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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:
petitdonkey · 01/07/2014 20:35

Who is locking anyone up for 22hours????

maninawomansworld · 01/07/2014 20:37

Read my first post , basically if you add up 8 hours for bedtime, 10 hours for work, a few hours for running a household and looking after the kids you're essentially left with about 2 hours to devote to the dogs.
If that's all you can give, then you shouldn't have dogs.

HerRoyalNotness · 01/07/2014 20:41

That's a big stretch to 22 hrs a day mania!! Where do you figure that?

However, they are animals, do people really put human feelings and emotions on to an animal? What on earth did they do before we came along to mess up their lives. OP has 2 small dogs which can keep each other company. If she has a backyard and an outdoor kennel to leave them during the day is not neglect or abuse.

As it is, it looks like she is trying to find a solution and asking for IDEAS, not scorn.

maninawomansworld · 01/07/2014 20:42

Read my previous post, think about it.
If this new arrangement is to be permanent she should re home them.

HerRoyalNotness · 01/07/2014 20:42

Dogs are companion animals, it's not the other way around. Mania you seem to think people are companions to people!!

I have a small dog, if we're home, she sleeps ALL day with a couple of bleary raised heads if she hears a rustle of a food packet.

scottishmummy · 01/07/2014 20:43

A job trumps the dogs,seeing the dogs dont pay bills,fill fridge.so priority is maintain job
So you get online and locate dog sitter,dog walker.try gumtree.place adverts

HerRoyalNotness · 01/07/2014 20:43

*ahem, People are companions to dogs

TSSDNCOP · 01/07/2014 20:45

If they're only little dogs could you install a dog door and let them go in and out the garden?

maninawomansworld · 01/07/2014 20:46

I do not put human emotions on my animals - they are dogs not children but it does not mean we can treat them any way we see fit.

Before we came along they roamed for miles in large packs with a social order, they hunted, bred, the pups played together. Instead we confine them to a small back yard with maybe 1 or 2 other dogs for company (best case) or leave them home alone indoors for hours (worst case). They cannot engage in any natural behaviours and studies have been done that show they do suffer quite significant distress.

maninawomansworld · 01/07/2014 20:48

People love to kid themselves that their dogs are fine, they're not being cruel, the dog sleeps all day anyway ......

People who work 9-5 shouldn't have dogs .

End of.

scottishmummy · 01/07/2014 20:51

op,youre getting the why have em indignant posts usually squawked on FT nursery threads
Im surprised no ones mentioned stress,cortisol,and attachment

BravePotato · 01/07/2014 20:56

maninawomansworld,

Obviously you are better with dogs than with humans, like the OP.

You are unnecessarily harsh, and deliberately unhelpful

OP, where on earth do you live? There must me dog sitters/walkers/doggie day care or something? Do its of research and ask around.

Looseleaf · 01/07/2014 20:57

There's a website called Borrow my Doggy that might help you find someone local. It's a brilliant concept though I haven't tried it as already help a dog owner regularly (I like dogs).
We live in the city and amazed so many dog owners manage well as i wouldn't fancy the commitment for 15 or so years when jobs etc can change.

scottishmummy · 01/07/2014 20:59

This isnt insurmountable op,you need to get busy online

samsam123 · 01/07/2014 21:01

blah blah blah

nostress · 01/07/2014 21:07

I'm going back to work shortly part time 0.43 spread over 3 days. Two of the days its from late morning/lunch til 4. They usually sleep at this time so im not worried. And will have their usual big walk in the morning. The last day is 7.15-4.30. That day my dh usually works from home anyhow but on the days that he needs to go into the office they will be alone from 8.30 -3.00 whilst kids are at school. I have a lady who does the ironing and im going to ask her to pop im on those days to let them out etc. I'm also planning to get extra early so they get a walk. I will also leave them toys and a variety of frozen food in kongs to occupy them when no ones here. Still worrying about it though!

fuckingpamela · 01/07/2014 21:08

No one is saying it's acceptable leaving the dog for huge amounts of time. The Op will find someone I am sure.
Dog walkers around here are £8 per half hour so I am going to start advertising for a walker and hope they will accept a little less.

