Leaving your dog alone - YorkieTalk.com Forums

jlui91 · 01-10-2011, 10:35 AM

Hey guys! So I was wondering how long you guys leave your dogs alone for like when you have work or have errands?

Charlie's about 1 year and 3 months now and I still feel weird leaving him alone for too long. I think the most I've ever done was 4 hours?

Cha Cha · 01-10-2011, 10:51 AM

My dogs have about 2.5 hours to themselves each day during the week when dh and I are switching job shifts. On the occasion that we go out during the weekend I don't like to leave them for more than about 4 hours at a time. That's my general rule, but I have stretched it to 6 hours. Anything more than that and I have someone stop by and give them a potty break even though they are pad trained too. We took a day trip just last weekend and I had someone stop by to give them a break. She said neither one of them went potty for her outside and I didn't have any messes either when I got home. I sure hate that they hold it for so long but also feel good knowing they are house trained so well. One of mine is almost 4, the other is a little over a year old.

yorkieusa · 01-10-2011, 10:54 AM

Mine is attached at the hip. I think the most, as a rule, she is alone is a couple of hours.

DvlshAngel985 · 01-10-2011, 11:01 AM

Completely by himself I think the max was 6 hours. When we were on our own, I worked part time, and while I was at work, Kaji was in his ex-pen with food, water and bed. Now that I work full time, the most he is alone is 2 or 3 hours thanks to mom, dad, and brother.

I'm so lucky to have them. My dad is the property manager/maintanence of the apt building where we live, so he works in our building. He's in and out constantly so Kaji has someone with him. My mom is the same, constantly in and out of the apt. My little brother works from home on the days he doesn't go to school. My little man is so lucky to have them with him all day until I get home. I dread moving out, but so look forward to it!

When I go out, I make sure someone is home if I know I'll be gone for more than 2-3 hours. For the most part, if I go out I take him with me. Back when BF still lived in the states, he would be ok with Kaji tagging along on movie nights. Or we'd just hang out at his house, and of course Kaji was allowed to come over then too.

kdhawks · 01-10-2011, 11:03 AM

I try not to leave Levi alone more than 4 hours at a time. He is outdoor-trained and usually needs a potty break every 4-5 hours. Thankfully, my brother lives with us and we have pretty opposite schedules. Over the summer, I was working full-time (I am in school now and my schedule is more flexible), but working full-time, I made sure to come home over my lunch break for potty breaks and playtime. I'd occasionally take him to work with me too.

Ellie May · 01-10-2011, 11:10 AM

Hmm, must have been about 18 hours. She had food though and wasn't expected to hold it that long. Someone was home with her, but she had to be in a room by herself. Now we do about 10.5 hours sometimes. All of you have some pretty lucky Yorkies to not be left for more than 4 hours! Duties call here and there is no way that would work for us. I wouldn't have a dog if I had to be there that often honestly. It's just not possible to always come home so soon. But for a good portion of the week I am home.

enchilila · 01-10-2011, 11:24 AM

I'm reading this while running an errand and my Betty Boop is at home patiently waiting for me. I rarely leave her for more than 4 hours at a time. I don't think she would have a problem if left longer on occasion. She is 1-1/2 yes old and is pad and outdoor trained. I leave a radio or TV on to keep her company.

deonk1 · 01-10-2011, 11:47 AM

6 hours max on a regular basis for school etc, but we stay up late and play etc lots when we get home. he's been alone for about 8 before. but I work from home now as a teaching assistant so I'm only gone when I have class.

JesStang · 01-10-2011, 12:00 PM

They're by themselves for at least 10 hours every day while we're at work. If we ever go out on the weekend, who knows how long we're gonna be gone. BUT, they have a doggy door, food, toys & water so they're fine, if not a little lonely.

