Leaving Alone While Hiking

1833 Views 21 Replies 12 Participants Last post by GeorgeGlass, Mar 10, 2009

noob_for_life

Discussion Starter · Mar 8, 2009

Tomorrow, my family is supposed to go on a 3 hr hike in a state park. It's a special event as we are going to get to seem some great nature which you don't get to see often (and have to make reservations way in advance to be let into this part of the park). I just learned that we cannot bring our 4.5 month old Aussie puppy in the park, not even into the parking lot.

I realize that many people leave their dogs along for a long time every day and that this may seem small to them. But, she isn't accustomed to being left alone and I want to make it as comfortable as possible for her.

So, I'm trying to figure out what to do. We haven't left her alone for more than 1.5 hours in the past. She was fine. For this, we have a roomy vehicle with lots of space and it's cool (not cold, not warm) here. We would be hiking during her normal nap time and I would get there early to make sure she had lots of exercise beforehand and would be tired.

These are the only options I can think of:
a) Leave the car somewhere outside the park with her in it. That will probably add 1/2 hr to her car time.

b) I skip the hike (I have done it four times before) and play with her on the beach somewhere.

c) Leave her with a pet watching service. There are some great ones in my city. This is the least attractive option.

I think (b) and (c) are just wrong. Although, I'm somewhat uncomfortable leaving my car with her parked in an unsupervised spot. Does anyone have any advice on how best to handle this?

Thanks.

1 - 20 of 22 Posts

Renoman

· #2 · Mar 9, 2009

I know what I would NOT do ... that's leave her in the car while you hike.

Is there any reason you can't leave her at home? What do you do with her during the work week? Does she stay home? Does she have a crate?

I personally don't think that 3-4 hours is too long to leave her at home as long as you give her plenty of exercise before you go and make sure she's gone potty.

Do you have a neighbor that could look in on her, if that would make you more comfortable?

Mac'N'Roe

· #3 · Mar 9, 2009

Yeah, I wouldn't leave her in the car unsupervised. In fact, I think that may be against the law in some states. Even if you think its 'cool', the car still gets hot...and anyone could steal her or report her as abandoned.

If it was me, I'd either take her to the beach or leave her at home. Why is leaving her at a pet watching service not attractive?

trumpetjock

· #4 · Mar 9, 2009

Mac'N'Roe said:
Why is leaving her at a pet watching service not attractive?

My thought exactly.

I take really great care of Rocky, and I know for a fact that he has more fun at doggy day care than he ever does at home!

noob_for_life

Discussion Starter · #5 · Mar 9, 2009

Even if you think its 'cool', the car still gets hot...and anyone could steal her or report her as abandoned.

Thanks. I understand temperature differences between cars and outside. But, in our weather here, my car is generally cool, even with the windows up. The theft piece does worry me.

If it was me, I'd either take her to the beach or leave her at home. Why is leaving her at a pet watching service not attractive?

Re: home: We would be leaving her for six or seven hours at home (with travel to the park and other overhead). That seems like a long time for a puppy who has been left for only 1.5 hrs in the past. Re: the pet watching service: She was a little sick. While that has largely passed, I figure even the best services are like kindergartens in terms of germ transmission and she doesn't need any new ones..

What do you do with her during the work week?

She hangs out with me. I am a freelancer and stay-at-home dad.

Renoman

· #6 · Mar 9, 2009

If you can't leave her at home and have a trusted neighbor look in on her for you, then I vote for b. skip the hike and stay with her.

No matter how 'comfortable' you think your vehicle might be, please don't leave her in it for 3 hours. You just never know what could happen.

I think it's great that you get to work from home and be with your pup. I'm jealous.

BoxMeIn21

· #7 · Mar 9, 2009 (Edited)

I would never leave the dog in the car - that shouldn't ever be an option.

I would vote for doggie daycare or having someone come in and check on her a few times during the day while you are gone.

Renoman said:
I think it's great that you get to work from home and be with your pup. I'm jealous.

Me too!

Westhighlander

· #8 · Mar 9, 2009

Dog owners, often have to make sacrifices for their dogs.

Dogstar

· #9 · Mar 9, 2009

I think you need to start getting her used to be alone at home NOW, in short planned sessions. (You can use the book "I'll Be Home Soon" as a guide- it's by Patricia McConnell and it's written for dogs with separation anxiety, but you've set your pup up really, really well to GET separation anxiety, so you may as well start fixing it.)

