# Pet Dopers: Do you tell your pets when you leave the house? **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [May 28, 2011, 9:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pet-dopers-do-you-tell-your-pets-when-you-leave-the-house/583600 "2011-05-28T21:46:42Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![rhubarbarin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/eb9ed0/32.png) [@rhubarbarin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/rhubarbarin)\ **Post date:** [May 29, 2011, 9:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pet-dopers-do-you-tell-your-pets-when-you-leave-the-house/583600/41 "2011-05-29T21:55:54Z")
I don’t do the courtesy-talking thing, and I ignore all my pets when I’m trying to get out of the house. I’ve heard many times that giving pets special attention when you are preparing to leave or leaving makes them nervous and/or contributes to any separation anxiety they might have, so I’ve always thought the reason none of my pets seem to notice when I am preparing to leave or when I do leave is because I make it a non-event. They are very happy when I come back, though. ---
**Author:** ![Cat\_Fight](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/90ced4/32.png) [@Cat\_Fight](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cat_Fight)\ **Post date:** [May 29, 2011, 10:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pet-dopers-do-you-tell-your-pets-when-you-leave-the-house/583600/42 "2011-05-29T22:00:08Z")
What a silly question. It would be rude not to. (I think \*\*rhubarbarin \*\* is right, though, and when I’m only going out for a bit I’m very casual.) ---
**Author:** ![tarragon918](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/d26b3c/32.png) [@tarragon918](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tarragon918)\ **Post date:** [May 29, 2011, 10:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pet-dopers-do-you-tell-your-pets-when-you-leave-the-house/583600/43 "2011-05-29T22:27:22Z")
In a somewhat different vein (but similar, I promise!), when I was a kid we had a miniature poodle that was very much bonded with our Mom. Often, she would bring him along in the car when she ran errands, particularly if my younger brothers were going to be in the car while she made a quick stop at some store. As soon as she left, he would start “crying,” seriously! And being kids, my brothers would start teasing him, “oh look, there’s Mom!” He’d run from window to window, his crying becoming louder and more plaintive with each trip. Always looking for our Mom. And when she finally did return, he would just go wild, scratching at the car window like he was trying to get out to greet her. I can’t say that I didn’t take part in some of the teasing, unfortunately - guilty as charged. Someone would invariably have to tell the dog, “here comes Mom!” Thanks for helping to remind me of one of those strangely precious moments … LOL ---
**Author:** ![Toleelumb](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/74df32/32.png) [@Toleelumb](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Toleelumb)\ **Post date:** [May 29, 2011, 10:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pet-dopers-do-you-tell-your-pets-when-you-leave-the-house/583600/44 "2011-05-29T22:39:37Z")
[http://www.filmbak.com](http://www.filmbak.com) film izle ---
**Author:** ![Zsofia](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/7bcc69/32.png) [@Zsofia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zsofia)\ **Post date:** [May 29, 2011, 11:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pet-dopers-do-you-tell-your-pets-when-you-leave-the-house/583600/45 "2011-05-29T23:43:27Z")
“Okay, Captain, you’re the man of the house now!” He always looks stunned by the responsibility. ---
**Author:** ![Mean\_Mr.Mustard](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mean_mr.mustard/32/3865_2.png) [@Mean\_Mr.Mustard](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mean_Mr.Mustard)\ **Post date:** [May 30, 2011, 12:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pet-dopers-do-you-tell-your-pets-when-you-leave-the-house/583600/46 "2011-05-30T00:47:59Z")
I not only tell my dog I’m going out, I ask him if there’s anything I can get him while I’m out. mmm ---
**Author:** ![Pai325](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/c68b51/32.png) [@Pai325](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Pai325)\ **Post date:** [May 30, 2011, 12:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pet-dopers-do-you-tell-your-pets-when-you-leave-the-house/583600/47 "2011-05-30T00:48:48Z")
Of course. Where I’m going and when I will be back. They can always tell that something is up, so why not alleviate their concerns? ---
