With the busy lives that we all live, from time to time we will need to leave our dog alone for part of the day and sometimes even longer.
Here are four questions you need to ask yourself before leaving your pooch:
- How long do I need to leave my dog?
You need to identify the expected time you need to leave your dog alone so you can prepare food, water, and other needs for the time you will be out.
- How long can I ideally leave my dog alone?
According to an article entitled How long is too long, written by Veterinarian David Chamberlain, the owners of puppies and adolescent dogs cannot leave their dogs alone for an extended period or will have to make arrangements for their dogs’ care during the day. Here is a time table for your reference.
| Age of Dog (maturity varies between small, medium, large, and giant breeds) | Maximum period that a dog should be left for during the day (ideal scenario) |
| Mature dogs over 18 months of age | Up to 4 hours at a time during the day |
| Adolescent dogs 5 – 18 months | Gradually build up to 4 hours at a time during the day |
| Young puppies up to 5 months of age | Should not be left alone for long periods during the day |
- Is it really necessary to leave my dog?
You may want to consider bringing your dog on your adventure if the place and the occasion you are going to will allow dogs. Just be sure to have your dog’s collar with your contact details and if he is going in the car, make sure that your dog is properly strapped.
- What are my options instead of leaving my dog?
You might want to ask a family member, a friend, or your neighbour to look after your dog. This will be easier especially if the dog is familiar with the carer. In the event that there is no one available, you can hire a pet sitter to look after your buddy in the comfort of your home. If you worry about having a stranger in your home, you can look for a dog minder to care for your dog. A trusted website like findadogminder.com.au is the best platform for you to screen, meet, and know your pet sitter before leaving your pup. There are options like dog walking, minding the dog in the sitter’s house, and lots more!
Providing your dog a human companionship is a must if you want to meet your dog’s welfare needs. After all, he is part of your family, right?