Leaving a dog alone all day !

TheCityManager

Ive long since wanted a doggie...

Finally found THE ONE today in a pound..she's GORGEOUS...and her 'time is up' at pound on saturday..so either its being put down or if she's lucky a shelter after that??..

I'd LOVE to get her and give her a great home however...I live alone generally and work during the day...I do have a 14 year daughter who is over a lot ..and stays over most weekends and she is dog mad...so...would it be fair to leave dog to be alone during the day..she would get walk every eve and long walks saturday and sunday...I do have lots of time off too (public service ) and also realise that a dog is a 14+ year committment...just the alone most days bit worries me..she's very quiet and placid...

ANy help guys please?? Gotta decide tonite.........

Toulouse

How long are we talking about here? Would you be willing to have a dog-walker come in during the day to break it up for her? Why can't you walk her in the morning too? Also which pound are we talking about? If it's any of the ones with a rescue attached then maybe you could liase with them, they may have a good rescue space lined up for her.

I'm not a fan of getting a dog and then leaving it to it's own devices for 8+ hours a day. A guy I home-checked lately said something to me during the visit about how he couldn't understand why people got dogs just to shut them in their garden all day while they went about their lives. He said that if he was getting a dog then that dog would be with him at all times and that lucky dog is, he even goes to work with him. It's not feasible in alot of cases but if you can make provisions for the dog to be taken out during the day then I suppose, at a pinch, it's the next best thing.

However, any of the rescues I homecheck for would not re-home a dog to you based on what you've written above. Also remember that quiet and placid in the pound is not necessarily quiet and placid in a home setting.

TheCityManager

Toulouse wrote: »

How long are we talking about here? Would you be willing to have a dog-walker come in during the day to break it up for her? Why can't you walk her in the morning too? Also which pound are we talking about? If it's any of the ones with a rescue attached then maybe you could liase with them, they may have a good rescue space lined up for her.

I'm not a fan of getting a dog and then leaving it to it's own devices for 8+ hours a day. A guy I home-checked lately said something to me during the visit about how he couldn't understand why people got dogs just to shut them in their garden all day while they went about their lives. He said that if he was getting a dog then that dog would be with him at all times and that lucky dog is, he even goes to work with him. It's not feasible in alot of cases but if you can make provisions for the dog to be taken out during the day then I suppose, at a pinch, it's the next best thing.

However, any of the rescues I homecheck for would not re-home a dog to you based on what you've written above. Also remember that quiet and placid in the pound is not necessarily quiet and placid in a home setting.

Hi Thanks for that !!

It's the Ashton Pound in D15...While I was there today the SPCA were tyaking away a poor doggie with a broken leg so hopefully this lady would equally be rescued..

As for alone all day..well my daughter has promised to call in every day and I believe her but come the winter and school exams etc etc that may not be the case..but there are plenty of teens in the area whom Im sure I could call on for help during the day...

Certainly will give her a short walk in morn before work too..believe me she'll not be lacking for walks and excercise..

Guess I'll have to sleep on it... but really was taken by her

Toulouse

Dogs in Distress work out of Ashton Pound so you would be as well on contacting them, if she's in the pound she'll be up on the Urgent Action Needed part http://www.dogsindistress.org/ Now the dog isn't theirs until her time is up but they will have been working on a space for her and the girls are good for information too, see what they think of the situation.

LadyTBolt

If you brought yourself to the pound in the first place then you've almost made up your mind that you want a dog anyway (unless you were there for another reason).

It's your decision entirely - If the dog you've seen suits your home and you feel you could take care of it the way it should be taken care of then go for it!

If you go ahead with it post a pic!

Good Luck with the Decision!

bellapip

Hey Cm


I just wanted to commend you on thinking this out before you go ahead and take a dog without fully appreciating the commitment.

I don't believe that being alone all day is the best way for a dog to live, but I do think that a dog who has a lot of love, care, attention and
someone to share its life with is better off than a dog without.

I have two dogs, who spend about six or seven hours here alone every day, they get spoiled rotten in the morning before we all leave, and get pampered and walked in the latter part of the day.

They are well adjusted, loving, and are very much a part of our family, and I am guessing if they could speak, they would vote on the positive side of staying here.

I think that its kewl you are giving a dog a chance, one she might not otherwise get, so for my money, and bearing in mind that you don't sound like a nut job, I think you and this lovely dog would be great for each other.


