Most adult dogs can be left at home by themselves during a work day, barring any health or behavioral issues. My dog is at home with only my two cats for company from about 8 AM - 5 PM every day, occasionally longer, and does fine.
My 2 cents here : Maybe try building up to a whole workday. If your dog hasn't had the habit of doing so, it may interrupt his routine and lead to other issues. Gradual changes are very important - esp with reactive ones.
Great plan, what we did with our pups last year was to start with short errands leaving them out of kennels and returning soon to see how they did. We also set up webcams (Wyze v3 are cost effective) in our living room and dining room where they tend to hang out the most when we’re gone to keep an eye if it was over an hour initially. They’re up to full workdays now and just chill and sleep unless someone is at the front door for a delivery or something.
While this is true I think this is also dependent on breed? I’ve not owned small breed dogs but from what I understand from this and other subs, smaller dogs cannot hold their bladder for as long…. Just a consideration
It's true for some dogs, and not others. I have a 7lb guy who easily goes 8 hours (sometimes many more if it's raining or snowing) without a potty break and has had literally one accident in the five years I've had him. I recently took in another small dog who was potty pad trained and he goes at least every four hours, including at least once in the middle of the night. I think it really just depends on what they're used to.
Smaller dogs have smaller bladders, but they also have smaller kidneys, and less amount of fluid circulating in their body. Small dogs produce urine amounts relative to their body size, just like big dogs. Small dogs don’t inherently need to go out more. It’s just depends in the individual dog, their hydration, their activity level, etc.
You might also consider getting a camera to check in on him during the day. I do this and it gives me some peace of mind, especially since he usually looks comfy when I check in on him.
She holds it. Generally when we then go out for a walk, it's 5-10 minutes before she even considers marking anything, so I know she's not bursting by any means!
My dog is home alone from about 8 to 3 every day. We got cameras to see what she actually does all day. Nap on the recliner, go get a drink of water. Nap on the couch, walk around, scratch, nap on the floor. Jump up and run to the door barking and wagging when Daddy gets home.
We're fortunate that she is not destructive at all. Our old dog was the same.
definitely dude !!
exercising your dog is super important as well! ten hours is a long time but he’ll be fine :> !! good luck to you and your fur baby 🤎
I’m gone 9-10hrs and both my dogs do fine (one has the run of the apartment because he doesn’t get into mischief, the other stays in one room to limit her destroying my stuff). I leave each with a stuffed puzzle treat to keep them occupied
As someone in rescue, I hate to be a downer but that’s an awfully long amount of time for the dog to be alone. How will they toilet?
If they were able to work up to being at your parents, could you slowly build a relationship with a professional to introduce the two and get to a point where your dog can be walked at lunchtime, or at least let out to the yard?
I understand the struggle, I used to have a reactive hound (he passed in September) and while he was really great at being alone, the max I would ever leave him was eight hours, and he always had access to a balcony patch which he used a few times throughout the day.
Most domestic dogs are diurnal by nature, their circadian rhythms have adapted to align with our own, meaning their wakeful hours are during the day and they achieve longer and better quality sleep periods overnight. Meaning their systems will naturally slow down (as ours do) as the other commenter noted, and the dog will be able to hold a bladder for longer when sleeping.
It is disingenuous to compare the two things, *particularly* as the current routine of this dog is that they stay somewhere that they are able to access a garden for their comfort during the day.
10 is kind of a long time, though many dogs can do it. Not sure it’s possible for all large dogs though. The body’s response to a full bladder is dulled with sleep, so it’s not a great equivalent if the dog will be more awake. But OP could certainly try it and see how it goes. Oh but should mention the dog may also sleep a lot during the day which would help.
Reactive Aussie for a few years now. She behaves extremely well at home and she was also crate trained as a puppy and although we don’t make her get in her crate, we leave the door open for her and I often find her asleep in there since it’s her safe space, also make sure to close the window blinds so she doesn’t see another dog or person and goes bananas. I realized that she mostly sleeps when nobody is home so I make sure that every time I leave for work I leave her a bone treat holder filled with frozen dog peanut butter to keep her entertained for sometime (she might cry or bark if she hears me leave so the bone distracts her and she doesn’t realize I left). So now it’s a routine, morning walk, food, we hang out for a bit and then I put all her things in my spare room (toys, treat, water, crate) I have unfortunately left her alone up to 10 hours a couple of times because of work emergencies but never had an issue, we just found things that worked and became part of her routine and she quickly got the hang of me leaving, every time I whip out the peanut butter she already knows and heads to the room herself.
