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The doghouse

If you're worried about your pet's health, please speak to a vet or qualified professional.

Original poster

How to keep her entertained while im at work

26 replies

myusernameisusername · 10/06/2015 09:28

I set up a video camera the other day to see what my dog does while im at work 6hrs a day and she just sleeps all day or wanders around aimlessly bored she is extremely bright are there any robust interaction toys to get her moving ? or some music to soothe her and make her happy she whimpers when i leave for about tje first 10 mins Sad

OP posts:
Hoppinggreen · 10/06/2015 10:00

I think that 6 hours is too long to leave a dog on its own, is getting someone to pop in for a bit an option or can you afford a dog walker?

Lilcamper · 10/06/2015 10:07

6 hours is about 2 hours too long. Otherwise interactive feeding toys, frozen stuffed kongs, food hidden in cardboard boxes to destroy....

Original poster
myusernameisusername · 10/06/2015 15:21

no she's fine for that amount of time her previous owners used to leave for 7 she just sleeps id rather she be up and playing with toys I've seen the JML wiggle waggle ball thing no reviews for it yet so not sure of its robustness

OP posts:
slicedfinger · 10/06/2015 15:25

Our Ddog doesn't like to be left for more than about and hour. The vet suggested frozen kongs for him. We never tried it, it seemed like an enormous faff, but I can see it might be a good idea for a food motivated dog.

ThroughThickAndThin01 · 10/06/2015 15:25

I should think she's beside herself with boredom if that happens every day. She need someone to come in and play with her/take her out to break up the monotony. She can hardly watch the telly or read a book to entertain herself. Just because the previous owners left her for 7 hours, doesn't make it the right thing to do.

basildonbond · 10/06/2015 15:56

She may be used to being left for 6-7 hours but that doesn't mean she's not bored on her own. Dogs do naturally sleep for much of the day being more active around their instinctive hunting times of dawn and dusk so if she's had a good walk in the morning I'd expect her to sleep quite a bit. However I always get my dogwalker to come and take my dog out in the middle of the day when I have to be out for several hours. He needs some company, some mental and physical stimulation plus 6 hours is a looong time to hold your bladder during the day..

I wouldn't bother spending money on interactive toys - she's not going to play with them on her own - she needs interaction with people not toys

Lilcamper · 10/06/2015 16:59

Dogs Trust guidelines is no longer than 4 hours.

They are social creatures that crave our company. If they weren't they wouldn't be in our homes now.

Wolfiefan · 10/06/2015 17:04

She's clearly not fine if she whimpers when you go. Get a dog walker?

Buttercup27 · 10/06/2015 17:21

We have 2 different types of Kong. A big plastic one that we put the dogs breakfast in which he takes most of the morning to get out and then we have a rubber one we fill with sticky foods that takes a while for him to her out , he also enjoys chewing om this one. We use it when we have visitors.

EdwinaLIzzard · 10/06/2015 18:08

As others have already stated, 6 hours is way to long for a dog to be left, they are social creatures who crave human company and I would doubt very much that an interactive toy will be played with, although a stuffed frozen kong may keep him entertained for a short while.

Do you work everyday?

You mention previous owners used to leave him for 7 hours, how long have you had the dog? If he whimpers when you leave its because he knows he is about to be locked up and bored out of his mind for next 6 hours.

If this is a regular occurrence, I really do think you will have to get a dog walker to come and take him out during the day. My dog, a cocker spaniel, would go crazy with boredom if he was left on his own all day.

Lovepancakes · 10/06/2015 20:32

I agree with those above as it's not much of a day to look forward to if it can be improved - in your position I'd join BorrowMyDoggie to find a kind local person who would have him regularly while you're at work.

(We've just joined when saw a local lady's dog was upset on its own too so have volunteered to have it during the day when wanted and waiting for a reply. )

Original poster
myusernameisusername · 11/06/2015 12:39

i don't want some random person entering my home and stealing my dog so i wouldn't trust sites like that

OP posts:
Lilcamper · 11/06/2015 12:46

Read it again, the dog goes to the other person. They don't enter your home. Look for a local trusted dog walker, they'll be insured and more than likely experienced and trained in canine first aid.

