Leaving my dog in the yard when I work?

[KAZJIMMY]

Hi,everyone, I have work Monday-Friday, 8-5, My 6 month old boxer has to stay in the yard for 9 hrs by himself. What if someone walk in and take him out? I am sure you guys has heart lots of story about missing dog. Pleaes Kindly give me some idea, should I put him back in the house? I did that when he's 3-5 months old, but recentlly, he started get bigger and outgoing, I have to leave him in the yard.

 

[SherylM]

I personally would never leave my dog outside unattended when I went to work. I won't even let them stay outside when I go to the store. They come with or they go in the house.

 

[kayboxer]

Can you crate him and have someone come let him out a couple of times a day to play and potty? Nine hours is a long time outside alone. Would you leave a two year old outside for nine hours unattended (about the maturity level of an adult boxer)? Or, could you leave him out in the a.m. if he needs to be outside and put him in a crate during the afternoon?

 

[Jan]

I really depends on the area that you live in as to how safe it is to leave them outside. What kind of fence do you have? Can your dog be seen easily through the fence? Can you lock the gate? How hot is it where you live and do they have lots of shade? There are all sorts of factors involved as to whether it is a good idea to leave them out or to give they access to the outdoors through a dog door.

I have a dog door so that the dogs can go outside as they please, but I live out in the country in a very safe area with a very secure fence. Most dogs just run around free here, but of course I would never consider doing that.

 

[auntthelm]

I vote for put him back in the house. Could he have a confined area in the house where he could have his crate left with the door open and an area to relieve himself? Or as Kayboxer suggested, could someone let him out to potty. 9 hours outside by himself is just asking for trouble. Left to his own, he could probably find plenty of things to get in to including digging himself an escape hole if he is on grass/dirt. If dog theft is an issue where you live then he should not be outside by himself. A young boxer would be perfect bait for dog fighting rings. My Roxy is 5 months old and she finds trouble in the yard when I am standing right there .

 

[WAT]

I could not relax if I had to leave my furkid out in the yard all day by themself. I would never be able to forgive myself if something tragic happened. I also vote to put him in the house and possibly have someone let him out for a potty break.

 

[Widges]

I also have a dog door for Billy so would 2nd that idea.

He has never been left for more than a couple of hours though, the 1st time I left him we set up a video camera to see what he got up to - all he did was sleep in his chair with the sun coming in on him!!!!!!!!!!!

Also, depending on where you are in California - it can get far too hot to leave them outside all day, even with some shade.

 

[bucca]

personally i would never leave my dog unattended while i wasnt home, i dont even leave spanky by himself when i am. is there a friend , neighbor or relative who can come and let your dog out and play with him, how about a dogwalker? have you tried locating a doggie day care and seeing how much they want to watch him. a suggestion, my friend called out local vet and he recommended a young woman who would go and check on her dog and watch and let her out maybe your vet can help you out with someone. good luck.

 

[EAO76]

9 hrs is a pretty long time but it also depends on the dog & the yard. How secure is your fence? Does your gate lock? How active is your boxer? I have three boxers. My younger male can easily jump a 6’ fence, my older male would never dream of it but he acts like he is going to have heat stroke every time the temperature gets above 78 Fahrenheit, & my female probably wouldn’t escape but she will eat every plant and dig huge holes in my lawn. So needless to say I never leave any of them unattended in my yard.

Also working in rescue I can tell you we constantly get calls from distraught people asking if we have seen their dog because it escaped their yard while they were gone at work.

 

[djheitz]

One other consideration - Are there kids in your area that might take advantage of the opportunity to torment your pup while he's outside? If so, you may end up with a fearful or aggressive dog and never be able to figure out why. I'd keep him indoors unless your yard is VERY secure and private.