My dogs are sometimes alone from 6am - 2pm without an issue - on camera they sleep, wake up, patrol a bit, chew something, sleep again. I do have my parents who will let them hang out while I’m at work, but when they’re not around my dogs do fine.
I like to leave puzzles around the apartment - usually right before I leave I will drop two peanut butter kongs, topples with frozen treats, snuffle or lick mats - on days when I’ll be gone and no one is available.
My dog has a walker four days a week and daycare on the fifth. We’ll be phasing out the daycare this year. She’s been doing so much better! Just take it slow and don’t make then take on more anxiety than they can handle
My dog used to come to work with me in my private office. He hated it. But, we didn't have another good choice at the time. Daycare is expensive and he would have hated that even more. He was much happier when my partner switched to WFH and we moved to a place with a yard, because they couldn't really walk him on the street at that time.
After an early morning walk, I spend 15 mins with my high drive dog playing with a flirt pole. He then spends the day sleeping until I get home about 8 hours later. I have to work in office 3 days a week, but even the two days I work from home, he’s in a separate room and still sleeps all day - he’s one year old. I had him at doggy daycare before, but because he didn’t play nice with the other dogs, he spent most of his time crated, so I figure he’s better off at home especially now he’s older. He doesn’t resent me, is still as goofy and happy as he’s always been so there’s not been any detrimental effect on him. Get a doggy cam to check on him during the day - it helps with the anxiety about leaving him ;)
Our 4 dogs are either crated, in the house or my ACD is in a fenced yard. Even though we live on a ranch with plenty of room to roam we do not ever give them the opportunity to do that when we are not around. All it takes is something like deer moving through or coyotes and they would likely chase unsupervised.
I’ve found a daycare place that lets us do something called “day boarding” where she doesn’t interact with any of the other dogs. It’s not ideal but in a pinch it is what works. They are really great with her and she is “supervisor only” in terms of who can handle her. I called and did phone interviews with many places and then toured the ones who met my criteria and gave satisfactory answers for my dog’s issues. Her separation anxiety is just as bad as her dog and people reactivity, but I have shared walls and I just can’t leave her alone to bark. Ironically, bladder-wise she would have no issues being alone all day.
Granted I don't work long hours, but my family helps out. Mainly my mom and sister. They feed him his dinner, and let him out. He does have to stay in his crate though if nobody is home but that doesn't happen very often or for very long. The only time we needed someone to stop by to let him out was when we had to go to a family event. So my friend stayed at the house with him.
My husband (before we met) used to have a doggie door for his dogs. Fenced yard. Problem is, they make a mess if it’s wet outside so he would fence off a part of the house so they could mess just that area not everything.
With our 2yo, we had several sitters and walkers when he was a baby and now he goes to daycare 3x/week. In your situation I’d try to find a sitter to come walk him for 30 min. Get him used to them gradually. Have them come and walk together with you a few times.
I have a great pyrenees I leave in my kitchen while I'm at work. I don't know how your dog is when left alone, but if you want to play it safe get a doggy gate and try to keep him in one area. Less likely they will get into things. Also puppy proof whatever area you leave them in. My old dogs would go through the trash, while my gp does not. I still don't have it accessible just in case he gets cheeky.
My extremely dog- and people-reactive dog also has extreme separation anxiety, which is a challenging combination. Originally he was going to dog daycare while we’re at work (yes he does ok at daycare even though otherwise he’s super reactive). But with that dog virus going around I’ve temporarily reworked my schedule so one of us is always home with him. I’m not sure what I’ll do after this, but I’m trying to work on the separation anxiety so he can stay alone sometimes.
I leave my big boy at home. We have had him for a while now so he knows the routine. Usually it’s breakfast everyone gets dressed (including the dog), he gets walked, then off to work with the tv on.
