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The doghouse

Is it bad to leave ALL dogs for several hours at a time?

12 replies

WalterWhiteMakesBlue · 09/07/2014 14:42

My circumstances have changed since I got WalterDog 2 years ago and some days of the week both DH and I are out a at work.

WalterDog goes to the dog day-carer but I really think he finds it a bit stressful. Several weeks in the dog-minder says he doesn't really settle, he's always lays then gets up and lays somewhere else. The dog sitter doesn't seem worried or to think it is abnormal and WalterDog is always happy to go there (they head out for a nice long walk not long after he gets there).

When he gets home he just sleeps!

Before, when we were home, he was always very happy to snooze for much of the day. So I'm wondering if he wouldn't be more content to be at home. He would be alone for 4 hours, then have 2 hours company (including a walk and play), then alone for another 2-3 hours. Either myself or DH work from home at least 2 days per week, so it would only be 3 days most weeks.

So my question is whether for some dogs it is ok to leave them for this sort of time?

My gut feeling is that he would be happier in his own environment, but I get the impression from this forum that that is not ok.

OP posts:

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Gooner123 · 09/07/2014 15:04

I think that you should try it & see how it goes,4 hrs is about the limit I leave mine for,and I'm pretty sure mine would be much happier at home on his own bed .

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CMOTDibbler · 09/07/2014 15:07

I think that 4 hours, then 2 hours walk/play/company, then 3 hours, 3 days a week would be OK for a chilled dog. What isn't good (for me anyway) is a dog routinely left 8 hours a day with a quick on lead walk in the middle, or a dog who doesn't just snore but frets about it

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Nouseforausername · 09/07/2014 15:07

He'll be fine and will quite possibly relish the peace and quiet! pretty sure my dog feels like he's on holiday when me and the baby go out for a few hours and takes up his sunbathing place in front of the patio window

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ShouldHaveMarriedTimDowling · 09/07/2014 15:10

Agree with the other posters.

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Misspilly88 · 09/07/2014 15:10

This is fine! I spoke to a dog behaviourist the other day that said a lot of behaviour probs are caused by over stimulation and that dogs should ideally have 17 hours of rest per day! Whenever I'm at home my dog sleeps all day (except for walks) so I have no reason to believe that he doesn't do the same when I'm out.

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Bowlersarm · 09/07/2014 15:16

I think he'll be fine.

With the greatest will and concern for our dogs, we all have to get on with modern living. Apart from farm dogs or dogs belonging to housebound people, surely all dogs have to be left to some degree or another?

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Floralnomad · 09/07/2014 15:33

I think what you are suggesting sounds fine . My dog is rarely on his own for more than a couple of hours but he would find any kind of dog care very stressful as he is not happy to mingle with other dogs , even on walks .

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muttynutty · 09/07/2014 15:54

There is a huge difference from leaving him in doggy care to leaving him totally on his own all day. Can you meet in the middle?

Can he have a visit from a dog walker when he is walked on his own or with a few dogs that he is happy with to break up the period he is left. Dogs are social and do need company and stimulation.

Dogs should not be left for long periods of time regularly.

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higgle · 09/07/2014 16:06

My Staffie is happy home alone, he sleeps a lot now he is older (10) and seems quite put out if I come home unexpectedly.

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ellenjames · 09/07/2014 16:15

My dog gets left and is happier at home. The most she has been left for was 6 hours once as car broke down but 4 is fine for her. We have neighbours that we help and they help out could that be an option for you?

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ShouldHaveMarriedTimDowling · 09/07/2014 22:12

Farm dogs are left alone far more than city dogs ime

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WalterWhiteMakesBlue · 10/07/2014 09:55

Thanks for all the replies, I'm glad to hear the general consensus back up my gut feeling. I think we will give it a go keeping WalterDog at home and see what happens. I don't have any neighbours who can help out, but I have found a dogless school mum friend who is happy to have WalterDog on an adhoc basis which might help out with odd days here and there.

I was originally looking at the dog walker taking him then dropping him home after his walk, but there is nowhere he can safely leave him as we are in a terrace, so it would mean the dog walker having key and access to the whole house which I am not comfortable with. He will have a walk in the day and although it is not a popular dog walking time I'm sure he will meet some other dogs for a runaround. Anyway we'll see how it goes!