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?

It really does depend on the dogs temperament, my old dog would get quite distressed if I left him for more than an hour. Current dog is quite happy to potter about the house and sleep on our bed. We have cameras to watch him and can talk to him. As soon as the door closes he’s off upstairs to get himself comfy for a nap.

I work from home and cannot give my dogs undivided attention. I have three so they always have someone to play with and cuddle up with for a nap. They like sleeping in my office when I am working and have a large garden they run about in between walks. We don't take holidays but that is more to do with the five ponies that also live at home with us! We do go on the occasional day out but it really is just the day time - out in the morning, back by late afternoon. Our children are teens now and have their own interests so it has got easier to have a full day out and leave someone at home with them who isn't interested in the activity. I know it is frustrating OP, but I think it is great you take a dog's needs seriously. So many owners don't.

@Ylvamoon

We leave ours, they are fine, work is 9-5.

We give them a 20 min walk in the morning...
I have 1 hour lunch so come home to let them out and a little play in the garden.

and again a longer walk in the evening- up to 1 hour.

Honestly, when we got the dogs we always had someone at home. But life changed,
as it does The youngest is 3 years.

I wouldn't leave a puppy/ dog under 18 months for that amount of time.

You are very lucky if your dogs are ok with being left so long. Many many dogs would not be happy at all.

That is a very long day for dogs to be left as they are social animals

I think there’s a difference between coping and being happy.

@Ylvamoon

We leave ours, they are fine, work is 9-5.

We give them a 20 min walk in the morning...
I have 1 hour lunch so come home to let them out and a little play in the garden.

and again a longer walk in the evening- up to 1 hour.

Honestly, when we got the dogs we always had someone at home. But life changed,
as it does The youngest is 3 years.

I wouldn't leave a puppy/ dog under 18 months for that amount of time.

But if you are home at lunch time, then they are not left all day. Still not ideal, but very different from being left for the full 8 hours

The main thing is you can’t be spontaneous. So no waking up and thinking, “We’ll go to London today” (insert big day out of choice) - you have to plan in advance so you can organise day care/a walker to visit.

Otoh a dog is a marvellous excuse: “Sorry, must go! Fido will be balancing on one toe! Byeeee!”

@Wolfiefan

I think there’s a difference between coping and being happy.

Yep. But lots of people overlook that on these threads, sadly.

Lovely to see that you're thinking this through before getting a dog!

If you can get daycare, most of us are charging between £20 and £30 a day. In this area, it is in extremely high demand and none of us established professional trained and insured carers have any slots available. A one hour Adventure Walk around lunchtime, i.e. in a safe place for off lead fun, is currently £12 a day. One of my fellow local professionals does offer quick toilet visits at a lower rate, but they really are quick and won't do for younger dogs and more active breeds.

We moved areas recently but prior we had a dog Walker twice a week, and then dog was happy to be at home alone for a few hours. Since moving dog is a bit anxious (Also I think lockdown hasn't helped as he got used to me at home 100%). Now that I'm in the office 2 days a week he has started at doggy day care. He loves it! It's £18 per day. Previously we were paying £12 for one walk but we were in a more expensive part of the country then.