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The doghouse

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Original poster

Leaving dog alone overnight

72 replies

fjalladis · 18/09/2014 22:42

Hi I have a 10 month old lab and she is my world.
Unfortunately I am having to look at taking on a new job which will involve working 2-3 nights per week. I am now single so she is left alone in a crate & puppy pen complex (several puppy pens do a quite large space). With me popping home in my breaks to walk her and let her out for a wee. She has never been left for more than 4 hrs.

If I start nights I would be gone for about 12hrs but it would be time when she would normally be settled in her crate anyhow (as this is where she is overnight).
The other option would potentially be to take her with me and leave her in my car boot for couple of months if she doesn't settle (only when temps allow) I would be able to keep checking on her during the night and she would be in a locked secure car park so risk to her would be minimal.
What are people's thoughts?

OP posts:
ThatBloodyWoman · 18/09/2014 22:45

For me, I would want to take her to a friend or relatives house, because I wouldn't find the other two options acceptable.

Original poster
fjalladis · 18/09/2014 22:49

Ps should also add that given the chance my dog would live in my car. She opts to be in there at every given opportunity it often takes dinner to tempt her out of the car and back into the house!

OP posts:
GloriousGloria · 18/09/2014 22:49

Please get a dog sitter.

Your other two options are just cruel

WeeClype · 18/09/2014 22:54

I watched a animal programme a few weeks back and someone had been reported for leaving a dog in the boot of the car while she was at work......the animal officer said that if he found the dog left alone again he would be taking it away.

DawnInOnMe · 18/09/2014 22:56

Please do not leave your dog alone for 12 hours or outside in your car.

hairylittlegoblin · 18/09/2014 22:57

You need a sitter. Even if your dog did settle overnight (and you won't know this) you will need to sleep after your shift. And potentially for several hours if you're working 2 shifts together. What will happen to the dog then?

Original poster
fjalladis · 18/09/2014 22:59

Think cruel is a bit harsh!!!

She is put to bed at around 9-9:30 each night as that is when she naturally crashes anyway.she hasn't woken in the night for months and months and only wakes when I go and get her in in the morning. Only difference would be that I wouldn't be there during the night.

OP posts:
YolandiFuckinVisser · 18/09/2014 23:03

Don't get a dog if you don't have the time to look after it!

Original poster
fjalladis · 18/09/2014 23:07

Nowhere have I said I don't have time to look after my dog!!! You clearly have not read the thread. I haven't taken the job yet I'm just considering my options.

A puppy sitter isn't an option. I forgot how utterly rude and judgemental people are on here. I won't bother posting again.

OP posts:
Bowlersarm · 18/09/2014 23:08

Sorry but I don't like either of your options.

Original poster
fjalladis · 18/09/2014 23:10

Ok can people justify why people would be unhappy leaving her bearing in mind she would be alone during the same period anyhow.

OP posts:
Bowlersarm · 18/09/2014 23:11

You need to be there if she gets stressed, needs to go out. She knows you won't be with her. Dogs like company.

Original poster
fjalladis · 18/09/2014 23:16

Bit she's alone anyway at the opposite end of my annex. She sleeps all night every night (that I know for sure as I have a monitor to check her cos I was a paranoid puppy owner when I first had her!) hasn't woken for nearly six months and she is litter box trained too.

OP posts:
overthemill · 18/09/2014 23:16

If she does wake and gets stressed/needs a wee/ is sick. She is still a puppy. But also what if your house catches fire? I know that some people leave dogs in day time for working day but 12 hours is a long time. If you can't have a dog sitter can you take to someone's house? Or get someone friendly to pop in. I think there's a website 'borrowmydog' which might be useful . I know this is tough on you as it's for work but there is a reason why RSPCA etc say dogs shouldn't be left for more than 4 hours and people do rehome when jobs change. Good luck

milkysmum · 18/09/2014 23:19

I actually think given your dog would normally be sleeping as would you be it would really be ok. Would you be taking her for a good walk before you left for work etc..?

Original poster
fjalladis · 18/09/2014 23:19

Please not this is AT NIGHT not during the day. During the day she is with me out and about on the moor and having a ball. She is taken for a very long walk in the early evening to check on the stock and falls asleep almost immediately she's finished her meal.

OP posts:
ErrolTheDragon · 18/09/2014 23:20

I'm afraid dogs are usually pretty sensitive to people's comings and goings - she'll know you've left the house. If there's no-one else who could look after her it's hard to think of a good solution. Even if she really likes being in the car for a while, I doubt you'd find that was workable - nights will be getting cold soon.

Bowlersarm · 18/09/2014 23:21

And you expect her to be in a crate for 12 hours? More if you get held up. That is quite cruel.

Original poster
fjalladis · 18/09/2014 23:24

Errol I'm not remotely concerned about her getting cold in the car. She has thick beds and I can do things to keep her warm I'm more concerned about her getting too hot. I'm also in the south of the country so winters aren't quite as harsh.

OP posts:
Floralnomad · 18/09/2014 23:26

The point is if you are working nights you will be sleeping at least part of the day so not only will the dog be alone for the night ,it will be alone during the day - and don't under estimate how much sleep you will need ,particularly if you are not used to doing nights . I've done nights for 25 years and can get away with 2/3 hours sleep but I only do one night a week - I know people who literally need to sleep all day . TBH even what you do now ( if I have read it correctly) doesn't sound like much fun for such a young dog and neither of your proposals are really suitable .

Original poster
fjalladis · 18/09/2014 23:28

Bowlers she has a crate puppy pen system made up if 3 puppy pens and a huge crate. Crate has a cover over it and a bed so it's dark and den like. She has food and water and lots of toys a litter tray. It's a pretty big space and takes up much of the kitchen/dinner. She only doesn't have the whole of the space as I have lots of stuff in boxes which I don't want her to damage.

OP posts:
hmc · 18/09/2014 23:28

Ummmm - I couldn't do it.

Perhaps if you put a camera over her crate and could get live feed from that camera to your phone it might be okay...

RomeoDone · 18/09/2014 23:28

My dog happily sleeps in his crate for 10-12 hrs, and has done since the day we brought him home. He loves it. Sleeps from 10pm to 8am however that's with me making him get up for a wee. If I don't he stays in his crate asleep until about 10. He would be fine overnight and I'm sure your dog would be too! Maybe do a test run where you stop at a friends. Or get neighbour to check in on him after a few hours. I'm sure it will be fine. Just tire him out in the day. I've owned dogs all my life! He will be fine x

Shosha1 · 18/09/2014 23:29

Both out two crash out overnight totally. Never really wake.

If we are BOTH here.

DH works shifts. When he is on nights they just don't settle as well. Awake at the slightest noise.

RomeoDone · 18/09/2014 23:30

Sorry. Just realised she is a she Smile