B.:)

TheCityManager

Toulouse wrote: »

Dogs in Distress work out of Ashton Pound so you would be as well on contacting them, if she's in the pound she'll be up on the Urgent Action Needed part http://www.dogsindistress.org/ Now the dog isn't theirs until her time is up but they will have been working on a space for her and the girls are good for information too, see what they think of the situation.

Had a look at site...she's not there..but perhaps an interim solution would be to contact dogsindistress tomorrow morning and discuss with them..perhaps I could foster in the interm and if all failed to work out I could ensure she was properly rehoused??? Would that work? Though dont think Id be able to give her up ...

LadyTBolt wrote: »

If you brought yourself to the pound in the first place then you've almost made up your mind that you want a dog anyway (unless you were there for another reason).

It's your decision entirely - If the dog you've seen suits your home and you feel you could take care of it the way it should be taken care of then go for it!

If you go ahead with it post a pic!

Good Luck with the Decision!

Yep..deffo want a doggie to care for..Im great with animals..they all seem to 'take' to me immediately...
I'll see what happens tomorrow...I do have pic here on fone

SantryRed

How dare you call your wife a dog?:eek:

Sam Kade

Since when do dogs need baby sitters? It's no wonder the world is gone mad stay at home to babysit your dog while your children run wild on the streets.

Wile E. Coyote

Whats wrong with leaving the dog on it's own for the day? It's a dog not a baby. As long as it has plenty of food and water and gets proper exercise in the evening then i don't see what the problem is.

Originally Posted by Toulouse

However, any of the rescues I homecheck for would not re-home a dog to you based on what you've written above.

Why not? The dogs time is up and is about to be put down, the OP said that they would love to give her a great home and that she would be walked every day? Are you saying that animal rescues will only only allow people who can devote 24hours a day to their pet or can afford someone to babysit all day while they're at work to rehome an animal?

MissyN

Hey TheCityManager, what did you do in the end???
I hope that little doggy is ok...:)

Spica

Some dogs do really well even if left on their own for 8 hours as long as the owner is willing to spend the rest of the time with them. So it really depends on the dog.

Most rescue won't rehome a dog to a family where there is no one at home during the day. I personally don't agree with this policy, me being a dog owner with a full time job - and my dog being a very happy dog :cool:
If you get a dog directly from the pound I doubt it will be a problem if you are at home or not during the day...

kerrysgold

Did you get the dog in the end?
less than ideal situation > being killed. maybe if you did get her you could look into getting a 2nd dog as a companion and also hiring a dog walker to come in during the day for an hour to take her out/keep her company.

wyk

A home is much better than in a pound with cold concrete floors, surrounded by dog litter and urine, barking, crying, and often sick dogs 24/7. I personally think even the best pound care is horrendous compared to leaving a dog at home all day alone. At least at the end of an 8 hour day alone, that dog has something to look forwards to, and she knows she is safe and secure on her own air conditioned and sheltered 'turf'. In a pound, or even some rescues, all that dog looks forwards to is more barking and more concrete.

I do suggest getting two if you can, though, for company.

I've spent a LOT of my life bored and alone - and that was mostly when I was married A dog could have it MUCH worse.


WYK

nhughes100

First of all a dog should not be left on it's own all day, dogs are social animals that require and thrive on company and social interaction. Secondly you never mentioned what type of dog it is, there are hundreds of different breeds and they all have different needs as regards feeding, exercise, training etc. Agree with a poster above that no shelter worth it's salt would knowingly allow a dog into a home where it will be bored all day out in the back.

Who's going to feed it during the day? What if it spills it water dish or it's nice weather and it's too hot and the dog wants to go inside - It's kennel will be baking so are you going to install a doggie entrance to your house? If it's a big breed then you may as well leave your back door open all day.

I empathise with you as I've long since wanted a dog but I won't get one until I get a job closer to home as I wouldn't leave it at home all day on it's own. It's your responsibility not your neighbours or friends to make sure it's looked after. What I would advise is do voluntary walking of dogs for a local shelter, that way you'll be helping out with the exercise and get some compainionship too.

If you want an animal that doesn't need you at home all day my advice is too look into getting a reptile.

bunyip123

Wile E. Coyote wrote: »

Whats wrong with leaving the dog on it's own for the day? It's a dog not a baby. As long as it has plenty of food and water and gets proper exercise in the evening then i don't see what the problem is.


