fitzy Posted June 17, 2015 Report Share Posted June 17, 2015 Contemplating my first dog. Primarily a family dog but do intend to get it working on our little syndicate shoot. My experience is quite limited. I've been reading on the subject. There is an excellent local trainer and my friend also has experience training gun dogs. One dilemma is having to leave the dog on its own. Two days in the week it'll be on its own from 8.30-3.45. It's not ideal but worried about the effect on dog especially a breed as sociable as a working spaniel or lab. Would welcome some advice. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hollidca Posted June 17, 2015 Report Share Posted June 17, 2015 Maybe you could pop home during lunch or have a word with your neighbor and see if they'll pop their head in and let them out to relieve themselves? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
loriusgarrulus Posted June 17, 2015 Report Share Posted June 17, 2015 One way is to home an older smaller breed dog as a companion if the budget will stretch to two dogs. Two puppies are not a good idea because of the training. Puppies will need feeding three to four times a day depending on age, so you still will need someone to pop in to do a midday feed. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fenboy Posted June 17, 2015 Report Share Posted June 17, 2015 I do not see being away from 8.30 till 3.45 too bad , plenty of us have dogs that have required leaving longer than that , as long as they are left where they cannot to themselves or your property damage , to listen to some you would think you can only have a dog if you are unemployed or retired . Yes ideally pups need feeding 4 times a day , solution buy a bowl with a timer and set it to open when required , worked fine for my dogs. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Duckman91 Posted June 17, 2015 Report Share Posted June 17, 2015 same as above for me I have a springer and he is on his own from 8 to half 4 and no complaints. some say it's cruel ect hi it's what the dog is used to Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
motty Posted June 18, 2015 Report Share Posted June 18, 2015 My new lab puppy is on his own most days from 8am until 3.30pm. He is getting on just fine. He is left with toys to chew and entertain himself. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fal Posted June 18, 2015 Report Share Posted June 18, 2015 That's not too long a period I don't think. When he is older and able to get plenty of exercise, he will probably sleep for most of that time. A well exercised dog will sleep whenever it can, it'll be hard work early doors, but he/she will settle into routine. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fitzy Posted June 18, 2015 Author Report Share Posted June 18, 2015 (edited) Thanks to all for your comments and the pm's kindly offering advice. Ideally would like to pick up a puppy before the school holidays where they'll be family around all day every day for the first 6 weeks at home. I've four children so lack of stimulation should not be an issue. A cocker spaniel is running as the favourite. Edited June 18, 2015 by fitzy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Proudly Posted June 19, 2015 Report Share Posted June 19, 2015 Fenboy talking sense...I work 11hr shifts, my dog is kennelled but spends as much time as possible in the garden with us or out training/exercising. Its not the end of the world a dog being confined for long periods as long as you make the most of the time you have with your dog... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
postie Posted June 19, 2015 Report Share Posted June 19, 2015 I have a cocker and she's in her run from 6,30 till 3,30 as long as she has her 20 min run around A couple of retrieves in morning plenty of water she's happy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shoot and be safe Posted June 19, 2015 Report Share Posted June 19, 2015 If it's a lab you are thinking of, I know of a litter, from good stock, that will be ready in 2 months and not to far from you. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jonny thomas Posted June 20, 2015 Report Share Posted June 20, 2015 If its left on its own from day 1 it'll know no different my dogs are fine on their own and I have bassets a breed prone to separation angsiaty Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wj939 Posted June 20, 2015 Report Share Posted June 20, 2015 I always like the people who go Oh! No! You can't leave a dog for 8 hours etc etc. do they not sleep of a night time, going to let them out the house every three hours? Exercise is important but 20 minutes of running around flat out training is more than the dog will do wandering the garden or pen during the day. So it's not a problem really the hours you mention. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kent Posted June 20, 2015 Report Share Posted June 20, 2015 Leave an adult Lab for that long and it will likely just have another 40 winks! puppies are different. Its not exercise as much as stimulation mentally a dog in training or being kept sharp / working is always way more stimulated than a pet IMO You create separation anxiety by not leaving not by leaving Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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