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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

Taking dog to work and leaving him in the car

39 replies

HildegardCrowe · 25/10/2019 11:15

I have a 12 year old JRT cross who's left at home alone 4 days a week whilst I go out to work. Until a few months ago everything was fine but since then he's started peeing in the house. He never does it when I'm with him. Apart from this he's a happy active little dog with no other behavioural issues. I know it could be down to any number of things but would like to find a solution. I know it's not ideal leaving him on his own for this long and I have tried popping home at lunchtime but he still pees when I'm not there.

One idea is to bring him to work (I work 9-5) and leave him in the car (obviously only when temperatures aren't too high/low). This is a private work car-park and I can see it from my window (it would take less than a minute to reach my car). I'd go out and check on him on an hourly basis, make a fuss of him and take him for a walk at lunchtime. He sleeps a lot now anyway so instead of snoozing on the sofa, he'd be in his bed on the back seat of the car. Is this as a really bad idea?

OP posts:
NewYoiker · 25/10/2019 11:27

Does he like the car? Mine loves the car so would be happy. I think he'd be happier to see you more.. can you take him into the office?

Wolfiefan · 25/10/2019 11:28

Wouldn’t he pee in the car? Are you really leaving him alone from before 9 until after 5 each day? No wonder he’s peeing in the house. Find a dog walker?

BiteyShark · 25/10/2019 11:29

I would get a vet check first incase there is a medical cause for him not being able to hold it as long.

Then I would pay for someone to come round and let him out at home rather than keep him in a car which could stress him out as he is used to his home not a car. Dog walkers often do 30 min home visits.

Floralnomad · 25/10/2019 11:30

I think it’s a terrible idea , there must be a reason why he has started peeing indoors if this has always been his routine and that needs investigating , shutting him in a car for 8 hours isn’t the answer . Besides which what’s the plan for spring / summer / winter when the car will be too hot or cold .

tabulahrasa · 25/10/2019 11:36

“obviously only when temperatures aren't too high/low”

But it’s too cold already... so?...

SmileCheese · 25/10/2019 11:36

Surely he will still pee in the car, its most likely old age or an underlying health condition. I also cant see your colleagues being impressed that you are taking a break every hour to check on the dog.

Surely the best option is to book him into doggy day care? Being stuck on his own from before 9 until after 5 sounds like a fucking miserable existence.

Winterdaysarehere · 25/10/2019 11:38

Suggest he be ones the office mascot and take him in with you..
Yabu to leave him unable to get out for a wee 9-5..

BernadetteRostankowskiWolowitz · 25/10/2019 11:39

How often do you have a dog walker or someone drop in each day?

Swatsup · 25/10/2019 11:43

He probably wouldn’t mind but I bet you would get complaints if people realised. And not practical over the summer. At 12 he just may need to wee more, could you get some of the mats, similar to the ones for kids bed that he knew it was ok to wee on?

DontCallMeShitley · 25/10/2019 11:44

Many dogs are stolen from cars these days. Actually many dogs are stolen from anywhere but leaving him in a car would be tempting for the bastards that do that.

He needs company or to see a vet. Or both.

Original poster
HildegardCrowe · 25/10/2019 11:45

Had him checked by vet, no medical cause. Very happy in the car but I don't leave him alone every day Wolfie, it's 4 days a week. Flora I'd obviously have to come up with something else when it's too hot/cold.

I leave puppy pads around the house and he normally pees on these but I don't think someone coming in at lunchtime to walk him will help (I've tried popping home myself). He has been known to pee in the house when I'm only gone for an hour or two and on a couple of occasions when I've actually been in the house (me upstairs and him downstairs).

I'd love to book him into doggy day care Smile but simply can't afford it. He can be quite snappy too (with people and dogs) and I don't know if anyone would take him on.

OP posts:
mrsjoyfulprizeforraffiawork · 25/10/2019 11:50

Please be aware that there has been a great increase in dogs being taken from locked cars (I think they break the window) and a dog thief can get your dog in a very brief time - I really don't think you will be looking out of your office window non-stop (how will you work if you do)even if you can get down to the car in one minute.

