Hi All,

due to a relationship breakdown, I am left with a heart breaking decision what to do about my dog, I work (I'm taking in to account travel time here) 7am-5pm Monday to Friday, so my dog will be left all that time by her self (she's a 9 month Chihuahua) would it be cruel of me to leave her that long or do you think she would fine with it?

before my ex left she would only be by her self at most 5 hours maybe twice a week, so I know it come as a huge change for her.

any advise would be good please, I don't wanna lose her as she is my pride and joy but at the same time I know I have to do what's right for her.

Thanks

Have you considered asking a neighbour or dog sitter?

The only answer is rehoming or find someone you trust to either look after her during the day, either in their own home or in yours.

You can't leave a dog for 10 hours a day, 5 days a week. You clearly realise that, which is the first part of doing the best for your little girl.

I have considered getting a dog walker to come and walk her an hour a day to break up the day but I don't know if that sufficient enough, I don't trust my neighbour and don't have family who live close by or friends who would have the time during the week, ive got this week covered, my ex has pulled his finger out and is helping out.

Its a heartbreaking decision for you to give her up, but as only a young puppy she will have no trouble getting a new family and will settle I think.
I would not say that if she was an older dog, because then I would say keep her, she be too upset to be given away.

This is simply NOT true. Not at all. You have options.

What you simply CANNOT do is leave your poor dog 9 hours every day. Ever. No dog should be left for 9 hours.

Your options are: friend / neighbour / dog share scheme.

Or, what I did when I was working: doggy day care. Costs about 10 to 20 quid a day to have your dog pampered and fully looked after! Mine went every day for about 16 months Monday to Friday and they came home elated and exhausted

But you DO have options.

I agree with karis rehoming is a last resort, even at this dogs age it would be very unsettling for the dog and heartbreaking for the op there are other options.

If you want to keep her you need to either find a friend/relative/neighbour to look after her, employ a dog walker to come and take her out or doggy daycare. You can't leave any dog, let alone a 9 month old puppy alone for 10 hours straight. It is asking for problems with housetraining, behaviour issues, separation anxiety, boredom and destruction. A Chihuahua is also not the breed to be left for long periods of time, they're a lapdog and thrive on human interaction.

lol you do state the dam obvious!!!! I was looking for advise on options not to be patronized!!

has anybody used borrowmydoggy.com??

Hide her in your handbag at work?

A dog walker for an hour at lunchtime would break it up, 12-13pm then she is not left in her own for more than five hours (same as previous).

I don't know but would getting another dog or a cat help? Give her someone to play with when you are out.

bib: best advice ever that has cheers me up I'm a bloke a cat is a good option, she like cats, well she likes anything with four legs

I wasn't patronising you. You asked for advice on what to do about your dog being alone for 10 hours a day and I gave you some, which was not to leave her as you'll store up problems for yourself and the options you had . You also asked if it was cruel or fine to leave her, which I replied yes due to her breed being designed to be a companion dog. I don't see what's patronising about that?


It would give some company but then you've got two dogs stuck on their own all day which will compound the problem. A dog walker or doggy daycare would probably be the best option.

Personally I think she's too young to be left all day even with a dog walker in the middle. If she was older it would probably be fine but it's a lot to expect of such a young dog and asking for trouble with unwanted behaviours possibly developing. I don't think getting company for her is the answer, as has already been said then you've 2 dogs getting bored and up to mischief. Good doggy day care really does seem like the best answer or maybe a dog walker to call in twice while she is so young?
The other problem with her left so long while you work is that you are inevitably going to have go out and leave her at times so that's more time alone which I guess will be hard for you both.

I know you would be sad to rehome her but it may be that that really is in her best interests if you can't get day care for her. Feel for you, there are no easy answers.

It's a horrible decision, I might try a dog walker in the middle of the day, she might sleep for a couple of hours afterwards and adjust to the new routine, dog walkers have a lot of contact and might be able to help find someone who would be happy to dog sit.

It might not work and if she is unhappy then 're homing will be her best option but it's worth a try, it isn't ideal but I would try it, lots of toys and a radio on in the background might help.

its sorted now. my ex is going to look after her and a friend is local is going to help out too, works out better, at most she be on her own for 2 hours in the morning thanks for all advice

That's great news so happy for you !

Great result! so glad for you all x