Leaving Dog Outside At Work!

[Sowa]

If they are destructive inside then they are bored. Find more toys they can play with while you are gone. I used to keep my dog in the basement when I wasn't home with a large section penned off with xpens so she had room to move around and play but not destroy anything. They need lots to do and probably a lot more exercise. My labby would get lots of offleash play time til exhausted and would sleep for most of the day. Maybe try a long walk before work and have your neighbor walk them again later in the afternoon. I leave my dog alone for 8 hours now while I work and she doesn't destroy anything, it just takes time and training and don't set them up to fail. (penned off area if you want to start to train them to be alone inside where they can't get into trouble). I first let my girl out by herself she ripped up a chair so she was left back in the pen when I was out for a while longer and tried again.

[Alysser]

It seems you are doing everything right, however, it isn't really ideal. My friend who lives in Texas has a ranch and her dog literally lives outside, but he's a working dog. I would say if your neighbor comes to refill their water bowls could he/she not walk them for you or let them out for you? I would suggest gating an area of your house off instead of crating them.

[RICHARD]

You might consider taking your dog to 'work'?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YgPySaYgRdU

[emc]

Dogs that are left alone outside for hours can become a nuisance to neighbours because of barking and whining out of boredom.