by R.A. Scott

Created on: July 26, 2007   Last Updated: January 09, 2011

Many dog owners have to work; that's just a fact of life. Many times they don't know what to do with their dogs while they're away. Well, there are a few things you can do to ensure you have a happy, healthy dog and still be able to go to work. There many owners who know how to leave a dog alone during work hours and ensure that their little friends are happy.

Dogs are used to having a family around and often the family watches T.V. or listens to music; at the very least the dog hears the chit chat of the family, assuming you have an indoor dog. All that noise is missing when people go to work; they turn off the T.V. or radio before going to work in an attempt to keep their energy bills lower. Try leaving the TV on when you leave your pup alone it'll help Fido feel a little less alone. They will be happier for it and you'll be happier if your dog is happy.

If you are concerned about your dogs toilet activities while you are gone there are solutions. You might try installing a doggie door. They allow your dog access to the outside whenever they feel the need. Just be certain your yard is well fenced or old Fido will be visiting all the neighborhood dogs and leaving little gifts for all the neighbors. The down side is that you may lose Fido for good.

You might also consider a doggie tray. You can also get litter designed for dogs too. Yes, this all sounds a wee bit weird but your dog can be taught to use a litter tray as long as he gets proper time outside for both exercise and bathroom activities. Many of us would hate to clean out the tray if a Great Dane or Saint Bernard had been using it but most of us have much smaller dogs with much smaller droppings.

Make sure your pet has his or her favorite toy and blanket readily available. These can provide some fun but they can also provide a modicum of comfort for your lonely dog. Perhaps try those toys that can have treats placed inside and your dog has to figure out how to get them out. These can provide hours of entertainment and enjoyment. Some dogs are so smart, however, that they can figure out the whole treat thing in one or 2 attempts and the idea of hours of entertainment quickly drops to a few minutes.

Never forget to make certain your pet has plenty of water available at all times. This is especially true on hot, humid days. If it is very warm perhaps consider leaving a fan on for your pet. The fan can move the air around and maybe leave your little pal feeling just a little more comfortable and we all like comfort. If you have air conditioning you might want to program it to come on when the house reaches a given temperature.

You need to be certain your furry friend gets more than enough exercise. Exercise will not only help your pooch get tired it will also help keep them mentally happy and this will also help them be happy and calm while you are away. Take your dog to the park and throw a ball around with your friend for an hour or so. It will not only help your dog but it will also help you. If a park is too difficult to get to then just go for a long walk, everyday. Exercise can help cure many ills both in your dog and yourself.

These are but a few suggestions to help keep your family friend happy while you are out of the house for 8 or 9 hours a day. There are many more ideas but these will get you started. Should you be out of the house longer than that maybe you should look at a goldfish as a pet. They don't care too much if you aren't around often because they only have a memory of about 3 seconds. So they will only think you were gone for 3 seconds. It's something to think about.

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