Just a comment - dogs are pack animals by nature and don't adjust very well to being alone for long periods. Think of wolves in the wild, they live in groups. They are not designed to live that way and instinct kicks in fairly fast. Hence you hear of people moaning when the dog is left alone and chews the sofa or barks incessantly all day when home alone. Depends on the dog i'm sure though, you might be lucky!

Caroline B

well(takes deep breath) I have 3 dogs, all of whom are rescues and I work all day. They have a large garden and 2 kennels to choose from, ample water available during the day. The first thing I do when I get home is walk them, off leash in the woods for an hour, they are then fed and spend the evening getting snuggles. at the weekend I am up at 7am, taking them running down the beach, and on Sunday I take them to Glendalough for a 2-3 hour hike.

My dogs, due to their breed, would have been destroyed if they hadn't come to me. They are very happy, well adjusted, and don't drive me or the neighbours berserk (I've checked!)

I agree that in some cases it is not appropriate to leave the dog outside all day, and before I did, I took time off work to build up the time spent alone, and me returning, for them to become used to it.

My dogs do not exhibit nervous or anxious behaviours, are well behaved and rarely bark, and are , I promise you, very happy!!

I would not keep a very active or very young dog alone all day.

nhughes100

So who feeds them when you're in work?

Caroline B

They don't need feeding while I'm at work! Dogs are not supposed to have 3 square meals you know!!

It's generally accepted that dogs are best fed once a day, same time every day, and ideally after exercise.

My guys are muscular dogs, 20-25kg each, in perfect health with good coats and teeth.. i must be doing something right!!

art

Caroline B wrote: »

They don't need feeding while I'm at work! Dogs are not supposed to have 3 square meals you know!!

It's generally accepted that dogs are best fed once a day, same time every day, and ideally after exercise.

My guys are muscular dogs, 20-25kg each, in perfect health with good coats and teeth.. i must be doing something right!!

Sounds like you are doing everything possible Caroline to care for your dogs and make them happy. The comment above yours about feeding was just ignorant.

Glowing

Hey what breed are they Caroline?

Caroline B

Hi

They are staffy, staffyxpit and staffyxunknown:

Glowing

Lovely dogs!

nhughes100

Caroline B wrote: »

They don't need feeding while I'm at work! Dogs are not supposed to have 3 square meals you know!!

It's generally accepted that dogs are best fed once a day, same time every day, and ideally after exercise.

My guys are muscular dogs, 20-25kg each, in perfect health with good coats and teeth.. i must be doing something right!!

Lol if you edited that for sarcasm I'd have hated to have seen the first post, sorry not having a go as you sound like you treat your pets very well and since I saw you on TV last night you do look after your reptiles very well too. I know how expensive Barbera can be! I'd love to have a few dogs but don't honestly think I have the time to look after them and I really thought very hard about it. On a curious point whats your source for feeding dogs once a day? I would have thought once in the morning and once in the evening?

Anyway my 4 snakes and my fish will have to do me until I get a job a little closer to home.

MissyN

Caroline it sounds like you're a wonderful parent to those dogs and they are so lucky to have you. I don't like dogs being left at home while someone works full time but you do so much with them the rest of the time it sounds like they have wonderful lives and you're so great for what you do for them. I can't believe Nigel came back to ask when are they fed !!!! My God !!! I know he made up for it but that was bizarre Nigel !!!
I'd say those dogs are crazy about you Caroline B.

Caroline B

Okay, first off, I'm not a dog behaviouralist or nutrionalist, so there's no exact science going to come out of my mouth!

There are numerous different opinions available as to how much, how often and how to feed your dogs, including those people who only feed raw meat and bones, to those who believe you can keep a dog on a vegetarian diet. there are also those who believe that their babies are fine to eat full roast dinners, and several treats throughout the day, in addition to one of those nasty tins of dog food.

For multi-dog feeding, to assist with routine and prevention of obesity and food related anger issues, I personally recommend feeding them once a day, and supervised. It is natural for dogs to hunt in their packs, therefore we 'hunt' together by running through the forest then come home for our respective dinners. This once a day feeding does not exclude 'treats' - but my dogs get a pigs ear, cows ear, or beef marrow bone, @ 2-3 times a week, supervised.

