Leaving a dog all day

M

Morrigan_Lady

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What are your thoughts on this?

My scotty dog is on his own all day unless I can get home at lunch and I feel really mean, he doenst really like being on his own, but he is well behaved and just veggies on the sofa all day. He comes up the yard with me in the evening, so he gets lots of excercise.
 
When sister and I are away at uni/school the dogs are quite often left on their own during the day if mum is working a long day and dad is working. They would therefore be left from about 8am to 6pm with no one in the house.
 
Personally I wouldn't leave my dog on its own all day - but thats just me - I know people who do.

I work full time and have a dog sitter/walker who comes in for an hour between 11am and 12pm and then again between 2.30 and 3.30pm...

I leave at 8.30am and am home around 5.30pm...

Can you not get someone to pop in even just for company at least once a day?

I always walk my dog before work and then again after - so I still do as much as I can myself...
 
Why don't you consider a dog walker? Or if money is an issue, put up an ad at your vet's. I'd definitely walk a neighbour's dog with mine for free, and I'm sure I'm not the only semi-charitable dog lover in existence.
 
Our dogs are left from 8:30 until 12 then mum goes home and lets them out in her lunch hour. Then they are left again from 1 until 3:30ish. I personally wouldnt leave them all day as i dont think its fair on them to be shut up all the time.
 
Is getting a companion a realistic option? Dogs are pack animals and he would probably be quite content in the company of another dog. How old is your dog? He may veg out now, but if he is a young-ish dog his behaviour might take a downturn in protest.
 
after working with dogs for a good few years i cant see leaving him is all that bad, however i would if you can get him a companion or leave a radio or something on as this can make a huge difference. i often leave mine alone but because i have 2they dont mind both are rescue dogs.but also i try and give them something to do, like stuffing kongs for them it takes their mind off the fact that your not there.however they do love to have a good playing session when i get back. they seem happy enough and they often come out to do the ponies with me.
 
We have 4 dogs and they are sometimes left all day. This is a rareity though as OH is a shift worker and I'm part time so the most they get left is 6 hours but only 2 days out of 14. But they are a pack and are left round the back of our house in a secure garden with access to a large shed kitted out for dogs. They are healthy and happy but I wouldn't leave one dog all day, I'd be worried about it getting bored or lonely.
 
Hi,

My dalmatian gets left at home on his own all day between 8am & 5.30 at night. Dalamatians are very active breeds that love company, but Muppet is happy as long as I make sure he gets a leg stretch in the morning before I leave him, plenty of toys & chews to occupy him & lots of fuss & attention in the evenings. He is usually out of the house for about 3 hours in the evening at the stables or having a nice walk. If my parents pop in to see him while I am at work he is usually having a sleep and they will normally catch him sleeping whatever time they go to see him. Muppet is only a young dog still at 3 years so he is very active, but as long as I compensate for having to leave him with plenty of attention & exercise then he isn't a problem at all.
 
Presumably he gets to pee somewhere. Ours are left sometimes but let out at lunchtime, that still concerns me as I can't think it's good for their kidneys....
 
I'd love to get a dog but this is what's worrying me - it'd have to be alone for a lot of the day.
I already have two cats so it'd have company of sorts, but not sure if they'd appreciate each other! Am also considering a dog small enough to go in and out of the cat flap, thus allowing it access to outdoors whilst I'm not there.
I'm not averse to paying a dog walker to pop in once a day, and it'd come out with me in the evenings for walk and socialisation.
But am I still being unfair in hoping to get a dog? Wouldn't mind if it wasn't a puppy, would be happy rehoming an older dog who was used to it already....

Sorry to hijack thread, it was just I was thinking along these lines myself!
 
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