**Author:** ![Cub\_Mistress](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/ea666f/32.png) [@Cub\_Mistress](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cub_Mistress)\ **Post date:** [May 30, 2011, 1:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pet-dopers-do-you-tell-your-pets-when-you-leave-the-house/583600/48 "2011-05-30T01:22:22Z")
When I had a dog, I told him to be good and keep an eye on the place. Among my many home health clients, 3 have small dogs that are acutely aware when I am leaving and have to be physically restrained so as not to bite my ankles on the way out the door. I find this very annoying, but the owners seem to find it cute. It baffles me how anyone could allow their dogs to develop this bad behavior. ---
**Author:** ![janis\_and\_c0](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/janis_and_c0/32/21_2.png) [@janis\_and\_c0](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/janis_and_c0)\ **Post date:** [May 30, 2011, 1:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pet-dopers-do-you-tell-your-pets-when-you-leave-the-house/583600/49 "2011-05-30T01:47:41Z")
Unless he’s asleep, or otherwise occupied, I tell Leo to be a good boy when I go out. If I’m going to be gone for more than just the day, I’ll pick him up and kiss him goodbye. (Not that he appriciates it!) ---
**Author:** ![Marconi\_N.Cheese](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/57b2e6/32.png) [@Marconi\_N.Cheese](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Marconi_N.Cheese)\ **Post date:** [May 30, 2011, 1:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pet-dopers-do-you-tell-your-pets-when-you-leave-the-house/583600/50 "2011-05-30T01:50:51Z")
Since we take the dog with us from time to time, when she’s not going I tell her “You stay here, I’ll be back”. I don’t make a big deal out of it, I just say it once. She gets it. ---
**Author:** ![Buttercup\_Smith](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/buttercup_smith/32/473_2.png) [@Buttercup\_Smith](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Buttercup_Smith)\ **Post date:** [May 30, 2011, 2:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pet-dopers-do-you-tell-your-pets-when-you-leave-the-house/583600/51 "2011-05-30T02:06:28Z")
My 8 lb Chiahuahua, Louie, goes with me when I can get away with him being at work. On the days he cannot go I tell him he can’t go and I’ll be back in a little while. Some days he accepts it and others he tries to get in my purse. I feel so bad when he cannot go. He is always happy to see me come home though. Maybe I should just leave without making a big deal of it.😕 ---
**Author:** ![Lynn\_Bodoni](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/e47c2d/32.png) [@Lynn\_Bodoni](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lynn_Bodoni)\ **Post date:** [May 30, 2011, 4:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pet-dopers-do-you-tell-your-pets-when-you-leave-the-house/583600/52 "2011-05-30T04:38:11Z")
> [@Miss\_Mapp](#): > > I usually tell them “Be good kitties. I’ll see you tonight,” as I head out the door for work. If I don’t tell them to be good, who knows what they might do while I’m gone? Oh, there’s all kinds of mischief that cats can get up to. One of our orange boys likes to tip over wastebaskets. We have to put metal weights in the bottom of any wastebasket, and then put liners in. The little blue female will pull down the kitchen curtains anytime she can. I have to be VERY careful to clean up the kitchen and put up all food unless I want the cats on the counters and cleaning up any crumbs. Yes, I should do that anyway, but the cats won’t let me get away with not doing it. I’m pretty sure that they get on the counters anyway, they just don’t do it when I’m watching. ---
**Author:** ![gone2thedogs](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/c67d28/32.png) [@gone2thedogs](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gone2thedogs)\ **Post date:** [May 30, 2011, 5:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pet-dopers-do-you-tell-your-pets-when-you-leave-the-house/583600/53 "2011-05-30T05:09:29Z")
Yes, everyday when I go to work, “Be good dogs, see you tonight!”. The only time I forgot to say it several years ago I got hit by a car and ended up in hospital overnight… Otherwise, “I’m going out, be back soon, be good”. Sometimes they don’t seem to listen though… ---
**Author:** ![BetsQ](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/fbc32d/32.png) [@BetsQ](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BetsQ)\ **Post date:** [May 30, 2011, 11:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pet-dopers-do-you-tell-your-pets-when-you-leave-the-house/583600/54 "2011-05-30T11:35:03Z")
I say good bye to the kitties so routinely that my son said, “Bye-bye, Charlie!” before he said “Mama.” Rotten child. ---
