Potential rehome- please advise or help me to explore other options.

[Tiredemma]

I have a beautiful 5 year old female working cocker spaniel. We had her from 12 weeks.
I need advise on the potential prospect of re-homing her- for no other reason than a worry that we are no longer able to meet her needs.

Up until very recently we have looked after her as such-
Walk either first thing in the morning or last thing at night (generally both as I will do the am and DP the night).
During day she is taken to my dads and spends the day with him (he has a very safe enclosed garden so when she isnt in his house she has free roam outside). He will also take her out for a walk (approx one hour per day). Weekends we are with her and she has long park walks etc.
It has worked perfectly up until very recently. My dad has suffered a couple of heart attacks recently and is currently physically unwell. He hasnt been able to have her throughout the day. Ive come home from work (30 min drive each way) to check in on her. I cant continue to do this as I work in a busy psychiatric hospital and cant always escape.
I feel that we are failing her and not meeting her needs. I hate the thought of her being stuck at home all day but I am not able to change my hours/job.
I dont know what to do for the best- she is a dog that needs to be stimulated and active and if we cant give her this then I am worried she will have a miserable existence.
I have toyed with the thought of leaving her in our garden during the day with adequate shelter/food/water but I know that this isnt ideal as although she will have the run of the garden, I am worried she may be stolen.
I have looked at dog daycare locally and its approx £28 per day which I wouldnt be able to afford - DDs nursery is £42 per day currently so the daycare wouldnt be an option.

I cant believe I am having to try and consider an option of rehoming, even though it may be kinder for her my heart is absolutely breaking.

Any advice would be appreciated. I dont need people asking me why I bothered to get a dog in the first place if we both worked. The previous set up worked perfectly and I want to do the best by her now. I dont want her to go.

Oh bless you. How incredibly hard.
Can you afford daycare sometimes?
Could a friend or neighbour help?
Can you put in a dog flap to outside?
(ensuring garden is safe and secure.
There is borrow my doggy but I would worry about security.
No flaming from me. The old set up worked perfectly. I'm sorry your dad isn't well.

Have you also looked at day care local to your work because you may find it cheaper. Also my dog goes to half day care so he is on his own for a few hours either side but still has company in the day. DDog is picked up and bought home.

The other option is to pay a dog walker to do a walk mid day to break the day up if that would work out cheaper.

Have you thought about a dog walker for an hour in the middle of the day? An hour coats abour £10 round where we live. I'd have thought it would be enough along with a walk morning and evening. And a king with some treats in to give her something to do?

What about a dog walker? Ours charges £10 an hour (although she often takes him for longer if it's a nice day because she's lovely like that). It's still not cheap but cheaper than day care and because they're walked with other dogs it can be very stimulating for them. Our dog is always shattered when he gets home!

Cross posts with everyone there! I hope you work something out, it must be very upsetting for you

I have thought of the dog walker in the middle of the day but again stressed myself with the thought that outside those hours she is alone.

We leave the house at 8am and dont get back till about 5.

Ive become one of those dog owners that I never wanted to be- I always see people saying 'well why get a dog' - in the early days I worked shifts of just 3 long days a week and one of those was always on a weekend. So in the week I was with her 3 days and my dad for the two. Then my job changed and I now do 9-5 5 days a week.

I cant describe this feeling of letting her down badly.

woukd a walk in the middle of the day be enough do you think?

A change in her schedule for now is better than a whole new life. Could a dog walker take her from your dps? She would still have the company during the day. . It would be a big blow to your df to be without her surely?

Seriously three walks a day or being rehomed.... I think the dog would be much happier with the former. It is certainly worth trialing before you consider rehoming.

I have a working cocker and when I am at home (no day care needed) he only gets two walks a day and spends most of the time sleeping.

It doesn't sound like she'd be alone for too long, an hours walk with a good dog walker would probably mean she'd be out of the house for an hour and a quarter to an hour and a half with pick ups and drop offs. So probably 4 hours max. As bitey says it's got to be worth a try. Good luck.

thanks everyone for the advice.

Ive found a local walker and have asked for a quote.

Ive also found a day care service which is right by my work (6 miles away and in a 'cheaper' area of the city). I have emailed to ask for a quote.

We are not going on holiday this year so im going to use some annual leave hours and make some of my days shorter at work.

I know we will find a solution - I have read so much about the unkindness of leaving dogs all day on there own and I really felt I was doing her a massive injustice. She has just got back from a long walk over the fields at the back. She looks knackered!!

Thanks so much

You're absolutely not "one of those owners" you are clearly an owner who simply wants the best for your dog.
Wish I was your neighbour! I'd happily do a walk or a lunchtime visit!
Good luck. Hope it works out.

OP there is a big difference between three walks and being left alone either side to a person buying a dog and leaving them alone 9-5 with little stimulation at other times. Your dog may be a little unsettled at first but all dogs are when their routine is changed but I am sure she will adapt and be much happier to be still with her family.

How about day care a couple of days a week and dog walker on the other days? It actually sounds like even with her not being able to go to your dad she will have a much better life than many dogs. You sound like a great owner