Is it OK for dog to be alone all day while we are at work?

[Gen]

I need some perspective on this. I would really like to get a dog. We are a household of two adults, hubby and I both grew up with dogs and love them. We own our (detached) house with a fenced backyard and can afford a dog. I am currently unemployed but will go back to work sooner (hopefully!) or later. Hubby works nine to five and is worried the dog would be unhappy staying home alone while we are both at work.

So would it be wrong to consider it? I would be happy to pay someone to take the dog for a walk mid-day while we are at work (I have an awesome retired neighbor who walks his two Shelties all day who could probably be incited to do it!). And/or to board it a day or two a week if I found a nice place where the dog enjoyed hanging out. Does this sound like a reasonable living situation for an adult dog, or should I forget about it?

[meupatdoes]

I think some dogs will be absolutely fine with it. I am fostering a beagle hound now who would be totally ok with that arrangement.

My other dogs thrive on company. I made sure to get a second dog the minute I moved out of my dog-owning roommate’s place and into my new house, because I did not think she would do well by herself. Between my own dogs and the fosters, they all have a little pack of canine friends to hang out with and they do just fine when I’m out.

Personally I don’t think having two dogs is any more work than one. They go outside at the same time, they get fed at the same time, they come to bed at the same time. No more work to shuttle two through the day than just one. So, if you feel bad about still, consider getting two dogs instead of just one.

[SuckerForHorses]

We have an australian cattle dog and a golden retreiver. They are alone in our house, loose, from 8:00 AM until 6:00 or sometimes 6:30 PM. They are perfectly fine sleeping all day long, and sometimes don’t even get off the couch when we get home at night until we coax them off!

ETA: Even if I take one but not the other for some reason, the one that is left home is still perfectly content to just sleep all day long.

[wendy]

I also suggest getting two dogs if you can manage it. Keep each other company.
But- most dogs stay home alone all day while their owners work and have no problems with it, really.
Most dogs, if allowed to select their own schedule, prefer to be active in the morning and evening and sleep during the middle of the day and the middle of the night. This tends to fit well into the schedule of the 9-5 worker, as long as you’re willing to get up early enough to exercise the dog before work.

[Gen]

Thank you for the replies. I agree two dogs is a potential solution, I had actually thought about it. I can just picture myself selling it to hubby: “But honey, that’s why we need two!”

[loshad]

My pair does fine at home alone. On the rare occasions when I’m home during the day, they pretty much stay up in my room on the bed, regardless of where I am (unless I let them hang out on the deck, and then they just sleep there instead).

We have a dog walker, but they do seem to be just fine with the routine.

[GoForAGallop]

[QUOTE=meupatdoes;6401553]
I think some dogs will be absolutely fine with it. I am fostering a beagle hound now who would be totally ok with that arrangement.

My other dogs thrive on company. I made sure to get a second dog the minute I moved out of my dog-owning roommate’s place and into my new house. Between my own dogs and the fosters, they all have a little pack of canine friends to hang out with and they do just fine when I’m out.

Personally I don’t think having two dogs is any more work than one. They go outside at the same time, they get fed at the same time, they come to bed at the same time. No more work to shuttle two through the day than just one. So, if you feel bad about still, consider getting two dogs instead of just one.[/QUOTE]

This. Particularly the part about the extra dogs. I have three regulars, who I can walk all at once. When it got crazy was when I added four and five, which means I need to split them into two groups for walks, 'cause there’s no way I can walk all five! :lol: Luckily, they are just house guests and leaving soon.

Also, a plug for getting two: they really are pack animals and most benefit from a buddy. I can think of two “single” dogs that I am very close with…one has a friend over right now while the owners are on vacation, and she is happy as a clam. The other “single” dog is my mother’s dog, who is here with my pack right now, and good lord this dog is in HEAVEN! She plays and plays and plays with my group allllll dayyyyy looonngggg. She’s an older dog (~4yo) and seems fairly content to live by herself…but man she is just overjoyed to come play with my crew, or when I bring one over to her house. Single dogs make me sad. They almost all would love a buddy.

The only obvious condition for your situation is, of course, that that is not an environment for a puppy. I’d go older (2+)…which means you get the fantastic opportunity to pull a dog outta a shelter (if you so choose) who is not going to fly outta there as fast as a puppy.

[Bicoastal]

I have 2 dogs alone for 10 work hrs who have a mid-day walker. On weekends, my dogs are obviously tired and waiting for a chance to sleep; that is what they do every other day I’m not there to pester :lol:.