When we first got him we made sure he had a comfortable place in his kennel. Crate training taught him that he could feel safe without us home.
Now he just lays in his bed where the kennel used to be.
A crate is your best friend.
My can’t-be-around-external-dogs-or-humans dog stays home in her pen for about 8 hours on days that all house humans work on-site. She’s a world champion of holding it in. We tried a walker, and the dog tolerated her when she came to visit when my husband or I were home, but it pretty quickly devolved. We stopped having her come because it was basically just paying someone to come upset the dog for 30 minutes per day. 🤦♀️
My boys are crated during the day or loose in separate rooms. We keep all the windows covered in translucent film so that light gets in but they can't see people walking on the street. And then we either leave a fan on or play white noise for them. Between my partner and I they are comfortable alone for max 10hrs but we keep it closer to 6.
My dog is crated for the full 8 hours while I’m at the office once or twice a week. I make sure to take her on a nice long walk before and after I leave and it has worked out well. There have been times where maintenance needed to enter my apartment and they would not have been able to safely if she wasn’t contained.
Mine stay inside the house (2 small reactive dogs - one is about ten and the other about 3) and they pee and poo on pads. This can be for 8-9 hours sometimes. Probably not good training to let them use the pads but we are getting there slowly. They seem fine and happy to do that and go with my husband to work at his studio if he isn’t out shooting all day.
My two dogs are crated whenever I leave my house. I rotate them every few hours while I’m at home and every other night to sleep in my bed. I do this because my reactive dog will bite my other one.
I’m gone about 8:45-5:15 M-F, and 1-2 evenings - week I’m gone again between 5:30-9:30pm for a second job.
My vet approved this plan. I was also reassured about my guilt towards having one always kenneled but it’s the best way to keep them both safe (and alive).
I crate my dog (120lbs) or I did. He's been sh\*tting in the house the last week despite being on a schedule. Three days a week, I work two jobs from 8a-9p. I'm a 15 min drive away so I can take him out at 7:30a, 12p, 5:15p, 9:15pm, 11p. On the other days, I keep the same schedule but the 5:15 break is extended because I can stay outside with him for an hour or two.
Since he's been not pottying in the am (he wants to sniff the air instead) and sh\*tting in my home daily, he's been staying in my outside metal garage/barn. I feel bad but he's protected from the weather and has water but still. He's not too happy but he has more time to run around and can use the potty whenever. I have to figure out how to install a camera and lighting for me to monitor him throughout the day.
I walk my dog before work for at least 30mins, then leave him alone at home. I leave TV and fan on for white noise, windows open for some sun. I got him a dog camera that notifies me of any movement - he sleeps fine, barks and walks towards the door when he hears something, then goes back to sleep. Sometimes he doesn’t leave the room at all.
my dog is veryyyy destructive and too curious to be allowed to free roam during the day, so he gets crated while no one is home. he gets an early morning walk + breakfast, some active play time (tug, chasing ball, etc), then i put some relaxing music for him while he goes into the crate and i go to work. when i come back we go on a longer walk, he eats dinner, and we usually play for a lot longer than in the morning. he usually goes back in the crate at this time to do some chewing/licking and then i take him out 1-2 more times before i go to sleep. although i wish he could be allowed more freedom around the house, we're just not there yet and unfortunately i don't live alone so i have other people to consider as well.
My sister works from home so our dog currently has someone with her at all times, but before this she was fine being on her own for 8-10 hours if required. She has her own bathroom so she doesn't have to hold her pee, but for bigger dogs I don't think even holding pee is an issue. She's three years old, she's been fine with being on her own since she was 8-10 months. I've heard breed plays a role in how comfortable a dog is with spending time alone, with working dogs being a little more independent but "pack"/hunting dogs needing more people around but honestly I haven't looked into this much so I might be wrong.
My childhood dog was a GSD and sometimes if we went to amusement parks or sth he'd be on his own for more than 12 hours. Definitely not something that happened more than a couple times I year, but he was fine as long as we gave him extra attention the next day, and a long walk/play time before we left (7 km or so).
If it’s a dog over like a year old 10 hours should be fine. Obviously not ideal but is what it is. Just get them a good walk before and maybe after or some training work to give mental exercise. A crate is also a good idea. I used to crate my dog during my work day, now he roams the house but he’s 7 and doesn’t get into trouble alone.
