Jobs Simply - Be honest.....how many hours a day does your dog spend alone?

Be honest.....how many hours a day does your dog spend alone?

Honest answers please..... Fact: The average dog owning family leaves the dog home around 8 hours a day.....the typical work day is 7 and half hours as is the typical school day.....No decent breeder will sell and no rescue will adopt out to a unemployed person with no income......It takes a full time job to support 1 person much less a family these days.....and remember not everyone can afford doggie daycare and/or to have a dog walker come in. (neither of those are necessary in taking care of your pet you can still be a good dog owner if you work) I have been at home with my dogs pretty constantly since the first dog was 9 weeks old.....now both dogs are around a year and I finally have made some headway in the whole job search (economy is awful) my husband works 7 and a half hours a day (not including commute time) and I hope to be working soon as well.....including commute time I would be gone 6 to 6 and a half hours a day 4 days a week......Do I want to leave the dogs....no......do I want to continue to give them the best of everything (food, training, healthcare) yes...... I'm just interested in seeing how many people do leave there dogs and how many don't...... I do believe when you are away so much you need to make each moment count with the dog....but dogs have a different concept of time than we do. Thanks add: remember dogs are animals and its not fair to say that if you can't spend every second with the dog than you shouldn't have one....a dog is still an animal (and a vital part of my family) It does help though that we take our dogs everywhere we can with us when we are off

Public Comments

Let's see. I wake up at 6am and leave at 7:30pm. I come home at 3:15. I am then gone until around 7pm. I usually have more time than this. Well I used to. But things change and this is how it is right now.
right now none. i'm not working so i am home with her most days all day. it's helping our bond and her to respect me. she's a stubborn pug that gets confused as to who's boss sometimes. =D but when i was working heck at least 6-7 hours each day. i hope that i can find a job close to home or be able to work from home, just to lessen the amount of time she is alone.
about 1 hour because my older brother stays home while everyone else is either at work or school.
Before retirement I left my dogs home but was fortunate to get home for lunch and let them out. Now I am with my dog 24/7 and if I go out, he goes with me.
depends, usually through the week someone is always with our dog, although when they have to go somewhere he is left alone, about 2 hours a day average..On saturdays we are sometimes home and sometimes not, so i'll guess maybe a 6 hour average for saturdays...sundays are about the same as saturday... Usually when we go on trips to the store he will come too, so i guess that takes some time out and more time with us... he is never left completely alone even if we leave, he and his 2 sisters (both are cats) have lots of fun together
None unless I am going to the grocery store or running errands. I have been a "domestic engineer" for almost 35 years.
Depends on what you mean alone. My dog plays with cats (stalks and chases them) chases squirrels, birds and barks at passing dogs and people. On rare occasions, he gets to torment a snake. Other than that he sleeps, eats or drinks. I'm able to be with him about 15 minutes in the morning and 10 minutes in the afternoon when we go get the mail. The dog has some bad habits so he is not allowed into the house. But he is charged with guarding the yard which he does. He is my alarm bell.
we are out of the house 8-9 hours a day 5 days a week, and are home the majority of the time on weekends. However, considering that we have two dogs, although they are not with us, they are not alone either.
1- 1 1/2 hours Maybe 2 times a week, my dogs are left alone.
Honestly? None. Of course, being that my wife is blind, and the dog is her Guide, I wouldn't expect her to leave the dog alone for any amount of time..... I hope I have brought a smile to your day.
"typical work day is 7 and half hours"...wow, where do you work? I'm at work 9 hrs a day (1 hr of that is lunch break) for an 8 hr working day. Consider I have to leave 15 to 20 mins early to get to work on time, and it takes me that long to get home as well, that means I'm away from home from about 6:45am until around 4:15pm (minimum) or 9.5 hours. Most people I know, are gone that long or longer for their work day, depending on how long their commute is. My roommate has a dog, and his work hours are more flexible than mine because he can do some of his work from home. His dog lives outside though, and is allowed in the garage (via doggie door) as his 'dog house'. Many hours a day he's alone though. That's just how it is. He does get attention when we're home, but if people couldn't have dogs unless the dog wasn't left more than a few hours at a time, there would be VERY few people on the planet with dogs.
