Leaving dogs alone

[PurpleCatCuddles]

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.

That should have said

My scaredy rescue WOULDN'T cope by himself for that long.

Can one of you view, but ask the owner if you can take some videos for the other person? Then swap over if you opt for a second viewing?

Mine would be fine.But he’s old and sleeps from 9-3 anyway.
Can you take them out for a good walk beforehand? Could a neighbour let them out? Frozen stuffed kong. As a one off it’s ok, depends on the dog though.
Agree with pp how do you plan to keep the house cool?

My dog is my absolute baby and there is no way I would leave him alone for 2 Hours let alone 6 lol. But I know I’m daft

They'll be fine - in this weather especially they'll just sleep, even more than usual. Perhaps get them a licki mat or fill a kong and freeze it before you go out so they've got something to occupy their time. You could hide bits around the house or a towel filled with kibble put somewhere they might not come across until later etc.

My dog is fine for that long - she’s very chilled and lazy, bladder of steel - and my house is pretty cool even on very hot days. So I’d be happy to leave her like you’re describing. But if either of the above are different for you, I’d beg my dogsitter as a one-off…

Yea sure. I've left my dogs all day a few times. I make sure they have a long walk first. They don't suffer from separation anxiety or anything.
Your dogs can't tell time and I'm sure they will be fine if they are ok when you leave them for four hours.

If they are used to 4 hours, walk before you go. Leave loads of water. Let them have freedom of house. Providing you don't make them stay in a cage they will be fine, probably snooze. I leave TV on for my dogs when I'm out. The sit in baskets watching and listening to it. I have a friend who leaves radio on for dog as he likes music.

Are you sure they won't bark while you're out?

Thanks everyone - the house we were viewing is now under offer so viewing has been cancelled :( Kind of glad though as although it's not going to get too warm up here (north east Scotland), I was still wary about leaving them in case the heat did rise.

Dogs can’t tell the time. They know the difference between short (ie popping to put the bins out) and long (going to work) but they can’t tell the difference between 4 and 6 hours.

They’ll be fine.

6 hours is too long to leave them,

Meanwhile, chez O.P.