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Original poster

can i have a dog if it would be alone from 9 until 4?

25 replies

southeastastra · 14/01/2011 22:11

that's it really, have never had a dog and have no idea of how to look after one but think it would be nice to get one

OP posts:

winnybella · 14/01/2011 22:14

Well, when I was growing up we had dogs and they were at home while my parents were at work and I was at school. You would need to walk it (and take it for a proper long walk) right after coming back from work.

Some dogs really do not handle it very well- they'll feel lonely and bark all day long.

Catsmamma · 14/01/2011 22:14

I wouldn't, but obviously other people do.

And yes it's lovely, all the poo and wee to clean up, all the walking in the rain, all the eaten shoes, chewed coats, stinky carpets

You might be lucky and get a self training one

natternoo · 20/01/2011 15:51

Personally I dont think it would be fair on the dog leaving it on its own for the whole day. Dogs like to be up and about doing things they get very bored if left on their own for long periods of time plus the dog wouldnt be able to go to the loo all day, thats a pretty long time to have to wait!

echt · 24/01/2011 03:31

We have a dog who's alone 9 to 4 weekdays, though I'm a teacher so he gets a lot of time with us at other times.

He's walked twice a day, about 20 minutes in the morning, and an hour off-leash in the evening. This last is proper play, chasing a ball or frisbee, playing with other dogs.

When we're out he has the run of the front and back yards, so he can look out at what's passing and not be bored. He has toys to play with; Kong is good

We are fortunate in being able to give him a lot of space to run about in. I don't think it's fair to coop a dog up, and they need tons of exercise daily to keep them happy.

Unless they're greyhounds, who are complete couch potatoes.

OnEdge · 24/01/2011 03:51

I think it would be a bit cruel. Boring for the dog, they just want to be with you.

LetThereBeCupcakes · 24/02/2011 19:43

My partner and I work, but I go in early / leave early, and he does the opposite. Puppy-Dog also goes to daycare one day a week, three days I come home for lunch, and I only work half a day on Fridays. We also take him to agility once a week and obedience once a week, and go for lots of REALLY long walks (min of 90 minutes a day).
To be honest, he seems pleased to see the back of us some days. Any chance you could do any of this if you got a dog?

Booboostoo · 06/05/2011 22:25

It probably wouldn't work out with most dogs, BUT you can get a dog walker to come in at lunch time for an extra walk. You would still need to walk the dog first thing in the morning and when you got back from work, but with the extra walk in the middle of the day it should be fine.

Keep in mind that puppies cannot be left alone for that long, aside from anything else they need access to a garden for toilet purposes on average every 4 hours.

bemybebe · 06/05/2011 22:44

Please don't. 9-5 is way too long for a dog to be alone. Puppies of very young age need access to the outside hourly, even young dogs cannot be left alone for more than 4 hours at a time without compromising their wellbeing. Dogs of any breed need stimulation and human company, not just water and a blanket.

bemybebe · 06/05/2011 22:45

Sorry, meant 9-4. Still too long.

Beamur · 06/05/2011 22:49

Our dog used to be left for similar hours a few days a week and was fine, we gave her various toys etc but she was disinterested. Our working patterns mean this rarely happens now and there is someone about most days, but even when we're home the lazy beast rarely leaves her basket and sleeps most of the day.
I think it depends on the breed and the temperament of the dog, some will find being left all day distressing and stressful and others will simply snooze a lot.
My dog has remarkable bladder control and this period of time was not a problem.

JarethTheGoblinKing · 06/05/2011 22:49

BabyDubsEverywhere · 06/05/2011 23:38

Depends on what you are thinking in terms of breed and age though really. I wouldnt recommed it for just any dog. But my friends parents rehomed a couple of old dogs, (10+) who were really quite wrapped up in themselves and just wanted somewhere to live out their days, so to speak. The had the utility during the working day/school hours with a large dog flap to access the garden, they seemed more than happy. So maybe, the right old rescue pair of dogs could be okay with the arrangment?

