What do you do with your dog when you aren't home?

Question

I am out of the house from 7am until 630pm, and I don't want to leave him home alone all day. He's a chocolate lab. Any suggestions?

Answer 1

Mine are good at home so I let them run the house. I leave the tv on for mine, but I am not gone for 12 hours.

Answer 2

Labs are a breed that absolutely can't be left alone all day. You probably already know that though or you wouldn't be asking! See if you can take him to a friend's house a few days a week. Alternatively, find another lab owner, and take turns leaving the dogs at each other's house. We have a friend who drops his lab of 2x a week, and they play in our fenced in back yard all day. It's great because they get all that energy out of their systems that way. Doggy daycare may also be an option if they have one in your area. A dog walker could come over each day and take him for a long walk, and spend at least an hour with him. A combo of the above should help.

Answer 3

I have a maltese which is quite a bit smaller than a lab, but he's pretty mischivious. In the summer I have his dog house on my deck which is not accessable from the ground, only through the house. When I leave in the morning I put him out on the deck where he can't get into trouble. If it rains or gets too hot he can just go in his house. There are some large trees next to my deck that I keep bird feeders in so he has some entertainment. He just lays there and watches them. In the winter I have to put him in a kennel but when I get home we play with him for a good hour and tire him right out to get him all stretched out again. A friend of mine baby gates her dog in an area. Because baby gates aren't very high she puts another baby gate above the bottom one to make sure he stays in the room. That way he has a little more freedom than a kennel.

Answer 4

Is this a permanent schedule or full time?

Could you hire a pet sitter to take him out during the day?

Or do you have a trustworthy, responsible, dog-savvy kid over 12 in your neighborhood? Hire him/her to go to your house after school and let your dog out and play with the dog for a while.

Have you thought of "dog sharing?"

Do you have any neighbors who are homeschooling? Maybe they could play with the dog during the day. Or a stay at home mom with a kid who could play with the dog regularly?

Our neighbor changed her work schedule and hubby had to travel more which left their 1 yr lab alone too much. The dog-crazy family next door (who doesn't want to be tied down to a dog full time) now takes the dog to their house for several hours a day.

It isn't a permanent solution but it has worked for a few months.

Good luck.

Answer 5

We have a just-turned-two Golden Retriever. There are spells that people are home with her for week's on end or good chunks of time. We are very fortunate (as is she).

However, we have her completely crate trained. That's her home and that's where she puts herself to rest and when she isn't feeling well. That is her home and her own place within our home.

I've had several people say to me, "Oh, but that's just cruel! Leaving her in a cage all day." My feeling is that her crate is mighty big and, most importantly, she is safe when she is in it. She cannot get herself into trouble and jeopardize her health or life. She has access to water, a safe toy (nothing that she can break and chew off smaller peices of or that is a choking hazard), and her own bed linens. We used to cover the crate with a large blanket so that she couldn't see. However, we've recently found that she will settle in for the day without the blanket (which she would not as a puppy). But, it's good to have if the yard crews are around, etc, as that way she cannot see them moving about.

When we know we're going to be gone for long periods of time (usually greater than 6 or 7 hours), we leave her baby gated in the kitchen. We ususally move her crate into the kitchen with her so that she may rest and sleep in it. This way, again, she's in a confined space and the environment is controlled- she can't get into trouble. If you try the kitchen, be sure that your dog cannot get into anything in the lower cupboards. We specifically moved our cleaning bottles for this reason- even though she's never showed signs of being able or interested in opening cupboards. And definitely be sure you move the trashcan out.... ;)

The rule for crates is that the animal must be stand, sit, and turnaround comfortably at full stature. We have purchased three crates in our dog's life becuase when she was a puppy, the large crate she's in now was *too* large. While they are initially expensive, consider them an investment for your dog's health and safety. My other suggestion would be to get one that easily collapses and isn't too heavy. It makes travelling very easy- as long as we can take the dog, her crate, and her potty bells, we will never have a problem. If you need help choosing a crate, speak with a representative at the store. Many boxes have suggested breeds for the size crate, too.

You're Lab, like our Golden, will need something to keep him occupied during the time alone. The best toy we ever purchased was a Kong. Whether it's peanut butter or the Kong cookies, it helps keep them occupied when they're not sleeping. Be sure that you compensate for the extra calories (especially with the peanut butter) is other ways. For example, cut back on kibble at dinner or treats. Speak with your vet directly about dietry restrictions and whatnot. Her Kong is a "safe" toy that we allow her to have in the crate with her. We also usually give her peanut butter as it doesn't present any sort of choking hazard (whereas a cookie could).

The other thing... might be a long shot, but my husband can do it... can you take the dog to work with you at all? I know at his office, people bring their dogs all the time. Heck, I know we have friends "house breaking" their 9 week old Great Dane at the office. Given the nature of my husband's work, he can only really take her in once a week when he knows he'll be at the office all day and not out in the field. But, that one day helps to break up the monotony for her when we're both in the middle of the grind and she is spending a lot of time at home alone.

Lastly, be sure he's getting lots and lots of exercise. It will ensure that he's more settled while you're out, as well as healthy. If you don't already, you may want to look into some way of exercising him well before you leave the house so that he will knock out and sleep a good while soon after you leave. A run, ice brisk walk, a good game of fetch or kick, etc.

He'll make the necessary adjustments to your lifestyle provided that you're giving him what he needs emotionally, physically, and mentally. Best wishes!

Answer 6

Trry getting some other friends, family, and neighbors together who have dogs and see if they wouldn't mind stopping by to pick up your dog when they take there dog for a walk while your at work. Or maybe you can get a friend to "dog-sit" during the day.
Or maybe hire a kid, after school to walk your dog everyday. I used to do that all the time in high school for like 5 different people. Or find a Petsmart in your area that has Doggie Daycare. Or if you don't have a Petsmart that does that, there are other doggie daycare places. Talk to your vet or other dog owners.

Answer 7

I'm sure others have already said it, but that is TOO long to leave a dog at home alone. Besides being cruel in my opinion (can't go out or have a companion), it will give him the opportunity to get into trouble by chewing things out of boredom...assuming he is out of a kennel.

Do you have any trust-worthy friends or neighbors who can look in on him a few times a day to play with him and let him out? If not, and I hate to say it, I would consider getting rid of him to someone who has the time for him.

Answer 8

That is just too long to leave a dog alone, but you already know that.

May I suggest you try and locate a "Doggie" sitter - a day Care center for dogs -or at least someone willing to walk your Lab twice a day?

Answer 9

Hire a dog walker. Even a neighborhood kid may be interested in doing it. Maybe a day or two a week he could go to daycare. Lots of people are doing this now a days. He gets real high intensity activity and interaction with other dogs, making him happier, tired. My parents do it with their golden and she seems to enjoy it thoroghly. Lots of these places even have swimming!! What fun for a lab!

Answer 10

Twelve hours is a long time - especially for the chewing labrador!

You might want to check out Doggy Daycare, although that can be very expensive. Many areas also have "visiting" pet care people who will drop in to take your dog out half-way through the day.

Answer 11

I have a yellow Lab and I crate him, but I am never gone that long. If I am gone for more than three hours I leave him in my room. My friends who are gone as long as you hired a dog sitter. That works really well but can be expensive. Their sitter comes in mid day and walks and lets the dog out. My sister and brother have both installed fencing and put in a doggie door so the dog can come and go as they please. It was intially expensive but it was a one time cost and they have their problems permanently solved.