My feed
Premium

Please
or
to access all these features

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

The doghouse

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:
Report
Glenthebattleostrich · 26/10/2019 07:58

It is cruel though. Dogs are social animals, it is unfair to leave them alone for a long time.

You do need to find a solution that isn't leaving him in a car. A friend or family member perhaps? A dog walker twice per day?

I only pay £5 per day for a 30 minute walk. It took a few goes to find someone for madmutt but she now adores her walker. I work from home so she's with me most of the time and she loves nothing more than snuggling with me. She still has her walker every day I'm working, even though she can have the garden whenever she wants. If I'm going out and I'm going to be more than 3 hours she goes to my friend's house or her dog walkers.

Report
WomensRightsAreContraversial · 26/10/2019 07:45

I don't know the answer for your poor dog. Maybe try borrow my doggy?

But to people who think they can ignore the well known advice not to get a dog if you have to leave them at home while you work, this is why.

Report
Spidey66 · 25/10/2019 16:36

I think it's cruel, and I don't care if that's too emotive. If your manager isn't agreeable for you to take him in, perhaps in a crate for certain periods of time, (and certainly I can see why they wouldn't, especially if you're an ICU nurse or you're on the shop floor in Sainsburys or something) you'll have to get someone to look after him during the day, either doggy day care of a willing friend or family member.

Report
AvocadosBeforeMortgages · 25/10/2019 14:09

I came across someone who tried this in a new job. The employers weren't having any of it - it was a complete no no to them. She refused to make alternative arrangements, and so (long story short) she was out of a job a few days after starting.

Report
adaline · 25/10/2019 12:48

I do wish people wouldn't use emotive language such as "cruel".

Emotive or true?

It's utterly unfair on your dog to leave him alone for upwards of 8 hours a day. It doesn't matter if it's one day a week, four days or seven days - it's far too long. Dogs are pack animals and thrive on company - you can't expect it to be happy locked up in a car alone!

What rescue allowed you to take on a dog you wouldn't be around to care for? I've never found one that would think it acceptable to leave a dog alone for eight hours a day. If you can't afford the appropriate care for your dog (walker or daycare) then maybe you shouldn't have gotten him!

Report
missbattenburg · 25/10/2019 12:34

Apart from all the other reasons and points people have made, the car temperature is way too hard to guess.

I have a thermometre hanging in the boot of my car so I can see the inside temps (not that battendog is ever left in the car really, apart from maybe a nip into the local shop on the way back from a walk etc).

I am constantly amazed at how much wamrer inside the car is compared to outside. Only the other day it was about 10 degrees outside and when I went to my car after it being parked up on the drive, it was 30 degrees in the boot. (The dog wasn't in the car!).

There have been plenty of times I've gone to the car and it's been high 30s, 40s or even 50 degrees inside the boot. It's been quite amazing to me.

Report
Babdoc · 25/10/2019 12:31

I know it’s too late as you’ve already bought this dog, but I wish people would remember that dogs are pack animals with social needs.
It is unnatural (and I think many people would say cruel) to leave them locked up alone for 8 hours anywhere, either home or car.
The animal has no idea whether or when you are coming back, and can suffer horribly with stress and separation anxiety.
If you want a pet, get a cat and install a cat flap. Cats are much more comfortable with solitude, sleep for most of the day anyway, and can choose when to go out via the flap.
A dog isn’t a toy that you can shut in a box except when you want to play with it.
In your circumstances, OP, I’d rehome the dog and wait until I was either retired or working from home before replacing it.

Report
MitchellMummy · 25/10/2019 12:27

Just a thought - worth a vet check in case it's diabetes or Cushing's or something else?

Report
MyDcAreMarvel · 25/10/2019 12:26

Why did you get a rescue you were not prepared to care for? Cruel may be an emotive word but it’s accurate.

Report
Roussette · 25/10/2019 12:21

Emotive language - cruel.... well, I do think it is a bit cruel to be honest. I appreciate you're stuck what to do but to stick a dog in a car for 9 hours a day is not good.

Do you have a garden, or know anyone who does and he could perhaps be left outside if it's not too cold?

Report
Wolfiefan · 25/10/2019 12:19

@HildegardCrowe that’s four days too long. Having puppy pads is teaching him it’s ok to pee indoors.

Report
cactusthief · 25/10/2019 12:13

What is the point in having a dog?

Seriously, your life doesn't seem to lend itself to caring for a dog.

Report
SmileCheese · 25/10/2019 12:09

I suppose I should have expected I'd be flamed

I don't think its fair to say you have been flamed. You have had some very practical advice on this thread. Look at it from your dogs point of view. The 2 option you suggested are leaving him at home alone knowing he will have to pee in the house as he has no access to a toilet or locking him in a car each day again alone knowing he still has no access to the toilet so will have to pee in the car. How would you feel if someone was doing either of the above to an older relative??

Report
HildegardCrowe · 25/10/2019 12:09

I do wish people wouldn't use emotive language such as "cruel".

OP posts:
Report
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.

Report
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

Report
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

Report
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.

Report
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:
Report
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:
Report
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.

Report
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.

Report

Don’t want to miss threads like this?

Weekly

Sign up to our weekly round up and get all the best threads sent straight to your inbox!

Log in to update your newsletter preferences.

You've subscribed!

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 😂

Report
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

Report
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.

Report
Please create an account

To comment on this thread you need to create a Mumsnet account.