How long is it Ok to leave a dog alone in an apartment on a daily basis? I am considering getting an adult, large-breed dog (lab, doberman, etc.) who is already house trained, but am usually gone for 10-12 hours per day. Any advice?
2006-11-11 09:44:46 · 9 answers · asked by Cassandra S 1 in Pets ➔ Dogs
I feel for you. I wanted a dog more than anything and got one, but now that I have, I see I made a mistake. I work 10 hours a day, 4 days a week. One of those is a Saturday, and I bring the dog with me. So she only has to be alone Wed.-Fri. My husband comes to walk her on his lunch break. Given that and the fact that he leaves several hours after me, she is alone about 8 hours a day. Still, I can tell a HUGE difference in her behavior on those days. When I come from work, she is an absolute devil dog! And I can't really blame her because I know it's my fault. She runs around the apartment like crazy, chewing everything she can get her mouth on. She won't go potty outside, likes to just do everything on the carpet. Growls, bites me, won't let me hold her. It's just bad. And on the days I have off, she's a totally different dog. Sweet as can be, fun, loving, and always asks to go out. So I can see what negative effects come out of leaving a puppy alone too long. We keep her in our kitchen with a baby gate, with her crate, toys, plenty of food and water, a puppy pad, and a floor covered with newspaper. So we do everything the experts say, but she isn't getting socialized properly. And that's only with me being gone 3 days a week. I can't imagine 5 or more.
2006-11-11 10:18:50 · answer #1 · answered by Emily D 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Greyhounds would be good! They hardly ever bark and despite what people think, they like to laze around the house most of the time. A 30-minute walk once a day would be fine for them. Granted, they'll need to get out to pee and poop 3-4 times a day, but that doesn't require a long walk. They're also pretty healthy and low-maintenance. PLUS, you'd be saving a life by going through one of the greyhound rescue groups! :-) The ONLY thing is SOME greyhounds don't like cats, so you'd just have to tell the people with the rescue group that you want to get a kitten. I had a greyhound, and 3 cats, and they were fine. The cats would lay with her on the couch! Sometimes she'd bark or chase them, but that was rare, and she never hurt them. *I do think it's a good idea to get a dog and cat (kitten) at the same time. They'd come in together, and be like brother/sister. Good companions for each other! :-) *Check out Greyhounds of America (google it, b/c I'm not sure if that's how they're listed on their website). It costs a little more than adopting from a shelter, but they're great dogs and it's worth it. OR if you need to save money, just go to your local animal shelter or humane society and check out who's needing a home. You'll be saving a life, which feels awesome!!
2016-05-22 05:53:56 · answer #2 · answered by ? 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
We have gone away for more than 15 hrs a day. If we are going to be gone for more than 12 hours I will usually have someone let my 3 dogs out. My dogs are house trained but they can still have accidents when being left alone for that long of time. If you don't have time to spend with your dog then I would recommend you not get one. A cat can be alone for a lot longer, as long as they have food, water, and a litter pan cats are pretty much happy being alone.
2006-11-11 09:57:54 · answer #3 · answered by miamac49616 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Well think about it this way...How long after you go to the bathroom do you have to go again? So get Dog pads, and make sure they have enough food to get through the day. Try and leave a T.V. on or radio. If you work 10-12 hrs a day then that means any dog, any size is left at home by themselfs for 10-12 hrs. Expect to have a sad lonely dog, who will probably bug you with/for attention after a long hard day for you, and a lazy sleepy bored day for him/her. I suggest you get a CAT.
2006-11-11 10:00:40 · answer #4 · answered by kellythemayor 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
that's waaaay too long. you'll end up with a neurotic dog... who will chew up everything out of frustration if he has full run of the apartment. Do you have access to a yard? do you have a doggy door? do you have a crate? you could probably pull this off if you get up early and take the dog for a morning run!! he should sleep a good part of the day... take him for another run as soon as you return.
2006-11-11 09:47:30 · answer #5 · answered by tampico 6 · 3⤊ 0⤋
If you dont want a house left, then go ahead!! I drop mine off daily at a doggy day care!! She loves it!! How would you like to be left in a room with no toilet for 12 hours!!! not very nice really!!
2006-11-11 10:23:17 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
You'll want to have someone to walk him in the middle of the day. And remember that a dog is a social animal.
2006-11-11 09:51:02 · answer #7 · answered by Tigger 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
leave food and water out for the dog to eat and drink. think about getting a doggy door maybe
2006-11-11 09:47:18 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
no please do not do that to your dog! Hire a pet sitter, a big dog cannot be left alone for that long! It will get bored, chew all of yourself and take its boredness out on itself, trust me iv seen it happen.
2006-11-11 09:49:33 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