To think my daughter is being cruel to her dog?

[WaaaaaaaaayBetter]

Hello, my daughter has recently moved into a ground floor flat (3 months ago), they have allowed pets such as dogs and cats, which I thought was very unusual.

She did get a dog from a Facebook site that was about 2 years old I believe. He is a lovely little thing and I would definitely look after it but I'm too busy myself.

She leaves it in there all day while she is at work she does then get home and take it on a lovely walk and she is a fab owner, has to have the best of the best, etc.

I've approached her about how concerned I am that he's just left in the flat all day on his own and she says she knows it's not ideal but she isn't passing him on to get another home and she loves him too much.

She's out Monday-Friday (9-5 type job).

AIBU to think this is cruel?

Also, it's not just about exercise and walks, versus sleeping. Dog's need the company of others. Just having someone around during the day who will interact with the dog is entirely different from the dog being completely alone all day.

My small dog is happy with one walk most days - occasionally she'll let me drag her out for two - but we play in the house and garden, I spend time with her, stroke her, she hears my voice when I talk to her and make a fuss of her.

One of her favourite times is when we come back from a walk and we sit together on the sofa; I can see from her body language that she finds that cozy time a comfort and she's far from being a needy dog.

She sleeps quite a lot like most dogs, but it's nowhere near the whole day; she has to inspect the garden and watch the street from time to time in addition to everything else we do. And on top of that she's awake for a good part of the evening.

I'd be very worried about her if she were sleeping the day away and would assume she was either unwell or unhappy.

I'd be very worried about her if she were sleeping the day away and would assume she was either unwell or unhappy.

YY exactly. I don't think it's normal for dogs to sleep all day unless they're unwell or old (or puppies, though they're mental hyper when they're awake!)

Mine sleeps about 8 hours at night, and probably another 4-6 hours through the day but he's awake the rest of the time. He has two hour-long walks, spends time chasing the cats/barking at leaves, wanders around the house, eats, has his chews for a bit, cuddles up with me and DH - which you can tell he loves.

I also see how excited he is when we get home, and seeing that, I couldn't leave him all day. It's clear he loves us being around and he misses us when we're gone. He stayed overnight at his daycare on Tuesday and he went bonkers when I picked him up - barking, jumping, wagging tail - he was SO happy. And he hadn't even been alone, he'd been with his daycare provider who he's known since he was 13 weeks old.

😢

@Evenstar 😢

I work 4 days a week and my dog is left alone. I set up a webcam years ago to see what he got up to and he sleeps and plays with his toys and chews then sleeps some more. If I didn’t have him he’d be still in a rescue centre in a cage for 22 hours a day 7 days a week so I perfectly happy with my arrangement. He’s a very much loved member of the family and he knows it. Dogs get used to their routine and love consistent so as long as you have that it’s fine.

Clearly your dog gets on with things, keeps himself busy and is happy Greysgirl, some dogs are.

What your dog is doing is not the same as a dog sleeping all day because it's got nothing else to do.

But that's different @Greysgirl - he's obviously happy/stimulated if he's playing and chewing etc.

He's not sleeping all day which is what @pigsDOfly and myself were referring to.

It’s not ideal, life rarely is, but it’s not cruel. When I was younger pretty much everyone I knew who had a dog did this. Dog Walkers and Doggie Day Care wasn’t really a thing then. When I got my dog I would get up and walk him for half an hour in the morning, go to work, back at six, straight out for a run, usually for around 90 minutes. At weekends I was with him 24/7. He never went in kennels; all holidays were dog friendly. He think had a pretty lovely life actually and he certainly seemed happy enough.

did those of you who rescued tell the rescue you were leaving the dogs alone all day before you got them ?

I wouldn't have a dog that was left alone from 8.30 - 5.30, I don't think it's fair on them. DH works from home and on the days he has to be out our dog goes into doggy daycare. He's left 3 hours max at home, not because he can't be left longer but because we just wouldn't do it. I really don't understand people who get dogs then leave them alone all day - that's a pretty selfish thing to do imo.

I have two dogs, work a 9-5 type job. I work 1 mile From my home and drive so it takes about 3 minutes. I go home at lunch every day and take them out etc. When they were puppies my other half and me took lunch at different times so we could go home twice (very flexible jobs). We got a camera when they were about 6 months - they are tiny yorkies and they literally sleep for most of the day. I’ve watched. They sleep around 16 hours a day - they’re awake for around 2 hours with us before we leave to work then around 5 when we get home and 1 at lunch time. Think it helps that they have each other though!

I agree with people I think the dog should be taken out at least once in the day. I couldn’t have them if I couldn’t do that.

Even when it has to be dragged out on its bottom like ours sometimes? All dogs aren't the same, some are quite happy to be left at home for several hours.