This may apply to most dogs, but not Gus. Yesterday we were gone for seven and a half hours. We got home and went upstairs and there’s Gus laying in the middle of the bed. He did pull himself up on his front legs, but nary a tale did wag. Of course we have to carry him downstairs and out to do his business. (He was good while we were gone and didn’t leave any presents.) He does come inside on his own most of the time now… at his own pace. When winter gets here we’re not going to be able to leave the door open for him to decide when he’s ready to come in. So, I’m not sure what’s going to happen then.
How old is Gus, Jonco? All this time I thought he was a new dog but he sounds old.
Do you have a fenced in area? You could get an dog door that’s designed for cold weather (three flaps).
Gus is 5 years old. I think he just doesn’t know how to be a dog.
Yeah, sounds more like a cat.
I think the longer you have your dog and the more they get used to your patterns the more this graph changes. When I first had my dog, he’d about knock me over when I came home after work. I’ve had him for 4 years now. If I am gone to a typical day to work, my dog is mildly happy to see me when I get home. I am lucky to get a wag of his tail sometimes. Most of the time he just lays there and waits for me to pet him.
Now, if I am gone too long and get home late, he knows it and greets me with much more enthusiasm. Also, if I am not gone a full day he knows that too and is really happy if I come home early.
It doesn’t matter if I go outside to collect the mail (2 minutes) or go away for the day, my doggies turn themselves inside out everytime I walk through the door. Makes me feel good.
My two dogs are polar opposites. Jake acts like “whatever” when my wife and return home, whereas Katy goes into a frenzy just coming back inside from an outdoor “business break”.