MissyN, thank you for your lovely comments.

nhughes100, my time is spent taking care of my pets, thats the 3 dogs, 2 cats, 13 snakes and 7 lizards I currently own. I may point out that some of these are rescues, the dogs and cats and some reptiles, and the satisfaction I get from helping them is worth more to me than free time for myself. I make time for them. If I have a day off, I think, where could I take the dogs today? If we want a holiday, they're coming too! that level of commitment isn't for everyone, and you're right not to get a dog unless you will think of them every time you make plans.

BlackCat2008

I know I'll get eat for this and thats OK but any live is better than a live in a pound I've been to Ashton many times just to walk the dogs and I've wanted to take so many of them home and left broken hearted each time, although the staff do the best with what they get and love each and every dog that comes through them, it's still a hole of despair for the dogs, kept in cramped cages and amongest other lawd and often narky dogs who are sick or recovering for there on traumas.

If I was a dog there I'd happily exchange it for 8 hours of piece a day and a loving family for the rest of the week.

Thecitymanager I can tell you now not to rely on teenagers (I know she's your daughter but friends and boy friends have away of taking up time) and look at the situation as you only you dealing with the dog, Can you take her for a quick run in the morning even to play ball in the back yard before you leave, can you leave her with some chow toys and bones/pigs ears and a radio on low while your at work and can you give her a least an hour of your undivided attention most evenings to train her or teach her games and a walk, cuddles on the sofa when watching TV and in general talking to her as you go about things at home and most importantly food and vet care.

If you have answered yes thats the relationship I want with a dog then go for it, the dog will a just to it's time alone and be looking forward to your return every day. Not many dogs have a chance at a life like this and would other wise be pts or left looking at the four walls of a kennel with min interaction.

You sound like you've thought this through and would make a great dad to a dog that needs a life so I say go for it.

And don't forget to post pic's please I might of even walked her myself.

This is not a prefect world for human or animal but if he's willing to love and care for the dog the best way he can then we shouldn't take that from the dog who needs it.

Lexie_Karas

Well said, BlackCat.

nhughes100

What is so unusual about asking who fed them during the day Missy? Maybe one of her friends or neighbours fed them during the day?? So maybe not such a bizarre question after all?

whitser

i keep dogs in pens out the back i also have a dog that is in the house full time. the ones in the pens are fed once a day, sam gets a breakfast and whatever else my wife treats him to during the day. the hounds in the pens are on their own all day til i get home and do all that needs doing. but all my dogs are fit and sound mentally and physically.
there's no right way or wrong way as long as the dogs are looked after and not distresseed. all dogs are different and everyones situations are different. im getting sick of the "white knights of the boards" coming on and castagating people who do things different to them.

whitser

Toulouse wrote: »

How long are we talking about here? Would you be willing to have a dog-walker come in during the day to break it up for her? Why can't you walk her in the morning too? Also which pound are we talking about? If it's any of the ones with a rescue attached then maybe you could liase with them, they may have a good rescue space lined up for her.

I'm not a fan of getting a dog and then leaving it to it's own devices for 8+ hours a day. A guy I home-checked lately said something to me during the visit about how he couldn't understand why people got dogs just to shut them in their garden all day while they went about their lives. He said that if he was getting a dog then that dog would be with him at all times and that lucky dog is, he even goes to work with him. It's not feasible in alot of cases but if you can make provisions for the dog to be taken out during the day then I suppose, at a pinch, it's the next best thing.

However, any of the rescues I homecheck for would not re-home a dog to you based on what you've written above. Also remember that quiet and placid in the pound is not necessarily quiet and placid in a home setting.

what is the critea for a home check to be successfull, what boxes have to be ticked for someone to get a dog from your home?
whars the minimum you require? can a dog be on its own for 4,6,8 hours?
seems to me that you probably put people off getting a dog just cos you think a dog should be getting constant attention.

nhughes100

If you pm me your email address I'll send you on a form that I filled out for a rescue for irishanimals.com that would reflect the boxes you have to check. I think the main constraint is living alone as there are always unforeseen circumstances that will delay you getting home which means the dog is left waiting. If you commute long distances this is even worse for the animal.

Only last night it was 8pm when I got home after been out from 7.30am that morning, that to me is unacceptable to leave a dog on it's own for that long and I don't think being a responsible owner means stinging your neighbours (mine all have young children) with something which is ultimately your responsibility.

