I know those of us who work, take care of kids and try to live a little, are very busy.
Our dogs may not get enough exercise, which, in turn can cause behavioral problems. As I've mentioned before, dogs have needs, some more than others, depending on the breed.
Here are some tips on how to keep your dog happy and you less guilty about leaving them alone all day.
Let's say you work Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. On Mondays your dog should be quite content, if you spent some great time with him over the weekend.
Tuesday, you could take your dog to one of the day care facilities in town. It should cost $25 to $35 for a day, depending on the dog's size. Your dog will run and play all day and be nice and tired when you pick her up.
Wednesday your dog will be pretty exhausted from the stay at the day care center. Thursday would be a good day to take the dog to a friend's house, if your friend has a dog that would be happy to have some company.
If that is not an option, see if a youngster in the neighborhood could play during the day and let your dog out. A lot of kids would love that. I know I did when I was a kid. Ten dollars a week can be a lot of money to a youngster.
Now, it is already Friday. After a long week of work and stress, Friday night would be the perfect time to go to the beach for a walk or to a dog park in your area. Take the kids, too. You will see how good you feel after some quality time with the kids and the dog.
It does not have to cost a lot to make your best friend's life a little better.
On days you leave pets at home, make sure they have something to do. There are lots of activity toys on the market that can keep dogs entertained for a while. Leaving the radio on is also helpful.
If you have questions about this article or dog training and grooming, please contact me.
Do not forget to hug your pets.
Birgit Edler is the owner of Canine College in Juno Beach, which offers grooming, training and day care services for dogs and cats. Call (561) 626-0552 or e-mail Caninecollegefl@yahoo.com.