You Work Full Time

[ShesaLikeableBiBear]

Understandably during the week you work full time, so you don't have much opportunity to spend time with your dogs.

Here in QLD 'though it's getting light by 4.30am. You are generally up by 5.00am and don't leave for work until 7.00am. Given that you have "space" to let your dog/s have a good leg stretch, what do you do? (working dogs), let them out in the mornings into a samllish area, or let them have a leg stretch?

On your days off, do you spend time with them, or are you out and about, doing "your thing" and your dog/s are ignored? so much so they they whine/cry for the better part of the day?.

[Jaxx'sBuddy]

all the time outside of work bar a very small amount is spent with my dog

[JackieW]

Mine are let out twice in the mornings in the 3/4 acre back yard, then put in the pen (attached to a huge shed, so probably more room that I had in the back yard in suburbia). Then they get out into the 3/4 acre when I get home, some afternoons into the front yard. A couple of days a week they're at daycare where they get let out into a big yard for runs. On days off and weekends I'm home with them. Very occasionally I'll go out to the shopping centre/Bunnings etc so that'd be a couple of hours. So considering I have to be gone for too long on work days, I do spend pretty much every other moment of my life with them .

[Sheridan]

all the time outside of work bar a very small amount is spent with my dog

Ditto.

[D & D]

all the time outside of work bar a very small amount is spent with my dog

Same goes here.................but it's dogs

[cointreau]

I work full time either day or nights 12 hour shifts. On day shifts I get up early so I can take my time and spend a little time with my dog, I don't walk her then and often take her out for a walk at night she is use to being adaptable to my roster and knows when I am off to work because of my uniform.

When working nights I don't go to be straight away and will often play with Sparkles after my shower, if I feel awake enough I will take her for a walk which she will often limit to around the block only. I get about 4-5 hours sleep then will spend time with Sparkles playing or again if awake enough walking her depending on the weather.

Days off are spent with Sparkles and Ccat in consideration at all times. I do spend lots of quality time with them when not at work, in the garden, walking a few times a day if we want to, often I will sit outside in the front yard with them so we can see who is going past. A drive in the car is always popular with Sparkles too. Sometimes I will drive home pick her up and then backtrack to get petrol just so she can have a drive. A perfect day off for me is with Sparkles and Ccat

My neighbours are all aware of my shift work and they never complain about Sparkles barking, in fact I have been told she should bark a bit more sometimes. I have also made my neighbours aware if they have a problem with either of my pets I would like to know so I can address the problem and not upset anyone. I believe I have the best neighbours you could wish for.

Edited December 5, 2010 by cointreau

[Gayle.]

If you start as you mean to go on....ie, not take too much time off work when the puppy first comes home, and the dog is used to being on it's own during the day, there's no reason why it should whine and cry on your days off.

My dogs have their own routine, which seems to involve a lot of napping, while we're at work and they do exactly the same when we're home.

I like to spend extra time with the dogs when I have an RDO, but I also have a lot of other stuff to catch up on such as housework, gardening etc so it's not always feasible, but often when I try and tempt them into a game between chores, they lift their heads from their nap, look at me in disgust and go back to sleep.

[OSoSwift]

WHen I worked full time most of my life outside of work was the dogs and horses when I had them.

I got up at 6, went to work at 9. I walked for at least an hour, then depending on what we were doing, did some training as well. For many years my dogs came to work with me and there were 2 other dogs there also.

At lunchtime I would do some training, maybe pop down to the beach or go to the park. After work was training - obedience, agility etc, the free running time until it was time to turn in for the night. My dogs were super fit, well trained, didn't whine, bark or display any other signs of behavioural issues.

When I changed jobs I did all of the above but the dogs stayed home while I was at work, still no worries with stress behaviours.

[Tralee]

My dogs are not only used to me going to work but expect it.

When I've spent a weekday at home, and my usual departure time comes around, the dogs are asleep for most of the morning.

I try to return home at the same time each day, but they are accustomed to an unusual lateness, or a night alone.

For exercise, we currently make do with 5 acres.

[SkySoaringMagpie]

If you start as you mean to go on....ie, not take too much time off work when the puppy first comes home, and the dog is used to being on it's own during the day, there's no reason why it should whine and cry on your days off.