NJ3catsn1dog · 16/05/2011 17:06

We have a dog who is at home alone all day. Not the best scenario but it just ended up that way. He used to go to work with my husband who is a landscape gardener but then he suddenly acquired and phobia to beiong in the tractor (dog not husband!!) so we had to start leaving him home.
He copes well but we do need to ensure that he gets enough exercise so i take him out for 30 mins in morning and then husband takes him out for longer in evening. I work fairly locally so sometimes get home at ,unch to let him out. Still, be prepared for the odd 'pressie' left for you to clean up when you get in. Can't blame the dog really.
If you decide to go ahead my advice would be to get a mature dog, possibly one that has been used to its own company before. A puppy can be destructive as they need a lot of attention. And training!!!!!

MrsJohnDeere · 16/05/2011 17:09

No, unfair on the dog

SarahStratton · 23/06/2011 16:33

That's SEVEN hours of being alone, 5 out of 7 days a week. At the very least, could you cope with not being able to go to the loo for 7 hours? And that's not even beginning to consider the boredom and loneliness factor.

Please don't, it would be incredibly unfair to have a dog under those circumstances.

Butkin · 24/06/2011 14:32

We leave our dog from 8.30 until 2.30 each day alone. He lives outside in his kennell and seems quite happy but his breed - Japanese Shiba Inu - are more suited to this sort of lifestyle than many breeds.

We walk him for half an hour morning and evening (remember this is 365 days a year!) and he gets to roam the garden (dog proof fencing) whenever we're at home and he comes in the house at night.

TheShowgirl · 26/06/2011 18:29

No.

DooinMeCleanin · 26/06/2011 18:36

I'll second whoever said it might work with the right rescue dog. Definitely no puppies. My Dad is a failed fosterer of a young Whippet pup whose owners thought it would be nice to have a dog despite working fulltime. The poor thing is utterly unsocialised and untrained and is as mad as a box of frogs, probably due to have spent the first 6 months of her life locked in utility room for most of the day/night.

You'd need to get up extra early to fit in a long walk (no matter what the weather) before work and you'd need to walk straight after work (no matter what the weather, mine even walk in the hail) and you'd need to pay someone to come in half way through the day to allow the dog to toilet and check the water dish ahsn't been upturned and give another walk.

Owning a dog is great, if it's what you enjoy, but it's hard work. It's muddy and dirty and expenisive and time consuming and limits what you can do with your weekends. To me having a dog is worth all that.

I have accepted that I will never have a fulltime job because I don't have time.

BrigitBigKnickers · 26/06/2011 18:53

My dog is left for this long twice a week but my lovely neighbour comes in at lunchtime to let her out and play with her for a few minutes.

There are plenty of dog walking services about if you are prepared to pay for them.

mercades1999 · 01/08/2011 12:10

when i was a kid i was home ed and we spent all day with the dog and it loved it!! i wouldent leave a pup on its own but then i wouldnt with a grown one so i dont know!!

i think that dogs need to have a lot of stuff to do and all that!! so i would not get one but on the other hand if you could get a dog sitter or some thing that might work!! :)

allhailtheaubergine · 01/08/2011 12:19

NO.

sammyjj321 · 15/08/2011 15:44

i don't think so..will it really even be 9 til 4 or will it more likely be 8 til 5 allowing for getting to and from work, especially when they are a puppy, they need attention, especially if you want them to grow up with the calm and playful manner I'm sure your are picturing in your head.

aquos · 15/08/2011 15:52

5 days a week, No. A couple of times a week is probably tolerable. My DB pays someone to come in and play with his dog early afternoon, to break the day up. Could that be an option?

mycatsaysach · 15/08/2011 15:54

no way - i have never left mine for this long even once

Pagwatch · 15/08/2011 16:00

No. Not kind at all to the dog. I would never consider it.

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