Like others, I am wondering if you have previously had anyone calling in or a dogwalker midway through the day so your dog can get out for a week or if he has been expected so far to stay home all day alone? If so, you need now to get a dogwalker for an hour at lunchtime - this is the minimum one should do for a dog that is left at home while you work. If that is the case, it could just be his ageing bladder can no longer hold on so long.

BernadetteRostankowskiWolowitz · 25/10/2019 11:51

Maybe he has separation anxiety? 4 days 9-5 is (imo) an unacceptable length of time to leave a dog alone.

Roussette · 25/10/2019 11:51

Cruel to stick a dog in the car. If you're not at home with him, why do you know he sleeps most of the day? You don't. He might sleep a lot when you're not working because he is content and happy you're there.

Years ago, I was in a role that involved sorting out company cars for a big Co. One of the salesmen used to keep his German Shepherd in there all day. The car was wrecked. Obviously. Because it's cruel and the dog was bored and unhappy.

I have no idea why people have dogs when they can't be there for them.

Higginstone · 25/10/2019 11:53

Why did you buy an animal you can't afford to look after.

And no you can't leave an animal in a car all day four days a week.

Chloemol · 25/10/2019 11:53

NO don’t leave him in the car. It’s not fair on him. You do need to take him to the vets. My mums JRT was the same she was given medication. That said you should still go home at lunch time and let him out

Swatsup · 25/10/2019 11:55

Some dog walkers also do pop ins, might be worth calling a few as if you are on there normal route it might not be as expensive as you think. Although my dogs would hate this as they don’t like strangers so can see why it might not be an option. Doggie mascot at work? You could research the mental health benefits and work on your boss 😂

stanski · 25/10/2019 11:56

No! Please don't leave him in the car, it's simply cruel. Can you not take him into the office? My dog comes into the office with me and gets completely spoilt with attention by everyone. Alternatively arrange for someone to pop in and take him for lunchtime walk.

SmileCheese · 25/10/2019 11:58

I'd love to book him into doggy day care Smile but simply can't afford it.

Unfortunately I do think you need to find some way to have him cared for during the time you are at work. It probably distresses him more that he is being forced to pee in the house when he will know that's not an acceptable thing to do than it would to be around other dogs/people.

Leaving him at home and giving him no choice to go outside and relieve himself is cruel and confining him to a car where he will probably still pee is even crueller. He is an aging dog and deserves some company and dignity to do his business outside during the time you are working.

Original poster
HildegardCrowe · 25/10/2019 11:59

I suppose I should have expected I'd be flamed Roussette. But thank you everyone else for your helpful comments. I think I knew the car thing wasn't really an option but as money is tight, perhaps I'll just have to try and pop home at lunchtime again.

OP posts:
Original poster
HildegardCrowe · 25/10/2019 12:01

I didn't buy him Higginstone, he's a rescue. I suppose you're one of these lucky people who can stay at home all day with their dog? If not, what arrangements do you have in place? Sadly no pets allowed in the office....

OP posts:
Roussette · 25/10/2019 12:03

It's not a flaming Hildegard. I'm sure it isn't easy for you, but leaving a dog in a car is really beyond the pale. It's like me being locked in our downstairs loo for 9 hours every day.

Overtime2019 · 25/10/2019 12:03

Of course you CAN'T leave a dog in a car for that long doesn't matter if your always checking on them DON'T DO IT full stop

billandbenflowerpotmen1 · 25/10/2019 12:07

I actually think it's an ok idea. It sounds like he mostly wants company, my terriers are the same and will pee in protest if left alone too long. This way he'd get to know you'll be visiting him often and walking at lunchtime. I know that in an ideal world, he'd have non stop company and long walks but the main thing is you're giving this little dog a loving home to ththe best of your ability.
I know you mentioned about the temperature and cars can get very cold so I guess you'd need a thermometer in there

BiteyShark · 25/10/2019 12:08

If you left him in the car he may get spooked by people walking by, noises, someone looking in to check he was ok etc.

He also probably just pees anytime you are out because he is left all day so there isn't a routine that someone will let him pee after say 3 hours. If you knew you couldn't hold it all day then I would pee when I wanted as well.

30 min visits aren't that expensive so you could get 2 for the price of one walk which could mean he gets a pee break and a bit of company twice a day.

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