Just thought this was interesting, just found it on msn`s homepage! :)

Stressed pets left home alone

By Alex Coakley
Last Updated October 19 2005

Pets are suffering as their owners spend more hours at work rather than at home.

Vets are concerned about the number of many cats and dogs being left at home while their owners are at work.

Eight out of 10 vets have seen cases of pets with behavioural problems because they have been left 'home alone', despite 70% of pet owners wanting their animal for companionship. Nearly one in five pet owners also noticed changes in their pet's behaviour when their furry friend had been left home alone, research from More Than has shown.

Pet health experts have highlighted an increase in conditions that are often associated with humans such as stress and depression. More than 25% of pets have suffered from some form of behavioural problem. The main reason for the problems highlighted in the survey was people leaving pets alone followed by, a new baby entering the household, the loss of a family member and separation of owners.

"Unfortunately, it is a fact of life that man's best friend is often left alone for long periods of time when pet owners go out to work: it can be extremely stressful for animals, especially dogs who like company. More worryingly, persistent anxiety can contribute to long-term illness," commented Sophie de Pelet, veterinary advisor at More Than.

"It is not always practical to spend lots of time at home with your pets, so I would suggest that owners spend quality time with them before they go to work and visit at lunch time if possible. Dogs should ideally not be left alone for longer than 4-5 hours. With cats it is more difficult to specify a time period but beware, if they are not getting companionship at home they may well up-root and move in elsewhere," said Ms de Pelet

There are few solutions...... stop owning pets all together, stop going to work or the more realistic one: get at least 2 dogs that will keep each other company! :)

The bit about the cats up rooting made me laugh! Bit like us women if our men arnt giving us want we want! We bugger off!! lol

I only got a puppy because I knew I would be working from home for a year, and because my partner is now self-employed. We therefore can both be based at home for the important first year of training and socialisation etc. Once I am out working, my partner can either take her to work with him, or easily come home twice in the day for walks and play and toilet etc. We also intend to either get another older dog or a cat eventually as some form of additional company for our dog (and any other animal we get would of course be well loved too!) It was either trying to find a compromise like this or never be able to have a pet, so this was the happy medium we have reached. We already have her used to being left alone - she is fine for two hours at 4 months old, but when I am working I intend that she won't be left alone for longer than 3 hours without seeing one of us, and if my partner is working too far away to come home she can go to work with him. It is tough, balancing modern life with the needs of any pet, but it is all about ocmpromise I think and constantly keepng the welfare and well-baing of your dog (or any animal) in mind.

It's ridiculous, people can't be expected not to work. A lot of dog owners i know work full time and have perfectly happy pets. Sorry to rant but this just annoys me. I only work part time but if i had to work full time i know my dog would adapt. There are animals out there being neglected and mistreated by people that are probably home all day, probably the same people that can't be bothered to get a job because other people taxes will pay for them. Yes my husband and i go out to work but my dog has a warm comfy bed with food and water on tap, lots of nice walks and lots of company. When not at work he goes everywhere with us love me love my dog, must drive my friends and family nuts. Rant over.

I think you are absolutely right Louise123. I need to go out to work, and my partner needs to work (as do most people unless they are stinking rich!), but that doesn't equate to meaning that because you have to work, your dog will end up having a crap life. For one, since having a puppy you realise how bloody expensive it is to have a dog and take care of them well, and so I need to work just to keep her in squeeky toys and furry beds!

I have 3 dogs which are left alone.
They are left at 8am with a dog sitter coming around at 12pm for 2 hours we then return home at 5.

They are happy well adjusted dogs, they take part in dog shows, obedience and flyball, when I am with them I make the effort to spend time with them and play.

I think as long as dogs get the love and attention they deserve when you are there, then that's all that matters. As has been said before, there are people at home all day that don't give them what they need, depends on how dedicated you are ;)

Hi Lisa *waves* where have you been? I've missed our non-sensical chats :D Long time, no see (or read) :( :P

Yeah Hi Lisa :)  *waves* too.

I was thinking the other day you had gone quiet.

Did you go over to Spain?

Ali

Yes but they are not left alone for long periods, they ahve each other for company as well as the dog sitter coming in. 

I think the point is that it is wrong to leave a dog ALONE for long hours day in day out, as they are a social animal.

My dog used to come to work with me. What caused problems was he is so friendly all the blokes would save him a biscuit or a sarni and he ended up getting rather tubby :o He is not the only dog to have this problem, one I know got on the cream cake rota!

