Comments on: How Long Can A Dog Be Home Alone?

By: dorothy s

dorothy s — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 14:59:28 +0000

You have never had a dog; consequently you are unaware of their needs. There will be dozens of people who will answer your question and tell you that it’s OK to leave a dog alone all day. Yes, thousands of uncaring people get a dog and leave it alone to suffer.
A dog that is left alone will wreck your house. It will chew your furniture and pee on the carpets. If you are in rented accommodation YOU will be responsible for the damage and you could be evicted, then what will happen to you and your dog.
You will get answers from people who recommend cages/crates, however if a dog is caged it will bark and cry, your neighbours and your landlord will complain. A dog who is crated all day will become an anti social aggressive hooligan. Could you cope with this??
Edit. Weimaram Mam. Your response and remarks will perpetuate and encourage BYB’s. When Askers do not understand dogs and want them to leave them alone all day, I think that we should tell them about the pitfalls. People get dogs and because they cannot cope, they are dumped. Perhaps this Asker is different. neither you nor I know

By: melissa k

melissa k — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 13:16:16 +0000

Breed doesn’t really matter – an adult dog should be able to handle being alone for 7 – 8 hours.
Crate training (crate in the house, of course) is a very good idea. It helps to prevent accidents and destructive behavior while giving the dog a safe “den.” I do not recommend a doggie door – too much freedom, especially for a new dog who doesn’t know the rules and his role yet.
Of the three breeds you listed, a Chihuahua is the most likely to get along with cats. However, a terrier or Greyhound that was raised with cats – or just doesn’t have the intended drive for its breed – should be just fine. The shelter staff should be able to tell you if there are any dogs available that are known to be good with cats.

By: RACHAEL P

RACHAEL P — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 09:58:09 +0000

Firstly, when you get your new dog, you will need to spend some time off work to establish any problems your dog may have. Even if your dog is an older dog, it will still need time to get used to a new home, and to get used to you, for example to get to know the signs of when the dog needs to go out for a pee or poo, as you don’t know what the dog has been trained to do in a previous home. Some dogs suffer from separation anxiety which can take a little time to overcome, the dog may become a bit destructive or bark alot, as it may think you are abandoning it and not ever going to com back, mild cases can usually be cured in a matter of weeks and with some patience and until the dog realizes you are actually going to return home each day.
As for the length of time, realistically, over night a dog can be left for around 8 – 10 hours before needing to go out, but during the day, maybe a little less. I leave my dog at home, from 8.30am untill 2pm when I return home at lunchtime so she can go outside without any problem. I wouldn’t say the breed mattered, its just a matter of the dog and you having a schedule.

By: srhdufe

srhdufe — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 07:51:07 +0000

It all depends on the dog and its temperament. If you get a dog flap then do not leave it open all day as if the dog gets out he could get lost and/or stolen. Leaving them for a few hours is usually fine. I wouldn’t leave it in a crate on its own. Rescue homes will pair you with a dog that will suit you AND the dog. They will also do home checks to ensure your home and garden will be a suitable place to live. They will give you advice on all kinds of dogs. Please do think about adopting an older dog. They are so loving. They will most likely be house trained too. Older dogs are all too often overlooked in resuce homes as people prefer younger dogs and puppies. Why not try Dogs trust?http://www.dogstrust.org.uk/rehoming/our…
They are brilliant at finding you the right dog.
Hope this helps

By: Kellie

Kellie — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 02:21:47 +0000

People work and have perfectly happy, socialized dogs. I work from 8-5 every day and my dog is fine. I come home on lunch and let her out and play with her and it’s fine.
Any breed will be ok home that long, but you need to make sure it’s trained. Look into crate training, and maye get your dog while you’re on vacation or a long weekend so you have time to train it and get it acclimated. I would avoid terriers with cats. Greyhounds are beautiful, lazy dogs! You can adopt retired racing dogs. Or your garden variety mutt. A shelter will be upfront with you about it being good with cats or being alone because they want it to go to the right home, not end right back in a shelter. Also I wouldn’t put your dog into the garden until you are sure it won’t dig and escape.
Good luck!

By: tracey w

tracey w — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 00:20:44 +0000

i would say to be fair to the dog you should only leave it for about 4-5 hours, the dog will need company and out for the toilet. personally i would’nt leave it any longer than that or it would’nt be fair on it as it will get very lonely and maybe start to be destructive as it will get bored. I used to have a dog and left her when i went to work. i left her maximum 5 hours and if i wasn’t going to be home i got someone to see to her for me. think it through before getting one and maybe ask relatives or friends if they would let it out for you about lunchtime so it’ll be ok till tea time when you get in.
hope you find the one your’e looking for.
good luck in your search.

By: Moo

Moo — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 19:43:53 +0000

I would definitely crate train your dog. If at all possible, I would try to pop in at a lunch break to let your dog out… If not it is perfectly possible to work full time and own a pet. I would make sure that you make time for your pet while you are at home. If you will be working lots of overtime hours, however, I would say no.

By: babyk001

babyk001 — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 13:32:42 +0000

all dogs unless they have a bladder problem or not properly potty trained can hold there potty for about 8 to 10 hours my bulldog and boston terrier do it while i’m at work puppy pads are a back up but usually the dog needs to be trained that way when it was a puppy boston terriers are good dogs and range from 12 to 25 pounds

By: Weimaraner Mom

Weimaraner Mom — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 11:40:08 +0000

Ok I’m sorry but I don’t agree with Dorothy S. I would have to say of the amount of people that own dogs, at least a huge majority work and leave the dog home alone. A dog can be perfectly fine alone in the house for up to 10 hours. A single dog might not do as well as a two dog home out of loneliness but it can be done. Honestly for those people who say you should only leave it for 4 hours obviously don’t work. How can anyone afford a dog if you dont’ work? Bottom line is small dogs do just fine as larger breed dogs, it might take a while for this dog to settle in at your house and yes, you might come home to destruction depending on age. A small dog actually cannot hold it all day like a larger breed dog so there’s that to consider. I fostered a small breed dog and she pottied in the house every day, she could not go 8 hours so I left pee pads down for her to use and she was fine.
I have 2 large dogs, they stay home from 8-4 M-F and when I get home they get 2 hours of exercise. Two days a week they were going to day care. So with your hours you will have no problems leaving it home all day alone. I do recommend two things though.
First, if you get a dog take some time off to be with the dog to acclimate it to your house, get it on a schedule to eat, potty and sleep at night, the dog will soon learn to adjust to your schedule but it’s always best to put the dog on a schedule as dogs love routine, they hate change. This way you can get to know the dog and it’s habits rather than get the dog one night and boom, next day you’re at work, that’s stressful for a dog.
Lastly, if you adopt talk to the shelter or check out their website and ask about a dog that’s good with cats. Remember not all dogs will get along with cats especially if they are prey driven dogs like terriers, labs and hunting dogs.
Good luck with your choice.