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.

I did. I rang her just after receiving the email and she made it very clear that the price was absolutely £250 for the day.

Do you live in a remote rural area though?

@AllyDally thank you. I suppose the rate would have to be high if there is only one dog. That cost would rack up really quickly - I think I chose the wrong career!

No, I was answering the poster who asked me a specific question, not replying to OP.

I think living in a remote rural area changes things somewhat with regards to leaving a dog longer, living in a city I wouldn't even turn my back away from my dogs for a second in a park as if things arent tied down round here then they are stolen!

What a rip off. £250, not a chance, paying that amount.

It is incredibly hot. You need to fork out for a dog sitter. In the scale of looking after a dog this needs factoring in. Or ask in the local area if someone can look after him for the day.

Anyway hope thur goes ok and do get it booked in for its vaccinations so kennels are an option. We usually get text reminders from our vets you could maybe sign up for that?

You actually don’t get a huge amount of notice for a breast biopsy. A day is what I got.

There are lots of youngesters A Level students finished for the summer. I'm sure for less pay, but snacks they could keep them company and let them out in the garden from time to time. This is a better solution.

They're up north, temp apparently 18c Thurs. Mind it's 18c here at the moment and it's too warm for ours to be out for long periods.

Regardless, it's not on leaving the dog outside - however it seems a resolution has been found. Dogs are expensive and vet bills, etc are something that need factoring in, as do dog sitters. Hopefully the dog will get vaccinated soon and that will allow for more options.

Wishing the OP the best with her health concerns.

The dog will have food, water, shade, room for toileting, and a garden it enjoys spending time in.

You know what it won’t have? An awareness of time.

OP, there has been a lot of nonsense on this thread. The dog will be absolutely fine. No, it wouldn’t be ideal on a regular basis or in a lot of other circumstances that don’t apply here. But in this situation, I honestly wouldn’t give it a second thought.

Well i'm glad I'm not your dog Bridgereilly!

Rural poverty is real and serious.

Op I hope your medical appointment goes well & you get good results

I understand your dilemma & it's really good your SIL is willing to help you.

Its really worth getting your dogs vaccines when you can as it's so vital to have a reliable source of dog care in place that doesn't require family or friends input.

Its also good for your dog to have a safe, place where they build trust etc. I say this as as we had 2 small dogs & we made sure to find an excellent kennels & got them used to going so they were not freaked out etc each time

Its really not ok to leave any dog for 12 hours. In Sweden the law forbids leaving dogs longer than 6 hours as its cruel to the dogs. So I'm glad you got sorted.

Good luck on Thursday!

😂

OP, he sounds like he enjoys his garden normally, so don't be worrying. It's one day of him hanging out in his favourite place, with snacks and water. I'd love a day like that lol. He'll snooze, and as it's summer, it'll still be bright when you get back.

He'll be totally fine, and if he does feel it's a bit long, then he'll be even happier to see you when you get home, and you'll get loads of slobbery kisses.
Look after yourself, and don't stress about him.

OP you have my sympathies and I'm sorry your plan fell through with the original sitter. Glad to hear family have come to the rescue but totally understandable you were conflicted about what to do.

I also live alone with a dog and absolutely rely on the local daycare being in business and my mum in order to go to work and other things where dogs aren't permitted.

I am even considering using another local walker in addition to daycare for no reason. just to keep another option warm if you know what I mean, so that in a pinch I have a third option.

In your shoes I still would have had reservations about getting a random stranger from an internet site to look after your dog alone. I just think the worst - this is how sick animal abusers would gain access to animals unsupervised. I wouldn't do it with a child (if I had one) and I reeealllllyyy wouldn't want do it with my dog. It is really tough when you lead a solitary life sometimes and I sympathise.

Best wishes for Thursday 💐

Phone the Cinnamon Trust, they have people all over the country that will help people with their pets in circumstances like above.
personally I’d never leave my dog outside under any circumstance, the weather is about to change to another heatwave etc. you’re dog needs to be left inside and if possible get someone to pop in. I’ve also got a little camera in my lounge so that I can keep an eye on my dog for my own peace of mind.

@CarmellaSopranosKitchen

the dog has shade it’ll be fine

Ignore those saying pay the expensive sitter. In real life I bet there’s no way they would fork out £250. Also there are some really privileged people on here too with more money than sense!

‘The dog will have food, water, shade, room for toileting, and a garden it enjoys spending time in.’
Well, quite. Honestly I’m so surprised so many people on here seem to think this plan is something akin to cruelty 😅 I see you’ve now got a solution by way of your sister in law but I couldn’t see much of an issue with a one off as your original plan, with no other options and given the reason why you were to be out.
best of luck with everything op.

Pets are creatures of habit. If the op stuck the dog outside every day from 8am tip 8pm yes it would also be cruel but it'd what the dog was used to.

When they are used to at least some human interaction they become distressed when things change. They become distressed and confused.

Yes good that the <allergic to dogs> sil is stepping in.

OP can post anonymously in most local groups and just give a rough idea of the area. Then if she finds someone, she can just pm them with her address.