Long days alone vs dog walker who she is terrified of

[Itsnotahoover]

Some of you may have seen my thread a couple of months ago about my dog who would not go to my neighbour to be walked... I've been working 3 part time jobs until recently; never out the house for more than 4 or 5 hours at a time and dog been more than happy. Situation has changed as I've been made redundant from one job, and offered more hours from another, but this means I will occasionally be doing 8 hour days. I really, really need the money, so I've looked into a dog walker.

So far, despite being introduced, the dog walker hasn't been able to get near her. She either hides, or goes for her, barking like mad, weeing everywhere and then spends an hour or so ripping stuff up and driving the neighbours mad barking. I've paid out for "dog walking" every day for the last 2 weeks, whether she needs it or not, been to socialisation sessions at the walkers house a few times, and still the dog will not go near her and get stressed out. I tried leaving her on her own for 8 hours and there was o mess, no barking and no destruction.

I'm really at a loss as to what to do. I want to do the right thing but ddog seems terrified of anyone, regardless of whether she knows them or not, coming into the house when I'm not there, and is far more stressed by me pushing the issue. What do I do??? Do I need to get rid of the dog? She'd be so unhappy :(

[MagratGarlik]

You say it is 8 hour days occasionally, not every day. Tbh if she genuinely doesn't seem stressed at being left, I'd be tempted to forget the dog walker. I don't see why you would need to think about giving her up, as you say, it's occasionally. You'll find a routine that works for you both.

Good luck.

[Itsnotahoover]

It's once a week at the most. I only work 100 yards away so most of the time I can get home but sometimes I'm left in charge of the shop and can't just lock up while I walk the dog. She's happy on her own; my neighbours would tell me if she wasn't and the only time they've spoken to me about he is when the dog has been in and she's gone mental afterwards. She really seems to hat anyone in the house, even my dad can't get in an she sees him twice a week. It just bothers me that I'm being selfish in keeping her when I'm going to have to leave her alone sometimes, but then she's so bloody strange that I don't think she'd settle with anyone else and it would break my heart to rehome.

[Itsnotahoover]

When the dog walker has been in*

[Itsnotahoover]

I haven't got a garden! She's got amazing bladder control; she once went 4 days without a wee on holiday in Cornwall cos she couldn't find the right blade of grass to wee on! I'd hate to get rid of her, I've never given up on a dog and she'd be so unhappy anywhere else but I'm desperately not wanting to be one of those dog owners who dumps their dog all day.

[nooka]

Might she be happier going to someone else's house? Is it a territory thing perhaps? Some of my friends take their dog to 'doggy daycare' once or twice a week, but I think that's a North American thing. We leave our dog for six hours a day during day time (with access to the yard) but only because we know that he sleeps all day (he sleeps when we are home too - we think there must be some hound in him).

[MagratGarlik]

Many dogs get left alone a good deal longer and more frequently than you are suggesting. You are being far from selfish as you are fretting this much about leaving her sometimes!

Whilst leaving a dog for 8 hours is not ideal, it is only occasionally. The reality is that for whatever reason, most dogs will have to be left once in a while. I would go and try to walk her on the times when you can and try not to worry about the times when you cannot. Is it the type of shop (and is she the type of dog) that you could sometimes take with you to the shop where you work? Obviously having someone else coming into her house stresses her and so I'd opt for the option that causes her least stress.

She is a lucky dog to have an owner like you that cares about her. Many dogs will be left all day whilst the owners work without a second thought.

[Floralnomad]

I also have a terrier with an iron bladder ,I agree with everyone else to leave her home alone as she's obviously happier with that . Incidentally if you're working 8 hours I'm sure you must be entitled to a break so could nip home then as its so close . I do however think you need to work on socialising her at home as there may come a time when you need someone else to deal with her .

[Booboostoo]

While in most situations dogs should be walked in this case the dog is telling you that she prefers to be left alone in peace than to be walked by someone who stresses her. Do what the dog tells you! She'll be happy and you'll be happy!

[Itsnotahoover]

Thank you all for not slating me for leaving her! I can't take her to work as it's a food shop. Although technically I'm entitled to a break, I sometimes run the shop in the absence of the owners, so I'm alone there all day and can't get out. I tend to stand outside for a bit of fresh air and a drink!

I do have a friend that will happily have her in the school holidays as she's off work then, but she lives a 14 mile round trip away which seems a crazy distance to drive to drop off and pick up the dog when I work on the same street as I live! Plus in term time, that's not an option so she needs to either be left or allow someone into the house to walk her. Daft bloody dog! Lol

[Snugglepiggy]

I'm a dog walker who also does daycare and tbh in a few cases over the years customers have thought they are doing the best thing arranging walks or day care and I have had to advise them it's more stressful for their dog - and me ! - than leaving them curled up and relaxed on their bed at home.Some dogs just prefer this.Ideally no dog should be left too long alone, but if when you are there you give her plenty of walks and attention please don't beat yourself up.I had one client who was texting all the time to check the exact time I was arriving to walk her dog,even though I explained with the best will in the world weather and traffic, and other unforeseen things like having to wash dogs down if they rolled etc meant times would vary somewhat.She was obsessed with the idea her dog should be left no longer than 4 hours.Her dog was one of the few that didn't even like the walks,or enjoy the company of other dogs.The reality being at night dogs happily sleep 8 hours or so whilst we sleep.
So if it's not day after day relax,save your money and time and your dog will relax too.

[milkybarsrus]

Please don't get rid of your dog. You sound like a very good dog owner, and want to do what's right for your dog. Which it seems, is to leave in the comfort of your home whilst you are out. He's getting stressed with someone coming in while your not there, which is only natural really. 8 hours is a long time, but not to long imho if he's not showing signs of distress. Pop back when you can, but if you can't, then don't worry. If he went to someone else there's no guarantee that he will not be left for long periods of time. Lots of people work more and more due to financial changes, which mean lots of dogs have to be left.

[Doggiedodo]

I left my doggie yesterday for almost 6 hours. We had a day out where we could not take her. She was fine. I gave her bones and a kong. She would hate it if a stranger came into the house to take her out. I think she is happier at home on the odd occasion we go out all day. Do not stress about it. Life is too short.

[Canidae]

She sounds like she would be much happier being left on her own. You sound like an amazing owner trying to make her days better but sadly she doesn't agree!

A good walk before work and after and maybe leave her with a frozen kong and I think you will both be happier and more relaxed.