45 minutes. After losing Pepper, I would love to give Jaci a beautiful life here, it's just people have to work. She sleeps alot during the day, but we have been going on (2) morning/afternoon @1 mile walks per day since she arrived to get her tired and mentally rested.

Thankyou so much for any ideas.....Steve