schedule for a working dog owner

[Jen W]

Ever since I got Dory two years ago, I've had a job where I worked from home. The fact that I worked from home was a major consideration in me getting a dog. It certainly made potty training easier and made it possible for us to take midday walks and potty breaks. But now I'm about to start a new job that requires me to be in the office from 8-5. I know I am not the first or only dog owner to have a job outside the home, but I'm wondering how you guys do it. What are you schedules like? Do you come home at lunch for walks/potty breaks or hire a dog walker?

Dory is two years and four months and is fine when I'm not home (I've taped her and she generally just sleeps in front of the door), but she's certainly not used to being alone day after day. Though she is very adaptable, I'm still nervous. Any advice?

[Jess & Stewart]

I've had Stew a little over a year. I worked when I first got Stew and I would take him out for a long walk/play time in the morning, then leave him at 8ish with a small stuffed kong in his crate and come home for lunch around 11:45-12. I had an hour but it was really only 40-45 minutes home with him. I took him out, then for a short walk and the rest of the time, I played fetch trying to get him exercise. He'd go back in the crate with another small kong (the really small red one) that I froze some PB in until I got home at 5. 

I've been unemployed since August so he's used to me being around, although I took night classes 3 nights a week for 2 hours so he still spent time alone. I'm sure when I go back to work, it'll be a hard transition. I plan to hire student dog walkers to hopefully come 2x a day so the transition is easier. 

It won't be that hard for you since Dory is older, but I'd recommend a dog walker and/or coming home for lunch to ease the transition. 

[J and Riley (and Luna)]

Luna has been spending the whole day home alone since she was about 10 weeks old.  It took her until she was about 8 months old to be able to hold it all day long, but now she does it with no issues.

Thankfully it only happens ~2 days a week that we're gone ALL day, I'm often working from home for half a day.  Luna manages just fine on the days when we're gone all day though - she just sleeps I'm sure.  I've come home unexpectedly sometimes and she is on our bed snoozing away ;)

I'm a college teacher so I'm home for 2 months of the year, Luna adjusts to me being gone all day just fine when the school year resumes.  If you can I'd ease her into the new situation by either having someone come for a lunchtime walk or doing a few half days to start.

[Jessica, Loki and Moose]

Hi! I work at a hospital and have some very crazy shift times/days and Loki has been fine with it. I made friends with a neighbor who also has a dog and on the days that I am gone for longer than a normal work day she takes Loki for a mid/late afternoon walk and in exchange I pet sit for her when needed or take hers on and evening walk when I'm home. Days when I work normal hours he's fine and honestly he probably sleeps all day but I do leave him with a kong with frozen PB in it to give him something to keep him busy!