BLEEP – the alarm rattles you out of bed, as you groggily pull on your workwear. While you’re getting ready for another long, coffee-filled morning at work, your pet looks up at you with shining eyes: ‘Where are you going?’ they seem to say, ears perked, nose snuffling around the breakfast leftovers…
It’s heartbreaking to leave our dogs in the house for eight, nine or ten-plus hours at a time. They aren’t built for it, and neither are we. Isn’t there a way to ensure your pooch has company when you’re gone?
Follow Scamps and Champs down several options for looking after a home-alone pet:
Ensure they have everything they need
Before leaving for work, it’s important to care for their thirsts, appetites and sense of comfort until you return. Fill up the water and biscuit bowls. Then prep the doggie bed with soft, warm blankets, and leave any rooms open that you don’t mind your pet wandering between (conservatory, kitchen hallway etc.) with a favourite toy.
Some dogs are fine with being left outdoors when the weather permits. Just remember that they need to have topped-up food and water, guarded by a secure gate, fence or paddock.
Make a schedule for coming back halfway through the day
Anyone can reasonably think that eight or more hours is too long – we’d go a little mad ourselves in that time, without anything to distract us! To keep your pooch stimulated, why not see if you can head back home, on a lunch break, for a brisk 20-minute walk around the neighbourhood?
During these periods, try to wear the dog out as much as you can, either through walking, a Frisbee session, or tugs of war with a rope. That’ll tire them out until the evening; they might make a habit of falling asleep, only rousing when you walk through the door again.
Embrace professional dog sitting
Many people, however, aren’t able to flex their schedules, or make it to and from the workplace in a short span of time. Long commutes, single living and/or tough bosses can make caring for your dog a hardship in the week… That is unless you take on a dog sitting service like ours.
Scamps & Champs offer dependable carers who will turn up several times a day (if required) for a dog sitting experience like no other. We take on only the warmest, most capable pet lovers, so you’re guaranteed a fine friend in lieu of your own presence. Every dog gets their own dedicated sitter, and an updated feedback report every time we turn up at your doorstep. You’ll be aware of what happened in the day, how your dog was behaving, and anything else crucial to your peace of mind.
See what dog sitting can do for your home-bound hound – we’re very happy to have a chat, as Scamps & Champs continue to help hundreds of full-time workers in the UK. The stark choice of ‘dog’ or ‘career’ shouldn’t be drawn so deeply in the sand… With us on your side, we can rub it out altogether.
Contact us if you would like to enquire, make a booking or ask us a question about our services, via our online enquiry form.