I think the best route is to take some time off, but use that time off to increase the amount of time that you are gone to something equivalent to your first work day absence. Whether you choose the day after pup comes home or two weeks after the pup comes home you're still hitting the pup with big change to routine if you go from constant company to nothing for 8 hours.

[Tralee]

If you start as you mean to go on....ie, not take too much time off work when the puppy first comes home, and the dog is used to being on it's own during the day, there's no reason why it should whine and cry on your days off.

I think the best route is to take some time off, but use that time off to increase the amount of time that you are gone to something equivalent to your first work day absence. Whether you choose the day after pup comes home or two weeks after the pup comes home you're still hitting the pup with big change to routine if you go from constant company to nothing for 8 hours.

Yep, copy that.

Alternatively, a Pet Sitter, who can visit and feed the pup, exercise and toilet it, as well as begin socialisation, is a wise investment.

Even better, if you can find a neighbour with a young pre-school child. Because they cost less.

[wuffles]

It also depends on the dog as to how they will behave when left alone. Our older boy, even when he was an only dog, had no problems being left alone and often he's not even excited to see us when we get home. But our younger girl thrives on company and needs more attention.

Mine get at least an hour's walk/training every morning before work. Then of an afternoon, sometimes we lounge around with them, sometimes we take them out, sometimes we go out to dinner or play sports. I spend a lot of time with them but not every waking hour.

[Starkehre]

Alternatively, a Pet Sitter, who can visit and feed the pup, exercise and toilet it, as well as begin socialisation, is a wise investment.

Even better, if you can find a neighbour with a young pre-school child. Because they cost less.

Interesting.... I am super fussy about whom I would ever ask or allow to look after my dogs, in fact we are the only ones who do this because we are far more comfortable this way. But even if I was happy to have someone check in on, feed, empty, etc a new puppy I might have, I certainly would never ask a 5 year old to do it. OMG

I am lucky. I work from home. And although my work can be between 50 - 60 hrs per week, in amongst that I spend a lot of time with the dogs, as I can and often work into the evening, occasionally doing all nighters. I am my own boss so I play with, feed, train, exercise the dogs during the day here and there. It works out very well as my work is very flexible in this regard. They come for trips to the factory, post office etc and it only take a few minutes several times a day to do some quality training. I appreciate my life every day. and I am much happier working from home than when I had a full time job.

Edited December 5, 2010 by dyzney

[pawsaroundoz]

AM: 3x a week obedience style training + walk + jog 1 lap of oval + a whippet wiz - Lunch time - quick walk in very small locl park - PM: 45 minute walk or more whippet wizzies. Whilst I am at work the boys stay on the upstairs deck where they have comfy chairs and shade all day.

Annie

[Tralee]

Alternatively, a Pet Sitter, who can visit and feed the pup, exercise and toilet it, as well as begin socialisation, is a wise investment.

Even better, if you can find a neighbour with a young pre-school child. Because they cost less.

Interesting.... I am super fussy about whom I would ever ask or allow to look after my dogs, in fact we are the only ones who do this because we are far more comfortable this way. But even if I was happy to have someone check in on, feed, empty, etc a new puppy I might have, I certainly would never ask a 5 year old to do it. OMG

No, no, no, you silly

Not a pre-schooler. But her mummy, too.

I did say a neighbour with a young pre-schooler.

They make some interesting comments, like: "Puppies don't eat peanut butter, Mummy!"

Oh yes they do.

I have had mixed success with pet sitters.

One couple didn't appear till 2:30 in the afternoon when they were supposed to let the dog out at 11:30 am.

Turns out, the neighbour and her daughter beat all the others; hands down.

[Starkehre]

Alternatively, a Pet Sitter, who can visit and feed the pup, exercise and toilet it, as well as begin socialisation, is a wise investment.

Even better, if you can find a neighbour with a young pre-school child. Because they cost less.

Interesting.... I am super fussy about whom I would ever ask or allow to look after my dogs, in fact we are the only ones who do this because we are far more comfortable this way. But even if I was happy to have someone check in on, feed, empty, etc a new puppy I might have, I certainly would never ask a 5 year old to do it. OMG

No, no, no, you silly

Not a pre-schooler. But her mummy, too.

I did say a neighbour with a young pre-schooler.

They make some interesting comments, like: "Puppies don't eat peanut butter, Mummy!"

Oh yes they do.

I have had mixed success with pet sitters.

