Leaving A Puppy/Dog Alone For More Than 16 Hours A Day?

LaRen616 · 10-11-2010, 10:58 AM

What do you guys think about someone leaving their puppy/dog home alone for 16+ hours a day?

IMO I believe it is unfair to the dog, even if you love the dog it is not fair to them to be alone for more than 16 hours a day. Even if you put them in doggy day care or have a dog walker come by it isn't you spending time with your dog, someone else is and it's not the same. I think the best thing to do is to rehome the puppy/dog to a family that can spend more time with it.

What do you think?

Whiteshepherds · 10-11-2010, 11:16 AM

I think dogs can adapt to a lot of different circumstances, it would depend on what's happening the other 8 hours a day, how the time periods are broken up, is the owner sleeping during part of those 16 hours etc.

DanielleOttoMom · 10-11-2010, 11:20 AM

Totally unfair! Especially for a pup...... I read what the boy put eariler about leaving his puppy at home for 20 hours??? And was wanting to get another puppy. I don't think that's a good idea. Also I agree with what you replied with. I think he needs to look into getting a walker or day care for his puppy. That way the puppy can get exercise and attention.

PupperLove · 10-11-2010, 11:28 AM

I think it is completley unfair, and if I had to leave my dogs alone for 16 hours per day on a regular basis I would re-home them. 16-17 hours is all I really care to stay awake per day. So if I was gone for 16 hours, that would leave about 1 hour tops for play time, then I would go back to bed. That's totally unfair- the dog would be cheated of life!

Jax08 · 10-11-2010, 11:35 AM

I don't think this is a black and white question. What is going on during these 16 hours? Are people working 16 hours and then coming home? Is 8 hours of sleep included in the 16 hours?

**MaggieRoseLee** · 10-11-2010, 11:38 AM

If 8 (or so) of those hours are me sleeping in the house with the dog crated beside me.

And the other 8 (or so) are me having to work to pay the bills to afford to have a home and dog.

With the OTHER 8 hours spend with the pup out and about in the house, training, hiking, biking, canoeing, socializing, playing ball, visiting......

Then I say that's a perfect mix and I've raised 4 happy healthy dogs that way!

chicagojosh · 10-11-2010, 11:40 AM

no one is voting? lol

I don't think it's black and white. It is of course not ideal for a dog. but as white shepherd mentioned...what is going on the other 8 hours? If MOST of the other 8 hours are spent with the dog, then it may be ok...why?...cause dogs sleep about 12 hours a day anyway.

in terms of a super young puppy...no way. but an older "puppy" or an adult dog, especially with daycare and dogwalks, it could work.

my 10 month old is essential "alone" 16 hours a day. I work 8 and sleep for maybe 7. when i am home he gets walks, fetch, flirt pole, training, cuddles etc. but the reality of life is we all have to go to work and sleep. he is not crated at night, but is during the day...

Klamari · 10-11-2010, 11:41 AM

I think it would also depend on how many 16-hour days in a row, or how many days in a week. If you only work 2 days a week, 16-hr days, you can get a dog walker or look into a daycare for those days. And then the other 5 days of the week you have all day to spend quality time with your dog. I think that would be fine as long as the pup isn't alone, in a crate for 16 hours in a row with no chance to get out or go potty.

LaRen616 · 10-11-2010, 11:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jax08

I don't think this is a black and white question. What is going on during these 16 hours? Are people working 16 hours and then coming home? Is 8 hours of sleep included in the 16 hours?

I dont really consider sleeping as leaving the puppy/dog alone.

I'll use an example...... there is a post on this forum about a guy/girl that leaves his/her puppy/dog alone and outside for 20 hours. He/she only spends 4 hours with the puppy/dog.

we4elves · 10-11-2010, 11:58 AM

I agree with MaggieRoseLee

View Poll Results: Leaving A Puppy/Dog Alone For More Than 16 Hours A Day?
No, I think that it is unfair to the puppy/dog	14	50.00%
No, unless they can put the puppy/dog in doggy day care or have a dog walker come by	9	32.14%
If they love the dog then it's ok	0	0%
I think it is ok if the dog gets enough exercise when the owner is with it	5	17.86%
Voters: 28. You may not vote on this poll

10-11-2010, 10:58 AM	#1 (permalink)
LaRen616 Crowned Member Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Northern Illinois Posts: 10,582	Leaving A Puppy/Dog Alone For More Than 16 Hours A Day? What do you guys think about someone leaving their puppy/dog home alone for 16+ hours a day? IMO I believe it is unfair to the dog, even if you love the dog it is not fair to them to be alone for more than 16 hours a day. Even if you put them in doggy day care or have a dog walker come by it isn't you spending time with your dog, someone else is and it's not the same. I think the best thing to do is to rehome the puppy/dog to a family that can spend more time with it. What do you think? __________________ ~ Sinister 3 yr old black male GSD 3.11.09 ~ Malice 9 mth old black female GSD 6.19.11 Cats: Chaos, Monster, Wicked Last edited by LaRen616; 10-11-2010 at 11:03 AM.

