Many people love their pets, but sometimes it can be difficult to balance having a pet and having a full time job, especially if you have a dog that hates to be separated from you for more than a couple of hours at the most.
A lot of dogs get anxious when their owners are away for more than a few hours, and unless you can drop home on your lunch break, this might be an unfortunate reality for you and your pet. People all over the world have to deal with this issue, and it can be very frustrating.
Dogs are wonderful companions and very popular pets, but they don’t like to be left alone. As pack animals, they can suffer from a variety of issues if they are left for too long, especially dogs that have been abused or suffer from insecurity problems anyway.
You will need to be aware of this as an owner, because you are responsible for making sure your dog is happy and healthy.
Having a dog and working 9 to 5 can be a pretty difficult situation, but many people do manage to juggle this, and you can do it if you are careful and put certain arrangements into place.
As long as your dog is happy and gets plenty of time and attention when you are at home, this can be a reasonable arrangement.
Can You Work A 9 To 5 And Have A Dog?
You can sometimes balance a 9 to 5 job and a dog, but this is heavily dependent on the dog and the circumstances, and you will not be able to do this with a young puppy unless someone else is at home with the dog.
If you have a 9 to 5 job, you will be out of the house for a minimum of eight hours, not including travel time.
No dog is happy being left for this long with no social interaction, but if you have someone else who can pop in, or if you have other pets, some dogs may be okay with this situation.
It is, therefore, possible to have a full time job and a dog, but it isn’t easy, and you should not do this if you can avoid it, as the dog will likely have a poorer quality of life overall, even if you do your best for it.
Dogs are inherently social animals and really struggle when they are left by themselves, even dogs that are happy and confident and spend a lot of time with people outside of work hours.
If you can avoid leaving your dog on its own, do so, and make sure that you are prioritizing your dog’s happiness and well-being when you aren’t at work.
Balancing a full time job and a puppy is impossible, but if you have an adult dog, it may be possible. The dog will need a lot of attention outside of work, however.
Is It Cruel To Have A Dog And Work 9 To 5?
This depends very heavily upon the dog, but some people feel it is cruel to keep a dog if you work 9 to 5, and if nobody else can drop in to spend time with the dog.
For starters, the dog will need to be able to go out during this time to meet its toileting needs, so it isn’t fair to keep one if this is not possible. However, you can mitigate this issue by hiring a dog walker or by having someone drop in on the dog in the interim.
If your dog is unhappy, it may become aggressive or destructive, so it’s important not to allow this to happen. You must prioritize your dog’s happiness and if it is showing signs of being bored throughout the day, you must organize something to keep it happier.
Don’t ignore indications that your dog is distressed, which might also be shown through clingy behavior, loss of appetite, and refusal to listen to commands.
Although working a 9 to 5 job isn’t ideal if you own a dog, it is not necessarily cruel as long as you do what you can to ensure that your dog is happy and is given a walk or let out to go to the toilet at least once while you are out. Consider doggy daycare as another alternative solution.
What Are The Best Dog Breeds To Have If You Work 9 To 5?
Certain breeds of dogs will cope far better with being left alone, although no dog should be left for more than a few hours without at least being checked on. However, if you work long hours, you might want to consider getting one of the more independent breeds.
For example, whippets, greyhounds, and French bulldogs are all better able to deal with being left by themselves. You might also find that a chihuahua or a basset hound will cope, as will a Maltese and a Shiba Inu.
Some of these dogs will also benefit from having another dog around, as this will provide them with the company and the reassurance that they need.
However, some of these dogs, such as Shiba Inus, prefer to be solitary and will not take well to other pets, so make sure you check this out before getting your dog a companion. In some cases, providing toys and stimulation will work better for the dog.
Conclusion
Having a dog and working 9 to 5 can be a difficult situation to juggle, and if your dog is clingy or insecure, you need to be very careful about leaving it alone, and you should consider getting a pet sitter or a dog walker in. However, some independent dogs will cope with minimal check-ins, although even these breeds should not be left for more than about four or five hours at a stretch. If you are thinking of getting a puppy, you will not be able to leave it alone for even a couple of hours to begin with.
