Dog home alone, how long?

[BabyBed]

Just that really. Have 2 year old lab, she's never been left for more than 2 hours but changing circumstances mean that's not possible any more. Depending on shifts/traffic it could be up to 5 hours 2 days per week.

1. How long is reasonable to leave a dog alone (after 5km walk)?

1. Would it be better or worse if dog had a doggy pal, i.e. should we think about a second dog so they can entertain each other or is that a recipe for disaster?

1. Should we look for dog sitter/borrow my doggy arrangement?

I don't think more than 2 hours myself. I would get a dog walker who will pop in half way through the 5 hour stint. I have a biggish dog and he doesn;t like being alone too long.

It depends on the dog. A lot of people talk about 4 hours, but some dogs can cope with more and others with less. I happen to have a dog that's remarkably good at being left - but I've also heard of dogs that struggle with 2 minutes.

I would build your dog up to five hours and see how it copes. Consider setting up a dashcam or similar so you can see what the dog is doing.

I wouldn't get another dog - as the separation is about their humans, you may just end up with two upset dogs. Build the dog up to 5 hours, and if it can't cope get a dog walker.

Do you have time to build up to the 5 hours? Second PP about a camera, I have one which streams to my phone so I can watch him and check that he isn't distressed (they are so cheap).

Can you afford a dog walker in which case I would do that anyway.

If your dog has been used to 2 hours pretty happily, I’d look into a dog walker to come to break it up - then you won’t be worried.

For my dog, 5 hours would be OK - she’d just sleep but I’d feel guilty!

I absolutely wouldn’t get another dog for this reason alone - what if that dog is more anxious, what if existing dog doesn’t like new dog. ... double the trouble and worry, and loads more training. If you’re hankering after another dog though and want the commitment (and expense) that’s different.

My dog does 8 hours completely fine, but it all depends on the individual dog and you have to build it up gradually. It’s all about routine. My dog doesn’t even look at me as I walk out the door anymore.

5 hours should be doable for a lab (bladder size etc) but will need to be built up, adding a bit of extra time each time.
Ensure the 5km walk isn’t too strenuous as you don’t want her to need a large drink of water before being left. A shorter, more ‘sniffier’ walk might be better.

Gets some long lasting treats to keep her amused throughout the day.

An adult lab should be able to do 5 hours

My dog has recently built up to 5 hours.

I've been racing home expecting to find him anxious and desperate for a wee. He's always fast asleep though. I think he likes the house to himself and peace and just for a change.

Thanks for the advice. I think sometimes that she's a bit pissed off when we get home sooner than expected because she has to get off the bed the cheeky hound so we could build up the time.

A dog walker is possible, haven't had someone come in when we're out but it seems fairly standard so will look into that.

Any recommendations on long lasting, no choke hazard treats? She has ridiculously powerful jaws and chomps through everything but shin bone in seconds. What would keep her busy?

Re something to chew... mine loves deer antlers. They are expensive (especially ones big enough for a lab) and some people don't like them because they might be too hard but one will keep battendog amused for hours and lasts several weeks/months...

If her jaws are that powerful, I'd be looking more towards the method of treat delivery rather than the treat itself, in terms of making it long lasting.

A kong extreme would be the most obvious option, along with things like a Kong wobbler. Is she the sort of dog to destroy toys quickly? The Facebook group Canine Enrichment is an excellent source of ideas

I’ve always thought about 4-5 hours is okay as long as you build it up gradually. Otherwise how can you have any sort of life yourself? To always be back within 2 hours wherever you go is incredibly restrictive. I think most dog owners think 4 hours is pretty okay. If I was longer than that I would get a dog walker or friend etc to pop in to break the time up and let them out for a wee etc.

Fairylee she is our life! Love that daft dog and we are incredibly boring so 'going out' means an extra long dog walk followed by dog friendly pub. But take your point.

Will look into Kongs and we did have some antler somewhere... Mindful that I've heard horror stories of labs eating through entire dinner table and chairs if left to their own devices for too long.

Second dog is something I'd like but DP not keen. Our lady loves to play with other dogs on walks so thought she would enjoy the company but would massively resent sharing the bed. I think it's not the right choice at present though.

Mine does 5 hours-ish without problems (and often has to be woken by the dogwalker when she arrives!) He’s far more likely to destroy things when I’m around but not paying attention to him then when he’s on his own - he has free range of the house and I just try not to leave anything especially tempting (like my bras) lying around. I worked up to leaving him a couple of minutes, 10 minutes to pop to the shop, half an hour, a couple of hours, but it was pretty quick.

Get a large deer antler for her to chew on. They are expensive, but last for ages.

We had a mature westie (aged 10) and on very rare ocassions such a family day out would leave for 5 hrs max. If there was a risk of traffic jams or delays he'd go to a doggy sitter.
However, I feel your dog is too young for that. I'd employ a dog sitter or arrange a drop in person.
We have a young pup now 3 months. Wouldn't leave for more than 1.5hrs coinciding with snooze time.

Pro dog walkers here. RSPCA guidelines are 4 hours, but it really does depend on the dog(s). Some are stressed after only a short period alone in which case we will keep them with us for the day. Most are perfectly happy. I always suggest using a webcam to see what really happens when you're out to owners when we first discuss this.

Mine CAN be left up to 12 hours in case of fire emergency and were fine but certainly not ideal. They both are regularly left for 8 or 9 hours though and are fine but that is down to the individual dog. I don't think DDog2 even notices I'm gone tbh.

That should say dire not fire

Depends on the dog, mine would've happily stayed home alone for 5hrs and not batted and eyelid but she was pretty chilled out and not clingy, liked her own space iyswim?

I can imagine if you had a lapdog type breed that was used to being with you it would be different but I don't imagine you have your Lab sitting on your lap that regular

They go more than 5hrs through night without being walked/let out to do their business so as long as your dog is walked before and after I don't see the problem

For us it’s a max of 4 hours or doggy daycare

I’d build it up slowly. I think after a long walk she will just snooze for those hours. As you say it is at most 5 hours.

The risk with a dog walker is that she comes back into the house all hooped up and excited looking for something to do!