I think I have to agree with most of you guys. Most of us work and I think our dogs have happy lifes and get everything that they need. I'm pretty sure that if I didn't have work I wouldn't be able to afford a dog in the first place......

We rehomed our boy from a situation where there was someone home all day and he was still locked out in the yard and ignored 24/7. Before we got the pup, he was at home alone for up to 8 hours per day but I think that has to be preferable to his previous life.

My hubby and I both work and my dogs are left at home, couldn't afford it if we didn't work. Well they are happy. I think as long as people are still spending the quality time their animal needs and not neglected then they should be fine.

what about just one dog being alone all day?
i know theres been alot of people on here that say its fine for the dogs but thats mostly people with 2 dogs?
are there any people with 1 dog that is fine being at home alone?

Yes my one dog is fine during the times we have to go out to work, to earn money to pay for things!

The argument that people have to go out to work to pay for things isn't valid at all :) Nobody HAS to have a dog - it isn't a god-given right :) There are lots of things in life that people would like, but just don't have for various reasons. What is important is for people to ask themselves why they want a dog and can they give the dog the best life. A lot of people think that having a dog is a bit like having fish in a tank. Also, they don't consider that a puppy's needs are a lot different from an adult dog's. To get to having a happy, contented dog that will stay at home, while the owner is at work, takes a lot of time, training and patience. Many people take time off work to do that and only work full-time once the puppy is house-trained old enough to leave for a few hours. For a lot of people it works well - but for those where it doesn't, the dog usually ends up in rescue.

Daisy

There is no argument, i don't have to have a dog, i have one because i want one, and it's absolute rubbish that you shouldn't have a dog if you have to go out to work, personally i would love to stay home all day but i don't have that liberty. My dog is not abused or mistreated, he is loved and well cared for alot better than the previous home he had.

Did someone mention me?? :D :D
Just to add my bit, both hubs and I work, although I do shift work, so it is easier most days and the dogs are not left for too long, however have been 'off sick' for a while and am home, the chuffin dogs sleep all day, doubt they'd know if I was here or not ;)

liberty :)

Did I say that you shouldn't have a dog if you go out to work ????? I work too :)

Daisy

I hope my post did not appear hostile, that was not my intention, just trying to get my point across :)

You're absolutely right, Daisy - nobody has an automatic right to own a dog, just as they don't have a right to own a horse, or a sheep, or an elephant. The privilege is available to those who can give an animal the quality of life it needs to thrive, which is why people who neglect animals have them taken away and are banned for a period of time from owning them.

As for the argument about having to work to pay for things - yes, that's all vry well. But aren't the best-trained and well-socialised laid-back dogs those who belong to homeless and jobless people? The ones who spend the most time with their dogs?

Oh come on now.... what are you telling us now?? That in order to be able to own a dog we have to be homeless bums that don't work? That's just the most ridiculous thing I've ever heard. No family is perfect and yet most of us have children. Should we not? just because we can't offer them 100% of our time each day? same goes for pets. Leaving them home for a couple of hours while we're working is not animal abuse.... my god, you're taking all of this to completely new levels. What would you say about pets chained up on some back yard..... there are millions of them around the world. I think our little spoiled babies who sleep on soft cushion every day while waiting for us have it really good!!!

That's not what I'm saying at all. :) What I am saying is that if you can't give an animal (or child) what it needs, you should expect problems. Leaving a puppy alone for a couple of hours is fine - leaving it alone for 9 hours (the average working day plus a half-hour travelling time each way) isn't. As for your children - I assume they're being cared for by another person while you're at work? Childminder? Teachers? Same with a puppy - as long as someone cares for it while you're away from home there's no problem.
:)

That may well be but i am not going to give up my job or my home for anyone. I think it's far worse these people who can't be bothered to get a job and sponge of taxpayers like myself, than someone working and owning a dog, just my opinion though. I do get annoyed when people insinuate just because you work you aren't doing the best for your animal.

The problem, as I see it, it that every time someone on here says 'Yes, you can work fulltime and have a dog' - it gives the impression to new dog owners that it is easy and always works out OK :( The number of people who say they have problems with chewing, house-training, separation anxiety or barking AND they are usually at home full-time :( How do people who work full-time cope with these problems ? How many people's puppies have none of these problems by, say, six months ?? And people PLAN to go back to work and leave these puppies alone :( My puppy didn't stop chewing until she was a year. I only worked a couple of mornings a week then (and I had adult children at home in the holidays). If I had worked full-time, she would have been locked in her crate virtually all day and all night.

