Mine will sometimes be left all day. They are outside though and have the run of the conservatory with a dog door so they can choose whether they want to be in or out.

They dont come inside though. There are two of them though so they are company for each other.

Hi Talassie leaving an adult dog 4 hours three times a week seems resonable to me (providing it gets on with the existing dog or they are seperated). A walk before leaving of 45 mins and the same later sounds ideal

Chloe being a small breed was mature at two years old, she is just over two and gets on average 45 mins walk three times a day. She is rarely left more than two hours a week. How long would I leave a dog, that depends on the dog and the circumstances but if I had to I would leave an adult dog about four hours three or four times a week.

Labman isn't that statement a little misleading or have you forgotten about the other half a day...
I think there is a big difference between leaving an adult dog for a few hours a day and leaving a seven week old puppy all day with just a break at lunch time and leaving it in a crate, and crating it all night too without bedding or water as you have suggested so often .

I think puppies need someone around most of the time so that they can learn. I wouldn't want to leave a very young puppy for more than an hour. But when they get a bit older I think it depends on the individual dog.

Just a different point of view - but if you applied for a specific adult rescue dog, maybe being left for 4 hours -with another dog - was not suitable for that particular rescue dog?
Did they say no, not any dog at all?

The dog I applied for had been booked by someone else just before I sent in my application. The feedback I got from the rescue was that 4 hours was too long for a dog to be left and to think about re-applying when I was no longer working, but they did say if the dogwalker were to take the dogs out twice a day that would be acceptable. So I think it must apply to any dog they rehome.

our two are left for up to around 4 hours, we both work full time and have a have a dog walker 3 days a week and my dad comes for 1/2 day 2 days a week, they both get 30 mins play in the morning and same again at night and they just sleep when they have been out with dog walker till we get home, i personally dont think its unreasonable especially when you are offering to give a rescue dog a good home, Honey is a rescue dog and we expalined our circumstances when we got her and they came and did a house check as well and were very happy.

I thought 4 hours was ok but since speaking to the rescue I have been wondering. I suppose it depends on the individual dog (as always).

i dont think 4 hours is too long, and i think its silly when rescues turn people down for such reasons when they are full to bursting with dogs needing homes!

jake doesnt get left at home for long, coz with me and my parents someone is always coming and going but i know he would be fine getting left for 4 hours, and probably more.

I have done hone checks for four different rescue groups and in all of their advice they recommend not more than 4 he's a day home alone with regular walks obviously.

It's unreasonable to suggest only people in steady long term relationships, the retired freelance or homeworkers and the unemployed can own a dog. And even if you are lucky enough to be home all day every day every one deserves to be able to go to the cinema (2-4 hours) and maybe have a meal once in a while!

Personally I believe all dogs should be trained to be left for 4-5 hours. You never know when something might happen and you need to go to hospital or just out! Dogs can't go with us everywhere. Much as we wish they could.

Sadly I don't think rescues are doing themselves any favours with their silly criteria for how long a dog should be left alone for. They are not helping themselves by turning down legate people that can offer a lovely home.