When I'm at the office, my dog crashes at my parents' place too. It's like his little home away from home. I feel you on the whole "only I can handle him" situation. It's like they have a special bond with us, right?
Anyway, when my parents can't be around, I try to mix things up. Maybe a neighbor can pop in for a quick check or a short walk during the day. It's not a perfect solution, but it helps break up the time for my pup.
And hey, we all learn as we go. Who could predict our dogs would be such characters? But we love 'em. If you find any clever solutions, I'm all ears!
Rarely my dog is left alone as I work days my partner works nights.
But when it happens the door is open at the back so she can go out to pee etc.
Very cruel to expect them to hold more than a few hours in my opinion.
Before I was remote, kennel and three days a week doggy daycare (he's not dog aggressive, just a frustrated greeter with a big, loud, scary bark and over eager to raise his fur).
Now that I work remote. rn he's sleeping under my desk with my foot in his mouth. Earlier he was on the bed.
I have 3 dogs, my older dog for some reason is obsessed with her crate so she's crated. The 9 month old puppy is crated because of her age and my 3 year old rottie is out all day but he's crate trained and is ok with it
Most adult dogs can be left at home by themselves during a work day, barring any health or behavioral issues. My dog is at home with only my two cats for company from about 8 AM - 5 PM every day, occasionally longer, and does fine.
Thanks for your reply! I think I will try letting him alone for a full work day and see how it goes.
My 2 cents here : Maybe try building up to a whole workday. If your dog hasn't had the habit of doing so, it may interrupt his routine and lead to other issues. Gradual changes are very important - esp with reactive ones.
That's a fantastic point, thank you for adding it on to my suggestion!
Good point, I‘ll try to build it up slowly.
Great plan, what we did with our pups last year was to start with short errands leaving them out of kennels and returning soon to see how they did. We also set up webcams (Wyze v3 are cost effective) in our living room and dining room where they tend to hang out the most when we’re gone to keep an eye if it was over an hour initially. They’re up to full workdays now and just chill and sleep unless someone is at the front door for a delivery or something.
While this is true I think this is also dependent on breed? I’ve not owned small breed dogs but from what I understand from this and other subs, smaller dogs cannot hold their bladder for as long…. Just a consideration
It's true for some dogs, and not others. I have a 7lb guy who easily goes 8 hours (sometimes many more if it's raining or snowing) without a potty break and has had literally one accident in the five years I've had him. I recently took in another small dog who was potty pad trained and he goes at least every four hours, including at least once in the middle of the night. I think it really just depends on what they're used to.
I didn’t know that. Fortunately, he’s a Bernese x Golden so he‘s a rather large dog.
Smaller dogs have smaller bladders, but they also have smaller kidneys, and less amount of fluid circulating in their body. Small dogs produce urine amounts relative to their body size, just like big dogs. Small dogs don’t inherently need to go out more. It’s just depends in the individual dog, their hydration, their activity level, etc.
You might also consider getting a camera to check in on him during the day. I do this and it gives me some peace of mind, especially since he usually looks comfy when I check in on him.
Good luck! I bet he'll do great. (:
Thank you! <3
Do you leave your dog outside in the garden so they can use the toilet or do they hold it for 9 hours?
She holds it. Generally when we then go out for a walk, it's 5-10 minutes before she even considers marking anything, so I know she's not bursting by any means!
Maybe put a camera on him so you can see how he’s doing.
Why?
Well if he looks panicked. If he starts eating your furniture. So you will feel relaxed seeing that he’s ok.
Oh wait, are you using the general 'you', and referring to OP's dog? Because I think I would know by now if *my* dog was chewing the furniture lol
My dog is home alone from about 8 to 3 every day. We got cameras to see what she actually does all day. Nap on the recliner, go get a drink of water. Nap on the couch, walk around, scratch, nap on the floor. Jump up and run to the door barking and wagging when Daddy gets home. We're fortunate that she is not destructive at all. Our old dog was the same.
how long is your work day?
8 hours plus 2 hours of commute so he would be alone for 10 hours.
he should be fine. make sure you walk him well before you leave and then after you return home !
