by Janet Farricelli CPDT-KA

Created on: April 04, 2009   Last Updated: February 23, 2011

Your eight hour shift at work may go by pretty swiftly between the hustle and bustle of your office, but what about your canine companion left at home alone during those long hours? Minutes must feel like hours in a dog's mind which has really little perception of time, especially when anxiously awaiting your return. If you are worried about your dog being left alone for too many hours, there are various options available to allow your dog to better cope in your absence.

First and foremost, you must ensure your dog is safe. Some dogs have a tendency to get into trouble when their owner is not around. This is often triggered by an underlying form of separation anxiety, which causes the dog to engage in destructive behaviors. Typically, these dogs may spend the whole day howling and being miserable until their owner returns, while others may begin chewing furniture, gulping down foreign objects from boredom or even worse engaging in paw or tail chewing causing pretty unsightly wounds.

Truth is an eight hour shift is really too long for a dog to deal with! Not to mention the extra minutes spent during the morning commute and the way back when stuck in traffic. So what are the alternatives?

Tips for Owners That Need to Leave a Dog at Home Alone

• Hire a dog Walker

There are professional services created just with people like you in mind. Most pet owners have a job and their job causes them to be out for most of the day. This is where a dog walker comes into place. Their job is to come to your home at specifically set times and walk your dog. Your dog this way has a nice midday break to look forwards to. Once walked, most dogs relax and even take a nap. This way once you comes home, you will find a happy, relaxed dog versus a dog that has had a bad day.

• Hire a Pet Sitter

Pet Sitters are like dog walkers but they have the added bonus that they will actually spend some time at home with your pet and keep it entertained. They will also feed the dog and ensure its water bowl is full. Their job is much more extensive than a dog walker and they can even provide service once you go on vacation as an alternative to boarding your dog.

• Have a Friend Come Over

If you have a neighbor or friend that loves dogs, you can ask her/him if she or he can stop by during the day just to say hi to the dog and spend a few quality minutes together. Some friends or neighbors may be even willing to keep your dog in their home for some time during the

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