Those who leave their dogs when they go to work

[littlefluffball]

I will try and keep this short....

A few years ago I went through a hard time and found myself single with the dogs. It meant going from working out the doggy care between us both to having to employ a dog walker. At the time I had two dogs, one who really needed the extra walk through the day.

I am now down to one very laid back/lazy little whippet! We do a long walk every Morning (most mornings we do 5ish miles) then at night a half hour walk or run. I just kind of continued the dog walker for socialisation and so that the dog wasn't just left in the house all day.

The dog walker has commented that little lady often isn't too keen in going out, usually greets her then jumps back into my bed. the other day she went out, had a poo on the way to the van and then pulled back towards the front door. Haha. She literally does love to sleep all day, the days I am at home that is all she does.

Anyway I am looking at ways to save on money and the dog walker costs £200 per month so if the dog isn't too fussed then there is my first bit of scope for cutting back. I don't want to leave her stuck in all day so was going to cut back from an hour walking with the dog walker in the middle of the day to just a "let out" for a wee/poo which would more than half my bill.

So I suupose after all that rambling I am asking what your set up is? How long is the dog left?

I can't help but think the whole going out with the dog walker is more for my benefit (and conscience) than the dogs as I know the exercise she gets with me is enough for her but I feel (and I am probably umanising the animal here) that leaving her right through isn't fair. That said she has been left right through on the odd occasion when I have been really stuck and it really seems to make no odds

 

[Clodagh]

If she is happy sleeping then save your money.
I used to work hideous hours and leave my dog, she had access to a garden but I am sure she did notihng all day bar sleep. A wee break sounds ideal.

 

[Penny Less]

My next door neighbours dog is left shut in for 10 hours a day, its not something I would do. At least if yours gets out and sees someone its not so bad

 

[CorvusCorax]

I'm sure she'll be fine without. Mine are out in kennels to the rear of the property, I live close to work and used to go back at lunchtimes, but I got the impression I was disturbing the dog, it wasn't like he was going nuts wanting out, more like 'what are you doing here?!'.
My second dog was on cage rest last week and it was something similar. I almost felt bad waking him up
As with Clodagh, I used to work very long hours with a commute on either side but the kennel in my old house was in the yard, he could see all the comings and goings and whatnot. Dog is now a veteran, not a grey hair on him, happy as larry and fit as a fiddle.

 

[paisley]

Truthfully, I would have fainted with horror at the idea of not having a dog walker. Mine used to say the same thing, that the mostly-whippet just wanted a quick wee, then hop back on the sofa.

At the time, I was out for a very long time for work, so I kept the 15 min visit for him to have a wee if he really wanted.

Now I'm on better, more flexible hours, so he gets an hour in the morning, and about 2 hours in the afternoon- he likes a longer evening walk, and is fine as long as I'm home by about 4 pm, and so far, seems fine with no lunchtime visit.

He's older, so this may not work with a younger dog, and if I thought he wasn't happy, I would go back at lunch. But he's usually more unsettled if I go back and then don't stay. So I would say go for it, its more often the personal guilt that makes us worry !

 

[gryff]

My whippets are left for 8 hours, Monday to Friday. They sleep all day. There are three of them, so they have each other for company, but they don't move from their beds. I don't feel guilty at all. They have a shorter walk in the morning, then 1-2 hours in the evening. They are happy, well adjusted dogs. My opinion is very breed specific though.

 

[Leo Walker]

Mine are never left now, but when they were they were fine. We cancelled the dog walker for the exact same reasons. Mine like to get up, walk, wee, breakfast and back in bed by 8, then they sleep all day before repeating again at tea time. On rainy days they have to be dragged out for a walk, so they tend to go for a drive in the car instead. They would happily not set foot over the threshold on wet days though. Whippets really are the most lazy little blighters!

 

[meleeka]

I’d cut it down to a visit/wee and see how you get on. Most dogs I know are perfectly happy with two good walks a day.

You’ll be saving a fair bit of money.

 

[littlefluffball]

Thanks for all the reassurance. I am sure she will cope fine with just a let out as opposed to a third walk but it is just my guilt!

She is 7 this year so while not old she isn't a spritely little pup either!

 

[littlefluffball]

My whippets are left for 8 hours, Monday to Friday. They sleep all day. There are three of them, so they have each other for company, but they don't move from their beds. I don't feel guilty at all. They have a shorter walk in the morning, then 1-2 hours in the evening. They are happy, well adjusted dogs. My opinion is very breed specific though.

I agree with the breed specific. Could never do this with my OH dogs (they ar working farm dogs though) but whippets are a very low maintenance breed!

