Lakeland Terrier - 6 months

[toastybase]

We got a new lakeland terrier last weekend (George). He is 6 months old and we love him already.

OH has been working from home so spent the week with him. We take him for walks 3 times a day. He has his own little room with a crate, water and food bowl, blanket etc.

OH is away for the weekend however I need to go out tomorrow for about 7 hours. Is this too long to leave the young lad on his own for? I was thinking of giving him an early start tomorrow morning, taking him for an extra long walk and then around town and then give him an early night at about 4pm. I would then go out and return at around midnight, take him to the loo and then back to sleep till the morning.

I feel quite bad about doing this. It is no way a regular thing, just a one off. I can't take him to where i'm going.

Thoughts?

ps. he acts a bit odd when i gave him a pigs ear today

[Japveesix]

You can't post a thread like this and not include any pictures. That's just plain rude....

(ps. I can;t help you really but he probably won;t die in 7hours. Just leave toyts, water (lots of), bit of food and not too many damageable items around. And don't do it too often or he might get sad )

[AdiT]

I've always, on rare occasion, had to leave my Weim for similar periods. I always take him for a long walk and always make him do a lot of running, then give him a big meal before going out. Tired and well fed dog = sleepy dog.

I did work up to it over time though... If you've no other choice it's all you can do.

[Ilovejapcrap]

hello all im looking at this as a possible dog.

my first ever dog. i would have periods when i had to leave him for 6 hours (could probs get back for 20mins in this) is this ok or a big no no in dog ownership?

at end of the day i have a job but really want a dog.

[moorx]

Ilovejapcrap said:

hello all im looking at this as a possible dog.

my first ever dog. i would have periods when i had to leave him for 6 hours (could probs get back for 20mins in this) is this ok or a big no no in dog ownership?

at end of the day i have a job but really want a dog.

6 hours is a long time for a dog to be left, especially a puppy. How often would this be?

You will probably get other people saying it's fine - I know some people do it, but I couldn't and wouldn't. You would have to be prepared to accept the potential consequences in terms of mess and destruction.

I've worked full-time and always had dogs, but I've always put arrangements in place for people to go in and let them out/take them for a walk. If you're going to leave your dog all day, I think you also need to be willing to spend pretty much every evening and weekend with them. Otherwise, what's the point of owning a dog?

Sorry if I sound harsh.

[garythesign]

I am lucky in that I always took my dogs to work.

Once in a blue moon ours may have been left for 6 hours but have always felt guilty about it.

There seem to be plenty of dog walkers available nowadays so maybe that is a possibilty.

Having a dog is a real comittment, having a puppy even more so.

Or how about taking your dog to work?

[condor]

I'm a professional dog walker and usual cost is £7.50 for 30 mins and £10/hour, so not too expensive. Consider hiring a dog walker for those times when you won't be available.

[Lotobear]

Speaking from personal experience:

Lakelands are superb dogs (I would say that) but are highly energetic and require lots of stimulation so I'm not sure I would recommend one as a 'stay at home' dog, at least in the initial years. They have a phenomeal prey drive and all they are interested in is hunting and killing small animals. That said they are wonderfully loyal and will tender to imprint on one single individual.

Tess, our Lakeland bh, is 11 now but will still tackle a 6 hour fell walk (and scrambles) in the Lakes and come back for more.

On the other hand our Welsh terier dog is much more manageable and altogether more laid back - happy to take whatever excerise if offered (by anyone, even stranger) and loves people.

On balance, and whilst I love the Lakeland, you may find a Welsh altogether more manageable in your position.

[Lotobear]

...the Welsh

[moorx]

Lotobear said:

...the Welsh

Love Welsh Terriers - I think if I could have any terrier, they would be my first choice.