To give you a sample of some of the questions asked - Your hours away from home, is someone available at lunchtime? Does your garden have secure fencing? Do you have a garden? Do you have kids?Nature of your work? Experience with dogs? Other animals in the house?

Dogs are social, needy animals especially rescues, if you look at the list on irishanimals.com almost everyone of them states - requires a lot of attention, needs to be treated like one of the family etc etc.

I dont think you should be giving people flack who only have the best interests of the animal at heart, your white knights comment is really uncalled for. If everyone took a more responsible stance on keeping animals properly there'd be very little need for shelters.

whitser

dont lecture me on how to look after dogs.
dogs need someone to look in on them at lunch time do they?...crap.
plenty of good homes out there,just cos people need to work etc...doesnt mean the wont be good dog owners. all dogs are different and if your worried about the dog on its own get 2, theres a way around every situation if you really want. if shelters are that desperate for homes they should be more open minded.

whitser

nhughes100 wrote: »

If you pm me your email address I'll send you on a form that I filled out for a rescue for irishanimals.com that would reflect the boxes you have to check. I think the main constraint is living alone as there are always unforeseen circumstances that will delay you getting home which means the dog is left waiting. If you commute long distances this is even worse for the animal.

Only last night it was 8pm when I got home after been out from 7.30am that morning, that to me is unacceptable to leave a dog on it's own for that long and I don't think being a responsible owner means stinging your neighbours (mine all have young children) with something which is ultimately your responsibility.

To give you a sample of some of the questions asked - Your hours away from home, is someone available at lunchtime? Does your garden have secure fencing? Do you have a garden? Do you have kids?Nature of your work? Experience with dogs? Other animals in the house?

Dogs are social, needy animals especially rescues, if you look at the list on irishanimals.com almost everyone of them states - requires a lot of attention, needs to be treated like one of the family etc etc.

I dont think you should be giving people flack who only have the best interests of the animal at heart, your white knights comment is really uncalled for. If everyone took a more responsible stance on keeping animals properly there'd be very little need for shelters.

i dont think you should be giving people flack cos their dogs are alone during the day and only fed once a day.

Toulouse

Eh, calm down there whitser. Where is anyone lecturing you on how to look after dogs? nhughes is merely stating what is involved in a homecheck as you asked.

And don't tell me that I put people off getting a dog just because I think a dog should be getting constant attention. Where did I say that? I do believe that a dog shouldn't be on its own for more than 4 hours at a time which is why I recommend getting a dogwalker to break up the boredom. I do the homecheck and then it's up to the shelters to decide whether the home is suitable or not, not me.

I don't think you should be giving flack to the shelters who clean up irresponsible dog owners messes and that includes all the people who just leave a dog in their back yard all day while they're out at work and then leave the dog into a pound/shelter because they don't have the time to look after it and how it's being unfair on the dog. Believe it or not that's probably one of the most popular excuses used so why would the shelters want to encourage more of it? Do you not think they have enough dogs to deal with anyway without a percentage of them being left in again?

nhughes100

whitser wrote: »

i dont think you should be giving people flack cos their dogs are alone during the day and only fed once a day.

I'm not, I'm merely giving my opinion on the matter which is what the OP asked for. I'm not lecturing you or anyone else on the matter either, the questionnaire is from Irish animals.com, who are a well known re-housing voluntary group. I didn't make it up. Feel free to contact them and they can attempt to educate you on the matter. There's no need to be so narky, if you've a problem with ppl's opinions then you're on the wrong website.

How do you respond to my point about being away from home for over 12 hours yesterday? do you think that's fine for a dog? And my point about getting other people who aren't responsible for your animal to look after it in your absense?

whitser

dogs are adaptable. if your dog is secure and happy he wont fret cos your late home some evening. your using extreme examples. but i've read posts on here from people that say if your away for 8 hours you should get a pet sitter in:eek: get real.
in an ideal world we could all be at home with our dogs all day but people have to work and dogs need homes!
im not having a go at shelters, just saying that they should be more open minded. the op in this case sounded like someone who could give a dog a decent home and he was told that in a home check he wouldnt get one, thats nonsense.

whitser

Toulouse wrote: »

Eh, calm down there whitser. Where is anyone lecturing you on how to look after dogs? nhughes is merely stating what is involved in a homecheck as you asked.

