We just make it work. I just started a new job where I'm in an office 8-4 and it's about an 18 min drive each way, so unfortunately, they are currently alone for nearly 9 hours 3 days a week. Tues and Thurs are my slower days and I can work from home most of the day.
Dogs adapt super easily. Jackson and Lola were used to no more than 5-6 hours being left alone with my old schedule but they don't seem worse for the wear. I watch them on the camera and they just rotate between sleeping all day and looking out the window.
I always immediately rush home though. I don't ever stop anywhere etc because I know the dogs need to get out. I also don't really have much of a social life in other regards sooo all my spare time is spent with the dogs. They pretty much get every weekend and every single evening - which is spent walking, swimming, hiking, etc. They're both super active pups.
It's not ideal but people have to work. I need money to pay for all the crap I buy them LOL. I'd love a dog in the future to know how to use pads but I hate the confusion that comes along with it sometimes - and I travel with my 2 a lot and need them to be 100% potty trained and not have accidents, so that's my only hesitation with pads.
But for a younger dog, 8-9 hours is way too long, and if I had a new puppy, I'd have a dog walker. Mine wouldn't take well to randoms coming in the house and taking them out unfortunately. I can hardly get my mom and step-dad to take them out because they choose to stay in my room until I get home lol. |