I hope that some of you can give me some advise on what would be best for my young Rottie.
My partner has just got a new job and will be starting on Monday. He will be on split shifts so our 7 1/2 month old neutered rottie dog will be on his own from 8.50am until 2.10pm. Up until now he has been going to work with my partner all day, so is only left on his own when he goes to his bed at night (in large cage).
What would be best for him?
1. Get a large kennel and run outside and put him in there.
2. Leave him in his cage in the house
3. Get another smaller dog for company (obviously keep them in seperate kennels/cages next to each other).
I want what is best for my lovely little chap and don't want him to pine too much.
Any ideas gratefully received, thanks very much.

I understand your situation has changed and thats a shame.
I really think a 7 month pup is to young to be left alone in a crate
for 5 to 6 hours per day.
I certainly wouldent think about buying another pup to put in a crate for this lenght of time. Also is this time scale accurate as i always find people work out how quick they can get home without thinking of
missed buses overtime etc.
How will your pup go to the toilet and he probabaly will as surely he will
have had his breakfast before you leave him.
Sorry I have no answers to your problem I just feel strongly about pups
home alone.

I would not crate him - it's too long and he's too big. You could put a kennel for him outside - my preference would be to put him in the kitchen removing all things he could damage. Be prepared for accidents etc, don't tell him off, he won't know what's going on. Make sure you leave him with water and safe toys, stuffed kong for example, something to help ease any boredom he may feel.

If you're lucky, he'll sleep for most of it aspecially if you manage to tire him out before he is left.

Getting another dog is not the answer, it's likely to cause you more problems as your Rottie is still to young.

Good Luck

Pam n the boys

Hi

I totally agree with what the others have said but if you don't want to let him have the total run of the kitchen why not build him or put together a play pen for him, just so that he is confined a little but not in a crate.

I do this when I get a new puppy - my have a converted childs play pen until they can be left out all day without accidents and it also gives them a safe place away from other pets, children etc.

Best wishes

Derryn & The Boys ....

I think left in a kitchen would be better than a crate.
but be prepared to have it chewed and scratched.
Have you anyone who could have a key and if only for 20 mins
take him out at lunch time. Also is he going to bark and whine once you have left. My main worry would be as you have said up till now he has not been alone in the day. It may all be a little to much for him.
My pup would go mad if I left her like this everyday. No matter how many toys he will get mighty bored.

Hi Rottybird
Do you have anybody who could spend an hour or so with him say mid morning. If you dont then you could advertise for a dog walker.If he is used to being left for short periods already then he just needs his day "breaking up" if you see what I mean :D
Also boarding kennels take day boarders. Whilst that is not ideal I think its better than your dog eating the house thru boredom and the dog at least has company ;)

Thanks everybody for taking the time to reply.
I think that the day boarding is a great idea. My partners job (unfortunately he is going back to being a chef so he won't be able to take the dog with him, i don't mind black rottie hairs in my soup, but other people might!)- is only 4 miles down the road from where we live (hence the times i gave are going to be pretty accurate) and i know that there is a kennels in the same village, so i'll phone them tonight. I'll also ask people in the village where i live as i know that there are doggy people, lucky enough to be at home all day who may help me out.
He is such a sweet, happy dog, i really don't want him to be lonely, bored or frustrated. He comes down with me to my stables morning and evening and runs around attacking the yard brooms and hose pipe, but i do feel that he needs interaction and excersise during the morning as well.
We're also attending our new training class tonight so i'll ask the trainer for any ideas as well.
Oh i wish i was a rich bitch and could stay at home playing with horses and dogs all day long, maybe i should trade my partner in for a millionaire - problem solved - LOL!!

I am so glad you have decided not to leave him at home.
Hope you didn"t think I was harsh. Just can not bare the thought of pups
alone.
I work from home you get best of both worlds.

Hi everybody,
Chris started his new job on Monday and loves it, so that's good!! Also my neighbour is taking Bear out for an hours excersise mid morning. We offered her £5/hour and she happily accepted!!
Thanks very much for all your help with this one!
Rottybird
x

That's great news - long may it continue.

Fiona