Daisy

I'm lucky that we run a business & can take my dogs to work with me.Most people love the dogs & are actually disappointed when they are not there. We have an elderly dog & 5 month pup so need to keep an eye on them. It took a year for the rest of the family to convince me we could 'cope' with a pup as well - If I was still nursing & working shifts I would not have agreed to another dog because I would not have had the time to devote to both dogs. I actually prefer the company of my dogs than people if I'm honest!

Give it up people :) . If being left alone for a couple hours a day is the only bad thing that happens to a poor dog, then let it be. You have absolutely no idea what suffering really is. What animal abuse actually looks like....... obviously you haven't traveled enough in your life time as I have seen things beyond your wildest imagination.
Dogs and other animals get used to just about anything and the quality time they spend with us is all they really want. I have had animals all my life (and always will). We always have been working and going to school, because we live in a real world (unfortunately I'm not Paris Hillton) where people actually wake up every morning and earn their living........

You're obviously right (as you also seem to know all about me as well) so I'll bow to your superior knowledge

Daisy

I don't really claim to know anything about anyone, except for myself and the reality that we live in. You might have a perfect environment for you and your pets ( though there's no such thing as perfection), but most of us don't. And yet we survive..... not just survive. We actually find time to do Agility, go jogging, do obedience classes and meet up with other dog owners. Ask my dogs, I don't believe they'd ever change the life that they have ;) .

>Dogs and other animals get used to just about anything

Sadly, that's very true. Just like the children in the Romanian orphanages were used to their existences too. After all, people will tell you 'what they've never had, they never miss'.

For goodness sake there is no right or wrong here. Dogs or other animals can be ill treated or miserable in any situation. There are bad non working owners as well as bad working owners and vice versa. Making judgements helps nobody. There are cultures where dogs are not "pets" and left to roam the streets begging for scraps, or where dogs are not allowed in the house because it is considered unclean. They think we are pretty weird for having pets at all. In this country dogs were not always owned as pets, they were working dogs only and lived outside or in stables. Times change and people and animals adapt. It is no longer the norm that the woman stays at home, men never did, and in this economic climate nearly everyone needs to work. There would be a lot of dogs on the streets or put down if working owners were not allowed to have one. What is needed is more education on the responsibilities of owning an animal. Even wolves or other animals in the wild do not spend 24 hours together socialising. They often hunt alone and spend a lot of time sleeping. When I am at home on holiday my dog often takes himself off to sleep for a few hours in the day, I have calculated that the quality time we spend together is the same whether I am at work or at home. Being at work means the novelty never wears off, I cant wait to come home to see him and be greeted by him. I spend a lot of time with him when I am at home, and think up lots of games and puzzles for him to play when I am at work. I would love to take him to work but so would all the other dog owners in my office so it wouldnt work if we all brought our dogs in.

JuneH completely agree with everything you said..... my words exactly :) !

I don't think anyone will ever agree on this subject. Just to give my view. I work part time and my dogs are left for 4 hrs 4 mornings a week. We got two dogs 10 month apart for company for when they are alone. Mine also sleep most of the time when I am at home but I like to think it is a contented sleep because I am there. Like the other readers have said, if someone goes to see to the dog during the day while people are at work I think thats great but if a dog is left from 8 to 6 or longer I do feel that is too long. As for putting them in crates (unless it is for their safety and only for short times), I absolutely hate them . Well thats my penny worth.

Obviously people would not leave there dogs for 8 hours without letting them out for the toilet, or at least i would hope, when my husband and i are both at work at the same time we take different lunch breaks to let Tyler out. I just think it's unfair to say you should not own a dog when you work full time, i actually work part time but would still have a pet if i worked full time, like a lot of people say there dogs sleep a lot of the time anyway, and also need there own quiet time. Us workers just get a little upset when people accuse us of not giving our animals the best.

>Us workers

And we're not? My OH works nights, and I worked days. I'm unemployed and looking for work, but I won't take fulltime, or I'd have to rehome my dogs. I'd rather be poor and have them, than well-off without.

