Don't have time to walk your dog? We explain the best options

No dog should spend most of the day alone... If you've thought that phrase more than once, here are some recommendations to keep your dog company for a while:

Many of us feel heartbroken every morning when we go to work and leave our dogs with those innocent, sad, and desolate little faces due to our absence, but don't fall into the trap, they just don't want us to leave... Many have a very hard time, some even suffer from separation anxiety.

The best thing you can do if you don't have time to walk your dog until you get back from work is to call someone to walk your dog, a family member, or a dog walker. If not, you can leave them with a dog sitter, or leave them with their dog friends at a doggy daycare. As you can see, there are several options for walking your dog.

We usually call a family member, but for some reason, they might not be able to that day... Let's move on to Plan B!

For this, there are dog walkers, whether occasional or permanent. There's nothing better for your dog than knowing someone will come in the middle of the morning to take them for a walk in their favorite park. (Here, rates vary depending on the time and frequency of the walk, but the average is around €30-40 per week). Look for signs posted on lampposts in your neighborhood, they usually advertise that way. Also, check with a neighborhood association in your community, they can guide you.

There's also the option of a dog sitter. These are people who generally work from home and, in addition to having one or more dogs, often care for neighborhood dogs, due to trust with neighbors. They admit dogs on special occasions when the owner cannot take care of the dog (holidays, hospitalization, last-minute unforeseen events...).

Many vets and specialized centers usually open daycare centers for dogs to socialize with each other and develop without fear in a safe and comfortable environment under the supervision of canine specialists. (The average price in Madrid is around €250 per dog for a full monthly day, and they usually have special rates for hours or weeks).

As you can see, there are multiple options for walking your dog or for your dog not to spend too much time alone. First and foremost, make sure your dog gets along well with other dogs and is socialized before leaving them with a dog walker or a dog sitter to prevent problems.

Meet a couple of times before leaving your dog with the walker or sitter to see if there is compatibility with the other person and to ensure they get along well.

We hope we have guided you a bit with the options for walking your dog. Your dog will thank you!

See you in the next post