Going out

Koda is now 7 mths and we haven't left him overnight alone (nor intend to!) but we both miss going out for dinner after work occassionally but feel we can't do this any more as Koda is alone all day Mon-Fri and never outside in the dark/cold of an evening. So I'm thinking IF we went out we'd go on a Sat/Sun when he's been with us all day & wear him out before we go, do you think he'd be ok for a couple of hours, are we just being silly or ... ?? Also, we have good friends who live on acreage in the middle of nowhere and we used to stay over every couple of months and have a bit of a binge, we don't do that now as we have Koda and I'd never leave him overnight alone (no way!) and we can't take him to theirs (as they have a small dog and not a fan of Koda at all being a "killer dog" and all -    !!!) and they constantly jab us about the fact we're being precious and won't leave him alone and he's just a dog and needs to learn etc., I so disagree and have asked them before if they'd leave their 7 month old home alone (& outside I might add as Koda can't be trusted indoors alone yet   ). GRRRRRR, rant over ! ARE we being too precious ?? Koda is my absolute world, our absolute world & I will NEVER change that.

No not at all.. In fact if anything THEY'RE being too precious not allowing your well socialized puppy over to play with their dog lol. I know what you mean, Biscuit used to be left for long days and we never did anything without her in the evenings because it would be totally unfair.

On the weekends we'd spend all day with her to tire her out and then go out for a few drinks in the evening (very occasionally I should add) if we felt we really needed to, but mostly I'm content doing doggy things with bis, and can bring her to my friends houses if I want to see them!

I'm imagining it's very different in Australia, but with the little sh*ts that live around here I couldn't leave Bis outside unattended. I understand that people need to leave their dogs alone overnight to work night shifts etc, but I would never go away and stay with a friend leaving Biscuit overnight, I think that would be really irresponsible personally.

hii!! I completley sympathise, its my birthday next week and we r going out for dinner next weekend, and I have to leave Loki at home, ive been really nervous about it, I feel like im leaving my baby at home!! I left him alone for two hours while I went to a meeting and I almost had a panic attack on the way home ahaa!!

I think your not being anything other than good parents Hun! I think going out for a few hours on a sat/sun will be fine obviously like you said tire him out and alls he'll probably do is sleep, and as for your friend I feel they're the unreasonable ones xx

Nope not at all Bek the breed require human company. I can always come and doggy sit anytime!  

Put me down on the list for babysitting too! :DWouldn't mind visiting Aus!

I think if he gets a good run around and lots of play on the weekend he would be more than happy to chill and nap while you went out for a few hours
It always makes you feel guilty going out and leaving them! They have us wrapped around their little paws

can u find a good dog sitter (im talking for all general above issues) or crate training so u can take dog along! we dont go on hols anymore as i would never leave my dogs in kennels and chester is very highly strung so i am considering leaving him for weekend with my mum babysitting for 1st time after having him for nearly 3 years to visit my bro in ibiza although as i write this i know its not going to happen!! i need advice 2!!!

How about a dog sitter were your pooch stays in their home?

thats what my mum was for! but any of u out there that dog is a pain in arse on walks (thats my biggest concern) i suppose its like letting your child go away for the weekend and worrying that something is going to happen to them while your not around! if u let a stranger (dog sitter) into your home thats also a worry and if say chester attacked another dog while i was away what r consequences all round??

I totally agree Hun, my son lives with us, so he's my dog sitter and knows how to handle Darcy, I don't envy you xx

my son lives here but hes only 11!  big responsibility looking after someone elses dog (often thought about becoming a dog walker but its like childminding) never been brave enough! suppose its all about trust

This has reminded me that when we first saw Alfie at his previous owners, they said they had left him all night the previous night. With her mum's GSD ( mum having work done at her house). They said it was fine because they left about 7pm then the mum came and let them out at 9a.m! Too long in my eyes.
Could your friends come and stay at yours instead?

I'm i reading this correct ? The dogs in the house all day mon to fri on it's own ?

Im a dog walker and sitter and it is a big responsibility but ive never (touch wood) had any problems with any of the dogs i look after or walk, i have a few tricky customers, some dogs that arent good with other dogs and one dog that doesn't like people but i can handle the,m and havent had any issues