I find it annoying how most people are saying, 'they have to work' or are not well off enought to stay at home with their dogs etc. Thats not the point. If you are out at work full time, I dont think its fair to get a dog in the first place. I agree they will adapt, but I think its wrong and selfish. I have wanted a dog for years ! Have always worked full time, so have always felt it is unfair and selfish to get a dog. I finally managed to talk my parents into letting me drop my dog off at their house on my way to work BEFORE I bought the dog ! Once they said yes, I got one. I take him out morning, lunch time and night, but still would not have got him, if I thought he would be in the home alone, with no company. I agree its not a terrible life for a dog left at home, as there are many many dogs in worse situations, but you cannot deny that you got a dog for selfish reasons, if you KNEW you would be out of the house all day ! Its a living and breathing being, and not something that should be there at your convienience for when you get home from work, or weekends. I dont think its ever acceptable to leave a dog all day, everyday.

For what it's worth here's my two-pence worth...

I think all the posters here make valid points.  It's certainly true that almost all of us need to work these days and IMHO work and pet ownership can be perfectly compatible.  I think we all agree that young pups need a lot of attention at first.  All too frequently I encounter people who buy an 8 week old puppy, take a few days off work then after a week or two leave the pup alone, sometimes for 10-11 hours and somehow expect the pup to be fine.  Very occasionally this does work out but as you can imagine that's very rare, especially when the owners have no other dogs.

I also suspect that breed is a significant factor when it comes to this subject.  Friends of ours have a Shiba Inu who is the same age as Cashie, and their dog is perfectly happy on his own from 9-5, which I think is partly due to the fact that he's a very independent dog by nature.  Of course he wasn't left all day when he was younger, our friend came home every lunchtime to take him for a walk.  Now however, he has a 40 minute walk in the morning and a long run with Cashie in the evening and he's a very happy dog.  If I were to leave Cashie all day I'm certain he'd be very unhappy.  Although we left him for short periods from day 1, he nevertheless suffered moderate separation anxiety for quite some time.  We worked really hard to desensitise him and he also had a course of Clomicalm, which I didn't want to do but felt was a necessary evil.  He's fine now for about 4 hours but much more than that and he gets quite upset.  He isn't destructive but becomes quite anxious and clingy upon our return.  I'd be interested to hear if others think that breed is relevant when it comes to being left alone.

When I work a long shift at the surgery (8-7), I can be out of the house for 13 hours which I don't think anyone would consider an acceptable time to leave a dog alone.  My fiance works very long hours in the City but I'm very lucky in that I can take Cashie to the surgery.  The clients seem to like seeing him and he loves that everyone makes a fuss of him so the situation works well.  I'm glad he's quite a small dog though, as I think I'd find it harder to justify it to my boss were he a Dane!

One other point which I think is worth bringing up is that while working owners sometimes (usually unfairly) get a very hard time, I think that it can be equally damaging if a dog is never taught to be alone.  I know people who literally never go anywhere without their dog and in many cases the dogs display severe behavioural problems.  It seems that an unfair double standard exists as these owners would never be accused of cruelty and indeed are often very proud of the fact that their dogs are so pampered.  I love Cashie but I can't imagine not going to a restaurant, to the cinema, on holiday or anywhere else for the next 15 years!  IMHO, constant fuss and attention can be as bad as too little (plus the pampered pooches almost always try to take a chunk out of me at work!  Grr).

Isn't this post typical of me.  Lots of rambling and no real conclusions reached!  Sorry :-)

M-C

I think thats a fair point, as my dog is rarely left alone, and I know this isnt good for him. However, he doesnt get attention constantly, but there is always someone around.

I just think some people kid themselves that its fine to leave the dog all day, just because they 'have' to work, and then think cos the house isn't trashed when they get back, that the dog is happy with the situation. I Just think people should NOT get a dog if they are out all day. Its not fair.

I have had chats with my vet about this subject as im getting a pup next feb.

On 1 or 2 days max. the pup will be alone for upto 6 hours aged 12 weeks. And on the third day he will come to work with me.

Ihave asked the vet if the pup could cope with this- her answer was that dogs dont have any idea about time scale- being left for 1 hour or 6 hours is the same to them. She said to be honest- all that they would is sleep.

We have always worked and our dogs are calm, obedient and well balanced HAPPY dogs.

I sometimes see dogs that spend all their time with its owners, it doesnt listen to anybody else, this makes them esp. difficult to work with and help-( i work in vets.)

mags

But how will you house-train it, stop it chewing etc when it is left for that length of time ?

