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The doghouse

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

How far away are you when you leave your dog alone?

9 replies

dustofneptune · 24/11/2021 19:57

Hey everyone,

This could be a stupid question, but here goes!

I have a working Cocker. One thing he's really good at (thank god!) is being left home alone - just sleeps in his pen. Sometimes barks if he hears a noise, but seems to just go back to sleep afterwards.

However, I'm finding myself anxious about being further than 20ish minutes away from him when we're out, in case "something happens" (I don't know what...).

One of us is usually around during the work day, so it's usually only the occasional evening out that he's left alone for any period of time.

Next year, we'll be doing lots of trips with him and will sometimes have to leave him alone in the evening. For instance, we are going to a gig in London in January, and our AirBnB could be up to an hour away from the venue, on a few tubes. He's been fine before, being left alone in holiday rentals and so on, but we haven't gone very far away from him.

We want to find a pet sitter, but he's quite fearful of strangers and isn't entirely easygoing around other dogs, so we figure this could be tricky. (Any tips or experiences with this would be appreciated!)

It occurred to me that people must go out to work and maybe commute a good hour or so away from their dog?? Or do they not? I've never worried about this with my cats, but for some reason, having a dog brings out the anxiety in me! Agh!

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RedSnail · 24/11/2021 20:01

Are you sure the AirBnB allow a dog to be left alone? This is usually against the rules, and not a great idea to leave a dog alone in an unfamiliar environment.

Nearthelooplease · 24/11/2021 20:03

Well never that far away but only because I wouldn’t want to leave him for that long, if you see what I mean, not because I worry anything would happen. So if we were to go 2 hours away then he’d be left for 4 hours minimum, etc.
I would have no issue with being an hour away though, personally!

You are definitely allowed to leave him in the Airbnb alone? I’m sorry if that sounds really patronising it’s just I’ve been on a lot of doggy holidays and that is always accommodation rule number 1!

Cyberworrier · 24/11/2021 20:04

I've never seen a holiday rental or Airbnb that allows dogs to be left unsupervised in them, even pet friendly ones. I would not leave my dog alone in a strange environment like that. If you have any friends in London, see if anyone can have the dog at theirs for the evening while you're at the gig or you'll have to find a dog sitter near your home.

dustofneptune · 24/11/2021 20:10

Oh - interesting point about AirBnb rules! I've never seen any rules about dogs not being left alone in the places I've stayed at so far - but I guess that's worth looking at!

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Georgie8 · 24/11/2021 20:15

If I know I’m going to be away for more than 4 hours I make arrangements for someone to come in.
They don’t need to stay for long, but one lets him out into the garden and stays with him for about an hour, another takes him for walks and stays until we return.
Find a pet sitter and slowly introduce him/her to your dog.
As to how far away you are, that’s not really very important. It’s not as if the dog can ring you and ask you to return asap, just make sure your dog isn’t left alone too long.

icedcoffees · 24/11/2021 20:40

I've never once stayed anywhere that allowed people to leave their dogs unattended. It normally goes against their insurance in case the dog creates a nuisance for the neighbours or becomes destructive.

I think you would be best finding a sitter or home boarder.

dustofneptune · 24/11/2021 20:48

Thanks for your help everyone!

I was feeling uneasy about leaving him when we go to London, and what you've all said has just reaffirmed this for me.

Do any of you have any tips for finding a good dog sitter/boarder for a fearful/reactive doggo?

I'm looking online right now, but naturally they all seem have dogs of their own. My Cocker can be really boisterous with other dogs, and can be guardy/snappy/nervous around some.

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icedcoffees · 24/11/2021 21:10

Do any of you have any tips for finding a good dog sitter/boarder for a fearful/reactive doggo?

Ask for a sitter who can come to your home, so you don't need to worry about other dogs. It will likely cost more than a boarder as a "premium service" but it's worth it to put your mind at rest.

I'm a dog walker/sitter myself - if you want to PM me with your location I can put some feelers out for you if you'd like? I'm part of quite a few dog-walker networks online :)

dustofneptune · 25/11/2021 13:24

@icedcoffees Ahh that's amazing! Thank you! I will PM you now :D

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