bereaved dog

[Blue2014]

Ok, I realise this should be the last of my worries right now but you dog lovers will understand - my dad died this weekend, we are supporting each other as a family but I'm worried about the dog!

He was my dads dog, the dog is only 2 and he's not heartbroken about the loss but my dad was retired and stayed at home all day. The dog has never really been left alone. He's badly trained too, he's too naughty to be left to roam the house. My mum will have to go back to work next week and that will leave the dog on his own for 8 hours of a day. I'm so worried about him - do you have any advice on what we can do for him?

I'm sorry for your loss - things must be very difficult right now for everyone, including the dog

Firstly does your mum really have to go back to work next week? That seems incredibly soon

Quite simply you can't leave a dog on its own for 8 hours a day, especially if it's been used to company all the time

You could get a dog walker to come in a couple of times, or arrange doggy daycare or if money's tight see if a dog-living neighbour can help

In the longer term your mum will need to sort out the dog's training

The other alternative would be to look into rehoming the dog - he's only 2 so this will be a long term issue for your family

Thank you for this

What's the norm for how long dogs should be left alone? Is there anything I can do to make him happier on the times he will need to be alone ?

No more than 4 hours really and you'd need to build up to that

Kongs stuffed with food can help

Dog walker? Lunchtime.

Thank you, I can do a dog walker and a kong. Any other ideas would be gratefully received too

There's a website called borrowmydoggy that connects dogs in need of walks with people who want to walk them! But might not work for a dog who is home alone as they'd need to let themselves in and I'd be a bit eeeeeek about letting a random stranger do that!

I've been debating the same thing huffle! Useful but risky!

Google 'treatment plan for separation anxiety' and see what seems do-able. Confine him to one safe room. But he might bark or howl if left alone. You need a local angel who will dog sit, maybe an unemployed or disabled person?

Thank you