How long do you leave your dog alone?

[opalescent]

I understand there will be a range of opinions on this, but am curious to understand - how long will you happily leave your dog alone to go out to non-dog friendly events?
I have an 18 month old cocker, who is actually really good at being left for short periods- she just settles and snoozes. I always make sure she's had a good walk, and leave her with a frozen kong. I work from home, so she is rarely alone, but the maximum I tend to leave her is 4 hours. This can be quite limiting though, on the odd occasion that we are invited out for longer social events.
I have experimented with popping home to walk her and then going back out (if it's a longer social thing), but it feels a bit unfair.

My husband thinks I'm being over sensitive and that she would be fine left for 6 hours plus, as long as she's walked halfway through.

Thoughts?

@ChChoconut
I couldn't agree more.
Dogs thrive with company, so to leave them hours at a time is total cruelty no matter what anyone says.

How do people that work full time get around not leaving them for 9 hours? I had a dog who I had for 17 years and he was a happy content dog. I had to go to work and he was completely fine, he would sleep most of the day, have some food and go back to sleep. We would go for a walk first thing of a morning and as soon as I walked through the door. He didn't have separation anxiety or behaviour problems and he was left most days 8-9 hours. In fact when I was at home at the weekend he would go and sit in another room from me 😂

Hey there! So, when it comes to leaving my dog alone, it really depends on the situation. If I'm just running a quick errand, like picking up some groceries, I'll usually leave him alone for 30 minutes to an hour. But if I'm going to be out of the house for longer than that, I make sure to either take him with me or arrange for someone to come and check on him.

I never like to leave him alone for more than 4-5 hours at a time, and even then I try to make sure he has plenty of toys and things to keep him occupied. I also make sure he has access to fresh water and a comfortable place to rest while I'm gone.

Overall, I just try to be mindful of my dog's needs and make sure he's as comfortable and happy as possible, even when I'm not around.

I usually ask a vet questions about this kind of thing as sometimes it can be difficult to gauge just how long a pup should be alone before they get anxious or upset. Anyway, I know this is late but I hope it helps.

Hands up I leave mine longer. Two dachshunds, they have a nice long walk in the morning then three or four days a week they are left 8-9 hours. They seem happy, they play and snooze, they eat and drink and don't wee or poo in house. They spend most of time when we come home playing in woodland type big garden till dark then gets tons of cuddles and affection from us all in the evening. They sleep in a crate overnight 7ish hours together and don't wake for loo then either.

They are the loveliest dogs and seem very content. We're half thinking to put an electric dog flap in door and secure an area they could run around in safely but only for their fun rather than because they'd need the toilet.

5 hours, but very rarely.
Usually it is no more than 3.

I have 2 labradors. They are with me all day, every day normally.
But, I can leave them home alone for 6, 7, 8 hours no problem following breakfast and a walk.
They just sleep 🙄
Depends on the dog and the breed, I've always had dogs and have left them on their own, as a matter of course, for a couple of hours at a time, even if there was no need, just to be sure they could cope.
I have genuinely never had a problem, and neither have my dogs.

Its four hours for me. My dog doesnt howl or go into destruct mode but she does get sad and she doesnt eat or drink at all while gone, so don’t like to leave her longer. I’ve stretched it by accident a couple of times, but if I am going out for the day, I might leave for the morning then arrange someone to collect her and keep the rest of the day.

it is limiting, and i didnt think i would feel so tied to the idea of only 4 hours but i do.

Any judgement of people leaving their dog for longer than a few hours is deserved, so good if people in the doghouse topic say it. Nothing to be ‘terrified’ of if you’re not asking if it’s ok to leave dogs for full working days. Lots of people justify it with ‘big walks’ and ‘they’re old’ but it’s not ok.

Our dogs are never left more than 2 hours and even that’s rare. We wfh, older kids are in and out and we have friends who will help out. Dogs like company.

The charity I work with says 4 hours max in a day. Mine is rarely left. If my DH is away it can be just over 4 hours if I’m doing my volunteering.

9 hours regularly is just wrong

And he’s not alone at night. He’s with me.

Four hours maximum.