We'd like to remind Forumites to please avoid political debate on the Forum. This is to keep it a safe and useful space for MoneySaving discussions. Threads that are - or become - political in nature may be removed in line with the Forum’s rules. Thank you for your understanding.
Leaving a dog alone
Comments
-
I wont leave my two alone any longer than 4 hours (and thats pushing it). Dogs are social animals and need company (as well as regular toilet breaks).This is a system account and does not represent a real person. To contact the Forum Team email forumteam@moneysavingexpert.com0
-
My boarding kennels no longer walk the dogs. They used to, which is why I started using them, but they don't any more mainly due to the staffing levels needed and local difficulties in recruiting reliable staff.
So they've built big enclosures that the dogs can play in instead of being in their individual runs. Not ideal for Gitdog who can't be in with other dogs, so he has his own bit where he can prance at them from the other side of the wire and the staff spend time playing ball with him instead.
For me, when I have a long day, that is still better for him than being home alone.All shall be well, and all shall be well, and all manner of things shall be well.
Pedant alert - it's could have, not could of.0 -
The problem is how does anyone know what goes on in a boarding kennel unless they work there?
There is one fairly close to me and someone I know worked there for a while and said the dogs never got walked. She then worked at another kennel and said the dogs did not walked, although not for long, but not if it was raining as they did not have time to dry them
I used to live near the kennels I use, and I saw the staff out walking the dogs in all weathers.0 -
We've just adopted a 6-year-old husky from the Dogs' Trust (this is our third week) having not had any pets in adulthood, we're pretty much beginners. She was there to be rehomed because her previous owners were leaving her alone for 10+ hours a day, and only walking her for between 30 minutes and an hour. My husband and I work different hours, and at the most she is still on her own now for about 5 hours. The DT people didn't express any concern about this (his supervisor being a dog lover, has given him a certain amount of flexibility in case of emergencies) and although we wouldn't condone the behaviour of her previous owners, it certainly eased our minds over the idea that we would have to leave her daily and so far in our first couple of weeks, she hasn't been a problem at all. Hubby walks her in the morning at about 5.30am, then I let her out on the garden around 8am before I go, hubby is back mid-morning to let her out although we're working towards longer now she's more familiar with our routine, and then in the evening we both take her a good long walk in the nearby park. We've been advised against letting her off the lead because of her breed and their nature to just run, but we also have a good sized garden for playing 'fetch'. She has colonised her half of hubby's sofa, and sleeps there pretty much all the time. She has been fine with us working (hubby is 7am-3pm but has been coming home on his lunchbreak, and I'm flexi so anywhere between 9.30am-4pm during the last few weeks but not during the upcoming busy period of September to Christmas) and just generally coming and going (I'm in and out a lot). She goes mad when we get home and likes to sprawl over one of us )OK, hubby) once she's calmed down. It's still early days and we're still getting used to each other - she's house trained and makes no noise, except when hubby or I go downstairs at any point in the day but she's not excessively loud and is soon quiet. Obviously we couldn't do this with a puppy.SPCNo.18 #20 (17 £562.86 16 £678; 15 £1120.92; 14 £416.53; 13 £191.52; 12 £260.48; 11 £480.95; 10 £682.31; 9 £442.64)
1p Challenge 2025 #630 -
My boarding kennels no longer walk the dogs. They used to, which is why I started using them, but they don't any more mainly due to the staffing levels needed and local difficulties in recruiting reliable staff.
So they've built big enclosures that the dogs can play in instead of being in their individual runs. Not ideal for Gitdog who can't be in with other dogs, so he has his own bit where he can prance at them from the other side of the wire and the staff spend time playing ball with him instead.
For me, when I have a long day, that is still better for him than being home alone.
IME, lots of boarding kennels have exercise areas rather than regular walks, due (as you say) to staffing levels and available walking areas.0 -
Person_one wrote: »I don't for a minute think its the case in all kennels, but I do think/hope/believe they get at least short walk in most. I would never leave my dog in a boarding kennel that didn't take them for a walk, how would they even stay in business?
