Starting a new job. dilemma about the pooch

[starodyssey2015]

Before I got my boy, my sister said that when I went back to work, the dog could stay at her house during the day, with her dogs and a dog walker. I've bought my pup and as much as I love him, he his a handful. He's just very excitable. At home he knows his boundaries and is quite chilled and very house trained. At others houses, he jumps over everything, gets into everything (bins, food) and has been known to wee or poo. Because of this my sister has now said he's too lively for her quiet house and will have to stay at home.

If this were to happen he would be on his own 2 days a week for a full day (my mum will walk him on Mondays and partner is home thurs/fri). He gets walked twice a day anyway- once in the morning and once at night, overall 1 1/2 hours. But I feel very cruel leaving him this long on his own.

Because it was set that my sister would have him I never put any money aside for a dog walker (it's only £2 a day for hers as he's an extra dog) and I can't really afford it for a while. Just as a quick note, he's insured and always has enough food. It's just the £65 a month that would be an issue.

Any idea how I would keep him entertained during the day? I feel so mean. Would I have to give him up? Any suggestions please?

I think I would try very hard to find the dogwalker funds. It seems harsh to give him up just because of two days a week, but those days are long and dull for him, and I'd be unhappily thinking of him while I was at work.

There are always Kongs and games and marrow bones and timed feeding bowls and DAP diffusers and radios left on and other things that people do to entertain or comfort dogs while they are out. They probably work variably well depending on the personality of the animal.

I used to sometimes bring my dog to work. He would snooze happily in the car in the (safe, secure) carpark, and I would get to give him two quick (teabreak) walks and one decent (lunchtime, ramble in the nearby woods) walk during the day. Obviously that only works if the dog is very content and safe in the car, if it's a cool day, if you can reliably take those breaks.

Will be absolutely fine to get a dog walker at the end of the month when OH gets paid. It's just for the first few weeks whilst I earn my first wage. :(

Would never give him up unless he was really struggling on his own. He's my little prince.

Thanks for the tips x

Ah, well, I bet you can all survive it then!
If you get up early and take him for a serious walk, he'll probably sleep a lot of the day.
Do you have any friends or neighbours who'd come in and even just take him out for a quick pee and a hug?

Not until the 20th. I'm sure he can survive till then! I hope so at least..xx

Of course he can.
A tired dog is a good dog.
He'll also settle better in other people's homes in time, I'm sure.
A Kong filled with snacks and frozen, a walk and breakfast before you go, and a very low key exit and return will keep things calm. Passionate reunions are probably natural but if you keep it very undramatic, he'll be more chilled about everything.

Can your sisters dogs come to yours - the same dogwalker can have them all, just not in your sisters house.