New Job longer hours.......

SharonSimpson

I've got 2 black labs who are under a 2 years one we have had since a puppy and Jess who we rescued at 1year. Myself and my partner who works long hours got them under the knowledge that while I was working local (10min down the road ) i would come up on a regular basis but unfortunately I got paid off. I've now got a job up to 9hrs a day incl commuteing and won't get home at lunch times anymore. I am gutted, but it's a job. I'm in the process of trying to find a dog walker but finding it difficult. If they were slightly older I don't think I'd worry so much also Jess's background is not so good, she's a very nervous dog (see past posts from myself). I reckon she was kept in a cage for periods of times which causes her to be so destructive and when I leave the house even just for 10 mins the house can be trashed - pillows, rugs etc. even after leaving them and due to her nature they both get very good walks.

My idea is if I don't get hold of a dog walker would be an hour walk before work 6am - 7am sister will come up for 10min at lunch time then I will get them at 6pm and long walks after that, what do u think? but know doubt Jess will have found a remote etc. to chew...................my head is hurting, don't won't to worry about them on my first day of work.

Any advice would be appreciated

Thank

vroombroom

do they have access to the whole house? I guess the logical thing is to remove all things Jess could chew out of the way and replace them with kongs, nylabones etc.

Or you could try the local kennels and see if they offer daycare? I've done this in the past with my two and they generally come back knackered! x

SharonSimpson

They have stay in the livingroom or if wet kept in the kitchen which is not too bad of a size. I bought Kongs and other brands but she does not seem interested in them but if there was a remote of folder of somesort that would get it!! I can have the house clear for them but feel as tho I would be a bad dog owner for leaving them. I've got familiy that said they would come up and let them out the back but don't like relying on this. I think I feel like this because I've been with them from the past 4 months.

Good idea about the kennels tho, just thinking back at interview I passed a few kennels!!

Thanks for your input

S

staffiecat

OH and I are out of the house for most of the day but we have hired a dog sitter to come round for about 3hrs each day. Dogs love her and means that we don't need to worry about them being on their own for too long. Its amazing how bad you feel if you leave them !!

uolypool

[ Its amazing how bad you feel if you leave them !![/QUOTE]



I know that feeling, because of my illness I do not go very far but I hate leaving my rotti alone , I have had him since he was 6 weeks old and he use to come everywhere with me practically .Now I find myself making appointments for drs and such when I know someone will be in the house ,on the rare occasion that I have had to leave him on his own I try and rush to get back to him mind you we set a cam corder up once when we left him just to see what he got upto and after a few mins he got up on the couch and slept for about 15 mins woke up had a drink and got back up on the couch and slept, so he isnt bothered about being left must think its xmas because he isnt really allowed on the new sofas;)

CFC

You can only do what you can do, and you may find you cannot afford the day kennel or a dogwalker. I know that they want £8 for a walk round here and doggy day care is £15 a day.

Walking before work will be a 'must-do. An hour in the morning will wear them out for a bit and an hour when you return will get rid of pent up energy.

I would leave them in the kitchen as it is easier to ensure that there are no chewables available to commit hari-kiri with accidentally, and also leave them with kongs. They will either play with them or not. You're not a bad owner to be doing this, life changes and dogs need owners who can put the meat and bones on the table every day, so to speak.

Froglet

Why not put an advert in your local newspapers and on the notice board of supermarkets for someone who doesn't want a full time dog but loves walking and would keep them company for a while afterwards.If you get more than one reply ,then share out the days! A nominal sum would be well worth it for the worry it would take off you.I know once i have had my op on my foot,which has stopped me from walking far since we lost our dog,i would love to do something like that.

cjmumto2

YOu can try this website http://www.narpsuk.co.uk/ also look in the petshop for ads, where we are there are about 10 ads for dogwalkers. An hour in the morning and in the evening is good with a wee in the middle. And nice family time on weekends. If your sister could also throw a ball for them etc so they actually do a bit of running and then leave some filled Kongs to keep them entertained, Good Luck

carefullycautious

Kennel and run in garden ?

advertise in vets. There may be a pensioner who would like to walk a dog and not have the worry of owning.

We have an older guy in our street who does this for someone and loves it.

murphydog999

My husband used to take our black lab to work with him, when he couldn't I would. There weren't many days we couldn't do this but we had a kennels up the road that did day boarding, so that was our salvation. (I would rather take a day off than leave him on his own!)

At least they have each other, but you could try a mixture of things to give them a bit of variety during the week, i.e day board a couple of days, family and walkers the rest?

viktory

Froglet wrote: »

Why not put an advert in your local newspapers and on the notice board of supermarkets for someone who doesn't want a full time dog but loves walking and would keep them company for a while afterwards.If you get more than one reply ,then share out the days! A nominal sum would be well worth it for the worry it would take off you.I know once i have had my op on my foot,which has stopped me from walking far since we lost our dog,i would love to do something like that.

Don't forget whoever you hire will have your house keys and full access to your house and beloved pets. Not something I would be happy with on the back of a noticeboard advert.

OP, try not to fret too much, with two good walks and each other for company they'll be fine.