10-11-2010, 11:28 AM	#4 (permalink)
PupperLove Elite Member Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Wisconsin Posts: 1,086	I think it is completley unfair, and if I had to leave my dogs alone for 16 hours per day on a regular basis I would re-home them. 16-17 hours is all I really care to stay awake per day. So if I was gone for 16 hours, that would leave about 1 hour tops for play time, then I would go back to bed. That's totally unfair- the dog would be cheated of life! __________________ ~Laura Jackson, nicknamed "Gehngi" GSD, 5/5/10 www.youravon.com/lauranicole

10-11-2010, 11:38 AM	#6 (permalink)
MaggieRoseLee The Agility Rocks! Moderator Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: Bushkill, PA (The Poconos!) Posts: 22,215	If 8 (or so) of those hours are me sleeping in the house with the dog crated beside me. And the other 8 (or so) are me having to work to pay the bills to afford to have a home and dog. With the OTHER 8 hours spend with the pup out and about in the house, training, hiking, biking, canoeing, socializing, playing ball, visiting...... Then I say that's a perfect mix and I've raised 4 happy healthy dogs that way! __________________ MACH2 Bretta Lee Wildhaus CGC TC TQX Glory B Wildhaus NA, NJ, NF + LOL (still) "*Always forgive your enemies; nothing annoys them so much." - Oscar Wilde*

10-11-2010, 11:40 AM	#7 (permalink)
chicagojosh Elite Member Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Wicker Park, Chicago Posts: 1,789	no one is voting? lol I don't think it's black and white. It is of course not ideal for a dog. but as white shepherd mentioned...what is going on the other 8 hours? If MOST of the other 8 hours are spent with the dog, then it may be ok...why?...cause dogs sleep about 12 hours a day anyway. in terms of a super young puppy...no way. but an older "puppy" or an adult dog, especially with daycare and dogwalks, it could work. my 10 month old is essential "alone" 16 hours a day. I work 8 and sleep for maybe 7. when i am home he gets walks, fetch, flirt pole, training, cuddles etc. but the reality of life is we all have to go to work and sleep. he is not crated at night, but is during the day... __________________ A tired puppy is a good puppy CODY - Sable GSD Born 11/15/09 MANDI - GSD/Husky/Lab Mix Born 6/3/06

10-11-2010, 11:16 AM	#2 (permalink)
Whiteshepherds Knighted Member Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Northeastern Connecticut Posts: 2,772	I think dogs can adapt to a lot of different circumstances, it would depend on what's happening the other 8 hours a day, how the time periods are broken up, is the owner sleeping during part of those 16 hours etc.

10-11-2010, 11:20 AM	#3 (permalink)
DanielleOttoMom Elite Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Dallas, TX Posts: 1,954	Totally unfair! Especially for a pup...... I read what the boy put eariler about leaving his puppy at home for 20 hours??? And was wanting to get another puppy. I don't think that's a good idea. Also I agree with what you replied with. I think he needs to look into getting a walker or day care for his puppy. That way the puppy can get exercise and attention.

10-11-2010, 11:35 AM	#5 (permalink)
Jax08 Crowned Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: NNE PA Posts: 14,337	I don't think this is a black and white question. What is going on during these 16 hours? Are people working 16 hours and then coming home? Is 8 hours of sleep included in the 16 hours?

10-11-2010, 11:41 AM	#8 (permalink)
Klamari Master Member Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: South TEXAS Posts: 596	I think it would also depend on how many 16-hour days in a row, or how many days in a week. If you only work 2 days a week, 16-hr days, you can get a dog walker or look into a daycare for those days. And then the other 5 days of the week you have all day to spend quality time with your dog. I think that would be fine as long as the pup isn't alone, in a crate for 16 hours in a row with no chance to get out or go potty. __________________ ~ Cayla 'Rayne' Karma v. Wildhaus (2/2011)

10-11-2010, 11:58 AM	#10 (permalink)
we4elves Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Texas Posts: 179	I agree with MaggieRoseLee

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