One couple didn't appear till 2:30 in the afternoon when they were supposed to let the dog out at 11:30 am.

Turns out, the neighbour and her daughter beat all the others; hands down.

Sorry, I misunderstood your post.

Still, and of course that is great that you found that arrangement worked well for you and I am also glad it did, but mummy or not, no 5 year old would be going onto my property without me being there... and no this is not because my chosen breed is Rottweilers. I would be afraid the child would step on or pick up my puppy or squeal and flap it's arms around like children do. Alot of mummies do not understand what children should and should not do around baby puppies.

Sorry, OT.

[all that glitters]

Alternatively, a Pet Sitter, who can visit and feed the pup, exercise and toilet it, as well as begin socialisation, is a wise investment.

Even better, if you can find a neighbour with a young pre-school child. Because they cost less.

Interesting.... I am super fussy about whom I would ever ask or allow to look after my dogs, in fact we are the only ones who do this because we are far more comfortable this way. But even if I was happy to have someone check in on, feed, empty, etc a new puppy I might have, I certainly would never ask a 5 year old to do it. OMG

No, no, no, you silly

Not a pre-schooler. But her mummy, too.

I did say a neighbour with a young pre-schooler.

They make some interesting comments, like: "Puppies don't eat peanut butter, Mummy!"

Oh yes they do.

I have had mixed success with pet sitters.

One couple didn't appear till 2:30 in the afternoon when they were supposed to let the dog out at 11:30 am.

Turns out, the neighbour and her daughter beat all the others; hands down.

Sorry, I misunderstood your post.

Still, and of course that is great that you found that arrangement worked well for you and I am also glad it did, but mummy or not, no 5 year old would be going onto my property without me being there... and no this is not because my chosen breed is Rottweilers. I would be afraid the child would step on or pick up my puppy or squeal and flap it's arms around like children do. Alot of mummies do not understand what children should and should not do around baby puppies.

Sorry, OT.

Agree, not all mothers are diligent on seeing what their children are up to on or with other peoples property!

My mum comes to let Shyla out for toilet and feed her at lunchtime, which is total and utter trust

[all that glitters]

Shyla gets a 45-50 minute walk every morning that she's left alone for 9hrs indoors, regardless of weather. Then she lays on the bed and watches me get ready for work, then I feed her and put the radio on and leave. Mum comes at lunchtime to let her out and give her a kong and other goodies. She has a rabbit in a cage and 3 cats for company, they are often all sleeping around in the same room when I come home. I come home and she gets another half hour walk and some fetch. Then she hangs with us all evening and is asleep by 9pm onwards anyway. On days off she is the priority and gets to spend all day with us, unless on the rare chance we are going somewhere. If I go to mums or my friends place she comes too.

She's uber happy and never stops smiling

[rastus_froggy]

I'm quite lucky as my full time work involves 4 hours in the morning, then a 3 hour break and another 3 - 4 hours work in the evening. Plenty of dog time before work, during break then a little play time at night.

[kiwioz]

Shyla gets a 45-50 minute walk every morning that she's left alone for 9hrs indoors, regardless of weather. Then she lays on the bed and watches me get ready for work, then I feed her and put the radio on and leave. Mum comes at lunchtime to let her out and give her a kong and other goodies. She has a rabbit in a cage and 3 cats for company, they are often all sleeping around in the same room when I come home. I come home and she gets another half hour walk and some fetch. Then she hangs with us all evening and is asleep by 9pm onwards anyway. On days off she is the priority and gets to spend all day with us, unless on the rare chance we are going somewhere. If I go to mums or my friends place she comes too.

She's uber happy and never stops smiling

My routine is very similar to this.

I have varied start times but walk my dogs for a minimum 25 minutes every morning - most of the time it is 40-50 (only on the really early shift do I have to do a short one). We get out of bed and walk straight away, then they potter inside with me while I get ready. I let them out for a quick loo stop as I'm leaving, then they stay inside for about 10 hours. In the evenings they have outside time playing with me, and just hang around with me in the house till bedtime.

On the weekends I try and spend as much time with them as possible, but of course I have to go to the shops etc, and every few weeks I'll do a day volunteering at the zoo.

Because I work a long way from home, sometimes if I have something on in the evening I can't come home in between. On those days I have a petsitter come for a couple of hours in the middle of the day to give them company, let them go to the toilet etc.

This system is working well for me for now, they are happy