Tips for leaving dog alone for most of the day?

[SamG93]

My Labrador (9 months) will need to be left alone for most of the day on Friday next week as I go for a scheduled c-section. Luckily we are able to arrange his 'training trek' he usually has to that day which usually lasts 2 hours so that'll break up the day a bit. We are leaving at about 6:30am, the trek will last around 2 hours and starts sometime between 10am and 12pm then he'll be alone until DH comes home from the hospital, we don't know what time that'll be but should be before his dinner time at 6pm, if not we'll have to get someone to come and feed him. He's house trained and NEVER goes in the house anymore but of course we're usually there to let him out in the garden during the day so hopefully DH doesn't come home to any accidents!

Anyway I'm wondering if anyone has any tips to keep him occupied while we're gone? He's generally not an anxious dog and copes well being left alone when we go out shopping for a couple hours but this will be the longest amount of time he's been left so I'm not sure how he'll feel about it! He'll also be confined to our kitchen, lounge and conservatory as we don't yet trust him alone with our indoor cat I was thinking I could get him one of those antlers which seem to last a while. Probably worrying too much to be honest

Another vote for doggy hotel or sending him to a family/friend. It’s just not worth the extra stress if you’re delayed for whatever reason.

You have had 9 months to organise this - it is hardly last minute.

@SamG93 I honestly think that's fine. Few hours morning, dog trek people on standby, big two hour walk as well.

From what you have said he seems happy and well adjusted, I would worry about kennels at this late stage, somewhere new for him. I would stick to your routine and home. If it was me.

Like you say if your kept in DH will only be popping in and out so he will be there anyway. Mine was home by six both times.

I'd try to source a local dog sitter. There's a few sites if you google or there's probably a local FB dog walking group that should be able to help at short notice.

As he's never been with a walker or sitter before I'd do at least one trial run before the big day and maybe sign him up for a regular once a week walk so you have contingency for the future.

@Pickledpenguin with giving birth it kind of has to be arranged last minute. As I said I'm lucky I actually have a scheduled date that I can make arrangements for. If we had a dire emergency we have family we can rely on for things like that (if we HAD to) or failing that the company we use for the training treks are amazing and would help us out at the drop of a hat.

Thanks everyone for the advice and well wishes I don't want a CS but at least the one positive is being able to plan for it!!

Agree with the kennels/day care idea as with hospitals you never know the timescale involved and would hate for there to be any complications and for stress over the dog care arrangements to add to the situation or mean that your husband can’t be with you.
But for future (short term) use maybe try this treat ball. We use it with our 8 yr old lab regularly and now when we fill it the dog knows it means we are going out. We give it to him when we leave, he plays with it then mostly sleeps until we come back. He is in the kitchen with water and a fan but I would worry with your dog, as he’s so much younger he’s going to get bored much quicker and probably doesn’t sleep all day like ours does whether we are here or not. We also have a camera that links to our phones so can check on him reg and get a text if the temp reaches 24. The treat ball used to keep him occupied 50 mins or so but if I’m honest he can now do it in 10.

Ppl suggesting kennels, my dog would be far more stressed out by going to a kennels than staying at home, especially if just for a couple of hours at a time.

Oh definitely get something organised with the training treks company then if he's used to the walkers from that

Um... Is this your first? I’m assuming so or whoever was looking after an older child could dogsit too.

You want proper overnight dog care, for at least 2 or 3 days... the chances are very very high that neither you or your DH are going to be up for normal dog care tbh.

If it all goes textbook well and you’re both feeling well rested and up to it, you could always get him back early - but honestly, it’s going to be easier if you’re not having to do emergency finding someone to look after the dog.

So would mine @OytheBumbler

Presumably you know how long he's been left before? Eg mine are walked then I head out to farm yard and they stay back, three or four hours? Then out with me rest of day. So I know they are fine that length of time normally. M

Are nine month old dogs supposed to have two hours of exercise? Isnt it advised five minutes for each month of age? I thought you could damage their joints if they were exercised for too long.

Good luck with having a nine month old lab and a new baby. Great timing!!!!!

@OytheBumbler

Ppl suggesting kennels, my dog would be far more stressed out by going to a kennels than staying at home, especially if just for a couple of hours at a time.