I don't believe that regular access to a garden is an adequate replacement for a walk, unless you're talking about a dog so elderly that it struggles to walk far or one that is injured/unwell. If its capable of running around and playing in the garden, it should be walked.
I think that having access to a decent size garden for many hours in the day is far better than being indoors all day with a short daily walk, particularly if they have someone/another dog to play with. There's nothing particularly magical for a dog being led round the streets for 20/30 minutes compared to several hours in a garden with grass, bushes and trees to explore.0 -
My dog (rescue, got her when she was 3) is left for around 9 hours straight every weekday with just the cats for company. She has the run of the house & does have a dog flap into the garden so toilet breaks are no issue. Used to have a dog walker but that was stressing the dog out & she seems far happier sleeping the day away uninterrupted. She's very settled with the routine & very content being on her own, but I'm very aware that many dogs wouldn't be. It's nothing special I've done apart from establish a firm routine & stick to it - she's just that way inclined
Re: walks... I'd never dream of less than 2 walks a day. It's mental stimulation more than physical exercise. That 20+ minutes on a lead round the streets might be dull for us, but for a dog, the scents & sights are infinitely interesting & change every day, even on the same route. Every dog I've owned would rather have that than hours in the garden on their own where the scent landscape rarely changes. That's not to say a garden isn't great, but it's not anything comparable to a walk in my opinion.
I would never consider bringing a young puppy into a situation where they would be left for more than a couple of hours at once (at least until 6 months plus) but for an adult rescue dog, who has a known history of being ok when left, it's do-able. I'm considering getting a new dog in the next few months, so will need to factor in the possibility that even with thorough assessment & experience in a foster home to help me see how they'll be with being left, a new dog might still need a dog walker every day for life, depending on personality. If I go ahead then I'll need to make contingency plans for lots of potential eventualities!0 -
missbiggles1 wrote: »I think that having access to a decent size garden for many hours in the day is far better than being indoors all day with a short daily walk, particularly if they have someone/another dog to play with. There's nothing particularly magical for a dog being led round the streets for 20/30 minutes compared to several hours in a garden with grass, bushes and trees to explore.
I'm afraid I disagree. No dog ever gets as excited about being let into their garden as they do when they see the lead being brought out for a real walk!0 -
Hi we got a puppy in July. We had 2 weeks off with her and since then the 4 days a week we both work (sometimes 5) she goes off to Doggy Day care. Not cheap but not ridiculous and she and only 1 other puppy spend the day playing and learning with a settled older puppying loving older dog. They play and sleep and use the loo when necessary! She is left alone when we are home for a max of 2-3 hours. she is a half border collie half working cocker mix so very active and clever and we feel this is the best option for her at the moment. When she is older - who knows! She loves the day care, gets excited when we arrive and for me its a great investment. An hour a day company would not be enough for her. she has also done well with toilet training etc so leaving her for too long would likely set us back there too. She is now 4 months old and a very loving, well trained pup. We also invested in 1 on 1 puppy training which has been a god send. So helpful. Again not the cheapest option but a great value all rounder.
Paid off all Catalogues 10.10.20140 -
Feral_Moon wrote: »Maybe not but they are not left alone all day either. The kennel staff interact with the dogs, they get let out to run and play in controlled areas and receive at least two walks per day. The time spent in kennels they're usually sleeping anyway.0
This discussion has been closed.
Confirm your email address to Create Threads and Reply

Categories
- All Categories
- 348.2K Banking & Borrowing
- 252.1K Reduce Debt & Boost Income
- 452.3K Spending & Discounts
- 240.8K Work, Benefits & Business
- 617K Mortgages, Homes & Bills
- 175.6K Life & Family
- 253.9K Travel & Transport
- 1.5M Hobbies & Leisure
- 16K Discuss & Feedback
- 15.1K Coronavirus Support Boards