**Author:** ![Katriona](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/katriona/32/113_2.png) [@Katriona](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Katriona)\ **Post date:** [May 30, 2011, 3:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pet-dopers-do-you-tell-your-pets-when-you-leave-the-house/583600/55 "2011-05-30T15:11:57Z")
We always leave with an admonishment of “no wild parties.” We know the neighborhood dogs; buncha hoodlums! ---
**Author:** ![Palo\_Verde](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/65b543/32.png) [@Palo\_Verde](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Palo_Verde)\ **Post date:** [May 30, 2011, 7:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pet-dopers-do-you-tell-your-pets-when-you-leave-the-house/583600/56 "2011-05-30T19:10:34Z")
I have 2 dogs and 2 cats, I talk to them sometimes, but I make no pretense of telling them where I’m going or when I’m coming back. I just leave. ---
**Author:** ![Monstera\_deliciosa](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/monstera_deliciosa/32/109_2.png) [@Monstera\_deliciosa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Monstera_deliciosa)\ **Post date:** [May 30, 2011, 8:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pet-dopers-do-you-tell-your-pets-when-you-leave-the-house/583600/57 "2011-05-30T20:43:31Z")
If either of my two cats are near the door when I’m leaving, I’ll say goodbye. If they aren’t nearby, I don’t bother to find them. ---
**Author:** ![Taomist](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/53a042/32.png) [@Taomist](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Taomist)\ **Post date:** [May 30, 2011, 9:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pet-dopers-do-you-tell-your-pets-when-you-leave-the-house/583600/58 "2011-05-30T21:03:32Z")
> [@Yllaria](#): > > If they’re in the room, and especially if they’re looking at me. I try to either say, “I’ll be right back” for if I’m just going out to the car or something else quick, or “Bye, bye. Be good” for if I’m going to be gone awhile. > > I have no clue if they’ve picked up the difference. Same. You _would_ think that by now, if mommy leaves the house with a big stinky bag, that she’ll be right back without said big stinky bag. From their reactions, however, you’d think I was teasing them with live birds and dead mice and having so much fun without them that it’s torturous; they climb up the screen door and just MREOW!!! so that it echoes off the walls of the apartment buildings. Maybe it’s so I don’t get lost coming back from the dumpster… ---
**Author:** ![Taomist](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/53a042/32.png) [@Taomist](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Taomist)\ **Post date:** [May 30, 2011, 9:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pet-dopers-do-you-tell-your-pets-when-you-leave-the-house/583600/59 "2011-05-30T21:10:41Z")
> [@BetsQ](#): > > I say good bye to the kitties so routinely that my son said, “Bye-bye, Charlie!” before he said “Mama.” Rotten child. I lived with my younger sister through her two pregnancies and in between; my sister also had random cats during all of this. “Random” because her property butted onto some undeveloped land, and the cats were all indoor/outdoor, which meant a revolving stable of semi-feral felines. She had a young son, her husband’s, named Alex, and we all had fun imitating the cats. I used to sing meow songs with Alex all the time, just meowing where the words are. We meowed a lot. When Tess came along, she heard lots of idiot humans imitating cats at her, as well as the usual english. Her first child’s first word was…Meow. I am still so very proud, and my sister is still so very pissed. 😛😃 ---
**Author:** ![Mrs.Cake](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/2acd7d/32.png) [@Mrs.Cake](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mrs.Cake)\ **Post date:** [May 30, 2011, 9:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pet-dopers-do-you-tell-your-pets-when-you-leave-the-house/583600/60 "2011-05-30T21:15:26Z")
On the rare occasions they haven’t eaten breakfast an already gone back to bed, sure, I’ll let the cats know that I’ll be back to feed them again. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pet-dopers-do-you-tell-your-pets-when-you-leave-the-house/583600.md?page=2) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pet-dopers-do-you-tell-your-pets-when-you-leave-the-house/583600.md?page=4)