Every morning and evening includes walk and training rain or shine. I go straight home from work, change into sneakers, and hit the pavement. Many evenings include a class. I squeeze in TV time some evenings AFTER they are walked. They sack out on the bed like they just ran a marathon- even though they’ve spent the past 9 hrs resting (yes they are fit for the exercise we do). I think part of that is midday walking PLUS training so they are mentally peaceful.

My youngest is 8yo so their needs are different than a puppy’s. I suggest an older/low-energy dog for a household of 2 working adults.

[Gen]

Thank you for all the replies. I would definitely go for adult/older, I have a soft spot for oldies. :yes:

[meupatdoes]

[QUOTE=Gen;6401580]
Thank you for the replies. I agree two dogs is a potential solution, I had actually thought about it. I can just picture myself selling it to hubby: “But honey, that’s why we need two!” :D[/QUOTE]

Let him reaaalllllly make the argument about how bad he feels about the dog being alone. I mean, let him really entrench himself in that position.

So that, of course, he can’t then argue with your solution!

[Appsolute]

My one dog does ok at home alone all day. Although I do have two cats, and they are all buddies (snuggles and sleeps with one of them, and plays – chase etc) with the other.

Dog is able to go to work with hubby a few days a week, and stays home on others. We both commute long distances, so it is a long day home alone. We make sure he gets extra walk / ball time on the days he has to stay at home.

[Gen]

@meupatdoes;6401629

Let him reaaalllllly make the argument about how bad he feels about the dog being alone. I mean, let him really entrench himself in that position.

So that, of course, he can’t then argue with your solution!

I like your thinking. :lol:

[vtdobes]

One of my Dobes stays home during the day from 7:15-5:15 (she comes to work with me 1 day a week) . My other Dobe comes to work with me every day as when he stays home he HAS to be crated (he’s naughty!). Now he can hold his bladder but I feel bad leaving him in the crate the whole day. Luckily I have the option to bring him with me. That worked really well when both dogs were baby puppies

[Nootka]

2 bad you are so far. I have a 6yr old best dog in the world (ridgie cross) but the place I have will not allow pets. My mother has him but doesn’t get much attention.

[TrotTrotPumpkn]

We bought a puppy and then a year later rescued an older Dobe. Two issues. First, it is hard for a puppy to hold it that long. So if you are currently home, then that is the time to get a puppy. Second, later in life holding their bladder that long becomes harder for dogs. Something to consider. I agree that getting an older second dog is a good idea at some point in the future.

[S1969]

Most dogs manage perfectly fine all day at home alone. Ours were crated and they learned to love their crates and always preferred to be in them when they were tired.

The only thing I would worry about is the prospect of getting two adult dogs that don’t know each other, and assume they will be happy together during the day. I’m not sure how you go about doing it properly - other than to get two dogs that need rehoming together.

[Gen]

@S1969;6401828

The only thing I would worry about is the prospect of getting two adult dogs that don’t know each other, and assume they will be happy together during the day. I’m not sure how you go about doing it properly - other than to get two dogs that need rehoming together.

That is a good point. I am guessing a careful introduction and a trial period for the second dog would be necessary?

[Chief2]

The opposite vote: my mother’s Lhasa Apso is not good at spending the day all alone. He is a people dog, and loves to be around people. Being solo for long periods of time makes him very lonely and anxious. If you are looking at getting an older dog or a rescue dog, ask about the dog’s past history with people to make sure you aren’t getting a very people oriented/clingy dog and expecting him to go solo for long periods of time. It doesn’t always work out for the best for the dog.

[Lifting_Chickk]

Our 2 year old IG is fine by herself, loose in the house, while we are at work.

The old cat keeps her company.

What kills her is if we’re out in the yard working and she knows we’re there, but she’s inside. Then she can be a very naughty little girl. :lol:

But, I really think she sleeps all day to be honest with you.

[Bacardi1]

[QUOTE=Gen;6401542]
I need some perspective on this. I would really like to get a dog. We are a household of two adults, hubby and I both grew up with dogs and love them. We own our (detached) house with a fenced backyard and can afford a dog. I am currently unemployed but will go back to work sooner (hopefully!) or later. Hubby works nine to five and is worried the dog would be unhappy staying home alone while we are both at work.

So would it be wrong to consider it? I would be happy to pay someone to take the dog for a walk mid-day while we are at work (I have an awesome retired neighbor who walks his two Shelties all day who could probably be incited to do it!). And/or to board it a day or two a week if I found a nice place where the dog enjoyed hanging out. Does this sound like a reasonable living situation for an adult dog, or should I forget about it?[/QUOTE]

I’ve never had dogs that had a problem with being alone during the day. Of course, I’m talking about ADULT dogs, NOT puppies. And also of course, if you adopt an adult dog, many have separation anxiety issues simply due to their upheaval pasts.

So I’d have to say that it will depend on the dog.