[laststraw]

I have a 6yr old lab mix that I have had since a puppy. My boyfriend and I have worked alternating shifts for a year now (I work days he works evenings)
My boyfriends shifts just got changed and he will be working the same hours as me but that means my dog will be alone. Before he was only alone for a few hours between when he left for work and I came back. Now he will be alone for 9 or 10 hours a day
Is this bad? Is there anything I can do? I can't get home at lunch or anything to let him out and my boyfriend works farther away

[Lucky098]

Doggie day care if you can! Life happens... Your dog is at an age where entertaining him 24hours a day is no longer a necessary thing.

Doggie daycare will do a lot of things for you. It will break up your dogs week/day and give him something to look forward to. It will also ensure that he is getting socialized with other dogs and people and that pressure will come off you.

I always recommend doggy daycare if its available to the working people:) It's a good, positive "quick fix"

[Sariss]

It's probably not viable, but could you take him to work?

I work very long days, sometimes up to 12 hours or more. Wembley comes to work with me a few days a week to break his week up, but he does have to stay at home sometimes. My house is pretty much dogproof and he gets the run of the house. I keep the TV on for him because that seems to be his favourite passtime.

Doggy daycare would be a great idea too! I'd love to do it, but I live so close to work (5 minute drive), and it's a 30min drive to the closest daycare.

[shazamataz]

My MIL's dogs are left at home alone for 9 hours a day due to work and they do just fine.
Occasionally she will come home to a little accident on the floor but that is to be expected.

You could ask a very kind neighbor or a relative to let your dog outside for a walk or just a toilet break at lunch time.

Make sure you have a big bowl of fresh water available, and also make sure it's a heavy bowl to avoid it being tipped or knocked over.
Toys like kongs are also great ways for the dog to pass time.
When I go out I always leave the television or the radio on, not so much for the dogs benefit but for the neighbors... it helps block out outside noises and reduces barking.

[Aurora_Bell]

Yes, I would suggest getting them some extra toys, nyla bones, something that will occupy their time. Will you be barracading him in a certain area of the house or will he have free range?
I like the radio idea, easier on the T.V and electric bills ;) but it's like company for your dog!
And like Shaz said a big bowel of water is a must!

[n15]

9 hours its nothing.he is not going to burn down the house or anything like that

[Aurora_Bell]

n15, it is not that the dog will burn the house down, there are many other factors, such as chewing, messing, and destructive behaviours associated with separation anxiety. Luckily for the OP her dog sounds well adjusted, and she shouldn't have any major issues, based on her original post. But it sounds like she is concerned about possible messes in the house.
If I were in the OP's shoes I would gate him off to a hallway or a bathroom, for easy clean up of messes, and also to protect the dog in case he decided to chew on something he shouldn't!