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If you're worried about your pet's health, please speak to a vet or qualified professional.

If you're worried about your pet's health, please speak to a vet or qualified professional.

The doghouse

My neighbours have gone on holiday and left their two dogs behind

16 replies

YoniMatopoeia · 31/05/2013 00:08

There is someone coming in to feed them once or twice a day. They have a dog flap, and a small garden.

Two dogs

But surely, you just dont do this do you?

The dogs are really barky (is that even a word) and even though they know me will bark at me any time I go out in the garden (when the owners are home).

I have been at work in London all week, but know that tomorrow when I am working at home at least one of the dogs will be begging me for attention rather than barking any time I seet foot out of the back door.

I feel so sad for them

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cornypedicure · 31/05/2013 00:10

poor things
how long are they away for?

YoniMatopoeia · 31/05/2013 00:13

They went on Sunday. I don't think they will be back until Saturday at the earliest.

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YoniMatopoeia · 31/05/2013 00:13

No actually they went on Saturday

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VerySmallSqueak · 31/05/2013 00:16

I don't necessarily see a problem here.

Someone is coming in,I presume to check on them,fuss them,food and water (walk them?)

TheChaoGoesMu · 31/05/2013 00:16

Depends on the dog. I know someone who does this, her friend pops in three times a day to feed and walk the dog. Cant see a huge problem with it as long as its still being cared for.

hellhasnofurylikeahungrywoman · 31/05/2013 00:17

Poor dogs. If we ever did that to our lad the house would be a right state, he'd have his revenge by chewing everything in sight.

TheChaoGoesMu · 31/05/2013 00:20

Its not a lot different to putting them in kennels though. Staff dont sit with the dog 24/7. They feed and walk them 2 or 3 times a day, and leave them to get on with it. I would think the dog would be happier in a familiar place.

catballou · 31/05/2013 00:22

IT doesn't seem the kindest way to do things , even if the friend gives them a good walk each day, but it's certainly not the worst way. A lot of people do this. A complaint eg to animal welfare would get you no where (I'm not suggesting you were intending to complain) as they are getting food water and shelter. A week isn't too bad-six weeks now would be awful for them to pretty much be on their own.

YoniMatopoeia · 31/05/2013 00:26

Nobody is walking them. But then they very rarely get walked by the owners.

I guess that it is similar to them being in kennels from what you say.

One of the reasons we dont have a dog (or 4) is that we visit famiy frequently, and wouldn't leave a dog, so I guess I had been looking at it differently.

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VerySmallSqueak · 31/05/2013 00:29

I agree with TheChao.

Their normal routine is to access the garden for a run about and go to the toilet via the cat flap.Someone is coming in to check they are well,fed,watered and fussed.

I would say they would be happier in a familiar place than at kennels.

1MitchellMum · 31/05/2013 05:47

I wouldn't do this ... but as other people have said it's not really that different to kennels, and at least they're in their own home. Sounds like they lack attention even when owners are home!

mrsjay · 31/05/2013 08:45

if my dog was ok on his own for long periods of time I would rather have somebody come in and see to him than put him in kennels the kennels we use is great but he gets stressed,
the dogs are fine they are being fed and watered and looked after imo there is 2 of them for company what do you expect the owners to do with them because honestly a kennel would only see to them twice a day

ohforfoxsake · 31/05/2013 08:49

I don't think it's a problem. I considered it for our dog for 4 nights, but he is used to having someone around all the time so it didn't feel right. He's gone to kennels instead, which seems like the lesser of the two.

With two dogs, access to the garden and someone in twice a day I really don't think it's an issue. Do the owners work and are the dogs left on their own anyway?

mrsjay · 31/05/2013 08:58

people leave cats at home granted cats dont need walked but they still need the care and feeding when jay cat was alive and she lived for 18 years she never once went into a cattery our neighbour fed her

Floralnomad · 31/05/2013 09:35

TBH the only issue with this arrangement is the noise nuisance to yourself if they bark a lot , otherwise it sounds like the dogs routine has changed very little .

YoniMatopoeia · 31/05/2013 12:26

They were barking away at the kids in one of the neighbouring gardens.

After 40 mins I sent DD out as she is the only one of us who can make them shut up

So many have said that this is no problem, so thanks for that, I will worry about them less. It is just not anything that I, or any of my family, have done with dogs. They either go with you (the neighbours are holidaying in the UK) or go to stay with someone else.

Thanks for putting my mind at rest :)

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