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The doghouse

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

Original poster

Leaving dogs alone

38 replies

PurpleCatCuddles · 12/07/2022 16:31

DW and I have a house viewing about 2.5hrs away from us, on Sunday. We'll be gone 6 hours most likely.

We have two dogs. We both work from home but we leave them for up to 4hrs a week to get out for a date/do the food shop etc and they're fine. We don't like it to be too regular though but they cope very well.

We've never left them for longer than 4hrs. Is a 6-hour stretch okay as a one-off? It feels like a lot! Thanks.

OP posts:
PritiPatelsMaker · 12/07/2022 16:32

Is there someone who can pop in and let them out for a bit?

KangarooKenny · 12/07/2022 16:32

I wouldn’t leave them that long, no.
And what happens if you get delayed/stuck in traffic ? Then it’s even longer.

Lazypuppy · 12/07/2022 16:33

We do up to 6 hours max with our dogs, can you do a ood walk before to help? Tbf it probably depends on breed as well, we have a golden retriver who is very happy to sleep when we aren't here

Cameronnorrieisabitofalright · 12/07/2022 16:34

Take them with you and take turns viewing? Take a picnic and make it a day out!

mirrorballer · 12/07/2022 16:38

Cameronnorrieisabitofalright · 12/07/2022 16:34

Take them with you and take turns viewing? Take a picnic and make it a day out!

It's going to be really hot so they're much better off at home.

@PurpleCatCuddles I would try to get someone to pop in to check on them, let them out and make sure they have water.

Original poster
PurpleCatCuddles · 12/07/2022 16:41

The car will be too hot otherwise we'd take them no bother.

Our dogwalker is the only person our scaredy-rescue trusts and she's unavailable weekends. Anyone else would totally freak them out.

Gah I'm not sure what the solution is! Maybe one of us views it this time and the other next time...

OP posts:
Ylvamoon · 12/07/2022 16:41

If they are adults, give them a good walk (weather permitting) and a bit of food before you leave. Dogs will be more interested in snoozing than anything else. So will be absolutely fine.

gogohmm · 12/07/2022 16:42

Depends on the dogs, my dog is fine being left and it's far less stressful an option for him than kennels or a dog sitter because he doesn't like change

Namechange1345677 · 12/07/2022 16:43

As a one off they'll be fine.

eyeoresancerre · 12/07/2022 16:45

They will fine as a one off. Good walk in the morning, toys out and fresh water. Much better than being in a hot car. Worse case scenario they have a pee/poo in the home.

Hurstlandshome · 12/07/2022 16:47

It's a one off - they'll be fine!

EdithStourton · 12/07/2022 16:48

If they're okay for four hours, six should be fine as a one-off.

I thought my younger dog couldn't cope for more than 4 hours, then someone due to take her for a walk didn't show and she survived 7 hours - she was wildly excited when I got home, but back to normal after a walk.

Runnerbeansflower · 12/07/2022 16:49

If they are healthy adults that cope fine with 4 hours I wouldn't worry about leaving them for 6 hours.

Mariposa80 · 12/07/2022 16:51

Will it be too hot in the car when driving? Our car had broken AC last year but was ok for pup when driving with windowshades and a cool mat. I'd drive and then take turns to view the house whilst the other one looks after the dog, finding a dog friendly pub or pet shop to kill some time.

At the moment I think I'd worry more about heat when I'm not home to keep an eye on things. I'm not sure how hot our house would get if the patio doors weren't wide open.

Spanielsarepainless · 12/07/2022 16:53

They should be fine. I left a young dog to be let out by DH. I got home six hours later and he had gone to hospital with a suspected heart attack. Dog was desperate for a pee (must have been about eight hours) and husband was OK.

Runnerduck34 · 12/07/2022 16:59

I occasionally leave mine for that long. Long walk beforehand, lots of water bowls in heat . Another walk when I get home.
They seem to sleep most of the day atm .
If you have someone who can.pop in to let them out great but I think theyd be fine for a 6 hours ,unless very young, or elderly ( weak bladder) or very boisterous, particularly as they are already used to being left for 4 hours .

Replacethis · 12/07/2022 17:20

For one time they will be grand for 6 hours. They have company in each other. They are used to 4 hours. They will be fine.

tedgran · 12/07/2022 17:23

Good walk in the morning and they'll be fine, after all they sleep longer than that at night.

coffeecupsandfairylights · 12/07/2022 17:59

They'll be absolutely fine as a one-off and with the forecasts, it's much better that they stay at home where it's nice and cool!

Leonberger · 12/07/2022 19:50

I would leave mine that long as one offs, sometimes things do get in the way. It’s rubbish for them but it’s not like your leaving them daily like some people!

We have a cheap WiFi camera to check on them. Long walk before hand, full tummies and they pretty much sleep until we get back!

Compostable · 12/07/2022 19:52

They’ll be fine. Give them a decent walk and breakfast and they’ll just sleep.
They’ll have each other for company. I don’t think dogs can really tell the difference between 4 and 6 hours.

AllThingsServeTheBeam · 12/07/2022 19:53

I can leave my dog that long. But he's older now and just sleeps.

It depends entirely on the dog

Takingthepmaybe · 12/07/2022 19:55

I am massively judgemental about dogs being ledt
alone - insanely so. But as an absolute one off and given it’s important to see house etc I would actually do it.
but I would feel incredibly guilty the whole time!!

SarahSissions · 12/07/2022 22:51

Only you know the answer to this. No one else on this board knows your dogs. Are they chilled when you get back after 4 hours? Or are they starting to get angsty? Are you back at 4 hours like clockwork-will they be looking out for you? The one thing I would caution is that if they aren’t ok for the 6 hours is it might set them back on the 4 hours they can be left.

perimenofertility · 12/07/2022 23:12

On Sunday - predicted to be weather-warning levels of heatwave (assuming you are in the UK - no I don't think I would leave them for that long alone. Presumably you close windows when you go out, for security, your house will be hot.
And you say they are scaredy rescues too, I wouldn't risk it. My scaredy rescue would cope by himself for that long.

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