And don't tell me that I put people off getting a dog just because I think a dog should be getting constant attention. Where did I say that? I do believe that a dog shouldn't be on its own for more than 4 hours at a time which is why I recommend getting a dogwalker to break up the boredom. I do the homecheck and then it's up to the shelters to decide whether the home is suitable or not, not me.

I don't think you should be giving flack to the shelters who clean up irresponsible dog owners messes and that includes all the people who just leave a dog in their back yard all day while they're out at work and then leave the dog into a pound/shelter because they don't have the time to look after it and how it's being unfair on the dog. Believe it or not that's probably one of the most popular excuses used so why would the shelters want to encourage more of it? Do you not think they have enough dogs to deal with anyway without a percentage of them being left in again?

a dog cant be on its own for 4 hours???come on. dogs get bored during the day, hell i get bored during the day,kids get bored during the day. its not the end of the world ands its certainly not cruel if your dog is allowed to be bored during the day.

JDxtra

My neighbours dog is lucky to see a person for more than 30 seconds a day when being fed. Poor thing is just dying for attention.

whitser

i dont think anyone on here would condone that.

whitser

nhughes100 wrote: »

I'm not, I'm merely giving my opinion on the matter which is what the OP asked for. I'm not lecturing you or anyone else on the matter either, the questionnaire is from Irish animals.com, who are a well known re-housing voluntary group. I didn't make it up. Feel free to contact them and they can attempt to educate you on the matter. There's no need to be so narky, if you've a problem with ppl's opinions then you're on the wrong website.

How do you respond to my point about being away from home for over 12 hours yesterday? do you think that's fine for a dog? And my point about getting other people who aren't responsible for your animal to look after it in your absense?

im not being narky,just tired of reading posts of people who think theres only one way to keep a dog, and thats cant be alone for more then 4 hours, they need constant stimulation etc... all that other gick.
plenty of good honest dog owners out there who probably wouldnt fit into that nonsense questionare,yet their dogs are happy,healthy well adjusted and well cared for.

whitser

to be honsest(without seeing the whole questionare) i probably wouldnt qualify to take a dog from your shelter. some of my dogs are in pens and alone til i get home..but i tell you one thing, if everyone put the time,money,effort and devotion into their dogs as i do my hounds the shelters would be empty. but yet i still wouldnt be considered because i wont get a dog sitter in at lunch time to entertain them while im at work...its crazy,nonsense.

glineli

whitser wrote: »

to be honsest(without seeing the whole questionare) i probably wouldnt qualify to take a dog from your shelter. some of my dogs are in pens and alone til i get home..but i tell you one thing, if everyone put the time,money,effort and devotion into their dogs as i do my hounds the shelters would be empty. but yet i still wouldnt be considered because i wont get a dog sitter in at lunch time to entertain them while im at work...its crazy,nonsense.

I am in the same boat as yourself. I wanted to get a westie resuce last year but because we both work we would not qualify. Instead we went and got a westie and anyone that calls says he is the luckiest dog around. he is pure spoilt. from the minute we get in after work til well into his sleep, he is with us. long walks, plenty of games, well fed. I am glad we went and got him last year and not taken the advice of the rescue shelter and i think my little guy would agree.

Caroline B

I wonder if the OP is still considering getting a dog?!!

I wouldn't normally have been allowed a rescue either, but as I have more than one, and the type they are, I was.

In the rescue shelters' defence, you can imagine what would happen if they gave a single dog to someone who they knew was never home, and the dog went berserk or something, ruined their decking while they were out (lol) and they claimed against them. Cos some people are like that. And some people believe their dogs are little people..

Toulouse

whitser wrote: »

a dog cant be on its own for 4 hours???come on. dogs get bored during the day, hell i get bored during the day,kids get bored during the day. its not the end of the world ands its certainly not cruel if your dog is allowed to be bored during the day.

Can you not read? I said the most I would leave a dog on its own for is 4 hours at a time. So knowing full well that you are inflicting 8 - 12 hours of boredom and isolation a day, 5 days a week is not cruelty? You're situation is different as you have alot of dogs, the OP is only talking about 1. Shelters are trying to do the best for the dogs they rehome which is why they would not put a dog in a situation like this. What is the dog gets destructive and rips your garden apart, what if it barks and drives your neighbours up the walls, what if it needs vet care and is lying for hours waiting for you to come home, what if it escapes, it'll be long gone by the time you get back.

