Dog at home alone during the day
Discussion
My eldest has been asking for a dog for ages, but my main argument against one (outside of Ill probably end up walking it, picking up the poo etc) is that we are all out from 8 until 4 every weekday.
To me it seems unfair to leave a dog alone for that length of time, especially over winter when it would need to be indoors.
Just to make sure I have my facts right, are some breeds suitable to be left alone for that length of time, or would we need to get a dog walker to walk it once or twice a day?
To me it seems unfair to leave a dog alone for that length of time, especially over winter when it would need to be indoors.
Just to make sure I have my facts right, are some breeds suitable to be left alone for that length of time, or would we need to get a dog walker to walk it once or twice a day?
Thunderhead said:
My eldest has been asking for a dog for ages, but my main argument against one (outside of Ill probably end up walking it, picking up the poo etc) is that we are all out from 8 until 4 every weekday.
To me it seems unfair to leave a dog alone for that length of time, especially over winter when it would need to be indoors.
Just to make sure I have my facts right, are some breeds suitable to be left alone for that length of time, or would we need to get a dog walker to walk it once or twice a day?
It's about individual dogs rather than breeds, older animals seem better but no guarantee. Dogs are a pack animal and like company although some seem to cope with being left ok. To me it seems unfair to leave a dog alone for that length of time, especially over winter when it would need to be indoors.
Just to make sure I have my facts right, are some breeds suitable to be left alone for that length of time, or would we need to get a dog walker to walk it once or twice a day?
Consider something like this, I know this lady, the dogs in her charge have a whale of a time and probably don't want to go home at the end of the day!
http://www.gooutpawscoventry.co.uk/
Some breeds cope better with being left for extended periods than others, but personally, I wouldn't leave any dog that length of time without a break.
Before I met my OH, I worked full time and had dogs (always more than one, which also helps I think) but my mum used to call in mid-morning and let them into the garden, and I employed a dog walker to take them out at lunchtime. It was very rare for me to be out in the evenings or at the weekend, which is the other thing you need to consider.
My OH is at home all day, so the dogs we have now are never left alone for much more than an hour or two - he's popping in and out of the house all the time.
I certainly wouldn't have ever considered a puppy, or high-energy breeds like collies or spaniels, or breeds that need a lot of company. My chosen breed/type was greyhounds and lurchers as they generally cope with this arrangement better than others. But all dogs are individuals and there are certain greys and lurchers that are exceptions to this rule.
Before I met my OH, I worked full time and had dogs (always more than one, which also helps I think) but my mum used to call in mid-morning and let them into the garden, and I employed a dog walker to take them out at lunchtime. It was very rare for me to be out in the evenings or at the weekend, which is the other thing you need to consider.
My OH is at home all day, so the dogs we have now are never left alone for much more than an hour or two - he's popping in and out of the house all the time.
I certainly wouldn't have ever considered a puppy, or high-energy breeds like collies or spaniels, or breeds that need a lot of company. My chosen breed/type was greyhounds and lurchers as they generally cope with this arrangement better than others. But all dogs are individuals and there are certain greys and lurchers that are exceptions to this rule.
I agree that it’s all about the dog as to whether they’re ok to be left alone, but also some breeds are more likely to be ok with it too.
If the dog is alone for eight hours a day every day I’d be inclined to say it’s a none starter for dog welfare, unless you have a plan.
This could include a paid dog walker every day at 12:00, £10 per day should cover it.
If the dog is alone for eight hours a day every day I’d be inclined to say it’s a none starter for dog welfare, unless you have a plan.
This could include a paid dog walker every day at 12:00, £10 per day should cover it.
My last two dogs have been left all day 5 days a week for the last 20 odd years.
I did have a dog flap giving access to a secure garden, but with training and getting them used to it bit by bit they can be fine.
In nature dogs seep long periods anyway.
Just leaving them stuck in the house all day isnt great though imho
I did have a dog flap giving access to a secure garden, but with training and getting them used to it bit by bit they can be fine.
In nature dogs seep long periods anyway.
Just leaving them stuck in the house all day isnt great though imho
Thunderhead said:
My eldest has been asking for a dog for ages, but my main argument against one (outside of Ill probably end up walking it, picking up the poo etc) is that we are all out from 8 until 4 every weekday.
To me it seems unfair to leave a dog alone for that length of time, especially over winter when it would need to be indoors.
Just to make sure I have my facts right, are some breeds suitable to be left alone for that length of time, or would we need to get a dog walker to walk it once or twice a day?
