Staying home alone

[Ivan_J]

Hello all,
I am getting a boxer in a few months, and I had a few questions about leaving the dog at home for longer periods of time, when no one is around. I was just wondering how everyone here copes with leaving their boxers. My family and I are are curently on different schedules, so for at least the first 2-3 years someone will be home for more then the majority of the time. My question was what happens when I begin to work, and the boxer might have to stay home alone for longer periods of time. Is this acceptable?! Surely there are people that work and still own boxers?! Do people pay someone to come over and walk their dog in the middle of the day so that the dog has some human interaction during the day?! Just to clarify, in the worst case scenario someone would be with the dog after 5 every day, all day on the weekends, and as well my father works from home a few days a week. Any suggestions would be appreciated. Thanks.
Ivan

 

[bored_robots]

You have the option of hiring someone to pop in at lunch time and taken the pup for a walk and letting it do its business or possibly taking it to doggy daycare. I think daycare is the more expensive option but I suppose it differs from one to the other person, dog and situation. I myself am never away for that long, however at one point I was working till six and my boyfriend till 5, it was only once a week and we got stuck and they had to be left all day on there own and they managed fine, just extra huggles at the end. It depends on the age of dog a lot, I wouldnt of dreamed of leaving Maddy when she was tiny but now shes 10 months old she can hol dit a lot longer.

 

[Tysonsway]

Are there people that leave their dogs home all day while they are at work, sure. Is it the best situation for the pup, no... But then not everyone is lucky enough to work 5 minutes from home and are able to let the pooch out everyday on lunch (I'm spoiled)!
I wouldn't suggest leaving the dog all day if you can help it, sometimes you dont have a choice. My husband and I take Jasmine to Daycare if we know that we wont be able to take her out at lunch (happens usually once every few months), its not too expensive, but we definitly couldnt afford it everyday! There are also dog walkers that you can employ to let your pooch out for some excercise... But again they can get expensive (our range was $15 for half an hour, for once a day for a week that was $75... $300 a month!)

I would try and get a good neighbor that you trust and that eventually will have a good relationship with your pup, or a relative to come by once a day and give the dog some attention. If you need to leave your pup all day I would suggest trying to dog-proof a room in the house so that they dont have to spend all day couped in a crate. That will at least give them some grazing room.

Its good to see that your asking these questions now, planning for the future shows your being responsible! Good Luck!

 

[BeckyNC]

My girl is home alone from 7:45 to about 5:30 everyday. She spends her days in the kitchen. As long as you provide something to keep your Boxer occupied part of the time (a stuffed kong and/or a Nylabone--only do the Nylabone if he isn't a massive chewer), you should be fine. You don't want him to get bored. A bored Boxer will make his own fun (i.e., get into things or destroy them--they are very inquisitive).

I should also mention you shouldn't leave the dog home alone all day until he can comfortably hold his urine/bowels, but at age 2-3 years that should not be a problem.