Dog Owner Seeks Advice On How To Avoid Feelings of Guilt When Leaving The Doggo Home Alone

Author image for kalila courban
kalila courban
Mar 6, 2024 2:00 PM EST

Hey, friends! Most dog owners understand that being a doggo parent is a full-time job. That means walks before work, making sure the loved one has enough food and water at all times, another walk after work, and then another one before bed. Of course, the walks may range in length but they are always necessary! For those who work from home, like the original poster of the featured thread, it's possible to spend almost 100% of your time with your doggo! 

This leads to the question OP is faced with today, how does one avoid feelings of guilt when leaving the doggo alone? Especially when said doggo is used to being with their human 24/7. It can be really difficult for a human who is attached to a doggo to part ways, even for just a few hours. So OP turned to the interwebs for some advice and advice they did receive! Check it out. 

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  • 01
    This is probably more about human behavior but how do you leave your dog and not feel massive guilt?
    via u/whitemamba24xx
  • 02
    Hello I have an Australian Cattle Dog and he's pretty much been my life since I got him in 2020. He does everything with me or I don't do it. He's crate trained but only goes in there if it's really needed. Food shopping or doctors appointments. That said I'm going to the movies tonight and took him for a nice walk then fetch. I also took him to In and Out for a dog patty.
    via u/whitemamba24xx
  • 03
    I love him he's my best friend but how do I not feel guilty about leaving him for a few hours? I should also note I am work from home so he really is with me 24/7 Edit: thanks everyone for responding! I am trying to answer everyone but wanted to say tonight went well. He slept while I was gone and we have been playing fetch with his favorite ball! Ty for the support I'll keep working on it!
    via u/whitemamba24xx
  • 04
    sarahsue44 ● 6h ago i put a camera on my pup when i am gone. it helps me not worry so much. if she wakes up and is pacing i just head home. she is elderly with dementia now so it is important i watch her constantly. but i always did this anyway.
    via u/sarahsue44
  • 05
    5h ago magickalusername I tell my female (who is also not used to being left alone much) that I'm leaving so that we can be reunited! We love seeing each other after a separation, right? Half kidding, but that's the vibe I have when I leave. It's all good, things are great and we have stuff to look forward to! Then when I leave, she's not picking up on any apprehension or reason to be stressed, worried, etc.
    via u/magickalusername
  • 06
    6h ago tmntmikey80 You've just got to get over it. It's not the end of the world. Your dog will be fine. It's important you are able to live your life as well. Enjoy yourself. It's important dogs are used to being home alone in case something comes up.
    via u/tmntmikey80
  • 07
    Astarkraven 5h ago Owned by Greyhound ● Are you feeling guilty because he's upset when you leave? Or are you feeling guilty even though he's fine when you leave? That would be a pretty big distinction in any advice to you on this subject. How does he act when you're gone? When he's in the crate?
    via u/Astarkraven
  • 08
    ludacrisly. 5h ago I mean this sounds like co dependence that was built during covid. I'm sure a ton of dog owners feel it since a lot of people got pets during this time. Dogs are ok being left alone, you gave them attention, exercise, and a bathroom stop before going out for 3 hours basically. That is fine. You can't let a dog run your life as long as you aren't gone for longer than their normal bathroom schedule. They are always a bit upset when you leave but get over it in like 5 minutes and
    via u/ludacrisly
  • 09
    User884121 ● 5h ago I had this guilt for a while too. My dog never had separation anxiety, so it was a me problem rather than a problem with my dog. Both my husband and I work from home as well, so we're with her pretty much all the time. I stopped feeling guilty when I realized that as soon as we left the house, she hopped up on the couch and went to sleep. When we come home, she's still on the couch and just waking up. I realized that she probably looks forward to us leaving
    via u/
  • 10
    HOT BlessedBeTheFlerm • 5h ago I put up a camera. Most of the time my dog just sleeps. I also give him some kibble in snuffle mats or puzzles to keep him busy and help time fly.
    via u/BlessedBeTheFlerm
  • 11
    80sBorn90sRaised • 5h ago ● Just realize that dogs likely need a break from us too. I also work from home and y pooch is with me nearly all the time. I like to think she enjoys a little me time herself.
    via u/80sBorn90sRaised
  • 12
    devoutdefeatist • 4h ago It helps me to remember that animals in the wild spend the vast majority of their days sleeping! She might appreciate a nap after running and training and eating and errands just as much as I do.
    via u/devoutdefeatist
  • 13
    ByWillAlone 5h ago I got my dog some friends. Now we have dogs. They keep each other company and keep each other entertained while we are out of the house.
    via u/ByWillAlone
  • 14
    cold iron_76.5h ago I felt guilty leaving more than an hour the first year. Then I had to start increasing it because, you know, I need a life too. She's fine for 3 or 4 hours now after several months slowly increasing it. What really helped me get over it was when I came back after 3 hours and she wasn't in the window waiting for me. She was sleeping on my bed and didn't even come to the door when I walked in. I realized then that it's in my head and she's actually fine while I'm gone. Lol
    via u/cold_iron_76.
  • 15
    trailmix_pprof. 5h ago I have a very high maintenance velcro dog. Yet, when I come home from being away a few hours, it's obvious he's been snoozing.
    via u/trailmix_pprof
  • 16
    ● kygrandma 4h ago You are not doing him any favors by always being there. He needs to be conditioned to your absence. Other than the fact that you need to have some kind of social life, what happens if you are sick or injured and need to be in the hospital. Or need to be with a sick relative or what is your job stops being remote. You do not want to create separation anxiety in your dog. He is going to be fine without you there. He will just sleep and be very happy to see you when you come home
    via u/kygrandma
  • 17
    NeverBeLonely • 4h ago I dont and never have. They are dogs. They need to be able to be left alone, and they will be fine. Of course make sure your house is safe, mine is so I dont wotry. They'll stay outside in the patio a while, look at people? Go back in, sleep, go back out etc. they dont need to be stuck to yourself 24/7.
    via u/NeverBeLonely

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