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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To ask if this makes me a bad dog owner?

47 replies

RogerThatOver · 29/10/2017 22:23

I'm a lone parent to 5 children - including a newborn - and I have 3 dogs and run my own business. I walk my dogs for at least an hour in the afternoon and usually half hour in the evening, too. Is it unreasonable to stay upstairs from 9.30, once the DC in bed? I'm up again at 6.30. My friend said it's unfair to leave the dogs for so long, but realistically even if I sat downstairs with them they'd be sleeping. I want to work from the comfort and warmth of my bed but am prepared to be told I'm being unfair on my dogs.

OP posts:
MyKingdomForBrie · 29/10/2017 22:24

No YANBU at all, that’s a perfectly reasonable night time for them.

RangeTesKopeks · 29/10/2017 22:25

YANBU! :)

Paddingtonthebear · 29/10/2017 22:25

Yanbu. As long as you let them out for a wee at night before they go to sleep

RangeTesKopeks · 29/10/2017 22:26

Can I just add: I'm in awe of you!! You run your own business, you're a single parent to five kids and you have three dogs!! Where do you find all the hours in the day to look after everyone??

cariadlet · 29/10/2017 22:27

Not at all - after all they've got each other for company.

I think you're doing a great job as a dog owner. There are plenty of people with fewer responsibilities than you who still don't manage to give their dogs a good walk every day.

MrsTerryPratchett · 29/10/2017 22:27

How are the dogs? If they're happy (and they have each other for company) why are you worrying?

Ifearthecold · 29/10/2017 22:28

I am often in bed asleep at 9:30, my dog is sleeping alone by this point most nights. YANBU.

Farontothemaddingcrowd · 29/10/2017 22:28

Sounds fine to me. You also sound like superwoman!

RosaRosaRose · 29/10/2017 22:29

Of course YANBU

maggieryan · 29/10/2017 22:30

Im wrecked and in bed at nine most nights and thats with two kids and no dogs, fair play to you x

southennorthener · 29/10/2017 22:32

You are doing just fine by your doggies. They’re probably glad of the peace! If she’s so concerned, Maybe your friend could offer you a helping hand! Wink

Original poster
RogerThatOver · 29/10/2017 22:39

The dogs are fine MrsTP, they love their walks and have company for the majority of the day so they're happy. I just felt bad because I'm up until 11.30/12 so technically I could be sitting with them downstairs.

OP posts:
Miniwerewolfhugs · 29/10/2017 22:47

My dog sleeps on our bed, however she goes up there on her own at about 7pm till we come up to bed at 11. Dogs normally love their usual bed and feel secure in it, and yours have doggie friends too so they will probably be very happy.

WorraLiberty · 29/10/2017 22:50

If the dogs were unhappy, I'm sure they'd let you know!

I'm just in awe of anyone who can manage to walk 3 dogs and transport a newborn at the same time!

Original poster
RogerThatOver · 29/10/2017 22:56

Baby goes in a sling and a park where they can all go off their lead is only 5 minutes walk away, thankfully!

OP posts:
NotJustThreeSmallWords · 29/10/2017 23:06

YABVU to post about dogs and not include a photo of them.
Apart from that, all fine. My dogs are fast asleep and I'm awake and wanting a cuddle from them Hmm

madein1995 · 29/10/2017 23:20

Its totally ok. Were normally with my dog - watchimg tv etc but thats cos tv etc is downstairs. Dog is usually asleep by 8ish (bar for a last wee before bed) while we're watching tv etc. Definitely not too long. The only cases i think may be too long are when dogs are left alone for long periods in the day - eg 8 or 9hrs. We are fussy with mine but shes still fine to be left a few hours. Especialky overnignt

QuestionableMouse · 29/10/2017 23:20

My dog takes himself off into the kitchen about that time. If his humans are up past what he thinks is a reasonable time, he'll wander between said human and the stairs sighing meaningfully until you get up and go to bed. No idea why, he sleeps in the kitchen with our big cat so it's not like he wants to be on the bed with you!

Floralnomad · 29/10/2017 23:22

I think it’s fine as long as the are not in cages , too long if they are .

rightsaidfrederickII · 29/10/2017 23:24

As someone who lets the dog share her bed, I don't think there's anything wrong with it so long as they're let out for a wee before bed and don't seem unhappy with the arrangements

Carouselfish · 29/10/2017 23:27

Agree with previous posters, if not in cages and if they get a wee in at a later time to last the night, it's nbu.

Ski4130 · 30/10/2017 05:07

We've got a 4 month old puppy, and a house where downstairs is the kitchen, dining room and family room and our sitting room is on the first floor. We leave her downstairs, on her own, from when the kids go to bed - usually around 8ish - and sit upstairs. She's absolutely fine, she's asleep anyway. We do go down before bed and put her out for a wee, but she goes straight back to bed, and sleeps, afterward. It's not cruel at all.

Original poster
RogerThatOver · 30/10/2017 06:56

No, they're not in cages. I used to go to let them out before I went to sleep but now it's colder they're not remotely interested and have never had an accident, nor are they in a rush to get outside in the morning.

OP posts:
ownedbySWD · 30/10/2017 07:07

Our six month old.ouppy is usually snoozing by 9pm, but we bring her up to her crate in our bedroom around half past ten. If only she was happy to be left downstairs!

RedHelenB · 30/10/2017 07:10

It's a dog not a child!

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