To shut my dog in the garden for the day?

[Dogingarden]

Please read the full thing before you call me cruel.

I will be gone from about 8am until late on the night because I'm travelling for a medical procedure that I can't put off any longer. There is no way to make the time shorter due to where I live in relation to the hospital and I need the treatment asap.

I had a dog sitter booked but she had an accident and is currently on crutches and unable to drive. The others in my area are booked or just far too expensive. I have family but only my brother is able to drive and works 12hr shifts so he's only able to visit after 8pm. The house is rural detached with no close neighbours.

He can't go to kennels because I accidentally missed his vaccine boosters during the move and the local ones won't take him without them being up to date.

Dog is a large terrier. I have a large, safe garden with plenty of shady spots regardless of the time of day. I would leave multiple beds for him, including a dog house that was already in the garden when I moved in. There is also an automatic water bucket fitted to the house (previous owner) which he uses happily when we're in the garden. I will leave dry food out.

He absolutely will not toilet in the house, even with puppy pads, so he'd potentially be going 12+ hours without a wee which makes me very uncomfortable because he's had kidney issues in the past.

Please don't be awful - I'm terrified of what the biopsy will show and I'm doing my best.

Totally agree but the OP has said she's in NE Scotland and it's only forecast to be 18c there on Thursday. I am shocked by the number of people who didn't see this as an issue before she posted the location though.

Also dogs, or certainly ours, aren't always that clever. They overheat and don't think oh i need a bit of shade. They can't seem to work these things out for themselves which is why they have owners. Even 18c would be warm if the sun's out.

Aren’t you worried he might be stolen?

I've lived in places where it is regularly well above 30C in summer and dogs are often left outdoors. They're fine, as long as they have shade and plenty of water. I wouldn't do it if I had a good alternative, and it's likely not the best idea to put a dog out on a hot day if it's not acclimated to it or has special circumstances that make it particularly vulnerable to heat, but it's not a death sentence for most dogs.

Is that likely in a secure garden in rural Scotland?

Do you have any local dog walking friends? Just someone that could check in?

A neighbour? Student? Do you have a local whats app group?

It just feels like you are uneasy and you don't need any more stress on the day of a biopsy.

My worry is that so many things could go wrong and it would be better to have a little safety net.

I'd use the expensive sitter even if it meant putting it on credit. That's too long to leave a dog alone regardless of whether they are inside or outside.

It's possible, which is far too high a risk IMO.

Well anything is possible...

Sorry, I’m not buying this. It is not hundreds of pounds for a sitter, even at short notice, especially as you’ve said you’re up north where things are generally cheaper anyway. Childcare doesn’t cost that much. The problem you will have is availability as most will be busy, but as others have said I am sure you could find a friendly late-teens who has finished exams and needs a few quid who would happily sit with him for the day. Local facebook groups would be a sensible place to start for this. If you wanted to you could find a solution to this problem.

Im a firm believer that our dogs can handle more than we think they can. Im also a firm believer that you know your own dog.

Its not sonething i would do but my dog is a spoilt asshat.

Youre doing the best you can in your circumstances, as a one off itll be fine

With all that extra info, your dog wil be fine. Really wish you the best for the appointment, OP

It’s okay posters saying it’s only one day - the dog doesn’t know that! Dogs can form associations to stressful circumstances just like humans do. If he does find it stressful you could be storing up problems for the future.

It sounds like you have tried your best and he would be happier outside. If you know any neighbours at all I would tell one of them what is happening and ask them to check up on him and maybe let him in at 6pm if you are not going to be back. Perhaps have them over beforehand to meet your dog? I hope your procedure goes well and you recover quickly. X

Sorry if it's already been suggested but maybe pay someone to pop in and do a couple of welfare visits rather than pay for a full day.

Not sure what else there is to say. You've made up your mind which sounds fine. Left with door open, make sure it can't slam shut, access to garden. Brother looks in when not working.

Are there any local community charities where you live that could help as it’s a medical reason?

I often leave my dog in the garden for the day. It's where he chooses to be, he has access to water and shade and doesn't bark (confirmed by neighbours). I wouldn't leave food out because of rats and the potential for flies to lay eggs in it - feed him in the morning and when you get home.

As per my other message you say you have a large terrier - there aren’t many of those so assuming an Airedale the Airedale groups on Facebook are insanely active with a helpful bunch willing to step in and take care of the handfuls that they are.

or if you have another terrier breed, take a look on fb either way.

Why do you do that, wouldn't you rather it be inside with you and take it out for walks, exercise and interaction as is the norm?

i think thats fine to be honest

the only reason i do not do this is for security reasons and im scared my dog would get nicked!

but he will be fine for one day left alone!

Can’t you get a vaccination done and book him into the kennel just incase he escaped or something else happens it doesn’t seem to be very good if that’s not what he’s used to.

We found someone at short notice on the Rover app.

@Gloriia - no he wouldn't. I work at home most days so quite often the door is open but he chooses to go outside first thing and I call him in for bedtime at 10pm. If I go out to the office for the day his routine doesn't change, other than the door being shut. I'm sure OPs dog will be fine for a one off.

@op Maybe try It for a few hours while you're in but shut the door - see how he reacts with the safety net of you being in?

Alternatively see if you can book a dog walker for 2 walks (one morning one afternoon). Should be cheaper than a sitter but removes the issue of not being able to toilet.

He'll be fine OP. Leave a lot of pots around with water and plenty of food, his dog bed, it's one day.