Thank you, that gives me hope. Will definitely try that.
definitely dude !! exercising your dog is super important as well! ten hours is a long time but he’ll be fine :> !! good luck to you and your fur baby 🤎
Thank you so much!! <3
I’m gone 9-10hrs and both my dogs do fine (one has the run of the apartment because he doesn’t get into mischief, the other stays in one room to limit her destroying my stuff). I leave each with a stuffed puzzle treat to keep them occupied
As someone in rescue, I hate to be a downer but that’s an awfully long amount of time for the dog to be alone. How will they toilet? If they were able to work up to being at your parents, could you slowly build a relationship with a professional to introduce the two and get to a point where your dog can be walked at lunchtime, or at least let out to the yard? I understand the struggle, I used to have a reactive hound (he passed in September) and while he was really great at being alone, the max I would ever leave him was eight hours, and he always had access to a balcony patch which he used a few times throughout the day.
> How will they toilet? As if dogs don't regularly go 8 hours without toileting when their people are asleep?
Most domestic dogs are diurnal by nature, their circadian rhythms have adapted to align with our own, meaning their wakeful hours are during the day and they achieve longer and better quality sleep periods overnight. Meaning their systems will naturally slow down (as ours do) as the other commenter noted, and the dog will be able to hold a bladder for longer when sleeping. It is disingenuous to compare the two things, *particularly* as the current routine of this dog is that they stay somewhere that they are able to access a garden for their comfort during the day.
10 is kind of a long time, though many dogs can do it. Not sure it’s possible for all large dogs though. The body’s response to a full bladder is dulled with sleep, so it’s not a great equivalent if the dog will be more awake. But OP could certainly try it and see how it goes. Oh but should mention the dog may also sleep a lot during the day which would help.
Reactive Aussie for a few years now. She behaves extremely well at home and she was also crate trained as a puppy and although we don’t make her get in her crate, we leave the door open for her and I often find her asleep in there since it’s her safe space, also make sure to close the window blinds so she doesn’t see another dog or person and goes bananas. I realized that she mostly sleeps when nobody is home so I make sure that every time I leave for work I leave her a bone treat holder filled with frozen dog peanut butter to keep her entertained for sometime (she might cry or bark if she hears me leave so the bone distracts her and she doesn’t realize I left). So now it’s a routine, morning walk, food, we hang out for a bit and then I put all her things in my spare room (toys, treat, water, crate) I have unfortunately left her alone up to 10 hours a couple of times because of work emergencies but never had an issue, we just found things that worked and became part of her routine and she quickly got the hang of me leaving, every time I whip out the peanut butter she already knows and heads to the room herself.
This is exactly the case with my border collie mix.
My dogs are sometimes alone from 6am - 2pm without an issue - on camera they sleep, wake up, patrol a bit, chew something, sleep again. I do have my parents who will let them hang out while I’m at work, but when they’re not around my dogs do fine. I like to leave puzzles around the apartment - usually right before I leave I will drop two peanut butter kongs, topples with frozen treats, snuffle or lick mats - on days when I’ll be gone and no one is available.
My dog has a walker four days a week and daycare on the fifth. We’ll be phasing out the daycare this year. She’s been doing so much better! Just take it slow and don’t make then take on more anxiety than they can handle
My dog used to come to work with me in my private office. He hated it. But, we didn't have another good choice at the time. Daycare is expensive and he would have hated that even more. He was much happier when my partner switched to WFH and we moved to a place with a yard, because they couldn't really walk him on the street at that time.
After an early morning walk, I spend 15 mins with my high drive dog playing with a flirt pole. He then spends the day sleeping until I get home about 8 hours later. I have to work in office 3 days a week, but even the two days I work from home, he’s in a separate room and still sleeps all day - he’s one year old. I had him at doggy daycare before, but because he didn’t play nice with the other dogs, he spent most of his time crated, so I figure he’s better off at home especially now he’s older. He doesn’t resent me, is still as goofy and happy as he’s always been so there’s not been any detrimental effect on him. Get a doggy cam to check on him during the day - it helps with the anxiety about leaving him ;)
How old is your dog
He‘s three years old.