Please don't get a dog to satisfy a childs' desire to have one as this is the wrong reason to be responsible for a creature that needs to be part of the family. Would you leave your son/daughter alone all day from 8am-4pm? I guess not?To me it seems unfair to leave a dog alone for that length of time, especially over winter when it would need to be indoors.
Just to make sure I have my facts right, are some breeds suitable to be left alone for that length of time, or would we need to get a dog walker to walk it once or twice a day?
Get him/her a goldfish.
This is always a controversial subject amongst dog owners. Doggy Daycare is not £20 down here. More like £50 and a dog walker is £10 an hour if you can find a good one. Anyone looking in on the dog for you can't be relied upon.
We both worked and we had a dog for three years. Sadly we had to say goodbye to Herbie in April of last year. It was nothing to do with the fact that he was a stay at home dog whilst we went to work. Herbie was a retired racing greyhound and they are widely acknowledged to be ideal dogs for people who work.
It can work, but it depends on how long the dog is left and the type of dog. Most people are not out of the house for 8 hours. I am out for over 12 and half door to door. This meant I did the morning walk and my wife was left with walking dog, collecting child from nursery and then cooking dinner for all of us and it was a stressful couple of hours for her.
The dog needs to be a family decision and commitments need to be made from all parties. The dog was my idea, but he ended up being my wife's dog and we loved him dearly.
Dogs can's just be for people who work from home or people who are retired. Dogs cost money and people need to work to have money, so to say you can't have a dog because you work is unreasonable IMO.
Its worth noting that we estimated that dog ownership cost £50 to £100 a month and that was with a mid level insurance. You also need to budget approximately £40 per day when you go on holiday so your dog can go to a sitter. Yes kennels are cheaper, but they aren't anywhere as good for the dog.
Our life is simpler with out a dog, but its not better.
We both worked and we had a dog for three years. Sadly we had to say goodbye to Herbie in April of last year. It was nothing to do with the fact that he was a stay at home dog whilst we went to work. Herbie was a retired racing greyhound and they are widely acknowledged to be ideal dogs for people who work.
It can work, but it depends on how long the dog is left and the type of dog. Most people are not out of the house for 8 hours. I am out for over 12 and half door to door. This meant I did the morning walk and my wife was left with walking dog, collecting child from nursery and then cooking dinner for all of us and it was a stressful couple of hours for her.
The dog needs to be a family decision and commitments need to be made from all parties. The dog was my idea, but he ended up being my wife's dog and we loved him dearly.
Dogs can's just be for people who work from home or people who are retired. Dogs cost money and people need to work to have money, so to say you can't have a dog because you work is unreasonable IMO.
Its worth noting that we estimated that dog ownership cost £50 to £100 a month and that was with a mid level insurance. You also need to budget approximately £40 per day when you go on holiday so your dog can go to a sitter. Yes kennels are cheaper, but they aren't anywhere as good for the dog.
Our life is simpler with out a dog, but its not better.
My Greyhound is sometimes alone for this length of time, but even when I'm home in the mornings (I work a lot of late shifts) he doesn't appear to be fussed if I'm there or not. He's not particularly playful so may not be what your child is looking for, but he seems happy enough.
https://youtu.be/nKTTq9pekiY
Most days he's alone for at least 3-4 hours. We leave the back door open for him.
https://youtu.be/nKTTq9pekiY
Most days he's alone for at least 3-4 hours. We leave the back door open for him.
our dogs were always fine growing up, we used to have a neighbour let them out at lunchtime for a pee.
They were always walked twice a day, before work/school then after.
It works better if you have 2 or more, then they can keep each other company, but we also had just the one dog for a long time, and he seemed fine about it.
They were always walked twice a day, before work/school then after.
It works better if you have 2 or more, then they can keep each other company, but we also had just the one dog for a long time, and he seemed fine about it.
my current dog (German Shepherd) and recently departed (Retriever) both spent about 8 hours in the house for 7 days per month when I'm on a day shift (shift worker). Both totally fine in terms of behaviour and toilet needs. They are in a great routine though and walked, fed at the same time every day. This has been the same for about 10 years.
Some folk would say it's a shame they are in for 8 hours but i think the rest of the time the family spends with them is totally worth it.
If I worked Monday to Friday day shift constantly id probably get a dog walker a couple of times a week.
Some folk would say it's a shame they are in for 8 hours but i think the rest of the time the family spends with them is totally worth it.
If I worked Monday to Friday day shift constantly id probably get a dog walker a couple of times a week.
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