OK to leave dog alone all day?

[Sulaco]

I recently heard dogs have very little sense of time. Therefore, leaving them alone for 10 minutes is like leaving them alone for hours, and vice versa.

I found this interesting because the major reason I haven't gotten a dog yet is I live alone and work full time. I thought it was unfair to leave the dog alone all day.

But if it doesn't really matter that could change things. I'm not sure I buy it...I briefly had a beagle that would trash my place if I left him alone all day, as if he was angry at me for leaving. (Sadly, I had to give the dog to a loving home for unrelated reasons.)

What do you think? Is it okay to leave the dog alone at home all day?

[Karen]

Some dogs are okay with being left alone all day, as long as water and toys are available. I'd never try it with a puppy, but an older dog could be fine. You can also crate-train a dog, so he/she is in his/her "comfy cave" while you are out. It all depends on the dog and the breed.

[Giselle]

Yikes, who told you dogs have no sense of time? If anything, dogs have an amazingly acute sense of time. Dogs love schedules and easily adjust their internal "clocks" to your schedule. They then begin to anticipate your arrival, your departures, dinner, breakfast, the evening walk, etc. Heck, they have a better sense of time than I do

IMO, it is not in a young dog or active dog's best interest to be left alone for the whole day. However, you can adopt an older, less active dog who can tolerate 7-8 hours alone. I must say, though, 8 hours would be my limit to how long a dog is alone. That's a long time to hold your bladder! Your beagle probably just trashed your place because he was bored. You know, retired racing greyhounds are called 45 mph couch potatoes for a reason

[Elf Shadow]

i agree.dogs like company,if not from other dogs,then their people.most dogs dont like being left alone for long periods of time.some dogs can turn destructive when they are bored and begin obsessively digging or barking or chewing things they arent meant to.bones and toys can help allieviate their boredom for a few hours,but dogs are generally not solitary animals and enjoy company.

[husky 1]

ours are left 7 hrs 3x a week but i never go over that as i don't like to leave them that long but have to work. They get plenty of chews, water, shelter , paddling pool (hard one)as in garden when i am at work, have high fencing too as siberians. Ours seem happy enough but are used to it now.

[mruffruff]

I have two dogs. I have always worked 8 hours a day and they have adapted very well. Of course, they are adult dogs that can hold it all day if necesary. However for their comfort, I have a doggy door and enclosed yard.

When I've sneaked home in the middle of the day, I usually find them snoozing

And they certainly know that 7PM means treat time! They'll remind me if I forget.