I have it easier than most. Then again, perhaps not. Either way, short of running errands, I'm here with my dogs. I like taking care of my home, and being here in case my son needs me. My husband works, I'm disabled. Between the 2 of us, we make it work. That isn't to say that I believe someone has to stay home, either for the dogs, or the kids, simply I'm glad I am able to do so. I will say, potty training and basic housebreaking goes over sooo much easier if someone is able to be there full time to take on these tasks. As for those that do so and hold down a full time job, they have my admiration.
actually never because grandpa is home all day, except on weekends i suppose, then our dog is left alone for 3-4 hours when we're at church or out for a meal... but then again our dog lives outside... i'm not sure if that counts. although he is pretty old and just wants to sleep all day heh... ur dogs rnt babies anymore tho.. and sounds like theres more than 1? they'll have each other for company! jst make sure u walk em everyday, tt way they''ll get to use up their energy and wnt get stressed/be destructive.
My dog is with me A LOT. If I go anywhere he usually will hop in the car with me. However, my work schedule varies ---so does the time he is alone. But the dog gets so mad if I leave him even for an hour, and will do something purposefully 'naughty'.... while I'm gone. He will pee in house (even though he's been let out) , or he will run out the door as soon as I open it, once he even jumped out a window! Now I have to lock him in the bathroom when I leave. I feel bad to do that, but....he has a radio on, a bed, food and water, a chew toy, and he doesn't destroy my house! When I am around he is as good as gold and listens. Sometimes he has 'sleepovers' at his Grandmas house. (my mothers). My mother is ridiculous about my leaving him. She acts like I left a child at home. I have to say , "Mom, he's a doooooooooog." My son plays with the dog a lot too. But the dog has followed him to school before, and the dog has 'escaped' off his leash and will stand outside my sons school barking. He is quite the escape artist. Geez, my dog has some attachment issues.... lol..
You are right, as a breeder I actually refused to sell to homes where people were working and away for a normal working day. It was very difficult, and increasingly so, to find homes where somebody was going to be at home at least most of the day. I've turned people down before, especially when they are taking on a puppy (if nothing else, because of the lunch feed). Dogs should not reasonably be left for longer than 4 hours, on a regular basis. However, having said that, I had to go back to work part-time (for economic reasons) at one point. And where we were living at the time, part-time meant three days a week, full hours. I worked Tuesday through Thursdays, and had Monday and Friday plus the weekends of course, off. My lot were left for 9 hours. I'm not proud of it, and had it been otherwise, would never have done it. In my defence I had upwards of half a dozen hounds at the time, so they were not alone. I started coming home lunchtime - by the time I'd driven back out from town, and back, I was only with them for 10 minutes, and frankly I decided I was disturbing them rather than anything else. I had some of them in the kitchen, with newspapers down, and the rest in the main house, which had an extension which I covered with plastic and newspaper, and they 'went' out there. None of them was a puppy. And they all survived until things looked up again, and I could go back to being a full-time mum to them. I can't say they suffered really except when we went out for the evening, they weren't totally reliable in the house any more because they didn't know when I was going to be back, so they didn't wait. Bottom line - I'd say since your dogs are established, 6.5 hours max 4 days a week isn't too long really. Not ideal, but provided they are exercised, and stay fit it should be okay. Of course, you won't be there in the case of an emergency, but them's the breaks really. Do you have a neighbour who might be able to contact you in the event of her seeing something's wrong from the outside of your property (I'm thinking worst-possible scenario here, fire, breakins etc.) It might give you a better feeling about not being there, to know there's somebody looking out for them? Might it also be possible for somebody reliable, who your dogs know and who knows your dogs, to know where there is a key in the event of you being held up at work/travelling home? I used to leave a key out hidden for my neighbour (even after I stopped working, if we were out shopping and got stuck?) Life has to go on, and these situations have to be dealt with. Priorities and all that.
