No dog walker

[Cryofthecurlew]

I employ a very reliable dog waller three times a week and I have a back up dog walker if ever the first one can’t do it a neighbour who will happily help if necessary and I’ve used doggy day care before.
So dog walker has a unexpected personal crisis so next week so can’t help, back up dog walker is on holiday neighbour is being admitted to hospital for a small procedure and doggy day are also shut for a weeks holiday. family can’t help, and I can’t take time off work or get back at lunch time. I live in a very rural location mainly farmers dog walkers are like hens teeth O only got dog walkers having sat on waiting list for ages, ditto doggy day care. I think the older won’t care but the younger one might (he is crate trained). Both on top of dog walker walking them get 45 mins walk before I go to work and can have unlimited when I get back.
I think the older one might pee on the floor, so my thought is to shut them in the utility room (house is totally open plan downstairs) and fingers crossed they’ll be ok it’s only for three days they are both happy well adjusted dogs and plenty of dogs do don’t live as well as they do normally. Any thoughts?

I don’t think anyone is going to come on and say “they’ll be fine, don’t worry about it” so not sure what you are asking tbh. I trust that by making the point of saying “he’s crate trained” you aren’t planning on him being in the crate the whole time. How long are you planning on leaving them alone for?

Do you know anyone in the local village with teens who have finished college who could help out? Crossing your fingers and hoping they will be ok is really not acceptable tbh and stating that “plenty of dogs don’t live as well as they do normally” to convince yourself that it really is acceptable is pretty low.

Well I am not going to tell you it’s fine because it’s not but given that you seem to have exhausted all other options what can you do?

I mean, it's not ideal but if you don't have any other choice I don't see what else there is to do except cross your fingers and hope for the best.

What exactly do you propose she does instead, then?

It's not forever. Is it ideal? No, but it's not the end of the world and it's unlikely to cause long term harm in two otherwise well-adjusted dogs.

I'd see if you can get another dog walker for next week.

All of my dogs get really distressed and upset if they end up toilet ring inside (for example if they’re unwell and haven’t been able to make it outside) I’d hate to put my dog in the position where they are holding it and holding it until they can’t wait any longer.
can you use annual leave to shorten those three days so start an hour later and finish earlier, or something

Can you leave the back door to the garden open? When we (very occasionally) have to leave our dog alone for a few hours, we leave the back door to the garden open. But we have a very secure garden.

Could you ask on any local sites? Depends on your area. If someone asked, I'd happily help them when stuck like this.

m can you put something on Borrow My Doggy?

Ask local vets if they know anyone?

nonkne you can think of where you could drop them off for the day?

sometimes you just need to ASK!

No local dog walkers the very few that exist all have waiting lists. I cant take AL or come in later or earlier we're a very small team and two people are on AL already (we're only meant to have one person on AL at a time). They are being left for 7 1/2 - 8 hours normally dog walker comes in the morning and walks them for 45 mins and again in the afternoon and does 30 mins. I live rurally and in a remote location so its hard to find people, Im going to try someone I vaguely know daughter even if she can just let them out to do a pee a couple of times.
I thought I carefully organised everything so that I have a fall back or 3 if necessary.

if you’re a very small team, could you take them to work? Or keep it as a back up option if actually they’re not ok alone then first day?

Day boarding at a kennels?

How big is the utility room? Leaving them alone for 8hrs isn't ideal but if there really is no other option then I think it's better to leave them to roam about if they can. Shutting them in a small room for 8hrs isn't fair at all.
I get having them toilet the house isn't brilliant but personally I'd rather have to clean it up when I got home but know they've had space to move than be kept in a small room if that's the case.

Is there any day cares further away that you could take them to in the morning before work? Even if it means having to leave quite a bit earlier?

Are you planning on leaving the crate trained dog in the crate all day?😢

I would either ring in sick or find someone - ask everyone, ask people if they teen children wanting money or find a way to go home to walk them! Going 8 hours when they don’t usually will be stressful for them.

Can’t take them to work and definitely can’t call in sick especially as I asked if I could take a 1/2 day on one day not allowed to leave work at lunch time and only get 30 mins and I’m 25 mind away. Only doggy day care is the one that’s closed for the week. Utility room 8 feet by 10 it’s cool in there and I can leave the window open they sleep in there at night. No I wasn’t planning on leaving the crate trained one in crate for 8 hours.

I think they'll be okay but you'll need to get up early so they've had a decent walk before you leave them.

I've had the odd day where I've exhausted all options and had to leave my dog for the whole day and he's been absolutely fine.

Lots of dogs are routinely left 8 hours (or longer) I definitely wouldn't do it routinely but on the odd day it's okay.

Honestly OP don't stress about it too much.

You know it's not ideal but it's life sometimes - you've got multiple back ups and they all let you down - it's hardly your fault so please don't let posters on here make you feel like some kind of monster.

Plenty of people leave their dogs all day - just make sure they've had a good long walk before you go, and take them out again as soon as you get home.

It's only for three days - it's not like you're planning this for the rest of their lives!

They will be fine
Obvs not ideal but it's only 3 days
Utility room sounds ideal.
It is what it is, you can't magic up a dog walker .

Thank you last two posters for your kind words. I leave them in the utility room over night so for about 8 hours and both a happy so I suppose there is little difference especially as it’s just a couple of days. Luckily it gets light so early so that can have an hour before work and in the evening we can go to the beach which they both love.

Install a dog flap??

It’s obviously not ideal but I these things happen sometimes. I would just take them for an extra long walk in the morning and leave training pads all over the floor. They’ll obviously have enough water and food, they’ll be fine. We’ve had to leave mine for similar amounts of time on occasions, in fact I don’t know a dog owner who never has.

Can you look for a doggy daycare or dog walker out of your area? Can a neighbour pop by and let them out into the garden during the day or even take them for a walk. Hope you get it sorted!

Luckily for me someone has gone off sick so I’ll work four days but 2 will only be 1/2 days so they’ll only be left 4 1/2 hours.
I think it’s interesting how we all live in different areas and how we all have access to different support and how those who perhaps live in more urban setting take things like doggy day care dog walkers for granted. I live in an area with a very low population density mainly a farming community so not a huge need for dog walkers/day care for example doggy day care just doesnt exist in my area I take then to my nearest one it’s 25 miles away. I sat on awaiting list for 14 months to get a dog walker. There are not many around because we are so spread out here dog walkers don’t want to drive for 20 miles to get your dog and then 20 miles to get another one especially when petrol costs are so high. On the other hand we have miles of peaceful walking in stunning countryside of course made more enjoyable by the right to roam. Thanks again to those who’ve helped allayed my concerns I appreciate it’s not ideal but I’m sure they’ll survive.