Hello all
I just wanted to post to get some ideas about something.
I start a full time job at a vets tomorrow as an Animal care Assistant, I'm so excited about the position coz I've waited for such a long time to get it, but I'm really dreading leaving my 3 dogs.

As you know they are 2 bc's and a Bichon. I was working before but didnt start until 16.00 so I could be with them all day. My new job is 8 till 16.00, so not to bad. They'll be taken out before I go to work and then seen at Lunch time, but I'm still worried how they'll react to this change.

They are used to being left sometimes but not a whole day.

What can I get for them to keep them entertained, I know Kongs are good, any other ideas though???.  I worry about them barking to, I suppose I'll have to ask my neighbours to see if they hear anything.

Hope you can help, I feel sick just thinking about leaving them, I know thats silly but they are my babies and I want them to be happy, but we all have to work :)

Jo
xxxxxxxxxx

When I was a Veterinary Nurse I took my dogs to work with me!!  Maybe in time, when your established .................
In the meantime, with walks before, at lunchtime and afterwards, and Kongs in between, they'll be relieved when you go back to work!!! ;)

lol Val. Just give them things to do when your out and come back at lunch and they should be fine, eventually you should be able to take them with you, the secretary at our old vetinary practice used to bring in her two Yorkies and they'd sit on the counter being molested by children and adults alike.

Sounds a good arrangement though being able to come back at lunch, they should be fine as they have each other as well, give them a little bonding time :D

Thank you both, I feel better now. Yes, thats very true hopefully in time I could take them with me!!

xx

Just read your post and congrats on your new job.  I'm sure your dogs will be fine.  I've had to leave mine on occasions and they've just slept most of the time and I've panicked unneccessarily.  Sounds like the ideal job, working with animals and being able to pop back at lunch to see yours. Relax and have a great day.
Charly

My dogs were nine and five when I had to go to work full time. I had been at home all the time and my dogs went everywhere with me as well as two long walks every day.
I was worried how they would react. They didn't bat an eyelid. You would think they had always been left. My husband was home at lunchtime for them.

I'm sure I missed them more than they missed me.

I've had to be a lot more flexible with my hours lately, and the couple of mornings I used to work has turned into 3 full days, with one hour in on the other two days. I get home for aobut 40 minutes at lunch time, which we tend to spend training and playing in the garden as I found this tired them out more than a walk, and gave me time to eat a mars bar! I don't have to leave for work til 8am as I have the luxury of being only 5 minutes easy drive away, so they have a morning walk too. Either me or the girls are home for 4, and they go out again then. Like the others have said, I'm pretty sure they sleep once they've emptied their kongs (especially frozen ones) and had a chew on whatever other toys they've been left with. Just check with your neighbours to put your mind at rest - probably worth warning them in advance.
Enjoy your new job!
Tracy

Thanks for all your replies!
I am soooooo pleased to say that I came home at dinner time and they had only started making a fuss when I came through the door. My Dad also popped around at about 4 and they were fine then also!

First day went so well, I know I'm going to love it!! fingers x'd

The Vets have also said I can bring them with me, but to be honest I think they'd be more settled at home, so many dogs in Kennels waiting for op's etc I think they'd go mad!!!

Thanks again

Jo
xxx

That's great Jo. As the others said, we miss them more than they miss us, I think :).

flynn comes to work ,but the girls stay at home, they are used to it, when i leave i say "im going to work now" & they just settle down.
yours have all got each other for company anyway.

also whenever ive left mine with kongs or chews or other "enrtertainment",they havent touched it till i got home! so i guess they just sleep.
aslong as they are able to let oiff abit of steam before you go im sure it will be fine

Hi there

I too had to make this decision when I got a  new boss at work.  The boys always used to come in with me, one in the morning and one in the afternoon but new boss didnt like it.  I asked for a transfer to a new office which is only three miles away from home so I dont have to leave until 8.30pm and get home at lunchtime to take them for about an hour's walk and am then back at 5.05pm if my OH isnt back sooner.  It isnt an ideal situation but I refuse to go out for an evening unless it is at a weekend and we spend all evening with the boys playing, walking and training.  Unfortunately life is never perfect!

Claire