I am a stay at home mom, poor economy I want to work but there are really no jobs out there that I am skilled in plus I have been out of the work field for over 5 years. My father in law just sent me a list of large company's that are closing there doors and I was shocked to see places like Lowes and Home Depot on that list. Not saying the whole company is going to close there doors but as many as 120 stores to close. So we all know what that means for some of our small community's (like mine) there doors probably to close and lots of jobs lost. Sorry to drag on you question was about the dogs haha. Our dog is a little over year old (so they told us) we adopted her. And being I am a stay at home mom doesn't mean I am always at home. She would probably be on her own for a total of say 6 hours maybe less on her own. I usually have errands to run and when my husband gets home we sometimes go grab a bite to eat or run to the grocery store, BUT! My father in law lives with us so she is with him also except I don't really count him as "being" with her because he doesn't lift a finger to help the dog which we down right hate, he would just watch the dog do her business on the carpet rather than getting off the couch to simply take her to the back door and tie her out for a few minutes. He is 83 years old and starting to become confused. But leaving you dog isn't a bad thing if she is left alone we make sure our bed room doors are shut and she has food and water.
Well I am lucky enough to be a stay at home mama to my kids which are home schooled so our dogs are not alone all that much. Just when we go to the store or the park. Not on a daily bases. More like a couple of hours a week total. But I don't think that is cruel or wrong for a working person to own a dog.
I am lucky now I work from home and most days they have me all day. I do have times where I go to town and work in town and I have a pet sitter who comes in and takes them out or feeds them or what ever. They are never left for more than 4 hours with out being out. Years ago I got up at 5:30 walked the dog for 30 minutes and then went to work from 7am-3pm came home walked another 30 minutes to hour. My adult dog was fine with that schedule but it would not have worked with a puppy.
My dog comes to work with me so is not left at home. Thats everyday. But obviously, if I'm going shopping or something, he stays at home for those few hours. Thats not very often tho (I work too much to do anything else!). But I'm lucky enough to work somewhere that everyone brings their dogs to work (or the majority do, just because we can). If I worked somewhere else, I'm guessing around 7-8hrs. But I dont. So he doesn't!!! (I like to ramble, in case you haven't noticed!)
My dogs (3) are never alone. Being the pack animals that they are, they do need some kind of companionship and the other dogs provide that when my wife and I are at work. We also have a neighbor who will check on them and let them out side. A dog that is bored and alone tends to misbehave. May it be chewing or scheming to get even for being left alone...the are not stupid and they do have feelings. When we are out, they have the run of the house including the furniture, the bed, etc. they have everything they need to keep them occupied and happy as far as toys, food and water. We give them a lot of attention when we are home. They get walks every night and afterwords...cuddling on the couch while we watch TV. Spoiled? Yes! Alone? Never!
NOT ENOUGH! I don't work and she drives me crazy! In reality, she probably spends about 2 to 4 hours hours a day alone when I go and do errands.
I would say 5-6 hours. But, It depends on the day. I own 3 dogs, they get free run of the house, and they Have eachother to keep themselves company. They mostly sleep all days any how. I love my dogs, and I believe that they are fine when home alone!
Well i will answer as honestly as i can: We have six Bull Terriers. We leave any two from six in the house while we are at work. We leave any four from six outside in specially built kennels with underfloor heating and 4m runs. I get up at 5.30am every morning to take all the dogs for a very long walk. i go to work at 7.45am and then my wife puts the dogs out with their food and toys. My wife takes our daughter to school at 8.30am and then goes to work. On a Monday and Friday my wife works school hours and is back in the house at 3.30pm. Tuesdays and Thursdays she gets in at 5.00pm. On a Wednesday i get home at 3.30pm. All the dogs are left for the amount of hours that we are both at work. Weekends are different with 90% of the time someone is in with the dogs 24/7. When i come home from work all the dogs go for another long walk and then they all come in the house for their tea. They all go to sleep at around 10pm after been let out for any last minute toilet requirements. We then sit down to relax for a short while before we retire to bed to start all over again in about 6hrs time. Who said having dogs was easy. We love and look after all of our dogs and they are a picture of health. They are all insured and get the very best vet care. Just because people work full time does not mean they can not look after animls. Excellent question by the way. I hope this is what you were after.
