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doggiequest · Aug 26, 2011, 12:11 PM

My parents are due to go on holiday and plan to leave their 12month old jack russell behind. He would have the full run of their large garden with a neighbour calling 2 to 3 times a day to check up on him and feed him.
Would this be preferable to the dog coming to stay with me but being left along for appx 7 hours during the day whilst I'm at work but with my full attention for the evening. Obviously I would walk him before I left and when I got home. My partner thinks this would be unfair on the dog but I feel it to be better than being left 'home alone'. Any opinions/advice as I really don't know what to do.
Thanks

Wondergirl · Aug 26, 2011, 12:18 PM

First of all, let me warn you--I'm a cat person, but I do read the Dogs board religiously.

My feeling is that he stay at home and enjoy the neighbor's visits, assuming she will visit as agreed. She will spend time with him, I hope, and give him some loving? At home, he would be in familiar territory, plus it sounds like, even living with you, he would be "home alone" much of the time.

Wondergirl · Aug 27, 2011, 10:35 AM

Alty's right. I was thinking with my cat brain, and forgot how social dogs are. A cat would be fine "home alone," but yes, I'm sure he would love to accept your generous invitation to sleep over!

shazamataz · Aug 28, 2011, 12:08 AM

I would definitely not be leaving the dog home alone unless the neighbor plans on visiting and socializing with the dog for 2-3 hours each time.

The dog will be home alone all day (minues the short check-ups) plus alone all night.

Not fair on the dog.

Alone for 7 hours straight, but then having company for the other 17 hours is a much better solution.
Even if you aren't paying the dog constant attention, just knowing it is not alone will help him cope with his owners being away.

Lucky098 · Aug 28, 2011, 12:34 PM

Unless you're going to pay someone to stay at your house 24/7 to watch, feed and care for your animal, I would not leave my dog home alone for any long periods in hopes that a neighbor doesn't forget about him.

Too much can go wrong. Your dog can ingest poison, get out, tear up your yard and house, someone can steal him.. the list can go on. Get your dog into a boarding facility. Boarding facilities don't have to be fancy and state of the art, but should be safe and well staffed.

Your parents leaving your dog home alone for X amount of days is just a disaster waiting to happen. Either pay the neighbor to house sit, meaning she stays at your house the entire time you're gone, or put your dog in boarding.

That's what I would do.