Leaving new puppy at home

Question
QUESTION: Hello!
I am going to be picking up my new 8 week old Lhasa Apso and Shih Tzu mix next Friday. I have been reading up on separation anxiety and I am worried that my puppy might develop the condition. I will be able to play with the puppy on Saturday and Sunday, but once Monday rolls around I have to go to school for more than 5 hours. I'm wondering if this is okay to leave my puppy alone for this long? I will provide him with lots of toys and turn the radio on while I leave, but I am afraid he will still develop separation anxiety.
Thank you!

ANSWER: Michelle,
that is a long time for a puppy to be alone...they are pack animals and at 8 weeks that could be very scary.  yes there is a possibility of separation anxiety.  Make sure there are stuffed toys for him/her to cuddle up against.  Is it possible, the first couple of weeks, to come home for a few minutes to see him.   Also, at 8 weeks they have to urinate every two hours, if you leave him/her in a crate for 5 hours, she will learn to go in her crate because she cant help it...Can get someone to take her out in between?  If not, get an EXPEN and put the puppy bed and a space and puppy pads down so the pup can leave his sleeping area clean, and go to the bathroom on the pads which should be placed about a foot away from his bed and eating area...He also has to be fed 4 times a day at this age and taken out after each feeding and upon waking.  Big job huh? but worth it...good luck
Nancy

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Oh dear. That is a lot to do for a puppy. Is it possible for a puppy to overeat? I can't just leave lots of food and water out right? and I was wondering what kind of toy material is best for teething

Answer
yes it is a lot of work,,, if you don't control what goes in you cant control what goes out and then you will have a housebreaking problem unless you are always going to use pads....if so you can leave food and water down.....you should leave water down all day....  there are a lot of teething toys, you will have to  sample a few to see if your puppy likes them...Puppies at this age are as much work as infants.
nancy