Pet dogs that are left alone

[garcia]

Hi. I'm considering getting a dog and have to take into account the fact that I work regular office hours, so it'll be alone for most of the day. Is it possible at all for such an arrangement to work without the dog suffering ill effects? Are there certain breeds that are, by nature, more independant. Thank you.

[geofbob]

Don't even think about it. Dogs are essentially pack animals which have accepted humans as other members (and questionably leaders) of the pack. They love company, and return affection with steadfast loyalty. Left alone, at best they pine and get depressed; at worst will become anti-social, bark and howl - posssibly causing problems with your neighbours. Dogs also love - and need -lots of exercise, and should have 3 or 4 outings during the day; to keep them fit and allow them to perform their natural functions. The only breed of dog that is independant is the CAT.

[BadBob]

Maybe you should look at why you want a dog and see if a cat can fit the bill. There are some breeds of cat that are less independant than the norm and therefore would behave in a similar way to dogs.

[beenee]

You probably don't want to hear this garcia, but the two bobs are right. It would be very unfair on the dog if you left him alone for the whole day, only to spend a bit of time with him when it suited you, and in between carrying out your own errands, and taking time out to relax after your day at work. He'd simply get neglected.

[FredPuli]

Agreed. Nothing in my experience, now of over 50 years, of having various breeds and types , suggests that there is any kind of dog which is content with being left alone in this way. Nobody has ever bred a dog to be left alone; nor would they; the very reason for breeding any kind of dog from the wolf was to take advantage of its need of company and its constant dependence on the 'pack leader' ( the owner). and so to increase these instinctive traits, not remove them !. It may be tempting to think that, if the dog does not wreck the house or bark until it drops then it is happy. It isn't. It is dead miserable and stressed.

[woofgang]

garcia,have you thought about offering to volunteer at a local animal shelter or the cinnamon trust to walk dogs ? Honestly all you are setting yourself and the dog up for is heartache

[Ember]

When I was newly married and was young and thoughtless I got a dog to guard the house while I was out at work. That poor dog did more damage to my house than any burglar did. Don't do it, dogs love company and get bored on their own. Wouldn't you if you had no tv to watch no books to read no-one to talk to and bursting for a pee towards the end of the day and only a rotten rubber toy to play with. Seriously get a cat or a budgie or a rate or a fish, not a dog I speak from experience.

[TommyC]

Have to totally agree with everyone else here.. My sister-in-law once tried this on the same basis, and the dog just totally howled the house down, messed, annoyed the neighbours and wrecked the home, month after month. The fact is that all normal dogs need CONSTANT companionship and affection, and greatly dislike being on their own. Therefore they will often become very psychologically disturbed if they're constantly left on their own every day, even if they get lots of attention in the evening (which doesn't always happen either). And 4 decent walks a day (NOT five minutes outside the door), EVERY day, in all weathers often proves to be too much for even the most dedicated dog-owners. All you'll be getting by owning a dog in your current situation is endless heartache - and the dog will get the same, so focus on a much smaller, quieter and less demanding pet.. Cat, rabbit, budgie.. even tropical fish... but a dog would definitely NOT work.

[garcia]

ok. I suspected as much. Thank you.

[tracymort]

i used to babysit where the golden retriever was left all day. he was so upset by it he'd practically eaten his tail! i used to give him loads of fuss when i was there. thats

[lisa74656]

i have had 2 dogs in my life. one (a beagle) when i was growing up that was left alone all day as my mum was a single parent and had to work. No problems at all there. I now have a collieX that is left alone from 8.15 to 6, 3 or 4 days a week (other half works shifts so is home a day or so a week) and he is also fine at home on his own. As far as we know he just sleeps all day. I'm sure he has a couple of barks at the postman during the day and the odd cat that walks past. He was from a rescue centre and we were very lucky to get such an angel! It can be done if you get the right dog. I would say that a mongrel would handle it better though.