Puppy home alone - how long is too long?

[bluenosesaint]

Hi. I'm looking for some advice - i hope you can help ....
We have a gorgeous 4 month old Golden Retriever and have been lucky up to now in that i work term-time only and we have had the whole of the summer to settle her into our family - however, i'm back at work after the summer hols on Monday and unfortunately she will have to be left her on her own.
My question is ...how long is too long for a puppy to be left alone?
I only work part-time and she will be on her own for roughly 5 hours a day (8.30 - 1.30). She has a little playpen in the kitchen and is more than happy in it ...so much so that she takes herself off in there when she's had enough of us!! We put her water in there, and she is perfectly happy in there on the occasions that she has been left (no barking/whining - we checked with the neighbours). Saying that, she has only been left for around 3 hours at a time and only on the very odd occasion so it isn't really an accurate gauge iykwim.
I'm pretty confident that i could organise a puppy-sitter for the short term and thought that this may be an idea for the immediate future with a view to leaving her alone when she gets a little older. Any opinions on this?
We knew that she would be left on her own for a period each day, and we deliberatly chose a breed that is independant and unlikely to be too upset at being left alone (as well as being biddable and great with kids & other pets amongst other qualities) but somehow, now she's here, the thought of leaving her alone really upsets me.
Thanks in advance
xx
PS. My dh takes her out for a walk first thing in the morning before he goes to work and she gets an off the lead run at tea-time so she gets plenty of exercise

[shimmy21]

Hi - I'm like you working hours wise but also work from home a couple of days a week too. I was very worried about leaving our puppy from alone 9 to 3 on my office days but it has been no problem at all. I walk her before and after I go and she sleeps throughout my time out. I'm fairly sure about this because she sleeps those hours when I work at home and always greets me yawning and stretching in the same spot that I leave her in.

We leave tons of toys and chews etc and now I let her have the run of downstairs while we're out so she can see out of the windows. We've never come home to destruction or wee. (That seems to happen while we are there with her!)If it's any longer than that we have used a dog sitter

[Scoobydooooo]

The RSPCA recommend a puppy is left for no longer than 4 hrs on its own.

HTH

[1Baby1Bump]

im not saying this is for everyone, but we ended up getting two from the same litter, knowing we both worked at the time. im a sahm now so its ok.
we have 2 black labs and they were still very destructive, even with each other as company.
i used to come home at lunch times to let them out. they stayed in the kitchen, which the vet agreed was fine.
when they got older they ripped the lino up but thats another story!

[magnolia1]

If she has a walk before you go, not that easy though if you have lots to do. Or Can dh take her early morning?

I personally wouldn't leave mine everyday but I have staffies and they are such people dogs that they don't like being left too often.

Sounds like your puppy is settled well and will cope fine while you are at work

[bluenosesaint]

Hiya

Yes, my dh will be taking her out for a walk at around 6.30am and i will take her again when i get in. She gets a good off-the-lead run at tea time, so she isn't short of exercise

I'm sure that she will be fine and that i'm worrying for nothing - you know how it is ...she's my baby

Thank you all for your thoughts

xx

[mmmmchocolate]

Hi i have a 7month old springer spaniel and we have a dog flap so she can go in and out garden when we are out. whne she comes in it leads sraigth into her pen so she can run around the house.

could you get one of these?

[bluenosesaint]

Thats a fab idea, but i'm not sure that one would be big enough for when she gets older??

She is a Golden Retriever - and she's gonna be quite a big girl judging by the size of her now (and the size of her paws!!). Do they do dog flaps big enough for larger dogs?? ...and if so, do you know where we could get one??

Thanks xx

[mmmmchocolate]

our one was already fitted when we brought house but its in argos. not sure it would fit a large lab through but i am sure you must be able to get larger ones. ours in fitted in to out patio doors. its great i am a sahm but don't have to wrry about her when i am out or have to rush back. also no wee to clean out once i do return as she has gone outside.

hth x

[bluenosesaint]

I'll look into it - thanks xx