How long do you leave your dog home alone?

[sarah8484]

Just that really. What's the longest you leave your dog home alone? I work 9 hour shifts, and usually have someone to watch my dog (7 month old jackchi) but theres no one to watch him for the two days im at work next week. Would/have you left you pet alone for 9/10 hours? I feel its way to long. I have friends who do but their dogs are bigger breeds.

[pigsDOfly]

A 7 month old puppy shouldn't be left for that long.

My dog is nearly nine years old and has the bladder of a camel. On occasion, when it's been absolutely unavoidable she has been left for 7/8 hours, but that's very rare, and it's never planned.

Generally though, she's left for no more than 1-2 hours, maxium 4 hours.

I'm retired so don't go out every day without her. However, over the last month or so there have been periods when I've had to be out of the house on several consecutive days - emergency help for my DD - and although I haven't left her for more than 4 or 5 hours I notice a change in her behaviour when I'm home. She becomes a bit clingy and keeps checking on me and where I am, and this from a pretty independent dog.

Dogs that are regularly left alone for long periods might learn to cope, but then again they might not. Agree with pps doggy day care is the way to go.

[GrumpyMiddleAgedWoman]

On the days I work, depending on the shifts of other people in the house, they can be alone for 7 hours. They have each other and access to a kennel yard, warm comfy beds and water.

[GrumpyMiddleAgedWoman]

Posted too soon...
Should add, they get walked the instant I get home if they've been alone that long.

[Hovverry]

Op’s dog is only a puppy and a very active mix of breeds. He shouldn’t be left for more than a few hours, he’ll be bored, distressed and will get up to mischief. I sincerely hope nobody is ever leaving their dog all day shut in a cage.

[adaline]

The maximum for us is 2.5 hours or so. Any longer and my in-laws have him for us.

I'm a dog-walker though so mostly he comes to work with me.

[MistyIsland]

Older dog never longer than 6 hours. And only on occasion.

Puppy around 3 hours max - bladder is too small.

I’d look into doggy day care or a dog walker at least twice in that time, as the puppy is still very young and 9 hours is too much.

[TheFaerieQueene]

Never more than 4 hours and that is only once a week. The rest of the time she is by my side.

[puppymouse]

4 hours as a rule max. He's been left 5 I think once unavoidably.

[Tellingitlikeitisnt]

I have an older calm dog and wouldn’t leave him for lover than four hours.
On our work days he has a dog walker come in twice for an hour each time.

Please don’t leave your dog that long. Surely there’s a local walker who can pop in?

[Muminabun]

Couple of older lapdogs. Day to day no more than a couple of hours after they have been walked and fed. Very rarely 3-4 hours.