Tips for Combining a New Dog with Full Time Work

Should you get a dog if you work full time? In short, it depends a little on the dog. Pets are a lot like people. Some love socialising and being the centre of attention. Others are happy to stay home 90% of the time.

Pets have their own personality traits. From the super energetic Border Collie to the more chilled out French Bulldog, each dog suits a different type of person or home. Over the years, dog breeds have specifically been developed to show more (or less!) of certain characteristics.

Of course, we don’t always use dogs for their intended purposes these days – hence why most Golden Retrievers are family dogs rather than working dogs. However, their natural personality traits and instincts still run strong.

If you work full time but want to get a dog for companionship, it’s crucial to find the right match. Or to make some compromises in terms of what you (and your dog) will be doing all day.

Should I get a dog if I work full time, or not?

We always suggest responsible potential pet owners start their journey with a good amount of research. You’re making a lifelong commitment, so it’s important you find a dog who fits your lifestyle. If you’re looking to get a dog when you work full time, that’s a major consideration when picking your new family member.

With some careful consideration and adjustments to your daily routine, you can find a dog who’ll fill the four-legged hole in your heart.

Choose your dog wisely

Some breeds like the Pug, for example, simply hate being alone. Seriously. They want nothing but cuddles and attention. If you work from home or have a progressive, dog-friendly office, that’s not a problem. But if you’re out most of the day, it might be a dealbreaker.

On the other hand, some breeds cope better with alone time than others. These include the French Bulldog and the Dachshund, amongst others.

Energy levels are another consideration. Everyone who’s ever had a young Labrador or Beagle knows leaving them home alone for long periods is a recipe for disaster. A more chilled out breed might be a better option if you know you’ve limited time to tire them out before heading to the office.

Then remember older dogs often tend to be more laidback. Getting a mature dog means you know roughly what you’re in for in terms of personality and needs. Plus, adopting an adult dog can be really rewarding!

Two dogs or one?

Most experts agree two kittens are better than one. They keep each other busy and entertained, and the amount of work associated with cat ownership doesn’t double when you have two cats as opposed to one.

What about dogs? They’re a little bit more complicated. Not only are two dogs significantly more work, but making sure they get along can be harder than with cats. It depends entirely on the dynamics between the two dogs, which can be hard to predict. Littermate puppies being homed together, for example, is typically a bad idea and can easily result in aggression.

But we all know dogs can be best of friends with one another, and having your best mate nearby while your parents are at work definitely makes the strain easier.

If you do end up with two dogs, it’s best to take plenty of time to properly integrate them with one another. An animal behaviourist or dog trainer can help you to do this successfully.

Pencil in time away from work to get pets settled

Getting a new pet is a big deal, and you should treat it as such.

If you’re getting a dog but work full time, you might have to take a few days off to get the initial settling-in period sorted out. New pets need plenty of attention and reassurance so they feel comfortable and at ease with their surroundings.

A few days of uninterrupted cuddles, play time, and bonding will get your relationship off to a good start.

If you have more than one pet, supervise their initial meeting even if it means time off work to limit biting, scratching and eating each other’s food. If you already have a cat and are thinking of adding a dog, find some pointers in our guide to introducing a puppy to a cat.

Sleeping alongside your new furkid is a great way to bond when time is scarce. So if you get a dog when you work full time, don’t be shy about sharing those bed sheets. In fact, sleeping with your dog can even have positive effects on your wellbeing. So it’s good for both of you. Win-win!

Should your dog go to daycare if you work full time?

The main concern for pet parents considering getting a dog if they work full time is the dog will be unsupervised, bored, and unhappy. It’s great that you’re considering this in advance, because you can look at the options available to you.

Once you’ve found a dog who suits your lifestyle, put a few measures in place to make everyone’s lives easier. If your dog is well socialised, doggy daycare can be a valuable way to keep them occupied while you’re at work. Some centres even offer pick up and drop off services, so you don’t need to detour on your morning commute.

Doggy daycare gives your dog a chance to get some energy out, meet new dog friends, and interact with humans during the day too. Many dog owners find that two to three days a week are sufficient – mostly because the dogs spend the “in between” days recovering from their day of excitement and play!

Or, it could be a one-day-a-week dog walker visit gives pup all he/she needs to break up the working week. Along with you walking them in the morning or night on other days, of course.

You may even find your dog doesn’t need any kind of external care. Different strokes for different folks and their different dog breeds.

Get (or be) a pet godparent

Co-parenting a pet is also a possibility, especially if daycare or a dog walker isn’t an option for you. Perhaps you have a family member, partner, or friend who could look after your pet a couple of days a week? Or maybe you can take them over to theirs for a regular playdate?

If you’re actually sharing ownership of the pet, just be sure to get a pet prenup in place. Whether you’re friends or something more, it’s best to put into writing what happens if the relationship goes south.  Plus, read all about choosing or becoming a pet godparent to the furkids in your life.

Dog insurance: whether you work full time or not

The reality is getting a dog when you work full time requires lots of commitment and flexibility from your side. But if you’re determined to make it work and always have pup’s best interests at heart, there’s a way to make it work.

Taking out a dog insurance policy is another way of demonstrating your commitment to your pet. Whether you work full time or are at home every day, pet accidents and illnesses are sometimes unavoidable.

If you do come home to find your dog has eaten something toxic or had an accident, a pet insurance policy allows you to get prompt vet treatment without financial worry.