Keeping a dog at home all day ?
Discussion
I would dearly love to get a dog, but I have reservations about leaving it at home whilst I am at work. I leave around 8:30am and return any time between 5 and 6pm. I've generally had the view that it's unfair to leave a dog on it's own for that amount of time - they are pack animals by nature. What are your thoughts? I guess it's impossible to answer fully, unless you can read your Dog's mind...
t so there's not a lot in it.'tis the reason I dont have a dog.
Out of the house 7:30 till 5 every week day and I dont think thats fair on the pog at all.
Plus we can leave the cats for a weekend and they cope, cant leave the dog, and often cant take it away either, so that would mean more kennels which I am not keen on either.
Out of the house 7:30 till 5 every week day and I dont think thats fair on the pog at all.
Plus we can leave the cats for a weekend and they cope, cant leave the dog, and often cant take it away either, so that would mean more kennels which I am not keen on either.
Definite NO for a single dog...
However, if you get two AND have someone check on them at least once while you are out, it MAY be OK (depending on breed, age, temperament, etc..) Dogs actually sleep a lot - especially if they are properly tired, but should never be left for more than about 4-5 hours without the opportunity to stretch their legs, do their business and have a game.
There are quite a few dog-sitters around these days - we used to pay a lovely lady (in every possible way
phwoar) to pop in twice a day and give the dogs a run. Worked fine until a neighbour started banging on our fence to make the dogs bark and then went round all the other neighbours asking them to complain! Caught him at it one day (he thought I was out as my car had been picked up by the garage for a service), but the damage had been done and the OH gave up her job to keep the Council happy (she hated the commute anyway).
However, if you get two AND have someone check on them at least once while you are out, it MAY be OK (depending on breed, age, temperament, etc..) Dogs actually sleep a lot - especially if they are properly tired, but should never be left for more than about 4-5 hours without the opportunity to stretch their legs, do their business and have a game.
There are quite a few dog-sitters around these days - we used to pay a lovely lady (in every possible way
phwoar) to pop in twice a day and give the dogs a run. Worked fine until a neighbour started banging on our fence to make the dogs bark and then went round all the other neighbours asking them to complain! Caught him at it one day (he thought I was out as my car had been picked up by the garage for a service), but the damage had been done and the OH gave up her job to keep the Council happy (she hated the commute anyway).Depends like the others have said on what time you actually leave and get back and how much time you will spend with them when you get back. If you're happy to give them a walk, lots of attention etc morning and evening then there are dogs which are perfectly happy pottering around the house/sleeping all day. My parents are teachers and their dogs have been on their own, although obviously it's only half 8 - 4 or 5, although there are two of them to keep each other company. They get on fine and spend most of the day lounging around, even when me or my brothers are around 
In those circumstances, I wouldn't.
A change in circumstances meant I had to leave mine when I was at work, but as I had two and neither was a young dog, I felt it would not be a hardship for them. I had also had them for some time by that point, so they were pretty settled anyway.
They were never a problem, but I wouldn't get a new dog(s) at the moment because I cant expect them to deal with it in the same way, mores the pity.
A change in circumstances meant I had to leave mine when I was at work, but as I had two and neither was a young dog, I felt it would not be a hardship for them. I had also had them for some time by that point, so they were pretty settled anyway.
They were never a problem, but I wouldn't get a new dog(s) at the moment because I cant expect them to deal with it in the same way, mores the pity.
It depends how dedicated you are. If you are willing to get up really early and take it for a good run (off lead fetching ball or chasing birds / rabbits ) for about an hour before work it will be fine for 4/5 hrs or so. Then you will need a reliable dog walker / sitter to come and spend an hour or so walking , feeding and playing with it around lunchtime.
As soon as you get home at 5 before you do anything else take it out again for another good walk / run.
It seems a lot of work if you're not used to it but it's very rewarding once you get into a routine.
A dog receiving this sort of attention will soon accept the routine and should be no trouble , as others have said it will happily sleep after exercise and a good meal.
As soon as you get home at 5 before you do anything else take it out again for another good walk / run.
It seems a lot of work if you're not used to it but it's very rewarding once you get into a routine.
A dog receiving this sort of attention will soon accept the routine and should be no trouble , as others have said it will happily sleep after exercise and a good meal.
Older ones might be fine with being left for extended periods of time, but if you are looking at a younger one or even a puppy its just not worth it. There is pretty much always someone around at home so we are OK here - two kids at School, so out at 8.30 and then home again at 3.00 at worst. Around 1/4 of those days there is someone around all day anyway and I haven't been away for a while, so I am at home all day anyway.
We did it now because it made sense for the next few years. But we have a routine that means its fine. I doubt that we would have had a dog if it wasn't for this.
We did it now because it made sense for the next few years. But we have a routine that means its fine. I doubt that we would have had a dog if it wasn't for this.
I would love a dog but i work to much, we have a massive garden, easy dog walking routes and people who can pop round during the day, but i'm out for a minimum of 11hours at work so that still isn't fair on the dog.
If you can't give a dog enough time rescure a cat, we have two. I would rather have a dog but the cats do keep the local rodent population down.
If you can't give a dog enough time rescure a cat, we have two. I would rather have a dog but the cats do keep the local rodent population down.
Buy yourself a long-term disability allowancer. They usually come with a dog, Sky telly and a copious supply of tax payer funded beer. Should be good for your house contents premium, too- they're sat at home watching telly all day in between trips to Spar for own-brand strong lager. At night they're too p*ssed to get in your way and can probably sleep with the dog.
Edited by 10 Pence Short on Monday 25th January 14:46
So does Boris Johnson - but you wouldn't give him house room, would you!?:broken record mode: Get a long dog - ie Whippet, greyhound etc from Rescue!
Most of them will happily rest for more hours than there are in the day, take them for a walk in the morning before you leave, and then take them out for at least 35-45 minutes in the evening.
Im not condoning having a dog then leaving it to sit by itself the whole time, but some dogs can and will deal with being alone for longer than others.
I suspect if you got yourself a collie and left it for most of everyday it would drive itself and you bonkers with its destruction in the house - But some dogs are very happy to curl up and take it easy.
If you have someone who could visit them during the day to allow them a pee break and some company for a while then even better.
A word of warning though - Most rescue homes wont house a dog with someone whos going to be at work all day, everyday - Speak to them and see. Maybe even go and help out at your local rescue centre at the weekend and see if you're still as keen?
Most of them will happily rest for more hours than there are in the day, take them for a walk in the morning before you leave, and then take them out for at least 35-45 minutes in the evening.
Im not condoning having a dog then leaving it to sit by itself the whole time, but some dogs can and will deal with being alone for longer than others.
I suspect if you got yourself a collie and left it for most of everyday it would drive itself and you bonkers with its destruction in the house - But some dogs are very happy to curl up and take it easy.
If you have someone who could visit them during the day to allow them a pee break and some company for a while then even better.
A word of warning though - Most rescue homes wont house a dog with someone whos going to be at work all day, everyday - Speak to them and see. Maybe even go and help out at your local rescue centre at the weekend and see if you're still as keen?
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