I don't know to much about the breed but that is a long time to be alone. Could you break up the day with a dog walker?

 

Dachshunds are needy, they love to be with their humans .. Mine even create if I go upstairs for a shower without them ! I agree, a dog walker is needed at least once a day but even then it's not ideal.
Regarding the dog flap, I'm not convinced about that either as they can be keen diggers and get up to all kinds of mischief - I don't let mine out unsupervised.
Good readind and info is available from The Dachshund Breed Council - I'll find you the link.

http://www.dachshundbreedcouncil.org.uk/

I wanted a dog all my life, it just wasn't practical until I finished work and could look after it as I felt necessary.

 

The short answer is no, you'd not be able to leave a puppy for that amount of time. You would be looking at either paying someone to look after the puppy all day, or having someone come in multiple times during the day to see to the puppy. Either way this will be expensive. And of course before that happened you would need a period of time off to acclimatise the puppy to being left so that they are not distressed by your absence. Every dog is different in this respect; some learn and cope with it quickly without issue, others do not cope as quickly or as easily and need to be guided into it very gently. You will obviously have a huge 'issue' if you have a dog that needs to be left but gets distressed when alone, so it's so so important to do this bit correctly......

I would suggest NOT giving a puppy or young dog free access to the garden when alone for a multitude of reasons, their safety being number one. Not only that but Dachshunds can be very gobby and you probably wouldn't be very popular with your neighbours when the bored puppy starts yapping all day.....

 

I'm pretty sure Dachshunds are very attached to their humans so don't think they'd thrive being alone so much tbh

I wouldn't be happy for a dog to have unsupervised access to outside either.

It won't help with toilet training. There is a security risk no matter how secure you think the garden is. The dog might not settle and disturb neighbours with barking, etc.

I wouldn't be happy leaving a young puppy alone for too long - even after they are settled and they will still need to be having regular toilet breaks for some time.

Have you considered an older rescue - possibly an ex racing Greyhound, with a Dogwalker part way through the day?

My Grey x Saluki was 3 when I got him - settled and clean in the house relatively quickly but is never left more than 5 hours, even now at 8 - and he's more than happy to snooze all day

 

It won't help with toilet training.

and Daxies are already notoriously bad at toilet training!
They are very people orientated and love company. Access to the outside without supervision also not a good idea....not only safety but some Daxies are really big barkers! One of my Daxie crosses would happily spend all day in the garden barking at nothing if I let her.
Personally I wouldnt have a dog and work all day unless I could afford a dog walker or daycare to break up the day. Also not a fan of leaving puppies for long periods of time. None of mine were left for more then 4hrs until they were over 6mths old.

 

My neighbours looked after a Dachshund puppy a while ago. It barked/squeaked constantly the whole time they had it, it was ridiculous.
If they'd left it alone and given it access to the garden, I'm pretty sure I'd be in prison right now.
Their own dog is bad enough, but this was like someone playing with a squeaky toy all day and night.

I think an older rescue is a good idea.

 

reiterating a few of the points other people have pointed out, best not to let a dog have access outside when you're not there to supervise unless you want complaints from neighbours, or your dog to escape/get stolen. A dog walker is a great idea, you could also look for a doggy day care in your local area, there's one in mine where people can book their dogs in part day or full day they get socialised with other dogs,walked and played with rather than being stuck home.
Independent breeds tend to fair better being left alone in my experience, I can leave my Shar Pei alone and he'll just sleep although it helps he's very low energy aswell

 

These are all interesting issues, but the most important surely, is... should ANY dog be left on its own for 8 1/2 hours? What would happen if you had to work late? What about then doing the things you can't take your dog to, like the supermarket, doctors, dentist, haircut, etc. These are all times that your dog would ALSO be on its own, and which need to be factored in to the actual whole time it is left. I leave my dog for four hours, and then when I get in, I make sure that if I have to go somewhere without her, somebody else is home. It sounds silly, but it must be included in the time.

 

I agree. This did come as a shock to me when we got our first dog,, 9yr old rescue with severe seperattion anxiety. We now have a 4 hour rule , if we need to be out any longer they are booked into kennels for 24 hours. We mainly work round the 4 hour rule though , as I don't work it's not too much of an issue but means I've had to give up my shopping days in town !

 

Hi all thank you for all your replies and advice. As I said the dog's welfare comes first. I've never had a dog and this was part and parcel of my research into whether it was the right thing to do. At this time, it obviously isn't. I think we will wait until our circumstances are different. Thanks again.

 

So glad you've been receptive to advice. Please do come back to us when you're in a position to move forward with dog ownership, we'll be pleased to help.

 

I agree with others and think that that is too long for a puppy to be left. Though I agree that an older rescue may be a better option. I have an ex racing greyhound that is fine to be left and just sleeps. They are generally a very laid back breed often nicknamed the 40 mph couch potato! And there are lots in rescue of all ages. 8 and a half hours is a long time to be left on a regular basis, however. You could look at a dog walker or nip back during your lunch hour.