Leaving sleeping toddler to take dog out for a wee

[Denbie]

We have always worked the dogs routine around when both of us are home so that our toddler is never left alone

However I am due to be away for 2 days next weekend and me and my partner are at an impasse RE what is acceptable

We live in a second floor flat, (no lift, stairs only) and cannot get locked out as the communal door magnet lock has never worked … I think it will be fine to run the dogs down for a wee outside of the main communal door while our toddler is sleeping in his crib and taking a monitor with us

This will take a couple of minutes and our bedroom window is directly above the communal door so you can hear everything even without the monitor anyway

I feel it’s not too different to being in your garden and baby asleep upstairs in a house, not ideal obviously but workable on this very temporary basis … partner feels this isn’t acceptable

Obviously this won’t be to go for walkies, strictly just for a toilet break directly outside the door … what do you guys think?

I had a similar set up in our previous flat and had to do this when the dog had the runs and DS was asleep.

I think it's fine as long as you are happy they are safe in their room if they did wake up when you were downstairs.

It’s fine!

Well if this was your own house then yes it would probably be fine but it isn't

Could your dog run away or hold things up? Would your flat door be locked?
Would neighbours have access at all?
It is a difficult one as it isn't an easy yes or no for me. Is there a local teen you could bung a fiver for a little walk?

Does your flat door lock automatically or do you need a key to lock it?
I was terrified of getting locked out with baby/toddler inside...

I think it's fine. I would be comfortable with that.

@PuttingDownRoots … you need to physically lock the flat door with the key so can’t get locked out (unless you lock it and then loose the key)

Personally I'm with your partner, I don't think it's a good idea and would not do this myself. However, I'm not sure what your alternative is.. can the dogs go out for a wee earlier before your toddler goes to bed and they can come down with you?

@storypushers
unless something really unusual happens, there is no reason why the dogs would randomly get off their lead and run away

flat door would be locked, you have to lock with the key so cannot lock key inside, no one would have access to the flat and the communal door doesn’t lock so cannot get locked out of the building

we don’t have anyone to help … tried to get the dogs booked into kennels but it was short notice and everywhere is booked up until November, it’s ridiculous

I think it's fine. It's not really much different from taking the dog to the garden. Bit grim letting your dog pee outside the front door on a regular basis though so wouldn't do it often.

It sounds fine to me OP. My toddler is asleep in his crib right now and I just had a pretty long shower during which I couldn't hear the baby monitor and just glanced out at it every few minutes. Don't see how you walking downstairs with your dogs for 2 minutes to let them pee while watching the monitor the whole time is worse than that.

Absolutely fine

@gentlemum
I agree it’s not ideal and would only be for this very temporary basis … have tried taking toddler down with the dogs and it’s not doable …

I either let him walk down the stairs holding my hand which takes a lifetime, dogs at this point are eagerly anticipating that wee as soon as you put their lead on and aren’t patient enough to take a lifetime to walk down the stairs … and carrying a wriggly toddler down the stairs with two dogs eagerly pulling on the lead is too dangerous 🙈

@Doveyouknow oh don’t worry, as soon as you come out of the door there is grass to left, I wouldn’t be that neighbour to leave pee for everyone to walk though 🤣

I'd be fine with this, but absolutely shitting myself to get back upstairs just incase.

You need to work on the dog training though. I am disabled and have 4dc and our 3yo lab WILL wait and walk with us, has done since very young.

Get a sling so carrying a toddler with you isn't a problem?

Why does partner think it's not acceptable?

I don’t see a problem and would do just as you are describing.

I wouldn’t, could you use a puppy pad?

Its fine, we used to do this all the time when we lived in a flat, someone once told us it was irresponsible, despite the fact that their 18 month old slept on the third floor and they would spend their evenings in their summer house at the bottom of their garden.

I'm in a house, not a flat, but the dog won't pee in the garden and has to go out for a wee before I go to bed (9pm ish) so if my husband is away I run her to the patch of grass directly opposite my house. I have the monitors on (1yo and 3yo) and am as quick as possible. It's definitely not ideal but equally (I'd say), low risk.

Honestly don't see the issue

I had a similar set up, and we used to take the bin bags down to communal bins the eve after LO was asleep in bed.

Like you say, no different to if you were in a house

Using a puppy pad for a housetrained dog isn't a great idea. It gives them mixed messages.

OP I'd risk it.

I wouldn't as too many what if's.

In your own home babys door is left open and if doggy doesn't come back in it can be left in the garden.

In a flat a lock could fail, doggy could run away,

You get the picture.

However plenty of people would

I absolutely wouldn't do this. 99.99% sure it would be fine but would you forgive yourself if it turned out to be the 0.01%?

Put your dogs in kennels if you can't handle them for a night.

*edited to add - sorry missed that you'd tried the kennels

My toddler's bedroom is above my neighbour's house and the furthest bedroom from our garden, I take the dog out for a wee without a second thought. Sometimes, when the evenings are warmer I sit outside for a bit when the toddler is asleep.