Longest time you've left your puppy home alone?

My Maltese puppy will be 6 months old by my son's wedding. I have looked into all alternatives and just may have to leave him home alone.

A friend told me that she once kenneled her Malt over-night and got him back all bitten and frightened.

Another woman I met used to work in an animal hospital and she said that's not much better. They leave at 5PM on Sun. and return Mon. morning. The animals are left in cages and many chew on the newspapers endlessly, throw up and sit in their wastes all night. The next morning they are shampooed and groomed and smell wonderfully, after spending a horrid night.

I would like to know what is the longest time you have ever left your puppy home alone.

Thanks so much.

Re: Longest time you've left your puppy home alone?

We left our dog for the most 8 hours. If your dog is ok with the crate I would put him/her in there with some blankets and toys and the pup will be fine.

They end up sleeping for most of the time and just be sure to give some extra hugs and kisses when you come home :)

Your son's wedding is a special exception and for one day I'm sure the little angel will be ok.

Re: Longest time you've left your puppy home alone?

Do you have a neighbor that you can trust to come let your puppy out and check on her so you don't have to worry???

Re: Longest time you've left your puppy home alone?

Our adult dogs stay home alone for anywhere between 10-12 hours when we are at work and are fine. There have been times when something out of our control happens and it could be longer.

Again, they are not puppies.

Re: Longest time you've left your puppy home alone?

I worried about my dog and what we were going to do for our wedding day. Since my DH got ready at home and we picked him up after the wedding there was only 8 hours that he was by himself. He was fine!

Re: Longest time you've left your puppy home alone?

Unfortunately, we are relatively new to our neighborhoos and haven't formed any close enough relationships to ask someone to come in for the puppy.
I'm glad to hear that others haven't had negative experiences with leaving them home for that one day. That's what my husband really prefers we do.

Re: Longest time you've left your puppy home alone?

the day of my wedding the dogs were unfortunately alone for 14 hours. I felt awful & would not do that again if I could help it. But I definately would not kennel the dog. I actually was supposed to have a neighbor go & check on the dogs & walk & feed them, but she was ill with the flu & it was 6 degrees on my wedding day, so obviously she stayed home.

Generally my dog is alone for 9 hours every day, but he is over 3 years old.


ETA: as far as the wedding day is concerned, maybe just get a self feeder & waterer to make sure the puppy does not over eat in the beginning of the day & undereat at the end.

Re: Longest time you've left your puppy home alone?

You should contact Doggie Day Care in Port Jefferson or the Ronkonkoma Ruff House. They do supervised “playtime” babysitting for your dogs. The guy that owns both places is amazing --- great trainer (trains all Nassau/Suffolk county police dogs) and really cares for the dogs as friends --- not just pets. It is not a kennel --- it truly is day care. You can visit in advance to see the place and how it is run. My sister sends her pup there 3x a week. I have my little Biscuits there when we have gone on vacation. Visit them at lidogcamp.com.

Re: Longest time you've left your puppy home alone?

If I could afford it I would send Sandy to doggie day care in Port Jeff - I have heard great things about them

Re: Longest time you've left your puppy home alone?

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Posted by tjspidur1

You should contact Doggie Day Care in Port Jefferson or the Ronkonkoma Ruff House. They do supervised “playtime” babysitting for your dogs. Visit them at lidogcamp.com.

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Too bad I'm in western Nassau. This place sounds really good. I wonder if there are any others like it closer to me. It would be impossible for any of us to drive that far and back before the wedding.

Re: Longest time you've left your puppy home alone?

Thanks everyone for your advice.

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Posted by HearzBellz
as far as the wedding day is concerned, maybe just get a self feeder & waterer to make sure the puppy does not over eat in the beginning of the day & undereat at the end.

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Actually Hearzbellz, you are right about this being my big problem right now. Did you ever use a self feeder? I found one with a timer that opens the feeding dish but it's a thin plastic and I think Scooby would gnaw at the timer incessantly. For water, I would put down two bowls and I think it would be okay. At least I won't have a hot summery day to worry about.

Again, I appreciate your time and advice.

Re: Longest time you've left your puppy home alone?

I have taken Taz to Doggie Day Care in Port Jeff, ---good place!

The owner also owns one in Ronkonkoma? Is it near the LIRR Station?!

Re: Longest time you've left your puppy home alone?

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Posted by LImom

Thanks everyone for your advice.

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Posted by HearzBellz
as far as the wedding day is concerned, maybe just get a self feeder & waterer to make sure the puppy does not over eat in the beginning of the day & undereat at the end.

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Actually Hearzbellz, you are right about this being my big problem right now. Did you ever use a self feeder? I found one with a timer that opens the feeding dish but it's a thin plastic and I think Scooby would gnaw at the timer incessantly. For water, I would put down two bowls and I think it would be okay. At least I won't have a hot summery day to worry about.

Again, I appreciate your time and advice.

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Just out a touch of garlic salt on the timer itself and that should prevent the chewing for a day

No problem...as always glad to help

Re: Longest time you've left your puppy home alone?

Garlic salt??? What a great tip. I'm headed for the cabinet - he likes my slippers way too much. I hope he doesn't end up liking it as much as bitter apple. I just won't over use it so he doesn't get used to it.

Re: Longest time you've left your puppy home alone?

We have our dry food in a feeder for our cat. We don't feed her any wet food (due to health issues) so I can't help with wet. But the food just falls down as the bowl underneath empties. We also have one for her water, same principle. We don't use the water one unless we will be gone for the day and in that case we put ice cubes in it so the water stays fresh, but they have the one that has a continous stream that runs on electric or a battery and will 'refresh' the water.

Re: Longest time you've left your puppy home alone?

I voted 6-8. When we had a puppy trainer she told us take their age and add one hour to how many months they are and thats how long they should be left alone, it shouldn't be longer. We left ours home at that age I'd say no longer than 8 hours, but he had food, water and toys in his playpen.

Re: Longest time you've left your puppy home alone?

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Posted by LImom

Garlic salt??? What a great tip. I'm headed for the cabinet - he likes my slippers way too much. I hope he doesn't end up liking it as much as bitter apple. I just won't over use it so he doesn't get used to it.

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heh......we went through the bitter apple... i think it worked for 2 days. Now we use Garlic Salt or curry powder (smll amounts, of course). Some dogs you can even use just plain pepper with, but my Pug cannot smell the pepper as well.