I recently read a series of posts about people GSDs barking and how one should leave them inside if not able to correct. I learnt a lot from all those posts, and will modify my dog's habits accordingly as he barks too.
However, my hb and I like on occasion to go for day hikes, and can't take him as we go into a national park. But I've felt so bad leaving him more than 5 hours alone, that we haven't done those hikes the past 3 years. I also hesitate to leave him longer outside as I don't know how he behaves. Now I read that if not at home, you should leave him inside. So I wonder how long can you leave your GSD inside. I've read that some people leave theirs 8 or 10 hours at times, and I am shocked. In my mind, longer than 5, even outside seems unfair.
Comments please? (as a note, I hate to leave him alone, period, and he gets daily exercise with walks, ob training, play etc).
However, my hb and I like on occasion to go for day hikes, and can't take him as we go into a national park. But I've felt so bad leaving him more than 5 hours alone, that we haven't done those hikes the past 3 years. I also hesitate to leave him longer outside as I don't know how he behaves. Now I read that if not at home, you should leave him inside. So I wonder how long can you leave your GSD inside. I've read that some people leave theirs 8 or 10 hours at times, and I am shocked. In my mind, longer than 5, even outside seems unfair.
Comments please? (as a note, I hate to leave him alone, period, and he gets daily exercise with walks, ob training, play etc).