[Lesley Silvester]

The people in a house are out at work all day and the dog barks continuously.  Annoying for us but dreadful for the people next door.

[Fieldfare]

Hi all- thanks again for the replies. I will mull these over the next few months and go and learn a bit more about dogs and their ways- I'll go and see a couple of rescue centres to see what they think of my situation (definitely don't want to make a mistake) Anyway- thanks again.

[doganjo]

Hi all- thanks again for the replies. I will mull these over the next few months and go and learn a bit more about dogs and their ways- I'll go and see a couple of rescue centres to see what they think of my situation (definitely don't want to make a mistake) Anyway- thanks again.

Well done, FF.  Keep us updated.

[Penninehillbilly]

I too have just read this thread with interest.
some years ago we were given a dog (border collie) from a back to back town house. We had a smallish kennel made for him, with nice cosy bed, (big enough for him to stretchout). that dog hated to come in the house, we had to be quite forceful to get him in when it was bad weather, and he was out again asap. Living in 'sheep country', soon after we got him I caught him chasing neighbours sheep, so he had to be tied up when outside.
I would say, the longer the tether the more problems likely to arise, the maximum mine get would be about 20+ft. and I've always made sure there is nothing to get caught up on, since that fella died, (cancer, a few years ago) I've often had dogs tied up out there, not on their own for 8 hours, and walked regularly, but when it's nice and I'm busy, they are safe and shout for me when anyone's about, it's nice to see them sprawled in the sun rather than fastened in a room inside. currently one dog is loose because I trust him, other one is tied when outside or she wanders off.
I would agree 8 hours on their own does sound a long time, I like 2 dogs anyway, and it sounds like the rest of the time they would be in the house? If there are 2 dogs and they are contained safely they should be company for each other.
After visiting a dogs home to get a replacent for original boy, I would think anything must be better than that place, I had to walk out at one point, couldn't bear to see all those poor dogs caged up. ('replacement' is the boy who can be now left loose in the yard). I did say he would be tied up some of the time and they were OK with that.

[Snapper]

Hi all and Happy New Year,
 
I was sure I remembered something like this coming up before and if you look back through the Dog section there was a similar topic discussed in August/Sept 2010 .
As I don't know how you get the link attached  it might be useful for you to have a hunt through previous posts FF.

[doganjo]

Hi all and Happy New Year,
 
I was sure I remembered something like this coming up before and if you look back through the Dog section there was a similar topic discussed in August/Sept 2010 .
As I don't know how you get the link attached  it might be useful for you to have a hunt through previous posts FF.

Was that the sheepdog that a do gooder stole then had to put back because the indoor life made it unhappy? 

[SallyintNorth]

Hi all and Happy New Year,
 
I was sure I remembered something like this coming up before and if you look back through the Dog section there was a similar topic discussed in August/Sept 2010 .
As I don't know how you get the link attached  it might be useful for you to have a hunt through previous posts FF.

Was that the sheepdog that a do gooder stole then had to put back because the indoor life made it unhappy?

No, that was recent, Annie.  Snapper says this topic was previously discussed 15 months ago.

Snapper, to attach the link, please do the following :
On the webpage in question, copy the address in your browser bar (click on it so it is highlighted and press Ctrl-C - the Ctrl key and the C key together), then reply to this post, press the icon that looks like an Earth with a sheet of A4 stuck to it (if you hover on it, it says 'insert hyperlink') and then paste the address you copied. You can paste by doing Ctrl-V or by doing right-mouse (or right button on your trackerpad) and choosing Paste.

I know that sounds complicated but it isn't really - please give it a go, as it really isn't very easy for the rest of us to find the thread you mean with no further information than a window of a couple of months.

If you can't do it, could you tell us the title of the thread?  That'll be easier to track down, and one of us can put the link in here.

[goosepimple]

Hi Field, you were just posting a thought and that's ok, don't worry about the barrage of abuse.  We got a dog last year (a border collie bitch) and although I'm not a dog person I gave in.  I do regret it however.  We have hens, ducks, geese, sheep, goats etc and although she has learned to be well behaved around them (the ducks peck her nose and the goats butt her), she has completely ruined the harmony which existed with the animals.  Even if I go out without her to see them all, they expect her to be with me and have become wary of me which I really regret. It was like introducing a wolf in the area.  My OH says the harmony will all come back in time and although she is lovely, I do regret it for that reason alone. 

[Snapper]

 Thanks Sally, I think this is the  link I wanted. It was about people going out to work and leaving their dogs at home.

http://www.accidentalsmallholder.net/forum/index.php?topic=9336.0

We left all 4 dogs in our kitchen today from 8.30am till 3.30pm with no problem even the 7 month old pup was fine. Although  I will admit that they all needed/wanted a wee when we got back. But if you think about it it's pretty much what happens at night when we go to bed, they are on theirown then too.


Anne

[Dizzycow]

This is an interesting thread for me, because I've been a stay at home mum / working from home mum for the last 12 years - with dogs. Since October, however, I now work nearby from 9 until 3.15. I know the dogs are ok for this length of time, plus they have each other and free range of a reasonable sized house. (I do try to get home at lunchtime if I can, which is most days.) If I could afford it I'd build a decent run and outside kennel, not an option just now. I feel guilty, though. We didn't get dogs so that they could be left to entertain themselves. They are essential parts of our lives, but I must work to make ends meet. It's a difficult dilemma and I sympathise.

[Sandy]

I suppose a lot of us change our circumstances, sometimes its a simple choice, either the dog gets rehomed or it has to be left for a while, its not an ideal world for any of us and none of us know when things may change!! Also some people are good at saying what should be done but crap at putting it into practice!!