Hi, I have a beautiful, sweet lab pup that’s approaching 20 wks this weekend. He’s the love of my life and really has been the easiest pup to train in most ways so I feel so fortunate. Now I’m in the process of helping him be happy with some alone time. He has a great outdoor kennel with a self-watering dish attached to a hose, lots of fun chew toys, frozen kongs with Peanut butter inside, and some interactive toys too, but he just seems to hate being separated from me for any time at all unless he’s at daycare. Daycare is just too expensive to do long term so I’m trying to wean him off slowly by doing mornings in the kennel and afternoons at daycare. Am I terrible for doing this? All my dogs throughout my life have been outside at home alone while we’ve been at work and we never thought anything of it and they’ve seemed happy—but some people have posted on here like you shouldn’t have a dog at all if you can’t be with them all day. Did I join the wrong group? And will he adjust or what should I try? He really does have a great life with walks and playtime every morning and trips to the dog park most evenings. I just feel a little stress because I’m always worried he’s unhappy while I’m at work for those 4 hrs he is home alone in the mornings in his plush kennel.
Hello many folk manage to balance leaving dogs whilst having to work, so you are among many if us that do on this forum. All dogs are different and what can be ok for one, is not for another. Labs , I think do struggle to be on their own as they are such a sociable breed. Most succeed with a blended approach of day care, walkers, plenty of exercise before etc. Your pup is young though, so that could be a factor. How do you know he hates the kennel ? Do you have a camera ?
Hi, Actually I don’t think he hates the kennel itself—he just seems really unhappy when I leave him alone whether in the kennel or inside in his crate in rainy days. I don’t have a camera yet but I should get one for sure. Good idea. Thanks
