question about dogs left on their own......

I have a 13 year old JT and a 3 year old Cairn, never been in a crate, always allowed everywhere in the house ( obviously not when toilet training ) Only ever left on their own for an hour or two, the very rare occasion when I broke down, they were in for 5 hours.

Neither has ever chewed anything, my little Cairn Polly loves to destroy tennis balls though. They both have free reign of 5 acres when I'm out doing the ponies and get a good half an hour walk at lunchtime........the rest of the time they sleep!


I think its me that doesn't like them being on their own, I bet they wish I would do one for the day :)
 
We have 2 rescues, one BC and a terrier cross. They are coming up to 3 years old and we've had them since they were pups. I think I've come home to chewed items on maybe 2 or 3 occassions, and it wasn't anything major (they're not crated). At the most they are left for about 4 hours max - hubby often works from home and I work local enough to be able to come home at lunch time. When the weather is ok they have the run of our large garden - I occassionally come back to find one or two holes dug into the grass (pretty sure it's the terrier! They both get plenty of exercise so think it's just 'him' rather than boredom - he sometimes digs when we are out walking round the fields).
 
I agree, mostly boredom / frustration. I got my little girl as a four year old rescue and she has never chewed a thing, in fact she never picks anything up in her mouth at all that isn't food or conkers. She was brought up by dogs in a huge pack with very little human intervention and she's quite a peaceful little soul (unless you're a squirrel / rabbit / rat, in which case - watch out). The only thing she will play with is an old marrowbone or her kong. I can't help but wonder whether it's actually being brought up by humans that causes some of these problems!
 
2.5 year old dalmatian bitch here, never destroyed a thing! Bar paper on the floor which is fair game. Not really ever left alone for long as she comes to work with me but if we do leave her she has the run of the house and will just settle down on a bed/sofa/dog bed and sleep. Even if we haven't walked her yet!
 
We have a lurcher that we have had since a puppy. Previously we had only had rescues with problems so as I had actually paid money for a pup, I wanted him to have no hang ups. We started with a crate, he didn't last the night, he cried so much and then I found him with his jaw stuck in it. So he had his bed from the start in the utility room and that was his space. He has never chewed anything ever. We try not to leave them much and he spends most of the time on the sofa, he has a choice of two and my rotties X bitch, who was another cast off sleeps wedged between the coffee table and the sofa. She does not chew either but I was at work overnight and my husband was away and my daughter said she was unsettled, she likes her pack all in one place, so is now flat out.
The only dog that has seriously chewed was a rescue collie that made a hole in a mattress in only half an hour when she was left. I worked nights for 12 years so she was never left on her own, and she did get out of it.
 
puppystitch said:
……... I can't help but wonder whether it's actually being brought up by humans that causes some of these problems!
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I can't help but wonder if you aren't right! I've never had a dog which suffers through separation issues, that I'm aware of. That's nothing to do with any intentional input on my part, or that I'm any more skilled than anyone else, it's just that it's simply never happened.

I do wonder if by our inclusion of our dogs in our lives, as our 'friends' rather than our servants, if we somehow encourage the stress levels which we often see displayed. I'm not sure of the answer, but for certain, it's the human aspect which is responsible.

Alec.
 
Alec Swan said:
I do wonder if by our inclusion of our dogs in our lives, as our 'friends' rather than our servants, if we somehow encourage the stress levels which we often see displayed. I'm not sure of the answer, but for certain, it's the human aspect which is responsible.

Alec.
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Totally agree with this. Likewise the 'there there' that reinforces angst in so many situations....
 
My dogs are, and always have been, my friends not my "servants" (why the hell would they be my servants??!!) and I have never had a problem with leaving them on their own, other than one rescue dog I took on who had initial problems until I found the answer with him.

My latest greyhound would undoubtedly have had separation anxiety with a different owner, with me he is loved, secure and has no problem. It is a common sense approach by the owner that is needed, not treating your friend as a servant.
 
The question of 'Friend' or 'Servant' wavers over a very fine line. The consideration of a person being a servant or a friend, would and should, have the responsibility of a servant deserving a greater degree of responsibility. The same applies to dogs. I care for my dogs, my friends care for themselves.

Alec.
 
Our one year old bc, was kept in a crate at all times by previous owner (in a spare room with door shut as son was supposedly allergic!!!!) until we got her at 5 months. She is fine in crate when we are out and also never chews if we are in (very well behaved overall) but if we leave her for 5 mins out of crate when we go out destruction is guaranteed. She seems happy in her crate which is a good size and doesn't chew anything in there we leave her with so that is how we will continue, trying every few months to leave her o!ut of crate when we are out.

Our main problem is that there is a lack of routine to being left as it is once a week at most and the occasional sat evening, mostly she is with me (gets lots of exercise and comes to work) Maybe I am burying my head in the sand but if she is happy in the crate for now that is how we will continue.
 
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Meesha, I see no problem with crates at all, our pup (1 year) has only just had hers put away. Easier all round if neither you nor them stress about being apart.
I think Alec's point is that his dogs don't have responsibilities, so see no need to worry about exercising those responsiblities while he is out. My OH was amazed to hear dogs are no longer packs, and that we are all equal now, he said not in his house!
I hope I haven't taken words out of your mouth, Alec.
 
Clodagh, you haven't, both you and your OH are correct, in my humble opinion! The simple fact is that animals and humans 'think' on entirely different levels, and that's assuming that animals have rational thoughts. I'm not too sure that they ever think about tomorrow, or what's for tea!

Alec.
 
Just out of interest. I'm potentially taking in a spaniel soon. I'd like to give a variety of toys that I can alternate on a regular basis to keep her occupied while we're at work (max would be left about 4/5 hours).
Apart from Kongs stuffed with treats what else would you guys recommend?

I really like the idea of the mazes and puzzles and things to really give her little brain a workout, but a lot I've looked at just seem a bit flimsy to me.
 
Karran, I strongly suspect that when dogs are left alone, and feel bereft of company, the very last thing that's on their minds, are playing and toys. Dogs which are left alone, tend to do one of two things; they either sleep, and shut the world out, or they wreck their environment.

Alec.
 
I do think food based toys might be good, like a frozen kong. I know people don't like them now but we give ours raw bones, beef bones, and they love them.
 
I agree with you Alec, all my previous dogs have just napped and pottered about the house when home alone. However I've never had a spaniel, and now I feel neurotic after everyone's warnings about them!
I've met her and she's under a year and high energy and i'd like to provide an option there for her, as she was used to going out and about all day with her previous home.
She will be getting a decent walk before and after work, and normally someone should be back by lunch for a quick loo break.
If she wants to play in the secure kitchen then she can, if she wants to just nap then she can sleep.
I'm not going to go completely fretty about her being left alone and having to entertain herself as that way lies madness but I'd like to provide something and if she ignores it, she can ignore it but surely its good to be prepared with a few options for her at least until she settles?
 
Karren mine get bones and toys to okay with as well as a sleeping area.
Just take it slow, I'm.not anti crate. If the dog is happy in one then its fine. I was just curious.
 
Karran I had a manic springer spaniel, who only ever slept while we were out. The reason? He had plenty of exercise before we went out, an hour morning and evening off the lead chasing his ball did it for us. Also using his great drive to search out things whilst exercising to use his nose/brain - we used to hide balls etc in the field/woods and then send him to find them - he loved this game and would wear himself out finding them!
 
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