ArmaniMan · 01-10-2011, 12:05 PM

I try not to leave them more than 6 hours without someone stopping in, they have gone 8 hours before though. However, they do have potty pads and water and are not expected to hold it ever. They get locked in my bedroom when I am gone, this also gives them access to the bathroom in my room. They have my bed, a crate, two dog beds, their pads, water, and a huge toy box to keep them busy. The only thing they don't have is food because they can't be unsupervised with food as scuffles will sometimes break out.

lovespandp · 01-10-2011, 12:09 PM

Peanut is home alone from 8-4:30 I work M-F. He gets fed his breakfast before I go to work and he gets a little walk. On the weekends he is never left by his self, he will always go with me where ever I go!

jlui91 · 01-10-2011, 12:14 PM

Hm okay so it seems the average here is about 4 hours which is very helpful to me and reassures me Charlie will be okay since on Tuesdays I usually take him to his daddy's house while I go to work but now my boyfriend will be working Tuesday morning and so will I. Thankfully I'll only be gone for 4 hours! T Charlie use to be pad trained along with outside but over the past few months he always drags the pad away like he's trying to tell me he doesn't need it... which seems to be true he hasn't gone in the house in a loooong time! Thanks guys!

DvlshAngel985 · 01-10-2011, 12:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lovespandp

Peanut is home alone from 8-4:30 I work M-F. He gets fed his breakfast before I go to work and he gets a little walk. On the weekends he is never left by his self, he will always go with me where ever I go!

I have the same hours. Glad to know they'll be ok if left alone.

lovespandp · 01-10-2011, 12:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DvlshAngel985

I have the same hours. Glad to know they'll be ok if left alone.

Ya, I hate leaving him, but I have to work sooo I have no choice lol. I bought a Pack N play, so I stick him in there!! It works great, its better than his crate that he was in, gives him more elbow room! I put some toys in there too, I know he doesn't play with them, he will just sleep but at least he has the option if he wants. Oh and I stuck the pack n play by the slider door, so he has some sun to lay in!!

lovespandp · 01-10-2011, 12:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jlui91

Hm okay so it seems the average here is about 4 hours which is very helpful to me and reassures me Charlie will be okay since on Tuesdays I usually take him to his daddy's house while I go to work but now my boyfriend will be working Tuesday morning and so will I. Thankfully I'll only be gone for 4 hours! T Charlie use to be pad trained along with outside but over the past few months he always drags the pad away like he's trying to tell me he doesn't need it... which seems to be true he hasn't gone in the house in a loooong time! Thanks guys!

Is he going to have free range of the house?

01-10-2011, 10:35 AM	#1
jlui91 Yorkie Yakker Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Sunnyvale, California Posts: 60 Blog Entries: 1	Leaving your dog alone Hey guys! So I was wondering how long you guys leave your dogs alone for like when you have work or have errands? Charlie's about 1 year and 3 months now and I still feel weird leaving him alone for too long. I think the most I've ever done was 4 hours?

01-10-2011, 10:51 AM	#2
Cha Cha Donating YT 500 Club Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Where the deer and the antelope play Posts: 7,069	My dogs have about 2.5 hours to themselves each day during the week when dh and I are switching job shifts. On the occasion that we go out during the weekend I don't like to leave them for more than about 4 hours at a time. That's my general rule, but I have stretched it to 6 hours. Anything more than that and I have someone stop by and give them a potty break even though they are pad trained too. We took a day trip just last weekend and I had someone stop by to give them a break. She said neither one of them went potty for her outside and I didn't have any messes either when I got home. I sure hate that they hold it for so long but also feel good knowing they are house trained so well. One of mine is almost 4, the other is a little over a year old. __________________ Shelly and the girls Moka Mylee

01-10-2011, 10:54 AM	#3
yorkieusa Crazy about Kacee! Donating Member Join Date: May 2005 Location: Kansas Posts: 21,173	Mine is attached at the hip. I think the most, as a rule, she is alone is a couple of hours. __________________ Karen Kacee Muffin 1991-2005 Rest in Peace My Little Angel

01-10-2011, 11:01 AM	#4
DvlshAngel985 Donating YT 2000 Club Member Join Date: May 2008 Location: Los Angeles, California, USA Posts: 12,693	Completely by himself I think the max was 6 hours. When we were on our own, I worked part time, and while I was at work, Kaji was in his ex-pen with food, water and bed. Now that I work full time, the most he is alone is 2 or 3 hours thanks to mom, dad, and brother. I'm so lucky to have them. My dad is the property manager/maintanence of the apt building where we live, so he works in our building. He's in and out constantly so Kaji has someone with him. My mom is the same, constantly in and out of the apt. My little brother works from home on the days he doesn't go to school. My little man is so lucky to have them with him all day until I get home. I dread moving out, but so look forward to it! When I go out, I make sure someone is home if I know I'll be gone for more than 2-3 hours. For the most part, if I go out I take him with me. Back when BF still lived in the states, he would be ok with Kaji tagging along on movie nights. Or we'd just hang out at his house, and of course Kaji was allowed to come over then too. __________________ Littlest JakJak We miss you Kaji Last edited by DvlshAngel985; 01-10-2011 at 11:03 AM.

