There’s no denying that companionship is a basic human need—simply because it establishes some degree of belonging. The other undeniable fact is that many humans love turning to dogs for companionship. And the bonds forged are sometimes stronger than the ones forged between family members.
If you’d like to get a dog, but you’re hesitant due to your work schedule, this is the post you’ve been waiting for. We’re about to share with you how you can go about your business, and still make sure that your fur baby doesn’t feel neglected.
How To Take Care of a Dog While Working Full Time
1. Include Them in Your Exercise Programs
Are you the type of person who exercises very early in the morning, or in the evening? You know what? It doesn’t matter because dogs don’t quite have a preference. As long as they get their daily workouts in, they’ll appreciate the fact that they are going to sleep feeling not just physically stimulated, but mentally as well.
2. Explore Remote Entertainment Options
Speaking of mental stimulation, it’s vital in making sure that your dog stays healthy.
If you feel like a toy won’t be enough, install a two-way-audio pet camera. The kind that allows you to see what the dog’s doing back home—while you’re at work—and even communicate with him/her from time to time. Some of them also feature two-way videos and treat dispensers to give consumers the option of exploring remote training.
3. Have Lunch Together
This might not apply to everybody—it’s an option that is only available to those who don’t have a long commute to and from work. Of course, this means you’ll be left with little time to relax before you clock back in.
Think about how your dog will be happy to see you again, how relieved it will feel to get the chance to go outside for a bit, and the joy of having a fresh meal. You’ll also gain something from that arrangement because you’ll be having lunch with your best friend!
4. Hire a Reputable and Reliable Dog Walker
We know it’s going to be difficult to trust a stranger to take care of your baby the way you like him/her taken care of. If you can’t find time in between your breaks to visit your pet, you have to at least think about hiring a professional dog walker.
As is every other hiring process, this is not going to be easy. The market is brimming with professional walkers. You have to look for someone who actually loves dogs and is not just in it for the money. If it were up to us, we would ask the following questions during the interview:
If you’re satisfied with the answers, introduce them to the dog beforehand. We often trust our dogs’ sixth sense more than we do ours, so if your dog doesn’t like them, it’s a hard no. And the same applies in cases where the walker doesn’t seem comfortable around the dog.
5. Try to Align Your Family’s Schedule
Assuming this is a family dog, you can align your schedule with that of your kids or spouse. If you only live with roommates or friends, ask them if they’d like to help you take care of him/her while you’re at work. It’s really not that difficult of a task if all are willing to cooperate. You might be surprised to learn that some of them would love to be given such an opportunity.
6. Work From Home
Companies are slowly realizing that employee productivity is greatly influenced by the environment. Even if the workplace provides a safe working environment, some people would rather work from home than commute every day. They are increasingly becoming open to the idea of working from home because the benefits far outweigh the cons.
If you’re planning to approach your supervisor with this idea, make sure your pitch revolves around the benefits that the company will accrue.
7. Consider Going to Work with Your Dog
Hey, who said it’s a crime to bring your dog to work? Especially if it’s the kind of breed that doesn’t require a lot of physical or mental stimulation to stay healthy. Unfortunately, for this option to be viable, you’ll have to work in a pet-friendly environment or outdoors.
8. Offer a Comfortable Environment
If you’re going to leave your dog at home the whole day with no one to look after him/her, the least you can do is to make sure they feel comfortable. We like to think of a comfortable environment as one that has plenty of water, adequate space to run around, several toys, good food, and is completely free of potentially hazardous objects.
Dogs are not meant to live in cages or crates. So, locking them in there for a considerably long period of time is cruel, even if you’ve added some comfortable bedding.
9. Install an Automated Food & Water Dispenser
Just like humans, dogs also have their daily nutrient requirements. We’re referring to the amount of each nutrient required per day, to ensure they maintain their well-being and health. Once you realize you might not be able to always be there for your dog, the first thought that will cross your mind is how to ensure it gets the appropriate access to food and water.
Some dogs are well-trained to eat from a bowl at specific times, but most of them aren’t. In such cases, you could invest in automated food and water dispensers. Thanks to technology, some of these products can be programmed to release food and water at various intervals.
10. Choose a Breed That’s Not Active
People who live in apartments or those who lack backyards love to go for breeds that are least active for obvious reasons. Dogs such as the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel, the Miniature Pinscher, and The English Bulldog are perfect breeds for someone who would love to own a dog but fears the repercussions due to their busy work schedule.
Take the Miniature Pinscher, for example. It’s one breed that doesn’t have an issue curling up in a corner, just to take an 8-hour nap. And the last time we checked, there are 8 hours in a 9-to-5!
Conclusion
Being a full-time dog parent is not easy, and that’s why some people aren’t. However, you could still become one, without compromising your pet’s well-being. First off, you have to understand that dogs are just like humans. They all have different personalities, tastes, and preferences. Some like to run around all the time, while others prefer being left alone. If you’re a busy person, go for the latter, and follow some of our tips above.
Featured Image Credit: nakaridore, Freepik
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