Cover work and having a dog?

[Raffleeight]

I have been out of work for a couple of years now and in that time we got a puppy. I used to be a teacher and as much as I loved it, it can be quite stressful and I do not want to go back full-time/part-time and have commitment to a certain class having to do planning etc. I do, however really want to go back to work and do supply teaching, covering a few days a week when teachers are unwell/on courses. However, this work is often last minute meaning I could get a call in the morning and have to go to work that day. Obviously my concern with this is with our dog, as he will not be able to be left alone all day. If I had a permanent job I would be able to arrange a dog walker/dog day care, but obviously if I was not working one day I would not need the dog walker. If I do supply I will never know which days of the week I am working.

I guess my question is if any one has experience with doing last minute cover work and what they do with their dog on those days? I do not have enough money to just pay dog day care/dog walker full time and use them when I need them, but I doubt I will be able to arrange last minute care for my dog on the days I do work.

Could you limit your days when available to say Monday to Wednesday and arrange a dog walker these days so you’re not paying every dayyou might be able to cancel with some at short notice.

We often have our dog walker turn up when we’re in but we need flexibility so just have to pay. We haven’t found a way round this.

Is there a dog day care that will take on the day bookings? The one I use does that, but obvs depends on if you have anything like this near where you live.

I sometimes use a group daycare and I can book as late as the night before. I’m sure if I sent a text first thing in the morning though I could probably drop him off that day
Not sure how it could work in your case though as you would only have less than an hour or so to arrange it

When you get cover work, will it be all day or just some classes? Because if it is just some classes, then will the dog actually be left alone for a full day, or just some hours?

Any active retired neighbours? DF often walks his neighbour's dog, she has a child with disabilities who is often taken into hospital or can be quite poorly DF used to take their dog out with his and mum's on those days, and now Ddog has passed he still walks the neighbour dog, he enjoys being able to do it and isn't ready to consider getting a new family dog yet.

Deadbudgie limiting days would probably not work. I did supply teaching about 10 years ago (it might be different now though) and some weeks I would not work at all, and some weeks I would be in all week. It could be very unpredictable

Jess499427 Hoppinggreen I live quite rurally so there are not many daycares around and by the time I hear that I have a days work there will not be much time at all to try to arrange somewhere for the dog to go, by the time I get him there as well. Though I have not actually contacted any places yet. It just doesn't seem possible from their websites. I should probably ask some places first.

JasperKarat unfortunately not :(

Tbh I think you are unreasonable to consider this. You absolubtely cannot leave the dog on its own all day and it seems there are no other options if you can't afford doggy daycare.

Go part time, find a supply job that’s a job-share and plan care for your dog. I’m a supply teacher, the climate is a lot tougher than 10 years ago, and work is very thin on the ground due to budget pressures.
No, you can’t leave your young dog alone for days at a time, that’s unkind and irresponsible.

I’d contact some dog walkers our first one was v flexible as she basically did it as a hobby to get s bit of money and she said no worries to cancel on the day.

Alternatively could you try tutoring on the evening maybe?

In our area there is an excellent fully indoor doggy day care (attached to a pets corner), where there's No need to book or let them know you are going, you just turn up on the day. They do full and half days as well as passes for 5 or 10 sessions and the dogs and customers all seem very happy with their set up. May be worth seeing if there is something similar in your area?

Ask about on a local Facebook group and see if there is anyone likes walking would like to take a dog on a semi-regular basis: explain the situation and see if anyone would like to take a dog with them.
I'm sure there are a few single retired type people would like the opportunity to go out on a walk on their own that they might not otherwise do if they didn't have a dog to take.

It may be different with agencies where you are but when I worked through a supply agency I was offered the equivalent of a contract- where I could commit to work Mondays and Tuesdays- it meant I would have to go to whatever school I was offered to be paid, but if there was no work I would still get paid. Was considering it as have dog and same dilemma. In the end the agency gave me block days at schools in advance, so could get dog care arranged in advance.
Have you approached an agency to ask about how they operate?

I would actually try limiting days at the moment OP and see how that goes. Then if you get offered a longer term post (a week to two weeks or longer) you could arrange a dog walker or daycare.

Depending on your area you will probably find that you get a lot of work these days. I work as a cover supervisor (in a big city) and we always have supply in as well. For short and long term cover. There's a real shortage of staff at the moment (and more and more teachers off with stress and stress related illnesses).

I do supply work and drop my dog at the local kennels as and when. My dog is awaiting an operation anyway so can't be walked much, and she gets enough stimulation there. They also don't mind it being on an ad-hoc basis. Try that perhaps. And in the meantime, work up to leaving your dog for longer periods of time. Some dogs are OK with being left full days, (according to both behaviourists I have seen), contrary to popular opinion.

Do you have a garden? Could you set up a doggy door and give the dog access to a fenced garden or even a dog run (smaller fenced area so cheaper to create)

Just contact several dog walkers and have a ring round list, or find someone prepared to have doggy for the day locally a couple of times a week or short notice - honestly once you get the ball rolling you will be suprised what is available

I’m going to buck the trend and state that you’re not going to be the only working dog owner. Leave the dog as you won’t be out that long as you won’t have meetings before and after school.
Other things might be to advertise for a casual dog walker. You could then discuss how it might work with the uncertainty of work. Also when I did supply work sometimes the schools would not find out until the start of the day so I would leave after 8.30 and leave the school around 3pm.
See how it goes don’t commit to anything with a long notice period.
Or if all else fails then become a dog walker.

Could you speak to a couple of local dog walkers and see if they have availability/flexibility to do walks at short notice?