LeRoymydog

· #10 · Mar 9, 2009

Probably to late for my answer, but I'd leave her at home kenneled.

noob_for_life

Discussion Starter · #11 · Mar 9, 2009

Thank you for all the input (even those tinged with judgments . . . remember this is the first time dog owner forum).

I was going to skip the hike. But, at this point, it looks like we are going with the "trusted neighbor" approach (thank you for suggesting it). There is a store across the street with some young men whom our puppy likes very much. One of them will come by at least every two hours to feed/play/walk/take to local dog park/etc. She normally rests in the enclosed entryway to our home. So, we'll leave her there with food, a bunch of toys, a bone, some well-stuffed kongs, her crate, etc.

How does this sound? She'll be without us for about six hours (three of which she normally sleeps through). But, I'm sure these guys will take good care of her. Or, is this too big of a jump and I should just skip the hike?

Thanks again.

Renoman

· #12 · Mar 9, 2009

If you know these people well and trust them completely, like you would trust them to care for your child, then go for it.

Make sure they have a number to reach you if there are any questions at all.

Good Luck. Let us know how the day goes.

MegaMuttMom

· #13 · Mar 9, 2009

Dogs really don't tell time so, if she is normally comfortable with you leaving her, I would not worry so much. Have the guys check in on her once, or maybe twice. She will be OK. My dog is rarely left home for more than 3 hours at a time but, one day we were gone for 9. He was fine. We worried, but he just did his usual, he slept until we came home. Just make sure you give her some good exercise before you leave so she doesn't have pent up energy to deal with......

noob_for_life

Discussion Starter · #14 · Mar 9, 2009

Thanks. I do trust these guys with her. My younger son goes over there to play with them all the time. They are great with him, playing soccer, basketball, skateboarding and other stuff.

And she is great about being left alone. She just lies down or chews on her toys. And takes it easy. We just haven't done it for long amounts of time. That's why I worried.

LeRoymydog

· #15 · Mar 9, 2009

I think just checking on her once should be just fine.

Most importantly ... Enjoy your hike. Don't worry about her. She will be fine!

FilleBelle

· #16 · Mar 9, 2009

You called it a judgement, but I would take into consideration what Dogstar said. If you never leave the dog alone, you are setting yourself up to miss any and all life events that last more than an hour and a half. Yes, pet owners do have to make sacrifices, just as parents do, but you gotta teach your dog to be comfortable being alone. And maybe teach yourself to be comfortable leaving her!

GeorgeGlass

· #17 · Mar 9, 2009

I agree. If it were me, my dog would be home alone and not really care. I would have to make sure to give him plenty of exercise later that day. I do feel guilty leaving him alone on the weekend for an extended period of time since I work during the week so I try not to do it often. (And definitely never both days of the weekend.)

Granted, when I do work from home, my dog hops up on my bed watches me work for 20 minutes then falls asleep.

BoxMeIn21

· #18 · Mar 9, 2009

noob_for_life said:
Thank you for all the input (even those tinged with judgments . . . remember this is the first time dog owner forum).

I was going to skip the hike. But, at this point, it looks like we are going with the "trusted neighbor" approach (thank you for suggesting it). There is a store across the street with some young men whom our puppy likes very much. One of them will come by at least every two hours to feed/play/walk/take to local dog park/etc. She normally rests in the enclosed entryway to our home. So, we'll leave her there with food, a bunch of toys, a bone, some well-stuffed kongs, her crate, etc.

How does this sound? She'll be without us for about six hours (three of which she normally sleeps through). But, I'm sure these guys will take good care of her. Or, is this too big of a jump and I should just skip the hike?

Thanks again.

I think you've found a wonderful alternative! Have fun on your hike!

noob_for_life

Discussion Starter · #19 · Mar 10, 2009

Well, it looks like I am going to get the chance to get her "used to be alone at home NOW, in short planned sessions". She didn't get left alone much today.

First, our cleaning lady -- who missed her usual day this week -- decided to make up a few hours working today. Our pup adores her and enjoyed her company.

And the guys at the store love the pup so much that they didn't want to leave her alone much. So, she hung with them more than expected.

When I got home she was very happy to see me. But, it wasn't anything special. The perfect welcome. Now we can look forward to safe, controlled "leave alone" training without having a neurotic pup to work with.

And the hike was magnificent.

Thank you all for your advice. What a wonderful community you make.

Pepper

· #20 · Mar 10, 2009

Glad it all worked out for you two

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