MyriaMha -- I leave my dog gated in the Kitchen/laundry room area for 6 to 7 hours, four days a week. He is 9 months old and has been kept there since I got him. He doesn't bark or whine and seems just fine left there.
He has a dog friend in the other part of the house (I'm sure they both sleep and ignore each other while I'm gone) - and two birds near by. He has his bed and food and water. He has a light left on (when it's dark) and a radio going. He has a lot of different toys there all the time, and I don't worry a bit about this. He has several stuffed animals and things to chew on.
I take my dogs outside when I first get home and spend time playing with them and visiting with my neighbors (thank God for summer!) I don't play with him all the time in the evening because I'm busy - but he wears a belly band and has free run of the house - so, he's busy and happy. We do go outside several times every evening - and he and my other dog play and run around like crazy --so he certainly gets a lot more execise then I do. He also sleeps with me.
The above works for us. And, like you ----it's the way it has to be!
Carol Jean
PS: I wouldn't worry about leaving some toys with him. I think he should have something to play with or chew on while you're gone. |