I just registered on borrowmydog but people only available on an e ending Sad

scottishmummy · 01/07/2014 21:11

Lets keep this in perspective,she needs dog walker,dog sitter.not an outstanding rated nursery

fuckingpamela · 01/07/2014 21:11

Evening I mean....

I am worried too. I walk her at six am at the moment for 40mins. My husband is home for lunch for her and I get home at 3.30. I then walk her for half an hour and then she has another hour when children are in bed.

However, soon my husband is not able to go home for lunch and I will be looking for a walker.

TooExtraImmatureCheddar · 01/07/2014 21:12

Fgs, man, your posts are verging on hysterical. The OP knows 10 hrs is not ideal and she's wondering what to do about it.

OP, I also have a dogwalker for the 3 days a week we are both out of the house 7-6. She comes in and takes him out with a pack of dogs and they're gone anywhere between 1.5 and 5 hours, depending on the number of other dogs she's taking that day. Some of that time is spent picking other dogs up in the van, but my dog loves driving so that's ok. It costs £10 per day and she's the nicest woman you could meet and totally devoted to the dogs. I have to give notice soon because I'm just starting mat leave and will walk him myself plus be at home all day, and I hate to do that to her. Needs must, though, and I will love walking him myself when my SPD passes.

We were forced into the dogwalker scenario - like you, circumstances changed (my husband's business folded and he had to get the first job he could, which was 9-5). He had previously been able to take the dog to work, and worked shifts so between us he was often only left for an hour or two before I got home, or else he went with DH and I picked him up after work. After a very short time it became apparent that the dog couldn't cope with being alone for that long - started howling at lunchtime and cried all afternoon until someone came home. [Sad] We got a dogwalker and dog settled immediately. That first dogwalker wasn't nearly as good - charged the same for a 40 min walk, with no extra time in car/van. One day I was home ill and caught him only taking the dog out for 20 mins. So be wary, but try someone and see how the dogs get on.

scottishmummy · 01/07/2014 21:17

ManInA is being atypical in the cliches and hyperbole,only difference its dogs not weans

windchime · 01/07/2014 22:01

My friend earns a fortune as a dog walker. I have no idea why people who work full time get a dog but then never see it. But then, I understand some people with DCs work full time too.......

CrabbyBlossomBottom · 01/07/2014 22:29

Fgs, man, your posts are verging on hysterical. The OP knows 10 hrs is not ideal

Dogs left alone for 10 hours a day is not "not ideal"... it's fucking cruel. Dress it up however you want to, but that's a plain bald fact, I'm afraid.

Staywithme · 01/07/2014 22:34

Manina, calm down. There was no need for that level of criticism.

OP I had a very successful pet care business, before my husband took ill, and have kept some of my clients on. I got many of my clients through my vet referring me to his customers as he knew I was good at what I do. You could ask the local vets and pet shops and see if they can help. Be very careful who you hand your keys over to as you seem very trusting, a stranger off gumtree? No chance! A reputable dog walker should have a CRB check, insurance and ideally be registered with an organisation such as NARPS. If the animal is injured in your sitter/walker's care then why should you pay for their care? Find out what the going rate is in your area and if someone is charging much less then it usually means they're not legit.

Good for you for recognising that the dogs need extra care as no dog should be left for, ideally, more than four hours. However sometimes things happen and I don't want people beating themselves up if they are left a little longer. However not for 8 hours, day in and day out, as that's not fare on the poor dogs.

fluffymouse · 01/07/2014 22:34

Man have you considered that your posts full of vitriol discourage people from asking for help?

The op is looking for a solution, other posters here are offering them, whereas you are just offering criticism.