 

[{97702}]

Mine have a visit every day for a wee break - it costs me £5 per visit - and they are fine with that (2 greyhounds, 2 lurchers)

I’ve had the arrangement for about 6 years now, before that I would leave them while I was at work but I wouldn’t really want to go back to that.

Years ago when I had my whippets they had a dog flap and a secure back yard... we hadn’t long bought the house which was in need of repair, and younger whippet decided to dramatically increase the size of the hole in the door because she was bored! Greyhounds are so much easier 😂😂

 

[splashgirl45]

i used to have a whippet/border collie mix (a lurcher) who was very lively, she used to spend her days with my mum who lived close by, then i lost my mum, still had to work full time and she adjusted very well to a walk am ,let out in garden for 10 mins and a walk and doing the horses in the evening. my friend set up a camera for a couple of days and every time she checked it my lurcher was in her bed or on the sofa asleep so i then relaxed as i knew she had adjusted ok. i am sure your whippet will be same with that type of arrangement but if you are worried why not set up a camera that you can check with your phone, my friend did mine years ago before mobile phones were so good and i have no idea how she did it as i am a technophobe...

 

[CorvusCorax]

Both of mine are/were worked as well but I think they are just glad of the break/a bit of peace from me the older one has retired really well, which surprised me.

ETA They also stay clean in kennels, even if I haven't been home to let them out.

 

[dogatemysalad]

If you do a 5 mile walk every morning and 30 minutes in the evening, that's better than many dogs get. I wonder though, if you dog just doesn't like the set up with the dog walker. Is she being walked with a group of dogs and does she get anxious about travelling in a van that smells of other dogs?
Maybe you could find someone local who could let them out for a wee and a stroll without a car journey.
My dogs are rarely left at home alone, but that's just not possible for everyone. Your dogs have lots of walks, a safe, caring home and food. I think many dogs would call that a good life.

 

[Sandstone1]

I wouldnt leave all day without a wee break at lunch time but should think you could cut out the walk.

 

[littlefluffball]

If you do a 5 mile walk every morning and 30 minutes in the evening, that's better than many dogs get. I wonder though, if you dog just doesn't like the set up with the dog walker. Is she being walked with a group of dogs and does she get anxious about travelling in a van that smells of other dogs?
Maybe you could find someone local who could let them out for a wee and a stroll without a car journey.
My dogs are rarely left at home alone, but that's just not possible for everyone. Your dogs have lots of walks, a safe, caring home and food. I think many dogs would call that a good life.

The dog walker is local. She is a lifelong friend. So she doesn't need to go in the van. She really can give or take company too. She is friendly enough with other dogs but happy to say hello and then toddle off and do her own thing. My old boy absolutely LOVED his group walks. I got sent the videos of him having a blast running with his toys and playing iwth (winding up) his buddies on the walk. But this little lady has aalways been a different personality. Just wants a quiet life and to chill.

I certainly try to give her a good life. Though judging by the killer looks she gives me I may be going wrong somewhere ha

 

[littlefluffball]

I wouldnt leave all day without a wee break at lunch time but should think you could cut out the walk.

That is my plan. A "let out" for the toilet but without going on a group walk.

 

[MyBoyChe]

I would definitely cut out the midday walk and just pay someone for a short wee break visit. As they get older they probably find a mid day wee far more important than a walk. I spent years as a single mum who also had dogs planning my working day around getting home at midday to take the dogs out. Now Im only part time I realise just how much dogs actually sleep during the day, the 3 we have now we have had since pups, even as young dogs they were happy to snooze all morning after their big morning walk

 

[The Fuzzy Furry]

OP, I'm lucky in that mine comes to work with me. In the office from about 08.30, we leave promptly at 5.
She enjoys a 20-25 min stroll or so at lunchtime, but not if its raining, nor if its v hot - just a pee visit (her choice!) & then back into her bed behind my desk. Not a young or big dog tho.
I'd be happy to leave her at home for the day & have done on odd occasions, but wouldn't as a regular thing.

 

[LaurenBay]

I'd cut the walk out and ask for a let out in the garden instead. If your Dog doesn't seem fussed on the walks, it does not make much sense in paying so much money per month for her to go on them. Seems she gets enough exercise with you in the morning and evening.

Mine has a dog walker twice a week which he adores. The other days I pop home at lunch and go for a 45 minute walk. But there has been the very rare occasion when I have to work longer, so I pop home and let him in the garden instead of walk. He does not seem bothered by that and spends the majority of the day asleep.

 

[The Trooper]

We have a Border Collie and a French Bulldog at home, we both work full time. My partner goes home most lunch times to let them out for the toilet but some days he can't get home and they are fine left 0730-1700 if they have to be, I'm sure they just sleep all day.

