Dog care

The reason I am writing this is because I was recently judged if you will for leaving my dog home alone for 8hrs per day when I go to work (yes I got a new job :) ), and it was said in a round about way by other dog owner that they would never have got their dog if they had to do this. They bring their dog to work with them it's the only dog allowed to.

Anyway a few other comments were made about how I care for my dog which got on my nerves a little so what is worse in your opinion.

My dog

• left at home 5 days per week for 8hrs (not ideal but I need to work)
• has the run of the flat
• 3 walks per day
• free access to fresh water when ever she needs it
• 1/2hr play time with her toys in the flat every night (can't be longer or her arthritis plays up).
• Is never left alone again when I'm off
• is free to demand all the attention she needs/wants

Their dog (by their own admission)

• crated overnight at home (no water in crate)
• gets out for pee then carted again
• gets crated in the van on way to work
• hour free time in office (approx)
• crated for most of the day at office in a crate which it can't stand or sit properly in or fully stretch out
• no water in crate
• 1 1/2hr walk on way home
• crated whilst they make dinner
• let out of crate for 2hrs approx
• then bed (crate)

Now I am in no way suggesting that they love their dog less than me I don't doubt for one minute they believe they are doing the very best for their dog, but I just keep thinking how dare they judge me I do have issues with the crate thing but even though I have not made any comment about it.

I was really quite offended that the suggestion was even made that I am neglecting my dog in some way.

Well, my dog loves his crate.  I agree they should not judge you, but you should not judge them either.

There is nothing about your situation that sounds at all abusive or unfair to the dog.  People have to work.  The dog will miss you, but will wait patiently for you to come home (if you are fortunate enough to be past the destructive behaviors) and will settle into the routine.  Different dogs have different needs anyway.  Mine is a velcro dog and would be much worse off at home alone all day than at work with me in his crate, where at least he knows I'm right there.

Bottom line:  If it's working for you, who cares what the know-it-alls think.

Their dog apparently gets around 5 1/2 hours out of the crate. To me, that's abuse. Having too small of a crate and no access to water is also abuse.

Leaving your dog at home while you're at work is fine.

Being in a cage nearly 24/7 is no life for anyone. I think that is abusive, neglectful and unless the dog murdered someone, unusual punishment.

What you're doing with your dog sounds just fine to me.

They..need a wake up call if they don't realize how cruel they're being to their poor dog..who is probably lonely and miserable.

I would say that if they're bent on continuing it and won't be concerned with the actual needs of the dog (exercise, human contact, stimulation..circulation for that matter..)

They should find an owner who will, because the dog needs and deserves more than this.

I personally don't like crates but even though i have kept my mouth shut if people want to use them then that is their choice but, if they don't they should come with a usage/size guidance.

This is a large dog which is I think 18mths old.

I don't agree with the lack of access to water they feed dried food as I do and my dog drinks plenty usually right after eating.

At work this dog gets fed in the crate and yesterday had to wait 1,1/2hrs before it could get a drink.

Yes I am voicing an opinion on this but I just think the water thing is very wrong.

We all have our own ideas as to what is best for our pets and most folk are trying to do their very best by them..

My point of irritation about this is that they believe they had a right to comment on how I care for my dog and even go as far as to suggest that my care was no where near as good as theirs...

Anyway of to work for now catch up later...

have a good day.

Honestly, it depends on the dog. I've had "crate dogs" who were SO MUCH HAPPIER when they were crated and who had major separation anxiety when they weren't, but I've also had happy-go-lucky dogs who didn't need that kind of structure.

Personally, I'd be uncomfortable leaving a dog alone for 8 hours a day - when I was in high school and my parents worked, my grandfather would stop by at noon to walk the dog and play with her, so she was rarely alone for more than 2-3 hours at a time. That said, leaving a dog for 8 hours doesn't mean you don't take good care of your dog! Pet lovers can be a very judgmental group and often can't see that there is more than one acceptable way of doing things.

Good to hear I'm not a bad pet owner, (he has to be crated while I'm at work too).

My dog is at home for the duration of the time that I'm in class and at work each day which is typically around 8 hours (a bit less). She also gets 3 walks per day and seems to be doing just fine. She has behavior problems around finals time because even though I'm home, I'm writing papers/studying so I can't really play with her much. 

I don't agree with people who crate their dogs all day while they're working and all night while they're sleeping. There's no sense in having a dog if it's stuck in a box for 85% of the day.

Original Post by andie-1:

...

We all have our own ideas as to what is best for our pets and most folk are trying to do their very best by them..

 

Unfortunately, a lot of people think they know what is right in their situation and in everyone else's situation too.  

Don't worry about their critisizms.  If your dog is not tearing up the house or pooping all over it, he is probably just fine being home alone.  

