Hello,
Random curious question - for those who leave the house or an extended time most days - do you separate your dogs when you leave? Assuming you don't crate them of course. My two are reliably non-destructive in the house and I used to put them each in a separate bedroom when I left the house. Lately I've been leaving them together in the larger bedroom thinking maybe they like the company. They don't seem to care either way when I'm leaving. So just curious, do you think dogs do like to be together or better to have own space?

I think it all depends on the dogs, their ages, sizes, energy levels, temperaments, etc. Under the best of circumstances, the dogs would probably be calmer with each other and hopefully well behaved. However, it's a big risk allowing two or more dogs to be unrestrained and unsupervised. For example, putting a high energy younger dog with an older dog could result in one or both getting injured either through play or over dominance issues.

We never had pack issues like that but there was a time where we let our two dogs have the run of the house when we were gone. No problems with injuries or safety but eventually, as one aged and got senile, she would make messes. That became an open invitation for the younger dog to do the same thing so I would get home and find two messes. I would think the same thing could happen if one decided to chew or damage some of your prized furniture or valued possession. From that point one, we kept them in crates while we were gone for extended periods and never looked back. We did learn than having them in separate crates in the same room was more comforting to them than keeping them in separate rooms. They were noticeably calmer.

Mine are all left together, uncrated, in a closed room.

I keep my two dogs together in a secure room. A GSD and a Maltipoo. No problems for a year now.

It's totally dependent on your particular circumstances and the dogs involved. There are actually two different issues to address, IMO.

First, is each of the dogs in question "reliably non-destructive" in the house, and you say yes to that, so that solves one issue.

When mine were pups (or newly adopted), they were crated, but it was always my goal to get to a point of trustworthiness as far as them understanding we don't go potty in the house and we don't chew things that aren't ours to chew.

Second, it's important to know your dogs and how they get along. I'm lucky that I have two who definitely seem to enjoy each other's company. If you have any doubts about that, I would err on the side of caution. And I believe it was Greg who mentioned that the dynamic can sometimes change if one becomes old or sick.

Though I don't have to leave the house every day, when I do, mine are always left together, with the full run of the house. I do take the precaution of closing the blinds; otherwise, they will bark at things they see out the windows. I make sure there is no food left on the table or the counters. That might be too much temptation. My trash container is behind a closed door. Oh, and I usually leave the TV or radio on for them, only because one or the other is usually on, anyway, so I figure that just makes the house sound more "normal" for them.

Big ditto about

" ... it's important to know your dogs and how they get along. ... If you have any doubts about that, I would err on the side of caution. And I believe it was Greg who mentioned that the dynamic can sometimes change if one becomes old or sick."

And of course I never leave any toys or chewies or food out with more than one loose (uncrated) dog.

Thanks for the replies! Mine are malinois, an eight year old male and four year old female. They don't chew or destroy things but I don't give them free run of house because they jump on furniture and bark at passerbys. I think I will continue leaving them together hoping they do enjoy the company. They get along well and like to romp together. The male is very sweet and tolerant. I have no idea what they do all day but I guess it is better than being alone.
Just wondering what others do! Thanks!

After fostering pit bulls for years I never leave any of my dogs alone together. Shelby gets a bedroom to herself, River is crated unless she's been adequately exercised before I have to leave and then she gets run of the house while Shelby is behind a door. Their temperaments and their relationship together makes me believe they're both safe together, but that door barrier makes me breathe easier.

I've come home to a bloodbath and a dead dog before, and I know several people who've come home to severely injured or dead dogs. The risk isn't worth it for ME.

I currently only have one dog, but I can say when I'm not home, she either sits in the recliner, or the bed, naps and watches TV (I leave it on for the noise). I think I would add that if leaving more than one together I would be careful about leaving them with any treats, bones, etc. I know of more than one family that has had dogs fight over treats while owners weren't home, some of these were fatal.

You REALLY need to know your dogs before you leave them unattended together. In my pack, Drift and Shyner have always had the run of the house while Toni, Cat, and Tyra were crated.

As Toni and Cat earned time out of the crate, I would alternate them- they are too high drive and possessive to leave unattended together, but they are OK with the other dogs.

Paul thought Tyra should have time loose in the house during the day, and he left her out one day. She destroyed a brand new 10 pound box of Honest Kitchen. Her butt is crated again, and Paul understands that this is not a decision he is qualified to make That was an expensive lesson for him to learn.... she's always been a counter surfer and garbage diver and simply can't be trusted loose and unattended.