What do people do with their indoor dog when they work all day and can't take it out on their lunch break?

Question

She is a puggle, she gets walked in the morning and evening and she is very relaibly house broken. I just don't know if its wrong for her to stay inside all day while I work. I can't hire a dog walker and I can't afford doggy daycare. My boyfriend can sometimes take her out but, not every day.

Well, at my current job, I've been able to go home and taker her out on my lunch break if my boyfriend is unable to take her out that day. At my new job, I won't be able to come home ever. I would be gone from about 7:30am- 5:30pm. I am just so stressed about this because I don't want to hurt her bladder from making her hold it. She doesn't need to be crated because she doesn't make mistakes in the house and she isn't distructive. I just want her to have a good life but, I need to switch jobs because I'm not happy at all where I am now. Thanks for all the responses so far!!

Thanks Jade T for the info. Yes, she has a cuople kongs. I put a dog bisquit in there for her and she loves to try and get it out. I come home and the kong is usually on the couch, empty. Shes not allowed on the couch when I'm home but, when I'm gone, I think she sleeps up there.

About the litter box training, will that confuse her when I want to take her out to go potty when I'm home? Also, I have 2 cats and they have their litter box in a room that has a baby gate in the doorway so that Rosie (the puggle) doesn't bother the cat box and the cats have a quiet place they can spend time away from her. So, its not bad for a dog to hold it for 8-9 hours? or 10 sometimes max?

Answer 1

The best thing you can do is put her in a room

Answer 2

As I understand it, most people in this situation install a few dog doors. One to the garage at least so the dog has a place out of the house to go potty, and usually one from the garage to the backyard, so they have a place to go potty and run around.

This of course assumes that your garage is attached to your house, your dog cannot escape from the back yard, and your neighborhood is relatively safe.

In some neighborhoods, a burglar might be able to use your dog door to break into the house. Make sure your dog doors are just big enough for the dog, that they can be locked when you are out, and that the doors they are attached to have double cylinder locks (you need a key on both side) or one lock set WAY up by the top.

If you're really paranoid, you can lock the dog door from the house to the garage, and make your dog a garage dog, or you can just turn him into an outdoor dog. If your yard is really perfect, and you don't mind a small bit of dirt, you can even have an indoor outdoor dog.

Not satisfied? well, maybe there are some neighborhood kids, stay at home parents, or a retired person you can trust to do it for you in return for less money than doggy daycare, or something in return. Maybe you could take the kids to movies, babysit, or run errands for the retired folks.

Answer 3

I've got two german shepherds inside all day while I work.It's very doubtful in my mind that these 2 are inconvenienced by my not being here all day.But I feel bad about it as well.
I get up at 4a.m. and get everything done that I can and then I take the boys for a run in the park from 6-7 so they've done about all they need to do and are ready for a nap by 7:30 when I leave for work.
I get home at 5p.m. and all their toys are scattered everywhere and they're both happy and excited I'm home.
From the evidence my dogs sleep half the day and play the other half.The only one feeling deprived or lonely is ME.So no it's not wrong to keep your dog inside all day where it's safe.

Answer 4

I leave my dog in my room. He sleeps pretty much all day. When he was younger I did the same except I would leave newspaper in the bathroom (if you dont have a bathroom in the room I would just lay a thick pile of newspaper in the corner) He never used it but it was there just in case. He will hold it all day until I get home and he has been doing this since he was 5months old. I think I was lucky. I have a pup now and I leave her in the bathroom with a bed and some newspaper (shes not completely potty trained) but she will go on the newspaper or wee wee pad. If shes housebroken and you think she will hold it but just worried about leaving her alone leave a radio on low for her. This is what I do and I have a full time job. Good luck!

Answer 5

You're such a sweetie for caring so much about your pug! You're pretty much the type of person every responsible dog breeder wants to sell their pups to. :) She should be fine all day by herself, and it's not wrong at all. If you're worried about her needing to go loo whilst you're out, you could consider training her to go in a litter box. This question has come up recently and there was debate about the litter box, but it's great. It's super convenient and you don't need to worry about baby bursting all day long and then feeling upset when she makes a mistake. MIght not be an issue now, but as she gets older she won't be able to hold for as long. Here's the link that someone else put up regarding litter box training. It's actually really good.

http://www.kturby.com/litter/litter.htm

The reason I suggest it is because I've litter box trained 3 yorkies (though not all of my yorkies because I moved house and circumstances changed and they now have yard access all day every day!) and it works very well.

In terms of keeping her occupied, you could always hide little treats or bits of kibble around the house so she can have a treasure hunt by herself. Also, I find those kong toys really good. Have you seen them? They're practically indestructible (particularly for smaller doggies) and you can put a smear of peanut butter inside (just a bit not too much, and not every day because of sodium and fat levels) and leave a couple of those around. Another thing I like to do is leave liver treats inside kongs - they really need to work at them to break them out and liberate them so they can gobble em down!! That usually keeps em happy too. If you're going to "treat" her though, it's important to reduce her meals by around that amount so she doesn't become a fatty though! Is she play motivated? Fun toys here and there will keep her busy too. There are also things like buster cubes or balls that you put kibble into that they roll around and have to roll the right way for food to come out of the hole. That's challenging too. AND, of course you can't go past a yummy big bone. Added plus is the dental hygiene factor.

Good luck with her! :)

Answer 6

Man...I have this very same problem and I feel so bad for my dogs! but i don't want to leave them outside either because the weather right now is cold and they are not use to being out for a long period of time. But I do keep them in their kennel with food and water all day. Sometimes I leave the TV on fro sound for them... But I am gone from 9am-9:30pm! I really don't get to play with them as much either. I do think that dogs do adjust ...so it they should be okay.

Answer 7

how close r u to some of your nieghbors? maybe one of them who may b home all day can run over and let your dog out real quick in the afternoon? If not, no it is not wrong for her to be inside all day while you wrk. just be absolutely sure that the first thing you do upon coming home is let her out to go potty and run and play a bit and give her lovins. and make sure her business gets done in the morning before you leave her so that there won't be a holding issue as far as during the day goes. i know plenty of dog owners who use this method with their dogs that stay home and it workd great and is by no means a bad thing. remember though to leave water and food for during the day...which i'm sure you do anyway.

Answer 8

nicely, you're saying you want some suggestion, yet then you say that you do not choose a lecture! Then, you curiously already comprehend that no longer having a thanks to allow your canine out is a nasty idea! so as that being reported! Alot of persons who've jobs and function indoor pets, from time to time use puppy pads to coach their canine to apply at the same time as they're lengthy gone in the course of the day! Or, in case you do have a fenced in backyard, then perhaps you need to set up a puppy door! both that, or some those who're fortunate adequate, would have a neighbor or pal who they could be able to believe to allow their canine out for them! besides, congradualations on your marriage! and that i also imagine that it truly is large that you're pondering adopting a rescue canine! good luck!

Answer 9

A doggie door is ideal if you have a fenced yard or can close off a small area right outside the door.
If you do not see any distress or bad behavior as a result of her staying in during the day, she has adapted to the routine and you should just get home to let her out as soon as you can.

Good Luck!
:)B

Answer 10

My dogs have always easily adapted to my lifestyle. If they were bursting at the seams when I get home they would probably pee immediately when I let them out. They don't, they run around the yard biting each other for few minutes first.

They're alone for about 7 hours a day.

Answer 11

If you have a yard with a fence, leave her outside, unless, of course, it gets really hot/cold out. If she has been doing fine so far, she probably will continue, so you won't have to worry about that. Just make sure she has water and food, and plenty of exercise (which you are already giving her). Good for you, for caring!