I feel bad that my dog is home alone for 8 hours a day. I usually spend at least 30 minutes, usually more giving my dog attention or interaction. Wondering if this is enough to keep a dog healthy/happy. thank you :)How much time do you spend with your dog?
If your dog is indoors with you when you are home you don't need to spend every minute playing. Dogs are social creatures. They are happy just to be laying at your feet while you are doing something. One of the best things they like is going for a walk with you. You should spend some time directly with your dog but treat him like a friend or family member. Your Friend wants to be near you but you don't need to be playing all the time.
There are lots of people who are away from there dogs for 8 or more hours a day while at work so I wouldn't worry about that.
Additional Details:
After reading your update I would say you spend plenty of time with your dog. I stick to what I said above. I believe the happiest dogs are the one that can just be with their owners, laying at their feet or close by. That and a few nice walks and a little attention. Also, being brushed is some ';one on one'; time that a lot of dogs like.How much time do you spend with your dog?
I exercise my dog for around an hour every morning. We walk, run, swim or stroll into town and get a coffee.
I only leave Rocco for around 3 hours in the morning, then I come home at lunchtime and I take him to work with me in the arvo.
Then we always have a walk/swim in the arvo/evening.
On the weekends Rocco gets 3 walks and he comes everywhere with me-to the shops, to visit friends etc.
When I worked 8 hours a day and couldnt take him with me I would get up extra early and go bushwalking-off leash for an hour or so, or go to the beach and run laps. I would often come home at lunch for a small walk.
Then after work we would do it all again.
Rocco is also an inside dog, so he's not doing too badly.
Im often surprised that alot of dog owners (whom I know) spend so little time with their dogs.
I only know of a few dog owners who spend good quality time with their dogs, training, exercising etc.
Until you added the additional details, I thought by your original post that you only spend 30 mins a day with your dog, and that nearly isnt enough.
With your additional details your question has taken on a different perspective and it sounds like sufficient time with your dog. I wouldnt worry too much and if you think 8 hours is too long while you are at work, start exercising early in the morning, then pooch will sleep all day!
Take care.
I play with my puppy for about 40-60 min a day, plus additional daily walks. He sleeps most of the time though, but when he grows up, I will be spending more time with him.
I only leave him when I go to my college classes. When I do leave him, I drop him off at my brother's. When I go out, I make sure that someone is watching over him since he's just a 10 week old puppy. He still needs supervision, extra care, and attention. :)
I personally don't think 30 min is enough time. Please try your best to walk/play with him longer. Spend more quality time with him. :)
ADD: Oh I see, well I believe that you're doing a great job! At least 40 min of walk a day should be enough. As long as you dedicate a good amount of time to play and cuddle with your dog, he will be happy. I know it's almost impossible for many to spend 24 hrs a day with their dogs, I mean, we have our own lives too right? You and your husband are GREAT dog owners, so you shouldn't be worried. ;)
A good 30-60 minutes of dedicated play and training time is really good for a dog's well being. Continue interaction throughout the evening though. When you get up to get a drink or go to the washroom, make sure to stop a moment and give your dog some attention.
Sprinkle lots of mini-interactions during the times you are home.
Being as I'm old and retired I spend 24/7 with them. That is unless I'm working with someone else's dog.
But, I worked for a living for 40 years like anyone else. And, like anyone else there were those days that all I wanted to do when I got home from work was go to bed.
Probably 99% of all dog owners have a job, it's called life.
Hate to be blunt about it, but I don't make a habit of placing dogs with deadbeats.
If you are only spending 30 mins. with your dog you need to start making time for your dog. No it is not enough time with your dog. 30 mins. isn't even enough time for a walk let alone anything else. How about spending 3-6 hours with your dog, or the rest of the day with him.
we work 8-9 hr days as well, but weekends are completely devoted to the dogs...they get hikes and to meet with their dog friends...during the week, any day we work...we come home that night and don't go back out...i would feel horrible not spending that time with the dogs. i would say on average mine get 3 hrs of one on one per day....plus the whole evening of snuggling..
I literally spend 24 hours a day with my dog, unless I have a dr appt or something of that nature. I am mostly homebound and my dogs are my life.
30 minutes? Nope, not enough, unless your dog is actually a cat. As for direct inderaction with my dog...at the very least one hour a day. Usually much more though.
I spend more hours with my dogs then i do a job .. its tough but it is what they need
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