Does Your Dog Know How Long You've Been Gone?

As a pet sitter I occasionally have dog owners that only want one visit per day or request that I come every other day while they are away.


I always encourage pet parents to allow me to come at least twice a day and I NEVER accept a client who only wants me to come every other day, there is just too much liability on my company.  My argument is that dogs are pack animals.  They are at their happiest when surrounded by others.  Besides, if they are left alone for too long, they can get in to lots of trouble due to boredom. 


I recently read a study about whether dogs are affected by the amount of time we are away.   Thanks to a recent research study from Therese Rehn and Linda J. Keeling, "The effect of time left alone at home on dog welfare," we now have new insight. The study investigated the effect of time left alone on dog behavior and cardiac activity. To conduct the research, twelve dogs were videotaped when left alone in their homes for periods of 30 minutes, 2 hours and 4 hours. The dogs in the study were privately owned and none had a history of separation related behavior problems.

Results from the study showed the key differences in behavior were observed when the dogs were reunited with their owners after being left alone for the 2- and 4-hour time periods. In these instances, dogs displayed more intense greeting behavior toward their owners compared with the 30-minute separation, and they also showed more tail wagging, increased interaction with their owners, and higher frequencies of lip licking and body shaking. In addition, the dogs displayed a tendency for a higher heart rate during the first and second minute after the reunion in the two-hour separation compared to the 30-minute separation.

The researchers explain the study “cannot distinguish between whether dogs were aware of the length of time they were alone or whether they were unaware until reminded of it by the return of their owner,” but they add it does confirm dogs are affected by the duration of time they are left home alone.


The bottom line is....when leaving home for extended periods, have your pet sitter come multiple times a day or stay overnight so your dogs are less affected by you being gone.


Play Time Pet Care offers multiple visits and overnight stays.   Call us today for your no obligation consultation!  480-292-9735.