How long do you leave your dog for alone?

CocoPopsLover

Ok thanks for your advice

They are two years old! When they were bought, me and my partner bought them together so it was always understood that we would look after them together so they were rarely alone due to big difference between my work pattern and his, and then he left due to alot of factors (the dogs being one of them) and I refuse to give them up unless I saw the dogs were suffering by being with me. I dont look at dogs as objects, I see them as my own little ones and I just cant find it in me to give them away (especially after watching the BBC report on how many staffs get put down).

I think I will research a bit more into dog walkers, I am actually thinking about going part time so the pups will only be left alone for about 4 hrs a day maximum

I think i will be trying some of the sprays recommended for the time being

Thanks guys for your advice

chris_n_tj

coco after reading your last post I can see your fur babies mean the world to you. I wish al the luck in the world and hope you can sort something out.

Your dogs are the lucky ones having you as their humum.

Good luck Chris n TJ xxx

Quinny_2

The wife walks Stella on a morning, and then goes to work. At around 4 hours, (12.30 - 1pm.) she or 2 of the neighbours who have keys, then walk her, and then daughter comes home from school about 3.45pm.

And we have very minimal damage to anything.

CFC

Cocopops, don't feel bad. You are doing the best you can. It's ok for stay at home mums or those lucky enough to work from home, or those on benefits, to say '4 hours max'.
You had the best of intentions when you had your pooches originally, and a plan that worked, but life changes and plans go awry. I don't know many people, including myself, who could afford to pay £40 a week for a dog walker 5 days a week to be honest. So that means a lot of pooches go a much longer day than yours without seeing somene. At least you are able to get home at lunchtime.

Obviously chewing the door frames is good fun and very entertaining.

I agree with frozen kongs, also never let them have kongs at any other times. I also agree with the radio idea. I've never tried DAP so I don't know if it works. Also you might like to try buying doggy rucksacks and putting a bottle of water in it for their morning and lunchtime walk, as this will make them work harder and therefore be more tired when you leave to go to work. A tired dog is a good dog....

universality

Hi cocopopslover,

Sorry, how old are your dogs? I assumed they were pups as I thought you got them in July? Are they two years old? Little confused now :rotfl:Ignore my puppy walking advice if they're adults. Definitely try some spray and see if it saves your doors/cupboards being chewed off! The frozen kongs are good too and if you can afford to invest in a DAP spray, it may calm them. And I commend you for keeping both of them, they are like babies and are excellent companions.

x

hayley11

zaksmum wrote: »

How old are your dogs CocoPopsLover? If they're older it's not really a problem to leave them while you're at work, but younger dogs will need more stimulation.

If they're starting to wreck the house then it's obvious they're bored - if you leave for work at 8am and are not back till 2pm that's 6 hours and I wouldn't want to leave mine that long unless I absolutely had to.

Is there nobody at all you could ask to pop in and let the dogs out in the garden for a bit? Any neighbours who could have the key? Both my next door neighbours have my key so if there's an emergency they will happily see to the dogs. Perhaps another dog owner, someone you meet on your walks with the dogs? (obviously you'd have to know them well).

Our vets have a notice board, if yours does, you could advertise on that for someone to walk them. I believe you can get dog flaps too, like cat flaps so the dog can go outside if he wants to.

On a dry day could you leave them in the back garden? I think there's more to keep them occupied if they're outdoors, as long as you know it would be secure.

My son takes his dog to work. Leaves him in the car and pops out every hour to let him out for a quick wee: but of course you'd need to be working unsupervised as he is.

It is a worry. I hope you find a way round it!

Your son takes the dog to work? And leaves it in the car? All day? That doesn't sound much fun for the dog. Imagine being stuck in a car all day and only getting put out for pees.

Back to the OP - I never leave my dog for more than a few hours, he's used to having company most of the time so I feel bad leaving him for too long.

I leave the blind open in the bedroom (where he goes when we're out) and he just sits on a chair and looks out of the window for most of the time (I assume as he's always there when we go and get back) He's left with water, toys and he sleeps on our bed anyway so he can nap if he wants to.

At first he did some damage to the bedroom, scratched the wallpaper, carpet etc but he hasn't done anything like that for months now.

I used an anti chew spray (leave the room for a while after spraying, leaves a horrid taste in your mouth!) on the walls, carpet, bed, rug...everything :rotfl: It worked wonders.

Good luck and don't be hard on yourself, you're doing great and your dogs are lucky to have such a loving mummy

universality

hayley11 wrote: »

I used an anti chew spray (leave the room for a while after spraying, leaves a horrid taste in your mouth!) on the walls, carpet, bed, rug...everything :rotfl: It worked wonders.

Hi,

Would you tell me what one you used, please? I just bought my mum the Bitter Apple and it's in the post, we're just worried he'll like the taste

hayley11

universality wrote: »

Hi,

Would you tell me what one you used, please? I just bought my mum the Bitter Apple and it's in the post, we're just worried he'll like the taste

I got this, works great. Even my mums dog who will eat literally anything won't chew things with this on.

http://www.pet-supermarket.co.uk/products-Bob-Martin-Puppy-Chew-Stop_CN27032.htm

universality

hayley11 wrote: »

I got this, works great. Even my mums dog who will eat literally anything won't chew things with this on.

http://www.pet-supermarket.co.uk/products-Bob-Martin-Puppy-Chew-Stop_CN27032.htm

Ohh fantastic, thank you! We've still not received the other one yet but will definitely buy this one if it doesn't work