How long is too long to leave puppy "home alone"

[Caroline]

Would be great to have your views/ opinions/ experiences on this. Having sworn to myself I'd never leave my dog at home all day, I now find myself in the situation where I am starting a new job with office type hours, and I can't take her with me.
Little Christy is now just on 8 months old (in an only dog household), and I am trying to
figure out what to do for the best.
My trainer recommended a good doggy daycare which we visited and have booked in for two full days initially per week (may increase to three). The daycare doesn't recommend more than three days/ week as they say the dogs get overstimulated and also come to expect it as the norm and consequently get stressed at the weekends when they're not going to doggy daycare.

I have found a dogwalker for the other days and I guess my question is, should I get her just to do a walk (it's about 2 hours total time) as some other owners do, or ask her to hang on to Christy for 4 hours during the middle of the day (which is what I have
done in the past when have been out all day on odd days.
What is enough? She is becoming more independent and (thankfully at the moment), never destroys anything in the house as she just plays with her chewtoys.
I want to be fair to my little baby by giving her more time, and don't want her to stress if she is left alone, but want to encourage her independence and confidence.

[Adina P]

How long will you be gone? At 8 months she can hold potty for close to 8 hours a day. And with doggy daycare 2-3 days a week, I think one quick potty/exercise walk midday on the non-daycare days will be sufficient. I think she will do FINE with what you have set up =)

[Caroline]

Well, she'll be on her own from about 8:30am till 11:00 ish, then 12:30-1:00pm ish till around 5:30pm. Do you think that's ok? Thanks for the advice Adina. x

[Adina P]

That sounds perfectly fine! She'll never be alone for more than 4.5 hours...that ain't bad at all.

[Caroline]

Thanks- it's so good to get feedback! I'm feeling a lot more reassured now with what I've set up and think I'll just opt for the shorter walks at the moment for non daycare days and see how she goes x

[HANNAH 8/2/07 & HONEY 7/2/08]

Sounds like a great plan...with daycare 2 days a weeks and a dog walker for the rest. If she seems to be getting bored and/or chewing, leave some frozen kongs filled with peanut butter, she can work on those for hours, and your dog walker can give it before she leaves...

[Caroline]

Thanks Hannah, that reassures me. You know what it's like - the guilt pangs!
It's funny, she's only recently started getting into Kongs-wasn't really that interested (maybe too young before?)
I did the frozen ones before, but not with peanut butter - that sounds yummy and will last longer. I've just been using plain treats mixed with kibble, but will try that as I reckon she'll love it!

[Leslie and Halas]

Your plan sounds good. Halas has been on a similar schedule (the non-daycare days) since about that same age, and he's done fine. As long as you continue to spend a lot of quality time with her in the evenings, she should be ok with this.

[Caroline]

Thanks a lot for your advice. I'm feeling a lot better about it. See how she goes next week. Fingers x

[Debbie and Thomas]

Oh Gee- I can understand your concern but it sounds like you have things covered VERY WELL> After all- I work from home and when I am here my dood pretty much just hangs around and sleeps after the dog walker brings him home around noon. He is usually exhausted as he goes to a conservation area with 8-10 other dogs and runs for 1 1/2 hrs. on Monday to Friday. The activities you have planned for Christy will also tire her out and she will look forward to some quiet time to sleep it off. Good luck and don't worry.

[Caroline]

Thanks!