How do I help my chocolate Labrador from being lonely through the days?

Question

She is 3 years old and gets 2 walks a day, eats good food and has plenty of play time. I like to think she has a balanced life.
However I have recently moved house and now spend about an hour and a half longer commuting per day.
She has been excellent in the new house, has not wee'd or poo'd at all, but out of boredom, loneliness, or trying to hold her wee in. She is beginning to try to destroy things.

Please don't tell me it is unfair to be out of the house for 10 hours per day. I know this already and feel extremely guilty. I make up for it as much as possible and I beleive she is still a happy dog. She gets more excersise than ever as we now live in the countryside.

Any serious suggestions of something that could keep her entertained? Except buy another dog.

Answer 1

Although we all know we should be at home more this is the reality for many dog owners. You seem to be doing your best to tire her out before you leave for the day with a good long walk. You can leave chews and bottles stuffed with treats around the house to keep her amused when she wakes up as dogs in a relaxed state tend to doze most of the day away anyway. Destructive behaviour relieves stress and that is what she is experiencing. If this behaviour is only just developing then you have a good chance to curb it.
I recommend trying to arrange for a dog walker to take her out in the middle of the day. If this isn't possible then you'll have try and treat her for 'separation anxiety'.
Most anxious behaviour reaches its peak about 30-40 mins after you leave the house. Limit the damage by taking preventative action like:

Don't leave until she is settled or she will be distressed until you return.
Clear away as much stuff as possible that you don't want her shewing (ie shoes).
Treat furniture she is chewing with a bitter spray or something else bad tasting to interrupt her behaviour
Don't feel you should make up the time by spending all weekend with her as it isn't fair to expect her to go from lots of company to no company - be balanced and keep up her routine of walks

Buying another dog is probably not a good idea because your new dog will probably develop similar habits and destroy stuff too!

Hope it helps.

Answer 2

If you want people to tell you that everything is fine then you are wrong. You KNOW it is wrong to leave her all this time yet are not prepared to make anything different in her life. You won't get another dog, perhaps you could build her a good big run and secure cosy kennel then at least the poor cow can piss when she needs to. She will of course still be subject to the mental torment of solitary confinement but it seems that you are happy that this is the case because getting her a companion or enriching her life in any way is inconvenient to you.
The very best solution would be for you to stop being so bloody selfish and think of HER. Build an outside run with kennel and get her a companion even if it is one from a rescue. Or, let her go to someone who will give her more time. 2 walks a day is not enough. She is NOT a happy dog. She is only happy when you are home and giving her attention and out of a 24 hour period, that is probably only 4 hours a day maximum. She spends 20 hours totally and utterly alone and for an animal with an instinctive need to be part of a pack, this is tantamount to cruelty.

Answer 3

I was having this problem with my black lab puppy. I looked up the New York animal behavior institute and here are some good ideas that worked for us:

5 minutes before you leave the house, give him a busy bone or busy treat to get him interested, do not give him any attention after giving the bone and just leave. Do not say good bye. Keep in in a confined area this is not cruel. He will see this as his den, a safe place. Put favorite toys, food, water, and any blanket he loves. I keep my lab in a large hallway that has another room off of it he can also have access to. He is experiencing separation anxiety, when you leave the house, he doesn't know if you are coming back. This requires work and understanding on your part. Look up dog behaviors on line. you will find something that works for you and your dog. I also have another small dog, so company for the pet doesn't always work. Good luck!

Answer 4

You could either buy her a worry toy from Pets at Home, you stick bits of dry food and bits of treats into them, it takes ages for the dog to get them out and intrigues them until they do, you could put her in your local kennels as a day boarder, its not that expensive and she will be given extra walks and be with other dogs or you could see if there's a dog walker local to you who will take your dog out for you for half an hour or so each day, a bit of low background music helps too, but don't beat yourself up over leaving your dog, it must be something she has been used to since you got her and Labradors are so good at making you feel guilty for leaving them for even 5 minutes, good luck.

Answer 5

That is a tough question because Labs are so family oriented. They love people and social interaction. I should know, I've had several in my lifetime and I don't think there is a better dog to have! Labs rule!

My suggestion is to run her, play with her and give her plenty of attention when you are with her, especially on weekends. Make sure she has tennis balls (my Labs were always obsessed with them!), toys or rawhide to keep her company when you are not home. Eventually she will get used to the new home and settle in comfortably.

As far as her being destructive, well, that's just Labs. I had a black Lab named Sara years ago who pretty much ate the coffee table, but it was a cheap table...$20 from Kmart or something. You just have to smile and let it go. Protect your valuable stuff and let everything else be free game. She'll grow out of it eventually.

Labs rule!!!!!!!!

Answer 6

Try to leave her with a friend where you used to live, so she's in familiar surroundings, & isn't so distressed. As much as having you away all day, she's now got to get used to the new area & the fact that you take longer to come home. Find an understanding friend to take her in - maybe offer to do something for your friend in return, sometime - & pick her up on your way home. Far better to take time keeping her happy, than the distress you get at home.

Answer 7

Well, you kinda put a damper on my best answer with your last sentence. Outside of that, is there anyone you know who could stop by and let her out at some point during the 10 hrs. your away? It sounds as if your very sincere about what's best for her so imagine if you were shut in for 10 hrs at a time. She doesn't want to disappoint you by having an accident and between that and the shear boredom she has one outlet. How about a fenced yard with a good secure doggy door? Good luck! She sounds like she's worth the extra bit of trouble to me.

Answer 8

I keep a radio on or the TV on for my birds. Don't see why it can't work for a dog.

I was going to suggest a second dog. Think about a smaller dog. Still someone to play with.

Answer 9

Is there a neighbour who could let her out once a day, maybe even walk her? If you get another dog you might end up getting double the problem.

Answer 10

I leave my dogs for about that time as well and they are fine I always leave the radio on for them..... what if you left her outside?? do you have yard she would like that.
My dogs like to watch so they usual sit in my bay window the neighbors love it they can lay there for hours just watching the world go by