Do dogs need human company?

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Just pondering about this, I came home early from work today to be with my lot as I'd left them for a few hours yesterday. There are 4 of them, so they are good company for each other - has it actually been scientifically proven that dogs need human company, or is that a value that we attribute to them?

Granted they are no longer wild animals, but in a 'natural' environment I wouldn't assume that dogs would need to be with humans all the time?
 
The programme apparently showed some very stressed dogs who were filmed when left alone.

I think it depends on the dog: we have trained ours to be calm if one is left alone. Our dog who died was naughty when left, destructive, maybe stressed? He always had his brother for company and now we have three together unless one is being walked.

I think some dogs are very dependent on one another: they're pack animals. Would you have a lone horse? Just random touts, not having a pop ay anyone so leaves a single dog alone. I'm happy that my lot are rarely left for more than a few hours and they have each other.
 
Ah thanks for the summary CT :) I would never leave a single dog on it's own (my personal choice there!) I was more wondering whether they actually need humans if they have each other? My four are always delighted to see me (that is one of the joys of owning a dog for me) but that might well be because they know what my presence brings - walks and feeding - rather than them missing me :D Random musings for a Monday evening on my part....
 
Dunno, only ever had big dog for two weeks on his own before the pups burst in and took over :rolleyes3: He was fine, would probably have been fine as a lone dog. I'm sure many dogs are, but like you, I'd rather not have one dog alone.

I think during the day, my lot (who are left for two days max a month, even then the neighbour comes in about four times) are fine but yes, the joy of coming home and having multiple dogs go crazy just because I've walked in is pretty fabulous!
 
Plenty of dogs survive when feral so I would say canine company is more important than human company. However I have owned dogs (is it me???) that were either stressed or just not that fussed about other dogs. My young dog would probably be happy if there was only him and me in the world but I appreciate that is probably something that I have caused/enabled.
However he is fine alone and I think it is really important to teach dogs that it is OK to be alone as you never know when an emergency might happen.
 
Maybe it is because at least one of mine has been feral then :) Flick was a stray when she was picked up off the street, she loves me for sure but she also needs the company of other dogs. I tried taking her to the vet for her booster on her own once, she hated it & was very distressed, she needs (preferably) little friend Amy to keep her company. Ironically it is only she and Amy who fight....

I've never had a dog that stressed or wasn't fussed about other dogs now I come to think of it, but then they have never been single dogs unless it is for a few days after I have lost an old one
 
Just my last two males and a female have been like that, the stressy one was fine with his sister (the female) and a friend's dog but generally they seemed to freak him out. The young one is probably just a bit spoilt and uppity like his mammy :p

The older female that we had that died in 2008 was an only dog and she was super social. She could go with anyone for a walk and could mix with any sort of dog, she was very laid back.
 
I had a lone horse, I tried to give him friends and he kicked the living day lights out of them, he bullied them, refused to let them eat and he was maiming horses twice his size...he simply loved his own company :P some dogs are this way others thrive on it and others struggle without it (generally because humans create issues) to encourage it.
None of my own dogs would struggle without another dog as company. They can be left without humans or dogs without any issues. But then I strongly encourage this in their routines.
 
Picklenash said:
I would never leave a single dog on it's own (my personal choice there!)
Click to expand...

Fair play, I leave mine on his own from 7am-1pm (mum comes over and takes him for a walk and play) then he's alone again until 5ish when I get home. He's been absolutely fine! Just sleeps for most of it or spends HOURS trying to get treats out of his Kong :)
 
I think some dogs do have a very strong attachment to their humans. I have 7 big dogs who all have free run of my farm. If I go inside then the dogs all lie around outside the door or come round to the dog room just off my kitchen and go to sleep. If I hop in my truck and head off into town, my dogs lie around the front of the house and are always there when I return. If I am outside pootling about on the farm the dogs are always with me. I never call them, they're free to do as they please, but they never leave me; which is kinda sweet but not necessary and totally their choice.
 
the secret life of dogs program did say some dogs who had other dogs as company still got distressed when the human/ owner left. i think they are brought up to be quite dependent on us, and i'm glad my dog is excited when i get home! but relaxed enough to go and sleep in the other room or when on the farm potter off to sniff things and come back a few minutes later. he will go and meet my friends dog at the farm but them follow after me. but they have been bred for hundreds of years to be our companions.
 
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