Hoppinggreen · 11/06/2015 13:32

I sometimes collect our Borrowed Doggy from his home and I can assure you I always return him ( unless it's arranged that his owner collects from us).
No stealing involved - obviously I rifle through her drawers though ( joking)

You need to pay a dog walker then if you don't trust a " random person"

LimeJellyHead · 11/06/2015 14:41

Mine have always preferred Busy Buddy toys to Kongs. Have a look at those. Lots of different shapes to choose from. And why not do hide and seek with treats. Hide them round the house before you go out. I also scrunch treats up into old magazine pages or brown paper. Scrunch one tiny treat into a page, nice and tight for a challenge. I scatter those around the house. You come back to a house of shredded paper but it is worth it, lol. Also a good walk before you go out and maybe a dog walker in the afternoon should help.

Original poster
myusernameisusername · 11/06/2015 17:12

Yes I'm sure a dog walker would love me knocking on their door at 5am before work carrying a dog that is still fast asleep as she doesn't actually wake up until 7 or 8 she'll go to the garden before I go and back to bed . I'll have a look at those toys thanks she loves to play by herself when we're at home

OP posts:
basildonbond · 11/06/2015 17:26

Erm I think you're missing the point ...

My dog walker is DBS checked and came with fantastic references from people I know so I feel completely confident in him.

When I need to work away from home he picks up my dog at about 12 and brings him back at around 3 which breaks up the day nicely

If I'm going to be really late then I book him in for daycare so he's picked up at 9 and dropped home again at 6

You will be wasting your money if you get toys to entertain her while you're gone - she needs people not toys

Hoppinggreen · 11/06/2015 17:27

Look, you can get as arsey as you like about it but leaving your Dog alone regularly for that long isn't good.
I'm sure some people do it for longer and perhaps their dog doesn't mind but yours clearly does.
People have suggested ways to make the dogs alone time easier and hopefully it will help a bit but it doesn't change the fact that the alone time is too long.

LimeJellyHead · 11/06/2015 19:37

I think you'll find I suggested YOU do the morning walk.

EdwinaLIzzard · 11/06/2015 19:54

Everyone is trying to offer sensible options, but the fact remains, it is neither right nor fair to leave a doing alone for that length of time.

You clearly have to leave for work very early, does this mean that the dog does not even get a walk before before being confined to the house for six hours?

I don't know what breed you have or how old the dog is, but I walk my young spaniel for about two hours every day and in between we train, we play and yes, he sleeps, but not solidly for six hours.

You need to sort something out for your dog and dog walkers are used by so many people; the doge love the walk, the companionship and exercise

Artandco · 11/06/2015 19:59

Dog walkers are checked and insured. You can walk dog before you leave, then dog walker will come after 2-3 hrs and take out for 1-2 hrs, then bring back. You don't have to take dog anywhere

Fudgeface123 · 12/06/2015 11:08

myusernameisusername, you shouldn't have a dog if that's your attitude, but looking at your other posts on other threads with your little playmate I can well understand it.

Rehome the dog with someone who gives a shit

nellieellie · 12/06/2015 14:39

Op, you have said yourself that your fog is very intelligent and wanders around aimlessly or sleeps for the 6 hrs she is left. You obviously care enough to have checked to see what she was doing when you're out, so now you know she is distressed and bored. There are thousands of people who use dog walkers every day, give them a key, knowing that they have a good reputation, are insured and make a hell of a difference to their dogs life. You could find a walker who is well known and respected locally. You could even leave on your video camera to check she or he is not rifling through your things. You gave a choice. If your dog is alone for 6 hrs, she is not getting the stimulation and company that a responsible dog owner would give her.

nellieellie · 12/06/2015 14:40

Dog, not fog. Damn this iPad.

Perfectlypurple · 12/06/2015 14:45

We would like to get a dog. Looking at our shifts there are too many days when we would both be out for more than 4 hours, so have decided to wait and see if things change. The only way we could do it is if we work opposite shifts which we have had to do before and never saw each other. Now we get days off together but means we are both at work at the same time quite a lot so we wouldn't get a dog knowing we would have to leave it on its own all the time.

We may consider a dog walker at some point and make enquiries before we actually commit to having a dog.