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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

To be stressed so much over doggy daycare

76 replies

Blossombirdy · 01/07/2014 18:54

I started a new job working three to four days and have to leave my two little terriers at home from 8am to 6pm... from tomorrow. And I'm extremely stressed about this.

Relative can't help care for child or dogs any more due to, erm borderline personality disorder. Alright, my mum is caught up in her own miserable existence and has refused to help just when the summer holiday starts.

Looked at childcare n can just about manage. Feel dreadful leaving pets at home and there are no pet sitters available in my area. Also, cost is a problem. Friends and neighbours can't help all the time.

Can anyone tell me if their dogs do okay on their own all day or should I look at other options?

OP posts:

lampygirl · 01/07/2014 19:02

I come home from work twice a day for my dog so the longest she is ever left is 3 hours. I had to build up to this. Some days she comes in to the office and some days my partners work and mine cross over so she is left even less, maybe the 3 hour periods two days a week. We've filmed her at home so we know she sleeps and is not distressed or barking before we decided this would work.

8-6 would be too long, you need to get a dog walker in at least at lunchtime and probably once again about 3pm

WookieCookiee · 01/07/2014 19:06

that's 10 hours for them to hang on for a wee, with no exercise, & no entertainment apart from shredding your house.

Google dog walkers.

Nohootingchickenssleeping · 01/07/2014 19:18

How long are they used to being left for?

ihatethecold · 01/07/2014 19:22

I leave my dog for a maximum 4 hours and only after an hours walk/run
It's not fair to leave your dogs all day. I think you know this.
Friends and relatives aren't responsible for them. You are!
You need to pay someone to walk them.
Just like your kids are not anyone else's responsibility.

WeirdCatLady · 01/07/2014 19:26

I think it depends on the dog. We used to leave Sam while we went to work, he was fine, in fact he huffed about all weekend (basically moaning that we were home and disturbing him), but Ben hated to be left and trashed the house.

I think you know you have to get something sorted. Good luck.

NatashaBee · 01/07/2014 19:28

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Original poster

Blossombirdy · 01/07/2014 19:29

Had a young lady come over today ad on gumtree for dog walking. Tried to call so I can leave keys. No call back. Thinking this job was a mistake now.

OP posts:

KnackeredMuchly · 01/07/2014 19:31

I'd get someone to see to them once a day. If they're little terriers they might not need a long hour's walk so it'll be cheaper for someone to nip in and play with them for a while.

A walk before you leave, a walk when you get back and a couple of filled kongs with a drop in - they'll be ok.

CarmineRose1978 · 01/07/2014 19:31

My dad had two little terriers whom he had to leave all day to go to work (used to be looked after during the day by much mum who was disabled and couldn't work, until she died). He has a doggy door though, so they had access to the outside whenever they wanted, and each other's company. It's not ideal, but they seemed happy enough, and didn't destroy the house or disturb the neighbours.

CarmineRose1978 · 01/07/2014 19:33

By MY mum. I really need to proofread better.

marne2 · 01/07/2014 19:33

Look at day care/kennels, not all of them are expensive, I have used one for my dog when we go out for the day and they only charge me £10 for the whole day ( I think it's £15 for 2 dogs ), or you could pay someone to walk them? 10 hours is too long to be left alone .

Nohootingchickenssleeping · 01/07/2014 19:35

I leave chickendog for that long as I don't have any choice. He's a product of a broken home and I have to work to pay our bills. I've recently moved closer to work so I can come home for him if he's left for more than eight hours but I have built up to that over three years. Some days he just sleeps all day. Some other days he'll chew up a cushion while I'm home but not paying him attention in the bath. It's not easy. Try and wear them out first is my advice, a good walk and a big meal.

Finola1step · 01/07/2014 19:40

How about a very sensible local kid (school leaver?) who will walk the dogs twice a day for a bit of pocket money?

HavantGuard · 01/07/2014 19:40

Dogs shouldn't be left for 8 hours full stop.

SelectASweetBreadTwist · 01/07/2014 19:45

Waaay too long to leave two dogs who aren't used to it.

How far is your workplace? Can you pop home at lunchtime?

Do any local boarding kennels offer day boarding?

Do you have any friends with responsible animal-loving older teenage / university age children who you would trust with a key and who would be glad of earning a small amount for walking them or letting them out and playing with them in the garden? (If yes, make sure the dogs are insured for third party liability.)

