Owning a dog is one thing, but providing it with the care and attention it needs is quite another. With our busy lives, few people have the time they’d like to properly take care of their dogs and give them the time they need to be healthy and happy. This has led many people to cry foul, but is there anything you can do if you’ve got no choice but to be busy?
It turns out that there are quite a few options open to you. Even if you think that your timetable is completely full, there are often still opportunities to look after your dog and keep it happy. Unlike children. Dog’s don’t care if you’re on the phone or not talking directly to them: they just want to feel part of the pack, which is why they’re so easy to look after even when you feel as if you’re not paying them any attention at all.
There’s no need to assume that just because your life is hectic, your dog will necessarily be neglected and stressed. Here’s what you can do to make your dog’s like better, even if you’re a super busy person.
Take Your Pooch To Work
Think taking your dog to work isn’t an option? Check with your employer first. Most people are surprised to find out that many places of work have a dog-friendly policy. Some offices allow dogs one day a week; others allow them all the time. The reason for this is because most business owners love dogs and they’ve found over the years that when dogs are in the office, people are actually more productive. It’s a win-win for everybody, including your precious hound.
Find A Playmate For Your Pooch
Dogs are pack animals. As a result, they get stressed and upset when they’re on their own. For a dog, being alone means being without security and having to fend for oneself - not something which would have been beneficial back when dogs lived as wolves in the wild. The instinct to find company has stuck with them ever since.
If you aren’t able to spend a lot of time with your dog because of work or something else, consider getting them a playmate. You might think that having two dogs would be ever harder than just looking after one, but it can actually have the opposite effect, reducing the amount of attention your dog needs.
Even if you don’t want to get another dog outright, you could organize play dates with other dogs in the local area. What about sharing dog sitting responsibilities with a neighbor? You could have their dog over at the weekends and in return, they could look after your dog on weekdays while you’re out at work.
Put Your Dog Into Doggy Daycare
Just as there is daycare for children, there’s also daycare for dogs: places where your dog will be looked after by experts along with plenty of other dogs. You might think that your pooch isn’t up for all that company, but it turns out that dogs absolutely love spending time with other animals. Just like kids, they’re often beaming after a playdate.
The great thing about doggy daycare is that many of the centers offer correctional training too. If you haven’t had time to train your dog and you have problems with discipline at home, sending them to daycare every day where they can be trained by the staff can often improve their behavior in the evenings.
Daycare also helps dogs socialize and play sensibly with other dogs. This can make walking your dog a lot more fun and stop them from running off and jumping up at everybody you meet in the park.
Put Dog Time In Your Diary
Although you can pass over a lot of the responsibility for owning a dog to other people, you still need to make a personal connection with your pooch. But the good news is that you don’t need long to be effective. Just 10 minutes in the morning of high-quality dog time is usually all it takes to let the dog know that you’re an important member of its pack.
Whatever you do for bonding, make sure it’s fun. You use the time for training, playing ball or even feeding healthy treats. Just petting your dog can go a long way to creating a deep bond.
Get Somebody Else To Walk The Dog For You
One of the main reasons busy people don’t get a dog in the first place is because they’re worried they won’t have time to take it for walks. But the truth is, they don’t have to have the time. There are plenty of dog walking services out there that will happily take your pooch for a long walk every day if required.
The great thing about dog walkers is that they can help break the monotony when you’re out of the house. Plus, your dog gets to spend time with other dogs. Regular walks will make your dog far more manageable in the evenings after a hefty dose of exercise, making the time that you do have together more relaxing and special.
Build A Routine
As a busy person, you know that you can get a lot more done when you stick to a schedule. Your morning routine is your way of packing as much into as short a space of time as possible. But what if you got up 30 minutes earlier? Would you be able to fit in doggy time too?
If you’re super busy, it’s a good idea to follow a strict schedule. Set feeding times, walking times and bonding times. Your dog will soon get used to the pattern and learn what to expect. Dogs will be most active when you are, so if you take your pooch out in the morning, expect them to be very active and attentive at this time of day. By setting up a regular, predictable schedule, your pooch will hopefully be less anxious and worried when you're not around.
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