Raising a dog is one of the most rewarding things you can do. They give unconditional love, and studies have proven that they can even make you healthier too. But can you raise a puppy and have a full-time job as well?
If thinking about how to raise a dog when working full time has crossed your mind, you’re not alone! Many full-time professionals can raise a dog and hold down their career with a little bit of work and some planning.
Read below to learn about how to raise your pup while working full time.
How to Raise a Dog When Working Full Time
Some people might say that raising a puppy is a full-time job already. In truth, it’s not that time consuming, but a puppy does need a lot of help and love.
If you consider how you’ll be raising them and make some plans, there is no reason you can’t work full time and raise a dog. Things to consider include:
- How will they potty if you’re not there?
- How will they feel loved and taken care of if you’re not there?
- How will they learn and grow?
- How will you make sure they don’t get into trouble?
When you consider these things from the beginning, you’ll have a much better go of raising a dog while working full time.
Potty Training
Potty training a dog when you are not home is going to be very difficult, but not impossible. You must keep in mind though that if you have a puppy, they will not be able to hold their bladders for an entire workday.
A good rule of thumb when estimating how long your dog can ‘hold it,’ would be to take their age in months and add one. That’s how many hours they should be able to hold their urine. So, a two month old dog should be able to hold their urine for about three hours. Asking a puppy to wait eight hours or more is unrealistic, but there are ways around that.
You can manage the pee problem by getting your dog some puppy pads. These will absorb your dog’s mess and some smell too. The puppy pads are only a temporary fix in this case. You don’t want your dog learning that the pad is where they should go potty, you want them going outside. The only way to do that though is to get them outside. Which leads us to the next point.
Companionship
Your dog will need some companionship if they are going to left alone for long periods of time. If you are not able to cut out of your job after a few hours to check on them, you should enlist some help. You can have a friend, family member, or neighbor come check on your dog and let them out.
Letting your dog get some time outside is vital not only to keep your home clean, but for their mental state. A dog who is locked away all day can start developing bad habits. They may start chewing on everything they can fit in their mouths; they may bark excessively or start having accidents around the home.
If you don’t have anyone who is willing to volunteer to take your dog out for a break, consider hiring someone. Practically all large cities will have a dog walking service that will pop into your home, take your pup out and even give them some bell rubs and playtime. These services can really help your dog’s wellbeing if you are not able to be there for extended periods of time.
Most new pet owners are ready to take a bit of time off work when they get their dog. A friend or a service can make the transition back to work a bit more bearable.
Training
Many people who worry about raising a pup while working full time are concerned about training. A dog can still be adequately trained even if you are out of the house for hours at a time.
The great news is that you don’t have to worry about training 24/7. Many dogs pick up training by having small and concise training sessions. After all, dogs don’t have the largest attention span.
The best thing you can do when trying to train your new pup is give them short sessions as often as you can. Try to work with them for five or ten minutes before work, after work, before mealtime, even before bed can be a time for training.
Try to fit some training sessions in as often as you can manage, and your new pall will be up to snuff in no time.
Crate Training
Crate training can be an amazing tool when used properly. Most dogs enjoy being in a smaller, safe area they can call their own. A crate can be that safe space if you let them make it homey. The crate can help quell separation anxiety and other bad habits.
Put a soft blanket and some toys in there. Let your dog get used to the space and feel comfortable. And never, ever use the crate for punishment. You don’t want your dog associating the crate with negative feelings, or they’ll hate being in there.
Raising a Dog and Working Too
The most important thing to remember is that you are taking in a dog to give them a loving home. You want your dog to be comfortable while you’re not home so you two can share time while you are home.
Just because you work doesn’t mean you can’t give your dog an amazing life, but it will take a bit of planning and resources. Making sure they get enough exercise, socialization, and training will put them on the right path to enjoying the rest of your lives together.