Could I leave my dog home alone for 10 hours? just for 3 days while dh is away?

[EleanorReally]

or should I try and take annual leave?
whats the max she can be left do you think
she is 6 JRT
actually 9 and a half hours

[adaline]

You can't leave a dog for 10 hours - it's cruel, sorry.

Six hours might be okay so long as she has a good walk beforehand and another one as soon as you get back, but it's not ideal really. I know people will say they leave their dogs alone all day and they're fine, but I honestly think that's a pretty shit existence.

Part of being a good dog owner is to make sure your dog gets plenty of attention, exercise, enrichment and company. Mines goes to daycare while we work, because seven hours on his own is far too much.

It's a £45 payment as a one-off. It's about the same as food for a month, surely? Worth it for your dog to be happy and well-cared for.

[Ivestoppedreadingthenews]

Oh yes. My friend has had loads of help with her dog on borrow my doggie. Definitely worth a try.

[freddiethegreat]

I left my JRT once for an 8 hour day with a neighbour popping in ... got in for 30 minutes (fed dog in those 30 minutes) & my son spilt boiling water on himself, so we shot off to minor injuries & then got referred on to specialist paediatric burns unit 90 minutes away & kept there overnight (on morphine). Got home about 2pm the next day. Dog had coped because another neighbour let him out at bedtime & then went back in the morning before work to feed and water him, but it was cruel - albeit definitely an emergency. These days with a younger and more inclined to chew the house dog, I pay anything from £24 - £67 most school weeks of the year for dog walking & daycare. It’s expensive, but it’s a choice I make.

[historysock]

My two ended up being left for 9 hours today due to an emergency.
Felt awful and was dreading what I'd find when I got home.
They were asleep when I got back, no mess at all...
I wouldn't want to do it if it was avoidable though...
They are generally left for 8 hours during the day but the dog walker takes them out for an hour and a half in the middle.

[historysock]

Both JRT's by the way.

[Cinders29]

Begrudge paying £45 for a dog walker .... 😤

.... I just can’t !! 🤦🏽‍♀️

[IHeartArya]

There’s a difference though in having an emergency & having to leave a dog & planning to leave a dog for so many hours. Hopefully op sorts something out.

[arganlady]

Begrudge paying £45 to ensure your dog is not uncomfortable and unhappy?

Selfish ass. Do your dog a favour and rehome it, you don't deserve it.

[Aquamarine1029]

You can't spend £45 to ensure the welfare of your dog? Really?

[AstroKate]

Agree with others on here. I think one of your posts not to be overlooked is that the dog is rarely left on its own?

Therefore even 6 hours would probably cause stress and anxiety

We stick to the 4 hour rule for our lab

I'm also surprised at £45... presumably that's over the 3 days? Dog walkers here are c£10 a walk or I can do a half day doggy day care for £20 a day (south London)

Please spend the money-it's not fair otherwise

[Costacoffeeplease]

It never fails to amaze me what people think is acceptable on this board. You take on a dog, you take on the care and responsibility, you don’t just leave them for hours on end because you don’t want to spend £45. I fucking despair

[Sparklingfairylights]

Really not good if dog not used to being left alone. I would pay for peace of mind. Different in a total emergency but you know this problem is looming.

[peoplepleaser1]

As others have said that is way too long, especially in a planned situation rather than an emergency.

IMO it's too long for any dog but a dog unused to being left alone could really struggle if suddenly left for such a long period. Them going to the toilet in the house could be the least of your problems- they are likely to feel extreme emotional distress which is cruel and may lead to destructive behaviour and separation anxiety which is a horrid problem to have and extremely difficult to undo.

[applesarerroundandshiny]

Depending on our shift patterns we sometimes leave our dog alone 6 hours 2 or 3 days per week and he is fine. Having said that he has been left 3-5 hours from about 14 weeks so it would be different if your dog is not normally left.

If my DH is on early shift I try to go in as late as I can get away with (depending on work commitments) or sometimes work from home for part of the day (I'm only part time anyway). I realise I'm lucky to be able to do this though.

In your case I would definitely try to get half days leave. I don't think getting in a dog walker for 3 days is always as simple as some people think - a lot if dog walkers may have regular commitments and your dog needs to get to know them.

[squee123]

all the major charities say a dog should not be left for more than 4 hours in a 24 hour period for good reason. People will tell you it's okay because it suits them to believe that. It isn't

[MattMagnolia]

Why do people think they’re entitled to buy a pet without accepting responsibility for its proper care?
If you want a pet that lives in a cage get a hamster, not a dog.
If you want to leave your pet all day get a goldfish, not a dog.

[Hedgehogblues]

Our dog has a cat flap so she can let herself out when we are not there.

[Bookworm4]

Please don’t use borrow my doggy, you’re being cheap, spend on a bloody dog walker. It’s a one off expenditure.
To the people with dog flap and ‘secure gardens’ another big no, dog theft is a huge problem , they’ll break into your house never mind your garden. Your garden might keep the dog in but it won’t keep a thief out.

[EleanorReally]

DM to the rescue,
my mum that is not the redtop rag

[Purplecatshopaholic]

No. Get a pet sitter in

[Gingerkittykat]

I wouldn't use borrow my doggy, the people on there are not dog cares who want the responsibility of regular care. They are people who just want to spend a bit of time with a dog. I've seen some in my area just taking the piss and wanting to use it as free kennels or daycare.

Besides the cost to sign up would be around what you would spend for 3 days walking anyway.

[princessTiasmum]

NO, 3 hours here, and dogs left all day sometimes bark and disturb neighbours,who might complain, what if it needs to go out and has to wait all day, not fair on the dog

[ifoundthebread]

My dog would be fine as long as had a good bit of running round before I left. See if a friend can pop round to let him in the garden and give him 5 minutes attention, get them to hide treats round house while he's outside, give him something to do, my dog loves this.