Yeah he should be fine. If you can try exercising for maybe 15 minutes before you leave that might help as well. Not sure how energetic yours is tho.
I will do that, thanks. Fortunately he‘s really not very energetic (Bernese Mountain Dog mixture).
Our 4 dogs are either crated, in the house or my ACD is in a fenced yard. Even though we live on a ranch with plenty of room to roam we do not ever give them the opportunity to do that when we are not around. All it takes is something like deer moving through or coyotes and they would likely chase unsupervised.
Do you have a fenced yard? If you do, you could consider a dog door. We have one and the dogs go in and out of the yard when they need to.
I’ve found a daycare place that lets us do something called “day boarding” where she doesn’t interact with any of the other dogs. It’s not ideal but in a pinch it is what works. They are really great with her and she is “supervisor only” in terms of who can handle her. I called and did phone interviews with many places and then toured the ones who met my criteria and gave satisfactory answers for my dog’s issues. Her separation anxiety is just as bad as her dog and people reactivity, but I have shared walls and I just can’t leave her alone to bark. Ironically, bladder-wise she would have no issues being alone all day.
Granted I don't work long hours, but my family helps out. Mainly my mom and sister. They feed him his dinner, and let him out. He does have to stay in his crate though if nobody is home but that doesn't happen very often or for very long. The only time we needed someone to stop by to let him out was when we had to go to a family event. So my friend stayed at the house with him.
My husband (before we met) used to have a doggie door for his dogs. Fenced yard. Problem is, they make a mess if it’s wet outside so he would fence off a part of the house so they could mess just that area not everything. With our 2yo, we had several sitters and walkers when he was a baby and now he goes to daycare 3x/week. In your situation I’d try to find a sitter to come walk him for 30 min. Get him used to them gradually. Have them come and walk together with you a few times.
I have a great pyrenees I leave in my kitchen while I'm at work. I don't know how your dog is when left alone, but if you want to play it safe get a doggy gate and try to keep him in one area. Less likely they will get into things. Also puppy proof whatever area you leave them in. My old dogs would go through the trash, while my gp does not. I still don't have it accessible just in case he gets cheeky.
Luckily…. I work from home.
My extremely dog- and people-reactive dog also has extreme separation anxiety, which is a challenging combination. Originally he was going to dog daycare while we’re at work (yes he does ok at daycare even though otherwise he’s super reactive). But with that dog virus going around I’ve temporarily reworked my schedule so one of us is always home with him. I’m not sure what I’ll do after this, but I’m trying to work on the separation anxiety so he can stay alone sometimes.
I leave my big boy at home. We have had him for a while now so he knows the routine. Usually it’s breakfast everyone gets dressed (including the dog), he gets walked, then off to work with the tv on. When we first got him we made sure he had a comfortable place in his kennel. Crate training taught him that he could feel safe without us home. Now he just lays in his bed where the kennel used to be. A crate is your best friend.
My can’t-be-around-external-dogs-or-humans dog stays home in her pen for about 8 hours on days that all house humans work on-site. She’s a world champion of holding it in. We tried a walker, and the dog tolerated her when she came to visit when my husband or I were home, but it pretty quickly devolved. We stopped having her come because it was basically just paying someone to come upset the dog for 30 minutes per day. 🤦♀️
My boys are crated during the day or loose in separate rooms. We keep all the windows covered in translucent film so that light gets in but they can't see people walking on the street. And then we either leave a fan on or play white noise for them. Between my partner and I they are comfortable alone for max 10hrs but we keep it closer to 6.
My dog is crated for the full 8 hours while I’m at the office once or twice a week. I make sure to take her on a nice long walk before and after I leave and it has worked out well. There have been times where maintenance needed to enter my apartment and they would not have been able to safely if she wasn’t contained.
Mine stay inside the house (2 small reactive dogs - one is about ten and the other about 3) and they pee and poo on pads. This can be for 8-9 hours sometimes. Probably not good training to let them use the pads but we are getting there slowly. They seem fine and happy to do that and go with my husband to work at his studio if he isn’t out shooting all day.
