The Great Doggie Debate: How Long is Too Long?

Every dog parent knows the look...

So, you’re juggling work, school runs, and kids who’ve suddenly decided your walls are their art studio. You love your dog to bits, but let’s be honest, life pulls you in every direction. And somewhere in the middle of the chaos, you get hit with that question: how long is too long to leave Rex home alone?

Picture it: you grab your keys, you’re halfway out the door, and your dog throws you the look. You know the one. The “how dare you abandon me” eyes. You promise you’ll be back soon, but deep down you know “soon” might not cut it.

Here’s the thing: dogs aren’t built for the nine-to-five grind. They don’t sit quietly with a chamomile tea, journaling about gratitude while you’re gone. They sit there thinking, my pack left me… now what?. And that's when the cushion stuffing starts flying.

Trust me, I see you. We've lived this with our own pack. Ella’s later years were basically a mop-and-bucket marathon thanks to her bladder. Sweet girl, but if we were gone too long, we knew what was waiting when we got home.

Franklin? Well, here's Exhibit A of his puppy stage:

Franklin's idea of interior decorating. We're still financially recovering from his "puppy phase".

He turned “puppy stage” into “financial ruin,” chewing through more beds and couches than we care to count. And then there's Happy, the walking definition of separation anxiety. If the doggie door’s open, she’ll Houdini her way out. If it’s closed, you’re guaranteed a toilet break inside. And as if that wasn’t enough, she’s now added chewing to her résumé. Just last week she ripped our quilt apart so duck feathersfloated through the bedroom like a snow globe.

Even the so-called “easy” dogs have their limits. Some might nap half the day and trick you into thinking you’ve cracked the code. But stretch it past eight hours and you’re in the danger zone. Coping isn’t thriving, it’s like leaving a toddler with an iPad all day. Technically possible, sure. Ideal? Absolutely not.

Solutions That Don’t Involve a New Lounge

So, what do you actually do when life keeps you out of the house all day? You don’t need to bubble-wrap your furniture or accept that your lounge is now a chew toy. A few smart tweaks make a massive difference, for your dog and your sanity.

1. Start With Exercise

A good walk or game of fetch before you leave sets them up for a snooze, not a scheming session.

2. Puzzle Toys

Frozen Kongs, snuffle mats, or anything that makes them work for a treat. Keeps their brain busy and their teeth off your cushions.

3. Dog Walker

The gold standard. A midday visit breaks up the day with a toilet stop, exercise, and some company. Your dog gets tail wags, you get peace of mind. Win-win.

4. Doggy Daycare

Great for dogs who thrive in a pack and want to play all day. But for plenty of dogs, it’s a bit too much. That’s where a walk or home visit can be the perfect middle ground, company, exercise, and cuddles without the full-day overwhelm.

Why We Do What We Do

This is exactly why Tails on Trails exists. Because we know how fast “they’ll be fine” can turn into “well, that’s another cushion gone.”  We’ve lived the toilet “surprises,” the chewed beds, and yes, the snowstorm of duck feathers in the bedroom.

So we step in. A loo break, a walk, a cuddle, that’s usually all it takes to turn a plotting gremlin into a snoring angel. And sometimes Oliver tags along, which makes it a family field trip. Dogs love it, we love it, and your furniture gets to live another day.

We’re not just there to walk your dog. We’re there to keep them happy, to keep you sane, and to save your street from another “anyone else hearing that barking again?” post on the community Facebook group.

The Honest Answer

Leaving your dog home alone all day isn’t the end of the world once in a while — we all have those days, and our own dogs do too. But when it becomes the everyday routine, that’s when it starts to wear on them. They’re happiest when life is broken up a little, not spent waiting by the door from breakfast to dinner.

That’s really why Tails on Trails exists — to give busy families a hand, and to give dogs a day that feels a little lighter.

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This is the face of a dog who definitely isn't chewing the couch later.