 

[HeyMich]

On days when we can't take the dog to work and OH and I can't get home at lunchtime, we leave ours all day (08.30 - 17.30), and she's absolutely fine. She's 13 and starting to slow down now - we wouldn't do it with a young dog. Obviously it's not ideal, but I really don't think she minds. She probably appreciates the peace and quiet!

 

[SpringArising]

Mine's left for 8 hours some days. I have floor-ceiling windows so he can see what's going on outside at all times/sunbathe which makes me feel like it's less boring for him. He's never desperate for a wee when I get home and never boredom chews. I did try a stint of bringing him to work with me but he hated it and anxiously panted the whole time. He's far happier on the sofa.

 

[littlefluffball]

Thanks for all your replies. Very reassuring. I do worry execssively and have too much guilt when I know fine well she sleeps all day and is perfectly happy not going on a third walk during the day. I will move to a ten minute let out and see how we go. Obviously if it isn't enough i will go back to the full walks but I think she will be just fine with this set up

 

[sportsmansB]

I walk mine in the morning to tire her out and then she stays at home while I'm at work. Comes to the stables in the evening and runs for a good 2 hours about there.
I feel that we are guilted into doing more than our dogs care about, to be honest. Mine is left with toys and so on but she appears to sleep (I borrowed a baby cam from a friend) as long as she gets the morning walk. She used to stay in the garden but then two hideous jack russells moved in next door and they run up and down the fence yapping at her and upset her so she has the run of the house instead. Its not perfect but its a lot better than many other doggies get she shes not distressed or hyperactive.

 

[Leo Walker]

I was thinking about this more last night. My oldest is 9 now. He looks and feels well but I have noticed him starting to slow down. My partner comes in at 6am and Dylan doenst get out of bed to greet him anymore. He stays in bed until the food comes out! Dont get me wrong hes still playful and runs off lead like a lunatic but I think if we walked him 3 times a day he would be very put out! The youngest would walk 10 times a day if asked, but I think at 9 Dylan is finally a grown up!

 

[littlefluffball]

I walk mine in the morning to tire her out and then she stays at home while I'm at work. Comes to the stables in the evening and runs for a good 2 hours about there.
I feel that we are guilted into doing more than our dogs care about, to be honest. Mine is left with toys and so on but she appears to sleep (I borrowed a baby cam from a friend) as long as she gets the morning walk. She used to stay in the garden but then two hideous jack russells moved in next door and they run up and down the fence yapping at her and upset her so she has the run of the house instead. Its not perfect but its a lot better than many other doggies get she shes not distressed or hyperactive.

I agree that we are guilted into doing more than necessary! I think we can humaise them too much - or I certainly can!

 

[MiJodsR2BlinkinTite]

I'm lucky in that I have my yard on-site (Neds at home!) and have a spare small stable. Its a bit too small for anything other than a 12.2 sort-of size, and has an enclosed roof to it, so its like a nice snug little room actually: warm and cosy in the winter and nice and cool in the summer.

What I've done is to spread straw all round it, with a couple of straw-bales the dogs can cuddle up behind; and they stay in there whenever I go out. There's water for them, plus a couple of plastic moulded beds with their blankets in situated in each corner, plus a bowl of feed each at opposite sides if they get hungry.

I work for one full day a week plus have to in and out frequently for self-employed jobs, and they're in there from 0830 till 5.15pm; they can drink/eat, and can poo/wee if they need, plus can run around and play if they want to. They seem to enjoy going in there (don't have to drag anyone in!) and I can padlock the door as well. When I come home, I don't get the feeling that they've been unhappy, the reverse in fact. When I go riding they go in there too, and seem OK with the arrangement.

It works for us......

 

[JillA]

I dog proofed my garden (took 6 months to block up all the holes the JRT found!!) and had an open access outbuilding plus a covered yard at the side of the house, and they lived outside while I was at work. Always had two dogs for company for each other, and took them to the yard in the evenings. Never had a problem, they seemed perfectly happy with the arrangement.

 

[Karran]

Mrs Spaniel has anything from 30 minutes to an hour in the mornings (seasonal depending, I like to get her in the parks off lead but winter months mean reduced opening times)
And in the evenings has anything from an hour to two or three if it is a yard day or agility training day.

I leave the house at 8 and at the moment am home about half 6, this is a new job and once I finish probation I'm getting hours changed.

She absolutely refuses to leave the house with anyone else if so a dog Walker not an option....

I live with my brother however who does shifts with one weekend off a month so it's only three days normally she is alone.
If he is on late shift, she has a wee and garden break between 10-11 when he leaves.
If he is on earlies, he is normally home by 3 so will let her into the garden then.

She has access to whole house, bar bedrooms and her toys but judging from the sofa, spends her days either sleeping or watching world go by!