That's what I'm worried about as well.. though he's young so the experience could be good for him for when we go on holiday in the future I guess. I know he'll be happy in the comfort of his own home but circumstances are uncertain so I think I'll look into daycare or kennels so save the stress of having to leave keys under plant pots and worrying about him whilst we're at the hospital!

What is the trek thing OP? Is it a business who come to your home? I would explore that further, if they know him and you know them. It's a one off, would one if them take him for the afternoon? I honestly think it's fine them popping in but if you feel he's better elsewhere I would start with people you know.

@viques

Are nine month old dogs supposed to have two hours of exercise? Isnt it advised five minutes for each month of age? I thought you could damage their joints if they were exercised for too long.

Good luck with having a nine month old lab and a new baby. Great timing!!!!!

The whole 'trek' is about 60 minutes or so but they have to get the dogs prepared and they take them in their van to wherever they're going. We do it more for the benefit of socialisation to be honest as it's been difficult during lockdown! Usually we only give him 45-60 mins a day and are aware not to give him too much exercise.

Anyway, I wasn't really asking for opinions on how much exercise my dog gets or if I'll be able to cope with a puppy and baby! My DH works at home and always has so we will be fine.

It’s short notice, so you might struggle for availability - but you could look for a home boarder rather than kennels, where they keep a dog in their house rather than a kennel.

And if you find one, you’ve got time before next Friday for a quick visit or two as well.

I think you need to plan for an afternoon & possibly evening visit that's not your husband.

When I had a c-section there were 6 planned c-sections on the list. Randomly I was called first, the next were bumped for emergency sections and weren't done until later. Then more emergency sections and 2 were sent home til the next day (I know this as they were in my NCT group).

You don't want to return home to an anxious dog as it will complicate your life as well as his.

This thread is ridiculous. Or at least some of the advice on it. Why don't u book the dog into the hilton for a week and let him get some spa treatments to get over the devastation of one single day being left alone?

Of course he will be fine op. I have my c section booked for 37 weeks on 1st July. Our dog will be in the utility room. We will get family to pop down twice to let him out in the garden.

Our dog hated the kennels on his first visit but has been there twice now and second was much better. But not sure it's needed for you. See how he gets on. If u have someone to pop down in the afternoon all the better.

Good luck with ur section.

Don’t worry about the section @SamG93 , I had one vaginal delivery and one ELCS and if I could turn back time I’d have 2 sections . The dog will be fine , at the end of the day you , your partner , dog , cat and baby to be are a family and sometimes families have to muddle through and make the best of things even if it’s not ideal for all concerned . I think some posters need to get a bit of perspective into their obviously perfectly organised lives .

No dog should be left for most of the day. If you don’t want to use kennels then look at daycare or if someone could sit with him.
Good luck with the CS OP.

Just wow to the responses here.
My dog is anxious with strangers and new environments, so when I went into labour we had a neighbour on standby to pop in periodically to check on her, but honestly she had a lazy day at home with frozen peanut butter (get a decent brand that has no sweeteners like xylitol) in her Kong to keep her amused (lasts hours that way).
(Just as a side note the 5 minutes per month recommendation actually has very little research behind it, so I would suggest using common sense rather than a timer)
Good luck with the c-section and the new addition to the family! 😁

I recently had a c section and there is no way I’d have left my dog without care. If something goes wrong your DH is unlikely to want to leave you.

As it happens, my DH ended up at the hospital from 6:30am to 10:30pm.

Please ignore the batshittier comments above. Would be worth maybe bringing him to your vet asap for an intranasal kennel cough vacc in case you do end up going the kennelling route, as most kennels will require it.
Best of luck with everything. ELCS is lovely!

You should have thought about this beforehand and you really should NOT leave that poor dog alone all day. Get a minder. Poor dog :(

Hang on - she is thinking about it beforehand, ie now. This isn't a puppy or an every day occurrence, it's an adult dog who doesn't sound like suffers separation anxiety and a once off. A 2 hour training walk will leave the dog well walked and mentally tired so 4 hours after will be fine. I imagine he'll just sleep.

@Littlejacksmummy Thank you!!! 😄 I know my dog and I know he would be fine for that few hours, I'm only now thinking of boarding him somewhere as it'll save stress for us as well not having to worry about him! Though there are ways around it if DH couldn't get home so I'm really not sure what to do. Don't know how he'd react with kennels but I know the experience would be good for him.

@Pickledpenguin he sounds like a very lucky dog to me to have such caring owners.