01-10-2011, 11:03 AM	#5
kdhawks Donating YT 1000 Club Member Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Charlotte, NC Posts: 2,359	I try not to leave Levi alone more than 4 hours at a time. He is outdoor-trained and usually needs a potty break every 4-5 hours. Thankfully, my brother lives with us and we have pretty opposite schedules. Over the summer, I was working full-time (I am in school now and my schedule is more flexible), but working full-time, I made sure to come home over my lunch break for potty breaks and playtime. I'd occasionally take him to work with me too. __________________ katy&levi

01-10-2011, 11:10 AM	#6
Ellie May And Rylee Finnegan Donating Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Metro Detroit, MI Posts: 17,928	Hmm, must have been about 18 hours. She had food though and wasn't expected to hold it that long. Someone was home with her, but she had to be in a room by herself. Now we do about 10.5 hours sometimes. All of you have some pretty lucky Yorkies to not be left for more than 4 hours! Duties call here and there is no way that would work for us. I wouldn't have a dog if I had to be there that often honestly. It's just not possible to always come home so soon. But for a good portion of the week I am home. __________________ Crystal, Ellie May (RIP), Rylee Finnegan, and Gracie Boo🐶 Last edited by Ellie May; 01-10-2011 at 11:12 AM.

01-10-2011, 11:24 AM	#7
enchilila Donating YT 5000 Club Member Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Central Texas Posts: 9,688	I'm reading this while running an errand and my Betty Boop is at home patiently waiting for me. I rarely leave her for more than 4 hours at a time. I don't think she would have a problem if left longer on occasion. She is 1-1/2 yes old and is pad and outdoor trained. I leave a radio or TV on to keep her company. __________________ "Betty Boop" The light of my life & the joy of my living!

01-10-2011, 11:47 AM	#8
deonk1 YT 1000 Club Member Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Winnipeg, MB, Canada Posts: 1,795	6 hours max on a regular basis for school etc, but we stay up late and play etc lots when we get home. he's been alone for about 8 before. but I work from home now as a teaching assistant so I'm only gone when I have class. __________________ Kendra Harley, you were the light in my life, rest peacefully my love!

01-10-2011, 12:00 PM	#9
JesStang YT Addict Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Mustang, Oklahoma Posts: 301	They're by themselves for at least 10 hours every day while we're at work. If we ever go out on the weekend, who knows how long we're gonna be gone. BUT, they have a doggy door, food, toys & water so they're fine, if not a little lonely. __________________ Two babies, Lily & Tristan!

01-10-2011, 12:05 PM	#10
ArmaniMan I ♥ Armani & Chloe Donating Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Upstate NY Posts: 3,895	I try not to leave them more than 6 hours without someone stopping in, they have gone 8 hours before though. However, they do have potty pads and water and are not expected to hold it ever. They get locked in my bedroom when I am gone, this also gives them access to the bathroom in my room. They have my bed, a crate, two dog beds, their pads, water, and a huge toy box to keep them busy. The only thing they don't have is food because they can't be unsupervised with food as scuffles will sometimes break out. __________________ Armani & Chloe

01-10-2011, 12:09 PM	#11
lovespandp ♥Momma's Bambino♥ Donating Member Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Ca Posts: 10,026	Peanut is home alone from 8-4:30 I work M-F. He gets fed his breakfast before I go to work and he gets a little walk. On the weekends he is never left by his self, he will always go with me where ever I go! __________________ "People with nothing to hide don't usually feel the need to say so."

01-10-2011, 12:14 PM	#12
jlui91 Yorkie Yakker Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Sunnyvale, California Posts: 60 Blog Entries: 1	Hm okay so it seems the average here is about 4 hours which is very helpful to me and reassures me Charlie will be okay since on Tuesdays I usually take him to his daddy's house while I go to work but now my boyfriend will be working Tuesday morning and so will I. Thankfully I'll only be gone for 4 hours! T Charlie use to be pad trained along with outside but over the past few months he always drags the pad away like he's trying to tell me he doesn't need it... which seems to be true he hasn't gone in the house in a loooong time! Thanks guys!