Agggghast · 01/07/2014 19:47

My dog is walked by an elderly neighbour who fel at 70 she was too old to get another dog after her dogs died. I pay her a bottle of Baileys and a Sunday roast once a month. I know he actually spends much of the day with her but she won't tell me because she knows I would want to pay her more. When she is away her friends take turns, that is how I found out he likes to romance the elderly at the Wednesday afternoon bingo! It might be worth advertising locally for a dog lover without a pooch.

Branleuse · 01/07/2014 19:49

whereabouts are you. how come there are no dogsutters? Have you advertised?

fluffymouse · 01/07/2014 19:52

As a fellow dog owner I think that is way too long.

Do you have a spare room? You could have someone staying rent free in return for dog walking. Or an au pair to do childcare too.

Otherwise a dog walker/minder is required.

When I was little my parents minded the neighbours dog for £8 per day, the dog got company and plenty of walks. Maybe a retired/self employed person locally might be suitable? It would be a great deal for a dog lover is not able to afford/commit to dog ownership.

nippey · 01/07/2014 20:03

I think it is too long, I am out for 10hrs and the dog walker comes in twice a day, for an hour each time and I also walk her first thing in the morning to tire her out.

When looking for our dog walker, I posted adverts through lots of local doors, placed an advert on gumtree and local church notice boards. Interviewed lots and got someone who is retired and loves dogs but cannot commit to one of her own.

Try walk my doggy, that has lots of local people who want to walk dogs on it.

Good luck, I know how stressful it is.

maninawomansworld · 01/07/2014 20:13

Sorry to say this but as a lifelong dog person (I breed and work springer spaniels, also I have 2 working sheepdogs), you are not in a position to keep dogs . If this arrangement is to be permanent then you should try to re home them.

Think about it - the dogs are in bed for say 8 hours, on their own while you work for 10 hours, you still have to run a household so let's write off another 4 hours for meals, family time, bathing and settling the kids and what are we left with?

2 sodding hours - I'm sorry but that's just fucking animal cruelty.
If I knew who you were I'd report you to the RSPCA and get them taken off you. Dogs are pack animals and the expert advice is a maximum of 4 hours alone per day ( obviously not including sleeping at night) that's a MAXIMUM by the way, it's still not ideal.

I really wish people with such busy lives wouldn't have dogs, it breaks my heart to hear tales such as this. If you care at all for your dogs then re home them.

fuckingpamela · 01/07/2014 20:23

What a nasty post!

Sometimes people's circumstances change. If the OP didn't care about the dogs she would not have bothered to ask about options.
The RSPCA would not remove her dogs because she works fgs.

I do not agree with ten hours every day at all and I do think you will find someone to help walk. Try gumtree and put an ad out.
My working circumstances are changing soon and I will be looking for a dog walker too.

mrsmilesmatheson · 01/07/2014 20:30

I work part time but full days 8-5 and my ddog goes out with a dog walker on my working days. She adores the dog walker and her doggy friends and is happy and chilled out when I get home. She almost looks disappointed when she realises it's my days off . I would thoroughly recommend it for anyone out of the house all day.

There seem to be lots of dog walkers near me as we are a commuter area. Have you tried asking at the vet or pet shop? They get to know of people. I also know our vet nurse does a bit of dog walking as she does split shifts.

samsam123 · 01/07/2014 20:31

maninawomansworld don't be so bloody nasty there is a solution out there just because you think you are such a perfect dog owner - I leave my dog alone for 5 hours when I have to work he sleeps I know he sleeps because the neighbour sees him on the sofa. So stop being a bloody knowitall

maninawomansworld · 01/07/2014 20:34

The RSPCA would probably consider 10 hours a day excessive as would most reasonable people.
I know work circumstances change but dogs are not toys that can be packed away when they are no longer convenient, they are living, intelligent creatures which suffer serious mental harm when locked up like this. People who regularly leave dogs alone for long periods are FUCKING CRUEL.
How would you like it if someone locked you up for 22 hours a day with no human interaction , entertainment or access to a toilet.?

You think it's a nasty post well fine, the truth hurts!

petitdonkey · 01/07/2014 20:34

Crikey - I know so many people who work and leave their dog all day. When I know I am working I get a walker in but he has been left all day on occasion.

Try this- you won't have someone tomorrow but should sort something fairly quickly.

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