Daisy

I don't work and much prefer to spend each and every day with my buddy than stuck at some awful job watching time fly bye.
I've not found any problems with Bruce and his training being with him 24/7 in fact for a 11 month old Newfie he is very well behaved although stubborn at times hehehehe :)
I saw an article on the news about pet stress not long ago. All I think is some dogs have the best life one could want even if their mums and dads are at work during the day and who am I to say different.

Regards
Stu

well i cant do those when im not there obviously, when the pup cant go outside there will be paper or pads put down, yes you can argue that it may get confused. And the pup will chew and be naughty when i am at home, obviously i will make sure there is nothing harmful/toxic around.

I dont think working people actually need to justify their right to own a dog.

stu- its all nice and well you saying that you 'prefer' to spend all day at home than stuck at some awful job, what if you have to work or heaven forbid something happens like you are put in hospital- how will your buddy cope then?

And jobs dont have to be awful- some of us have to work to actually save lives, who dont have time to watch time fly by!

Just to comment that no-one has 'a right' to have a dog, it should be the dog's rights that count :-).  I wonder just how many of the people who insist on having a puppy when they work full time think it's OK to confine it to a crate for long hours?

you are right there annie- its about the dogs rights. But for some reason this thread has become a discussion on working and unemployed peoples rights to own pets?
Not every one uses crates, some people like to confine their dog to a safe room, ie- utility.

Ah I have wonderful friends who are always around and well you have to keep your common sense as life is full of twists but thats life and if you worry about everything then no way would 3/4 of owners own pets.
Each to their own on work. I don't need too and so don't and I will no way comment on other peoples lives as its not my place too.
If I can get from A to B then thats all I want in life. I'm a quiet chap who just wants to enjoy life.

Stu

I would love to stay at home all day, i hate my job but i have to do it, but i still wouldn't spend all day with my dog, it's just not healthy, i don't think he would be to impressed either, everybody needs there own time including dogs. So i do not think it does him any harm when i go ot to work.

I work full time and own a wonderful, well balanced, well socialised, non-destructive Afghan Hound ;)  When she was 16 weeks old we were at one of our three socialisation/clicker training classes when a lady with her 15 week lab assumed I stay at home all day.  When I told her I work full time she went on some rant about how terribly blah blah cruel blah bad owner blah cruel.....She told me how it was much kinder on the dog if you stay at home with it all day.  At the end of the class the trainer asked "Any questions, query's or problems before we all go home?"  This lady (with the lab) said "when I go shopping my puppy destroys my kitchen, she chews through everything and the damage she has caused has already run into hundreds of £'s".  I want to say now that my hound has never inflicted such damage - Why?  Because my dog was taught from a very young age that she can be comfortable and confident being left alone because mum will be back.  She didn't know when but she knew I would be back.  And even if I didn't work I would have done it all over again, because our dogs also have to adapt to our way of life as much as we have to adapt to having them around.  Whats more cruel, a sensible owner who works but has taught their dog to be confident alone OR an owner that stays at home all day, who when goes out, their dog shows signs of sep anxiety because they are not used to it?  I dont think its about working owners or not - I think its about sensible owners or not.
I find it annoying that my local dogs' home would find me an unsuitable owner of one of tehir rescues because I work.  I am a good owner who has provided a stable environment for my dog.  It ironic really, I know of a woman having all sorts of problems with a rescue staffy cross simply because she doesn't have the knowledge to deal with its problems but the dogs' home thought her an ideal owner because she is at home all day with her rowdy kids and tense atmosphere :rolleyes:
PS  Afghan rescue asked me this year if I would take on an emergency rescue who has suffered years of abuse.  I did (despite being a full time worker which the coordinator knew about) turns out my home is ideal for this gorgeous chap...Oh and I have helped his rehabilitation, he is less nervous and appears much more settled and happy...Even takes food from you now - Not bad for a full time working household.

well done rozzer on the rescue afghan! i occasionally help foster v.nervous dogs, we build their confidence up and toilet train them- so they can go to a good new home- it gives you soooo much pleasure to see the change a bit of patience can make!

I know i will make a good k9 owner even though i work 3 days a week- but reading some peoples comments makes me feel inadequate and bad for going to work! Im an extremely sensible person and i feel thats all thats matters...

Don't feel bad, i too have to work and i have a happy well adjusted dog, who loves his new home as the old one he was not being treated with the love and respect he deserved.