Does anyone have a dog? Question about leaving dogs alone

[Watchingthesunset]

We would very much like to get a family dog. We have given it a lot of thought and the only obstacle seems to be that dh and I both work outside the home.

Dh works full time and I work part time 3 days a week. So the dog would have to be left at home from 8-3.30 3 times a week which is when ds gets home from school. There would be someone home by 3.30 for the foreseeable as we've a teenager and a pre teen.

We could potentially set the dog up in the conservatory with a bed and some toys and a dog flap to go in and out the garden throughout the day.

Everything I'm reading online says dogs shouldn't be left alone but I'm thinking in reality there must be lots of people who work and have a dog.

Oh drat the link just takes you to the front page. The dog's name was jett I think.

Beyond cruel?

I can think of many things that are beyond cruel, but this isn't one of them. But this is MN where the mighty dog is sacred and has to go everywhere that you do. They are animals, not humans.

I do understand the point about the neighbours though.

I guess it depends too on the breed and personlity of the dog.

Many people leave their dogs for several hours at a time, however it may be worth seeing if there is a local dog walker who would be able to pop in and take them out for a walk just to break up the time.

When mine were too little to be left, I had a dog Walker come to spend an hour with them twice a day in the garden (before they were allowed walks). Now, if we’re out working (we coincide with 7-4 three times a month) she gives them a proper walk. Please don’t leave a dog so long.

I got my dog as a puppy when I was working part-time, so out from 8.30 to 2.30, and he managed fine. For those who wonder why I thought he was OK, there was no barking when at home, no destructibe behaviour, he was friendly and affectionate so he didn't seem to he in any distress. It was 14 years ago and there was less emphasis on attachment dog ownership, though he did and does sleep on my sons bed.

He was older when I went back full time - son in secondary - and would be home alone from 8.30 to 3.45 or 6, but no change in temperament.

I work from home 3 days a week and he spends most of his time snoozing on a rug, though he is getting on now.

Two dogs is a great idea - the more dogs the better! - but it can be problematic to have 2 puppies from the same litter, so look into this if you're thinking about getting 2.

PS my dogwalker is dbs cleared and has 3rd party liability insurance in case the dogs escape/cause an accident. Start by asking at a grooming parlour.

Everything I'm reading online says dogs shouldn't be left alone but I'm thinking in reality there must be lots of people who work and have a dog.

Yes of course there are, but is it in the dog's best interests? IMO these owners are very selfish and only thinking about what having a dog can do for them, instead of what they can do for the dog. 😥

It depends on the dog.

Ive only had one, and it would have been impossible when she was a little pup (she needed taking out for toilet breaks every 30 mins for the first few months). Once she was maybe 6 months old I could leave her downstairs all day while I worked upstairs (coming down for regular toilet and play breaks).

Now she’s 3 we leave her 8am-5pm one day a week. I’ll get shot for that on here, but when I’m at home working she is not interested by me. She stays in another room to me and is disturbed if I go to see her, which is why I knew she’d be fine to be left. We have cameras and she really doesn’t mind a long day alone every now and then. A second day a week she gets left that long but the dog walker comes as 1-2pm and takes her out for an hour or so.

I wouldn’t leave her more than those two days regularly, but really you can have a happy, well adjusted dog and leave them alone for long periods. It helps if you can tire them out on the other days (eg with doggy day care, long walks, playing).

I’m not sure it’s feasible with a puppy though. I worked from home with her on my lap for 2 straight months when we got her (I literally held her unless we were playing or she was going to the toilet), and I attribute that to how safe and secure she feels when left alone now. She’s a breed prone to separation anxiety too.

See my post above about leaving my dog … she’s a miniature dachshund and would HATE to have another dog with her (she’s a people dog, and does not enjoy time with other dogs although she will tolerate it).

She was a VERY needy pup though.