How long is too long to leave a dog alone?

Inner_Zone

I'm in a similar situation, wife passed away, dog is now left alone 8.30 to 5.45 Monday to Friday. Set up a webcam to monitor him, he does spend some part of the day looking at the front door, the remainder I can't see (must find a better position for the camera). But he seems to be fine

Regarding webcam software try webcamXP. It's basic version is free and can give you a good idea about what you dog is doing.

hollypinder

Inner_Zone wrote: »

I'm in a similar situation, wife passed away, dog is now left alone 8.30 to 5.45 Monday to Friday. Set up a webcam to monitor him, he does spend some part of the day looking at the front door, the remainder I can't see (must find a better position for the camera). But he seems to be fine

Regarding webcam software try. It's basic version is free and can give you a good idea about what you dog is doing.

Thanks, Am dowloading this now to try it out. Also downloaded the iphone app, now just to work out how to use it!
Thanks again

dannymccann

My staffie/jacky is left Mon-Fri 8am - 5pm, obviously with all the necessary food, water, bed - we even leave the radio on for him. Guy next door is a work from home solicitor and he has once mentioned excessive noise, if you creep up to the window so he can't hear you you can see him in his bed fast asleep. There is also no obvious signs of distress (peeing or chewed furniture), and he is walked 1 mile every morning and at least 1 mile at night - think this is the key point to make sure they are getting plenty of exercise still

pineapple

I know this is not very helpful but housetraining can take an age when you are an absentee or part absentee mum. In my experience, a dog should be fully housetrained at 6 months.
Also dogs are sociable animals and most are not interested in their toys unless humans or others are around. My collie is 11 now. And even at that age I fret about leaving her home alone for several hours.
It helps if you know other people with dogs and can set up a reciprocal arrangement.

twinklie

My pup (I say pup she's 15 mths) is left by me from 7.30am till between 4.30 - 5.30 pm during term time (I'm a teacher). BUT, my mum only lives about 10 mins away. She was originally meant to come round for about 20 mins or so around lunch time to let her out and check all was well. However, it's turned into my mum turning up between 11am and midday and staying till 3pm. Puppy gets a walk on the park, played with and cuddles.
It's funny because when my mum doesn't come at weekends because we are home with her she looks quite cheesed off about it. Last weekend she went and got her lead at 12pm on the dot and sat by the front door huffing and puffing! Was very funny.

We also have a set bedtime as a rule. At about 11pm she comes and starts grumbling at me, or sits by the back door. Thats the signal to let her out for a last wee, then for me to go to bed. She gets to sleep on the sofa when I go to bed. She thinks we don't know because as soon as she hears us come downstairs she gets off. A few times we've managed to sneek down and catch her out when she's in a deep sleep. It's very cute!

twinklie

I also have a neighbour at home during the day and he says she's an excellent early warning system to cold callers. It's the only time he ever hears her!