If you feel like putting a dog through that then that's your business, I haven't judged you on that. The OP asked if it was okay to leave a dog alone all day and in my opinion, no, it isn't. This is a public forum and we are all entitled to our opinion. Shoving yours down my neck isn't going to convince me that you're right and statements like a dog is allowed to be bored during the day isn't helping your argument. I believe in doing the best for the dogs I help and my own dog, there's nothing wrong with that.

iguana

nhughes100 wrote: »

I think the main constraint is living alone as there are always unforeseen circumstances that will delay you getting home which means the dog is left waiting. If you commute long distances this is even worse for the animal.

Only last night it was 8pm when I got home after been out from 7.30am that morning, that to me is unacceptable to leave a dog on it's own for that long

But unforeseen circumstances happen to everyone. My husband works incredibly long hours most of the time (14+ hours a day), but as I'm a housewife the dogs usually have plenty of company. But recently when my grandmother died and I had to fly home the dogs had to put up with their own company for 5 days as my husband still had to work. Two weeks and again three weeks later I had to head home unexpectedly again, so we again had no choice to let the dogs on their own for most of each day I was gone.

nhughes100

Exactly Toulouse, when humans get bored they don't start chewing the furniture or eating whatever plants take their fancy. There was a good program on BBC last night full of well intentioned people who just were not able to look after their animals, they were full of the usual rhetoric - oh he just looked so cute that I had to take him home etc, one of them even got a 2nd Kerry blue since the first one was acting up. So what was the puppy blue gonna train the older dog for them? One of the dogs actually starting pulling at live electrical sockets.

At least they had the sense to bring them to get some training. Think it was called good dog, bad dog, sort of a northern Irish version of the dog whisperer. It's on for the next 4 weeks on bbc1 at 10pm.

Sashy

wyk wrote: »

A home is much better than in a pound with cold concrete floors, surrounded by dog litter and urine, barking, crying, and often sick dogs 24/7. I personally think even the best pound care is horrendous compared to leaving a dog at home all day alone. At least at the end of an 8 hour day alone, that dog has something to look forwards to, and she knows she is safe and secure on her own air conditioned and sheltered 'turf'. In a pound, or even some rescues, all that dog looks forwards to is more barking and more concrete.

I do suggest getting two if you can, though, for company.

I've spent a LOT of my life bored and alone - and that was mostly when I was married A dog could have it MUCH worse.


WYK

I agree one hundred percent with this,
If you had to make a decision:

1) A dog to spend 24 hours, every day in a pound in a cage, with the possibility of being put down?
2) A dog to spend 8 hours on his own, if he gets bored might chew somwthing, but with the exciting prospect of knowing when exactly his owner will be home, knowing that he has something to look forward to every day?

I know what my answer is...

It isnt ideal that some dogs have to spend a lot of time on their own, I know they might get lonely, but the thruth is a lot of people wont get dogs exactly for this reason. How many people in the country work fulltime and are not at home all day? How many dogs need homes? As i said the circumstances arent ideal but there is things to do to make it better: leaving them toys, bringing them for walks morning and evening, some people may be lucky enough to come back for a few mins at lunch. Loneliness is better than being scared for these animals.

pokerkingsni

When we got our dog from the pound we first got a home visit from a representitive of the pound. The woman told us that if we both worked during the day we would not have a good chance of getting a dog. They said that 3 hours alone would be the absolute max and would have to be a one off thing and certainly not every day.

BlackCat2008

Have you gotten the dog and how is every thing I hope it is a happy ending.

votejohn

Hi all.

The debate on whether it is fair or not to leave a dog at home alone for long periods of time is one that I used to have a lot of the time with my friends.

I believe that dogs (and their owners) would all prefer NOT to have dogs alone, but usually there is not much in the way of a solution.

That's why (drum-roll please) I have spent the last five years researching Doggie Daycare, and am opening my own doggie daycare in Cork in the coming weeks!

We have over 6000 square foot of space in which dogs will be able to run and play with other dogs of similar size and energy levels. Dogs will spend the day socializing with other dogs and people, leaving you with a tired, happy dog to collect at the end of the day, AND, eliminating the guilt that can come with leaving your dog alone during the day!

Sollution to every one's problem!!!

( www.thedoghouse.ie is our rough website, newer version to be launched in the coming weeks )