Is it OK to routinely leave a young dog alone over night?

[Tweety382]

Our neighbour has a 15 month old cockerpoo. He often leaves him over night. Last night he got home at 8pm (I dont know how long the dog had been left during the day). He was home for about 30 mins and then went out. Hasn't returned yet. I heard howling after he'd left then again at 2am and again at 8am.

I would say it depends on the dog - I think our old family dog would have been very much unbothered by this. My current dog is quite antsy and I think would be scared at night alone. Since it’s barking I’d say it’s definitely not on as the dog is distressed.
The peeing issue is also dependent on the dog. Mine goes out just before we go to bed and at the weekends it can be 10 or 11 hours before we let him out the next morning - I then let him out and he just sniffs around the garden and doesn’t even go 🤷‍♀️

I’d exaggerate the howling if I were you to deter them from leaving it for so long. I’d tell them the dogs been howling the whole time they’ve been gone

At one stage I did leave my dog overnight whilst I was working. Her routine was unchanged whether I was home or not. She would take herself off to bed around 9 and would sleep till morning. I would start work at 10 and be home by 8am. Neighbours all knew and had a key to get in if she was distressed etc. But then I was home with her all day every day. So from that perspective she didn't have it too bad. It wasn't perfect but I had to work and it seemed the best option at the time.
So in principle I'm not against it. But it sounds like your neighbour had already left the dog for some considerable time before hand. Unless it was due to an emergency I don't think that's fair.

Some people should not have dogs.