Including commute time, the dogs are home alone about 8-9 hours a day, 4 days a week. We are usually home on weekends, on half days, they are typically home alone about 5-6 hours. There are 3 of them, so I wouldn't say they are completely "alone". They do a nice job of keeping each other company, and when I am home I spend quite a bit of time with them.
I'm retired now, but like every one else that wasn't always the case. Not everyone wants the same thing from their dog. Many spend their evening sitting back with their dog in there lap. I've never done that, when I got home from work I would take my retrievers out and run pattern blinds, or maybe throw some walking singles. We spent our time together in the evenings training. During the off season I spent my weekends with a training group. Then it was off to tests & trials or hunting. For me, my dogs have always been an excuse to be off doing something instead of vegetating in front of a TV screen. edit Who in the world is the thumbs down ferry this morning!? Why don't you get a life!
I'm with mine all day everyday. well--Most of the time. I'm a stay at home Mama to a 1 1/2 yr old terror son and 9 furbabies. They take up all my time, between feedings, cleaning the house, taking care of my son, taking care of the dogs, etc..I would never be able to have an actual everyday job. I thank god every day I get to stay home and take care of all my babies!
Well, I'm the last to leave and I leave at @ 7:45 am. My husband gets home at 4pm. So, that's about 8 hours. We are home on the weekends. Your right, we have to work to pay for this dog otherwise, he would be on the streets right now. He is very much loved and well taken care of. They say "Absence makes the heart grow fonder!" and it's true, because he wags his tail so hard when we get home, it looks like it hurts.. =D He doesn't potty in the house and he does very well. So there!
my dogs are left alone from, well it depends, at most 4 hours but not every day.
Lets see, on the off chance that I leave the house WITHOUT them, my fiance leaves at 8am every day (minus weekends) and I usually leave at 3pm. I'll return at 8pm and my fiance returns at 11pm. That would make the dogs be alone for five hours a day. On the weekend, I'd say they're alone for seven hours combined total. I do most of my work from home, and if I have to make a pick up or drop off, they're usually with me or someone is home.
my dogs are home by themselves for at least 1-2 hours a day! I only have 1 college class on mwf. so t and Th I am home all day unless I go somewhere.
well my dogs are actually lucky. Im a HS senior and I have an older brother who attends college. he has 2 hr classes everyday once a day, so he picks me up frm skool at 2:30pm, hes already had class so My dogs take a long nap with me, then at night he works so my dogs are alone about 2 to 3 hrs everyday.
I am a stay at home mom so my dogs are rarely home alone except for the rare occasion we have things going on they can't go with us and runs to the store. At most 2 times a week for an hour, if that.
I am a stay at home mom to 2 wonderful boys and I babysit 2-3 kids each day. I hardly go anywhere seeing as I don't have the room for all the kids in my tracker. I go to town on Friday to pay bills, but my chihuahua is with us. I go to church on Thursday evening and Sunday morning and well she is with us than too, we go to a small family church. I go grocery shopping on Sunday evenings and she stays home with my fiance'. If by any chance we go out to eat dinner she is at home by herself, but that may be an hour or two. I see nothing wrong with a dog staying home by themselves. Personally, I think a dog is fine unless you spoil them in which I did, to leave home alone. I tell her when we are leaving that she can't go because we are going to eat, she will get on the couch and cover her eyes than give you her paw to say bye. She is only alone once every few weeks and that is the only time. If I get a job my fiace will not be working as I am not if I can help it having a daycare or other babysitter raise my children. I want to be there for them and I have been the babysitter where I live since my 3 almost 4 year old has been born. My chi is only 2 1/2 but loves to be with me and the kids. So I try to avoid at all cost to leave her. If I have to I will take her cage and put it in the tracker and drop her off at my sisters if she starts to cry. So she is around people at the very least. So my answer to your question is it does not matter how long as long as the needed supplies are readily available for them. You make your choice on how you bring your dog up. I know some people that have to be gone longer than 10 hours a day and they have auto feeders and watering canisters. I do not think they are bad owners. They give the dog what they need and supply the love for them in the time they have together. That is what counts. Show them the attention they deserve when you are at home.