New Job, New Schedule: Prepare Your Pet - Part 2

If you’re returning to work after a period of un or underemployment, it’s best to prepare a plan in advance for your puppy’s personal time. Otherwise, when you come home from your first day back to work you might realize the couch is a casualty of your precocious pooch’s unchecked curiosity.

Most dogs don’t do well being left unattended with free reign for long amounts of time. Experts recommend using a crate to create a den for your dog that keeps them safe, secure and comfortable while you’re away but there are other options to avoid leaving your dog alone.

Telecommuting might not be available but if you’re fortunate enough to find a job in Philadelphia close to home you could pop in on your lunch break to make sure nothing has gone awry. If your hours are too long or dog is too scared to be left for that period during the day then the next thing to consider is someone to watch them for you while you’re at work.

Doggie Daycare and pet sitters are alternatives if you can’t slip home in the middle of the day. Treat your search for an animal care provider as seriously as you would in finding a sitter for your child. If you opt for a pet sitter this person will be responsible for your pet and will likely be in your home when you are not. Make sure you find out if they are bonded and insured for liability.

Like children’s centers, daycares for dogs offer lots of activities and socialization for your pet. After all, a day at one of these facilities will feel like a day at the office for your dog. He won’t be chomping at the bit to drag you around the block since he’s been running with the pack all day. The down side is the same as having a child in a large class, being that they are exposed to every illness that goes around.

There are a lot of factors to consider but the internet offers a wealth of information on the subject, from tutorials to support groups. Being a responsible and informed pet owner will ensure happiness for you and your pet.


By Heather Fairchild - Heather is a multimedia developer with experience in web, film, photography and animation as well as traditional fine arts like painting and sculpting. In addition to writing for PhillyJobsBlog, she is co-founder of design and promotion company, Creative Kazoowith fellow Beyond.com blogger, Staci Dennis. Heather’s spare time consists of making puppets, teaching Sunday School, building Legos and doing science experiments with her children.