Returning home after a long day to the excited greeting of your dog is often one of the day’s highlights. However, while you may feel joy seeing your furry friend, your dog may have spent the entire day alone, waiting for your return.
Rachel Rodgers, an award-winning dog trainer and behaviourist at Napo Pet Insurance, sheds light on the responsibilities of dog ownership, particularly for those with demanding work schedules. She offers crucial insights into how to properly care for your dog when you’re away from home.
Rodgers explains that dogs, like humans, require attention, exercise, and affection. She advises that, in an ideal situation, dogs should not be left alone for more than four hours at a time. “They need breaks to relieve themselves, get some fresh air, and enjoy enrichment or entertainment,” she says.
The issue is becoming increasingly relevant as more people return to office work after the pandemic. Many dog owners who acquired pets during lockdown are now faced with the challenge of balancing work commitments with their pet’s needs. Rodgers urges prospective dog owners to consider whether they can realistically provide the care dogs require, particularly if they have a busy lifestyle.
While acknowledging that dogs deserve companionship and attention, Rodgers emphasizes that leaving a dog alone for extended hours—such as 10 hours without breaks—is unfair to the pet. “Such long stretches of isolation fail to meet their basic needs,” she explains. However, she reassures pet owners that it’s still possible to have a dog while working full-time, as long as proper arrangements are made.
For those working long hours or in offices, Rodgers suggests budgeting for dog daycare services or hiring a reliable dog walker to break up the monotony of your dog’s day. “It’s essential to plan for the time your dog will be alone, especially if you have after-work commitments like the gym,” she advises. Extended periods without interaction or stimulation could lead to boredom and potentially undesirable behaviour.
Ultimately, the key to responsible dog ownership lies in ensuring that your pet’s needs for companionship, physical activity, and mental stimulation are met, regardless of your work schedule.
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