How long is too long......

For a dog to be home by themselves during the workday? I know this is an opinion question, but would like to hear your thoughts. He'll be 2 in January, is fully housebroken, and is NOT in a crate while we are gone -- he has full roam of the house. We don't have a doggy door, so he wouldn't have access to outside. I'm a teacher going back to work this week and last year we had a dog walker come almost everyday, which was great, but was $$$$$.

Re: How long is too long......

Tough question. Depends on the dog. If it's a very energetic dog, 6 hours IMO. If it's a dog that will sleep all day, then maybe 8 - 9 hours. Also you have to factor in a dog being left that long needs to be left water. If the dog is a drinker, then that must be factored in regarding needing to urinate.

How long does your dog typically hold urine when you are home all day with him/her? How often does your dog typically go out on a weekend when someone is home?


My male dog is a drinker and very nervous too. I generally never go out more than 6 hours without coming back to let him out,b/c he needs to drink. And I can't leave water b/c he will drink it all and have to urinate, and won't be able to hold it then. So def depends on the dogs habit and temperament.

Message edited 9/1/2014 9:04:44 PM.

Re: How long is too long......

For a 2 year old dog I would say 6 hours max. I volunteer with a dog rescue and we don't adopt dogs under 4 to people who will leave the dog more than 6 hours. Though the dogs can hold their bladders for longer than that, they do need the interaction - younger dogs can get bored and destructive when left home alone. Personally I don't see us ever not having a dog walker for our dogs - I can't imagine leaving them for over 8+ hours alone all day. Though many do. Its just not what I would feel comfortable doing.

Re: How long is too long......

Being realistic, and not idealistic, a dog can stay home alone for a while. I don't know anyone who comes home or pays for a dog worker while they are away for 8-9 hours at work - with the exception of young puppies.

I think leaving a dog home during a normal work day is completely ok and I don't know a single dog traumatized by it. Of course it's not ideal, but we all need to live our lives. I wouldn't leave it for any longer than a typical work day though, so if you work like a 12 hour shift, then you;d probably need to hire someone.

How long is too long......

Our dog is 4, she's a mixed breed border collie. She is calmer now as she's matured but she needs to run at times during the day.
We have fully enclosed fenced yard that is very secure and we have a doggy door that we leave open almost everyday. The dog and cat can both go in and out as needed. Occasionally we work very long hours so this has been a lifesaver.

How long is too long......

Our girls are housebroken. I could see once in a while but not every day. And if we didn't make it home and they have made a mess, we don't get mad. Coco actually will be so upset if she made a mess. I can't be mad at her.

Re: How long is too long......

Our girls are home alone 8-9 hours a day. I feel bad for them but they sleep all day. Everyonce in a while there might be an accident if we can't get home for some reason. If for some reason we both can't get home to them we ask a friend or our pet sitter to stop in.

Re: How long is too long......

Re: How long is too long......

We have a 2 year old as well - house broken, can go anywhere in the house, etc. - at the most, he is alone for 6 hours. We have an hour commute to and from work, and with work added in, we're usually away from 8/9am to 7pm, so we have a dog walker come in the middle of the day to give him a nice long walk, change his water, etc.

Re: How long is too long......

Gizmo isnt much of a drinker so hes never had an accident while home alone. Most days when DH and I are home he sleeps anyway. Hes extremely mellow and only likes to play late at night. He does fine. I leave for work around 10 and DH is home by 6. Hes fine

Message edited 9/16/2014 4:55:28 PM.

Re: How long is too long......

Our dog is 1 years old, housebroken, and is not crated or gated during the day. He is home alone anywhere from 6 - 8 hours per day during the week. We leave the radio on for him and plenty of toys to play with.

Is it ideal? No. But realistically, we have no choice. We take him for a nice long walk (20 - 30 minutes) when we get home each day and we spend all night with him. On the weekends we take him everywhere we go to try to spend lots of time with him.

How long is too long......

my dog is home for 10 hrs a day by himself.

Re: How long is too long......

He has free roam and is home for about 6-8 hours. If we know it will be longer we take him to doggie daycare for the day. I know he can hold it, but I feel so bad having him home that long and he loves to play with his daycare buddies.

How long is too long......

Our dog is home a little under 8 hours during the week. 1 day a week we bring him to doggie day camp and then the other 4 days he is home. He is a year and a half and he is fine.

How long is too long......

puppies- they say about 4 hrs
our little (3.5 and 9 lb) dogs are home about 9 hrs roaming. very few accidents.

Re: How long is too long......

My 5 year old lab can easily go 9 or 10 hours, it's rare we leave him that long but he can do it