Its possible that my boss (who originally welcomed my dog into the office, then allowed me to work from home in the afternoons instead) is about to make me work from the office which means that my poor boy (ridgeback) will be alone from 8.30 to 1ish, then from 2ish to 5.15ish.  Wont tell you how i feel about that as it'd take up several posts however it does mean that i may require a dog walker or doggie day care as its totally unacceptable leaving him for that about of time.  He's 2 years old and to be honest does sleep 90% of the time but i still think its unfair.  I will be able to get home to walk him at lunch as i'm only 5 mins from work so its really the company he needs although an extra walk a day i'm sure would go down well.  I'm in the Woking, Surrey area, can anyone recommend any thing?  I've googled but there is nothing like a personal recommendation.  Also, what sort of checks should i do?  Thanks all. x

I would first go down the root of perhaps a neighbour spending an hour with him or a relative taking him out for a walk.

Not used any daycare places or walkers but there are a couple advertsied in my local paper on a regular basis. Also try asking in pet shops as ours also had adverts from someone willing to walk a dog - normally a retired person.

Hi

I know how you feel i leave Maisie Wed-Fri 8am - 6.30pm but do call home 12-1 for lunch and walk her. My brother walks her for me when he gets home from school and plays with her for a bit and my mum feeds her at tea time. She seems quite content though and is always snuggled up sleeping when i get home and is never distructive. She does get a good run around the woods at 6.30am

My sister is a dog sitter and has a dog dropped off at 8 am owner picks up at 5pm. 4 days in the working week.
She has been doing this now for 2 years, the Toby is very confused and has not really become part of her pack she has 2 of her own, when he is at his own home he is allowed to do as he pleases and my sister has rules so quite a neurotic German pointer. He does not seem to settle and can pace all day. He is walked over fields twice a day hour each time.

I personally think that it would be best to get a walker in the afternoon- to break up the day, if you take him out for a big run in the morning- then see him at lunchtime- you could get the dog walker to take him out for an hour in the afternoon at 3ish ?