What to do with dogs while working?

[Roxy & Stella]

My husband and I have been on different work shifts since we have had our 2 girls. They are only in their kennels for about 4 hours before one of us gets home. Problem is my husband is going to day shift so we will have the same hours. There is no way we will kennel them for 10 hours. We are thinking of automatic dog door for patio slider (we rent a house) but they are sooo expensive! We wanted it to keep our cats inside cuz there is a main street behind house. Our other option is a regualr patio dog door and just hope cats don't get hit or run away OR putting our girls in our master bedroom and putting patio slider dog doorin there. I'm just worriedtere is not enough space for 10 hours or that they will be upset with the closed door. We really wantthem to have acess to outside, putti g up gates indoors would be messy to clean after work all day. Any suggestions? Excuse any misspelling as I am posting this from a cell phone. Thank you! (we also cannot afford day care or a sitter.

[Karen Bringol]

Lovey is gated in my kitchen during the day while I'm at work. I try to come home most days to give her a break, but she is just fine the days that I don't. She has a pee pad, just in case, but has rarely ever used it. She has her chewies, her antlers and doesn't seem to mind it a bit. Do you have an area that you could gate them? I don't have a doggy door because it's just too frigging hot down here for her to go out during the day.

[Roxy & Stella]

We can gate them in the back half of the house but they lov e to shred pads and mess everywhere. :(. And it's impossible for us to come home for a break. Both of us work 40 miles in opposite directions.

[Maria Casanova-Richards]

Yeah, I know how you feel about leaving them for long periods. My husband and I both leave at 8 am and don't get home until 5:30. Lexi stays in the laundry room is which about 8' x 12'. Once in a while, I can get home at lunch time to take her out for a short walk. Most of the time I can't because there is just not enough time. The first thing I do when I walk through the door at the end of the day is take her straight outside to pee and then let her run around inside with the kids. At the end of the day, she goes to the laundry room to sleep (no gate to keep her in). I'm glad she likes to sleep in there because when she's in our bedroom her snoring keeps my husband up all night. Personally, I like her snoring; it's comforting. It means everything is "normal".

We have a large lanai she could stay in during the day but it gets too hot during the day. Also, I'm afraid she'd tear a screen and go out to the yard and then the street then get hurt or taken. I don't think I'd be able to relax.

[Rebecca Davis]

We gate Abby in the kitchen/dining area when we are going to be gone for more than a couple hours. I work 10-hour days and my husband works 12-hour day swing shift... so we only have to worry about 4 days each month where she will be alone for 12 hours. We've had the luxury in the past of our daughter coming home from school (1/2 a block away) at lunch to let her out, and then being home before me in the afternoon... but she's going to college in the fall. So on those 4 days, we are going to take advantage of Abby's retired grandparents. We'll probably have my dad come over and take her out and hang for a bit. Not too much to ask for 4 days a month, I don't think...
Could you possibly advertise for a dog walker? Once a day on the days you need them? It's something to ask around about and maybe do some research on, I think.

[karin hamlin]

I work 10 hr. days too and my husband is usually around 12. So I get your problem. with my dobe I had a doggy door and he loved it. But with Lola, I just could'nt see giving her that option. She eats everything in sight and could get stolen!!! I have a 6ft. wood fenced yard but still, people know she lives here.
I am very fortunate that I have a friend who owns a grooming shop, and loves Lola. So she goes there 2-3 times a week, then the other day my mom comes to walk her. I have been known to take her to work when in a bind too. In our area there are some people advertising on craigslist that can't have dogs but would love to spend time with them. (walking, playing, etc...) It would be worth looking into and checking references. Maybe some trustworthy teens in your neighborhood? Good Luck!! This kind of thing is what makes being a dog owner so difficult. I feel like I am running 2 kids around to daycare!!! But it is worth it. I just put Lola's daycare down as one of her expenses each month along with food, treats, insurance, and any vet bills we may have. It is expensive to be a responsible dog owner. YOU CAN DO IT!!!!