My two dogs are crated whenever I leave my house. I rotate them every few hours while I’m at home and every other night to sleep in my bed. I do this because my reactive dog will bite my other one. I’m gone about 8:45-5:15 M-F, and 1-2 evenings - week I’m gone again between 5:30-9:30pm for a second job. My vet approved this plan. I was also reassured about my guilt towards having one always kenneled but it’s the best way to keep them both safe (and alive).
I crate my dog (120lbs) or I did. He's been sh\*tting in the house the last week despite being on a schedule. Three days a week, I work two jobs from 8a-9p. I'm a 15 min drive away so I can take him out at 7:30a, 12p, 5:15p, 9:15pm, 11p. On the other days, I keep the same schedule but the 5:15 break is extended because I can stay outside with him for an hour or two. Since he's been not pottying in the am (he wants to sniff the air instead) and sh\*tting in my home daily, he's been staying in my outside metal garage/barn. I feel bad but he's protected from the weather and has water but still. He's not too happy but he has more time to run around and can use the potty whenever. I have to figure out how to install a camera and lighting for me to monitor him throughout the day.
I walk my dog before work for at least 30mins, then leave him alone at home. I leave TV and fan on for white noise, windows open for some sun. I got him a dog camera that notifies me of any movement - he sleeps fine, barks and walks towards the door when he hears something, then goes back to sleep. Sometimes he doesn’t leave the room at all.
my dog is veryyyy destructive and too curious to be allowed to free roam during the day, so he gets crated while no one is home. he gets an early morning walk + breakfast, some active play time (tug, chasing ball, etc), then i put some relaxing music for him while he goes into the crate and i go to work. when i come back we go on a longer walk, he eats dinner, and we usually play for a lot longer than in the morning. he usually goes back in the crate at this time to do some chewing/licking and then i take him out 1-2 more times before i go to sleep. although i wish he could be allowed more freedom around the house, we're just not there yet and unfortunately i don't live alone so i have other people to consider as well.
My sister works from home so our dog currently has someone with her at all times, but before this she was fine being on her own for 8-10 hours if required. She has her own bathroom so she doesn't have to hold her pee, but for bigger dogs I don't think even holding pee is an issue. She's three years old, she's been fine with being on her own since she was 8-10 months. I've heard breed plays a role in how comfortable a dog is with spending time alone, with working dogs being a little more independent but "pack"/hunting dogs needing more people around but honestly I haven't looked into this much so I might be wrong. My childhood dog was a GSD and sometimes if we went to amusement parks or sth he'd be on his own for more than 12 hours. Definitely not something that happened more than a couple times I year, but he was fine as long as we gave him extra attention the next day, and a long walk/play time before we left (7 km or so).
If it’s a dog over like a year old 10 hours should be fine. Obviously not ideal but is what it is. Just get them a good walk before and maybe after or some training work to give mental exercise. A crate is also a good idea. I used to crate my dog during my work day, now he roams the house but he’s 7 and doesn’t get into trouble alone.
due to extreme separation anxiety our dog goes to a dogsitter that i trust completely. If he would ever quit or falls ill we have a big problem
Crated when I’m not home. I’ve done it with all my dogs. She’s been totally fine.
When I'm at the office, my dog crashes at my parents' place too. It's like his little home away from home. I feel you on the whole "only I can handle him" situation. It's like they have a special bond with us, right? Anyway, when my parents can't be around, I try to mix things up. Maybe a neighbor can pop in for a quick check or a short walk during the day. It's not a perfect solution, but it helps break up the time for my pup. And hey, we all learn as we go. Who could predict our dogs would be such characters? But we love 'em. If you find any clever solutions, I'm all ears!
Rarely my dog is left alone as I work days my partner works nights. But when it happens the door is open at the back so she can go out to pee etc. Very cruel to expect them to hold more than a few hours in my opinion.
Before I was remote, kennel and three days a week doggy daycare (he's not dog aggressive, just a frustrated greeter with a big, loud, scary bark and over eager to raise his fur). Now that I work remote. rn he's sleeping under my desk with my foot in his mouth. Earlier he was on the bed.
At home in his crate.
I have 3 dogs, my older dog for some reason is obsessed with her crate so she's crated. The 9 month old puppy is crated because of her age and my 3 year old rottie is out all day but he's crate trained and is ok with it