You said their dog is 18 months old...I wonder if this is their first dog?  I would be very concerned to see any dog being crated in a crate that is too small for any extended length of time, so I can see why you are concerned.  Have you said anything about it to them?  You could maybe comment on how big the dog has gotten and how it's frustrating when dogs outgrow the things you buy for them or something like that...just to maybe draw their attention to how he has outgrown his crate.

 Currently, I crate my dogs at night and when they can't be supervised during the day because they are still puppies and will destroy anything.  Luckily my husband is home almost all day so that's minimal during the day.  Personally, once they get more house trained, I would love to just take the doors of their crates so they can come and go as they please.  One of the pups just loves her crate and goes in there any time she is sleepy or doesn't want to play when the other dogs do.  The other has been trying to claim under the coffee table as his den, even though he barely fits.  haha.  

i think you should re-name the thread. this isn't about dog care; it's about the fact that you work with a jackass.

Original Post by secondmouse:

Honestly, it depends on the dog. I've had "crate dogs" who were SO MUCH HAPPIER when they were crated and who had major separation anxiety when they weren't, but I've also had happy-go-lucky dogs who didn't need that kind of structure.

Personally, I'd be uncomfortable leaving a dog alone for 8 hours a day - when I was in high school and my parents worked, my grandfather would stop by at noon to walk the dog and play with her, so she was rarely alone for more than 2-3 hours at a time. That said, leaving a dog for 8 hours doesn't mean you don't take good care of your dog! Pet lovers can be a very judgmental group and often can't see that there is more than one acceptable way of doing things.

 I try to be open minded, but a dog crated most of its life, in a crate too small to turn around or stand up in..doesn't sound acceptable or positive in any way to me.

Some people crate them overnight or for a few hours here or there..no problem, but as the poster said..no access to water, very little time out of the crate?

No good at all.

When we first got our puppy, we crated during the day, came home and let him out at lunch, and then crated until we got home.  This was until he became potty trained.  Now, while we're at work he has free reign of our huge basement (we can't trust him in the main part of the house yet because he chews)--and hasn't used the bathroom once.  When we get home from work, we hang out with him and he can play on the first two floors until around 10:00pm.  He still gets crated at bedtime. 

I felt terrible crating him during the day, but it was the only way we could train him.  We live in Alaska and currently it's -20 and exercise is severly lacking for him.  I think people do the best they can given the situation.  We certainly try to.

If you are a bad dog owner, then so am I.  Although if you asked my dog, I think he would say he is a lucky guy to have so much love and good care!  I bet yours would too.  Ignore them - there is one know it all in every crowd.  You know your a good friend to your pet!!

my dog stays at home alone 8-5 four days a week and 10:30-7:30 the fifth. she sleeps a lot. in october i was home for four days with the flu. by day three she was glaring at me, willing me to get out of the house so she could nap.

ha ha mine does this to pg every morning she just lays there and watches if she had a watch on i swear she'd look at it...

today anytime they started talking about their dog i just changed the subject... politely!

the irritation has passed now I do agree with a few posts here about how it bothers the dog being shut away so much but i am at a place right now where i just don't want to start slagging them....

so although i don't agree with aspects of their care it's their dog their problem I'll just be happy knowing my lovely is a happy dog...

Original Post by pgeorgian:

my dog stays at home alone 8-5 four days a week and 10:30-7:30 the fifth. she sleeps a lot. in october i was home for four days with the flu. by day three she was glaring at me, willing me to get out of the house so she could nap.

 I don't care what anyone says, dogs enjoy their alone time.

Heh, if I spend too much time with Jo, she gives me these looks that are clearly asking, don't you have somewhere to be? If you aren't working, who's paying for my food?

Original Post by raychelc:

Original Post by secondmouse:

Honestly, it depends on the dog. I've had "crate dogs" who were SO MUCH HAPPIER when they were crated and who had major separation anxiety when they weren't, but I've also had happy-go-lucky dogs who didn't need that kind of structure.

Personally, I'd be uncomfortable leaving a dog alone for 8 hours a day - when I was in high school and my parents worked, my grandfather would stop by at noon to walk the dog and play with her, so she was rarely alone for more than 2-3 hours at a time. That said, leaving a dog for 8 hours doesn't mean you don't take good care of your dog! Pet lovers can be a very judgmental group and often can't see that there is more than one acceptable way of doing things.

 I try to be open minded, but a dog crated most of its life, in a crate too small to turn around or stand up in..doesn't sound acceptable or positive in any way to me.

Some people crate them overnight or for a few hours here or there..no problem, but as the poster said..no access to water, very little time out of the crate?

No good at all.

 

Hey, why do I get to be the quoted one when lots of people here crate their dogs too? ;)