Dog - when at work

[purpleme12]

If You've got a dog
Are they ok while you're at work in the house? I mean, can you leave them at home?
Or would you have to get a dog walker to come in every day? And every day you go out for the day?

[milinhas]

For most dogs someone will need to take them out of the house at least once during the day, unless you’re happy for them to pee on the floor (and be lonely of course). This doesn’t have to be a dog walker but for a lot of people that is the easiest option.

[MegBusset]

Yeah I wouldn't leave a dog for more than 4hrs max (and even then not often).

[Wolfiefan]

No dog should be left alone all day. It depends on the dog exactly what they would need.

[steppemum]

my dog can be left for 4-5 hours if he has had a good walk beforehand.
But I wfh, so it only happens once a week, and if kids are home, then not at all.

We have had him for 4 years and he has been left for 8 hours twice. Both times by accident. He was OK, and didn't wet the floor, but it was definitely too long, and he was very relieved to see us.

[murbblurb]

Dog day care or someone coming in a lot. Ask your neighbours if there is any barking, if there is the animal needs to go to daycare. This will cost money.

[Ihaveoflate]

We never left our alone at home dog for more than 4 hrs. If we were going to be out all day, we made arrangements with family or a dog sitter. I don't think dog ownership is compatible with full time working (out of the house) unless you're prepared to pay for proper care.

[EnglishRain]

Occasionally mine will get left for 5-6 hours if we can't avoid it, maybe once every six months say. Otherwise they generally don't get left more than about 4 hours then someone is back for a bit then another couple of hours for three days out of seven.

[LooseLipsSinkShips]

My dog doesn't even like it when we go to the bin. We walk her at six thirty for an hour and then the Walker takes her out at lunchtime then I walk her again at four. I only work two days a week.

[LawnFever]

If we’re both out all day we have a dog walker come in & take him out, he’s ok for about 5hrs but we wouldn’t do that every day

[Ilovewillow]

One of us leaves at 8.15 and one of us is home by 4.00 at the latest and we use a dog walker. We don't leave him longer than 4 hours even if we just pop home to let him out for 10 mins.

[purpleme12]

Oh right
Why does it seem that the dream of having a dog is ever far away :-(

[SatsumasOrClementines]

Mine goes to day care. It’s an expense but then so is insurance etc, and he absolutely loves it. So I’d much rather he went there than was alone at home feeling anxious and bored and not getting enough exercise/stimulation/toilet breaks.

[purpleme12]

How much is a dog walker?

Do you dog owners go on lots of days out? Or not, because of the dog and what you're saying about leaving them?

[LimitIsUp]

@purpleme12

Oh right
Why does it seem that the dream of having a dog is ever far away :-(

And it needs to stay a dream, if you can't meet their needs, sorry!

[MegBusset]

We go on days out to dog-friendly places (beach, woods, parks...)

[Babyroobs]

One of my dogs is very clingy. He has loved it whilst we have all been working/ studying from home. In normal times I would be out of the house 4 days a week, he has a dog walker come and take him out two of those days and the other two there is normally one of the teens around. Other ( much older ) dog doesn't have a dog walker but is happy to sleep most of the day. When we are back at work they get a walk in the morning, and a long evening walk and then dog walker or short walk in the day.

[SatsumasOrClementines]

Dog walker prices vary. Roughly a tenner round here. £20 for all day care. More for overnights.

Do you dog owners go on lots of days out?
It definitely limits you. Even if you have a dog walker coming in part way through the day you still have to be back in the late afternoon/early evening to feed them/let them out. So the length of days out are capped.

We tend to go on lots of dog friendly days out and not much else.

[Babyroobs]

@purpleme12

How much is a dog walker?

Do you dog owners go on lots of days out? Or not, because of the dog and what you're saying about leaving them?

Mine charges £11 per walk. I think this is quite steep to be honest, but he has a lovely time with other dogs so we suck up the cost. She is very conscientious and adaptable , willing to swap days if she can and clearly loves our dog. She is not one of these dog walkers that you who clearly overload themselves to maximise money.

[purpleme12]

Maybe I'll see if I can volunteer at a rescue

There's just nothing like a dog 😢😢😢

[SatsumasOrClementines]

Why does it seem that the dream of having a dog is ever far away :-(

Too many people think you can get a dog then leave it alone while you work 8+ hours, not be bothered to walk it properly before/after work and then wonder why it ends up with avoidable behavioural problems.

You’re doing the right thing by thinking it through properly.

[MegBusset]

Can you volunteer with the Cinnamon Trust? Or sign up to Borrow My Doggy?

[Dobbyafreeelf]

@purpleme12 what/ where do you work? How many hours ect?

[DartmoorChef]

Our dog is at home from 8am til 2.30pm then gets taken a long walk

Ours is a rescue and I'm sure he's happier spending the day lazing on the sofa in the sun until I get home than caged in a pound 24 hours a day.

[purpleme12]

[quote Dobbyafreeelf]@purpleme12 what/ where do you work? How many hours ect? [/quote]
2 long days and a shorter day
But I'd say we go on quite a lot of days out As well(not necessarily things you'd take your dog to)

[purpleme12]

@MegBusset

Can you volunteer with the Cinnamon Trust? Or sign up to Borrow My Doggy?

Yes this an idea actually
And I hadn't thought of cinnamon trust. Just looked on their website my area is not one they've flagged up as urgently needing people but I guess they still might want people anyway? I don't know anyone who does this