Can You Have a Dog if You Work 9 to 5?

If you work 9 to 5, you might think getting a dog is out of the question. You’re not alone. Lots of people assume that dogs need constant attention, and if you’re gone eight hours a day, you’re setting them up for loneliness, anxiety, or worse. But here’s the truth: you can absolutely have a dog if you work 9 to 5-as long as you plan for it. It’s not about how many hours you’re away. It’s about what you do before, during, and after those hours.

Most Dogs Don’t Need Constant Company

Dogs aren’t like cats. They don’t nap all day and wake up when you get home. But they also don’t need you to be physically present every second. A healthy adult dog can handle 6 to 8 hours alone, especially if they’ve been properly prepared. The real problem isn’t the time-it’s the lack of routine, stimulation, and preparation.

Think about it: wild dogs don’t have humans coming home at 5 p.m. They hunt, rest, and patrol on their own schedule. Domestic dogs are wired similarly. What they need isn’t your presence-it’s predictability. A consistent schedule, mental engagement, and physical exhaustion make all the difference.

What Happens When Dogs Are Left Alone Too Long Without Preparation?

If you walk in after work to find shredded cushions, a puddle on the floor, or your favorite shoes gone, it’s not because your dog is angry. It’s because they’re bored, anxious, or overwhelmed. Separation anxiety affects up to 20% of dogs in households where owners work full-time. But it’s not inevitable.

Here’s what goes wrong when you skip the basics:

• No morning walk → dog has leftover energy
• No puzzle toys → mind stays idle
• No safe space → dog feels trapped
• No positive association with your departure → every goodbye feels like abandonment

These aren’t minor issues. They’re preventable with simple, daily habits.

Step One: Start With the Right Dog

Not all dogs are built for long days alone. Some breeds are high-energy, high-needs, or prone to anxiety. Others? They’re chill, independent, and happy to nap while you’re gone.

Good breeds for 9-to-5 workers include:

• Basset Hound (low energy, loves to sleep)
• Greyhound (sprinters by nature, couch potatoes by choice)
• Shih Tzu (small, quiet, low exercise needs)
• Bulldog (content with short walks and naps)
• Chihuahua (tiny, adaptable, often happy alone)

Rescue dogs can be great too. Many adult dogs in shelters are already house-trained and used to being alone. Ask the shelter staff: “Which dogs here handle being left alone well?” They’ve seen them in the kennels. They know who sleeps all day and who barks nonstop.

Step Two: Build a Morning Routine That Tires Them Out

Your dog doesn’t need a 2-hour walk before you leave. But they do need 20 to 30 minutes of real activity. That means movement, sniffing, and mental work-not just circling the block.

Try this:

1. Take your dog to a park or quiet street. Let them sniff freely for 10 minutes. Sniffing is tiring-it’s like a human solving a crossword puzzle for 30 minutes.
2. Play a quick game of fetch or tug-of-war. 5 to 10 minutes of active play burns energy.
3. End with a 5-minute training session. Practice sit, down, stay, or come. Even simple commands keep their brain engaged.

That’s it. 25 minutes. Done before you leave. Your dog will be mentally full and physically tired. That’s the secret to quiet, calm hours alone.

Step Three: Use the Right Toys for Alone Time

This is where most people fail. They leave a chew toy on the floor and hope for the best. But not all toys work the same.

Here’s what actually keeps a dog occupied for hours:

• Slow-feed puzzle toys (like Kong Wobbler or Nina Ottosson puzzles) - fill with kibble and freeze it. It takes 20 to 45 minutes to get every bit out.
• Treat-dispensing balls - roll them around and the dog has to work to get snacks out.
• Freezable stuffed toys - stuff a Kong with peanut butter, yogurt, or wet food, then freeze it. It lasts hours and soothes gums.
• Chew-resistant rubber toys - like GoughNuts or West Paw Zogoflex. Durable, safe, and satisfying to gnaw.

Rotate toys every few days. If your dog gets bored with the same one, they’ll stop caring. Keep a small stash and swap them out. It keeps things fresh.

Step Four: Create a Safe, Calm Space

Your dog doesn’t need the whole house. In fact, too much space can make them feel overwhelmed. A crate or gated area with their bed, toys, and water is perfect.

Make sure:

• The space is quiet (away from loud TVs or front doors)
• It’s cozy (soft bed, familiar blanket)
• It’s safe (no cords, toxic plants, or small objects they can swallow)

Never use the crate as punishment. Make it their favorite place. Feed meals there. Give treats inside. Leave the door open when you’re home so they can come and go. When they see it as a safe haven-not a jail-you’ll notice less anxiety when you leave.

Step Five: Train Your Departure Routine

Your dog doesn’t care if you’re leaving for work or going to the fridge. But they notice the cues: picking up keys, putting on shoes, grabbing your bag. If those actions always mean you’re gone, they trigger anxiety.

Here’s how to break the link:

1. Randomize your cues. Pick up your keys and sit on the couch. Put on your shoes and make tea. Do these things without leaving.
2. Practice short absences. Leave the house for 2 minutes. Come back. Don’t make a fuss. Repeat 3 times a day.
3. Always leave quietly. No long goodbyes. No over-the-top cuddles. Just a calm “I’ll be back” and go.

Over time, your dog will stop reacting to your departure cues. They’ll learn: “Keys don’t mean panic. She always comes back.”

Step Six: Consider Help During the Day

If you can, hire a dog walker for a 20-minute midday break. Even one visit can reset your dog’s stress levels. They get to stretch, sniff outside, and have a quick interaction.

Alternatives:

• Ask a neighbor to check in (offer to dog-sit for them in return)
• Use a pet camera with two-way audio. Talk to your dog during lunch. It calms them.
• Try a doggy daycare once or twice a week. Social dogs love it.

You don’t need to do this every day. Even one midday break a week makes a big difference.

What About Puppies?

Puppies under 6 months shouldn’t be left alone for more than 3 to 4 hours. Their bladders are small. Their brains are still learning. If you work 9 to 5 and want a puppy, you’ll need help.

Options:

• Get a second dog (an older, calm dog can help a puppy adjust)
• Use a dog walker or pet sitter for a midday break
• Work from home for the first 2 months
• Wait until you can commit to the puppy’s needs

Puppies aren’t impossible-but they require more structure. If you’re not ready for that, adopt an adult dog instead.

Real-Life Example: Sarah’s Story

Sarah works 9 to 5 in Dublin. She adopted a 2-year-old rescue Greyhound named Milo. At first, he chewed the couch. She thought she’d made a mistake.

She changed three things:

1. She started taking him for a 25-minute walk before work-sniffing, not sprinting.
2. She gave him a frozen Kong with peanut butter and yogurt every morning.
3. She stopped saying goodbye dramatically. Just a pat and a door shut.

Two weeks later, Milo was napping on his bed when she came home. No mess. No barking. Just happy silence.

Final Thought: It’s Not About Time. It’s About Trust.

You don’t need to be home all day to be a good dog owner. You need to be consistent. You need to be prepared. You need to understand that your dog’s needs aren’t the same as your own.

With the right routine, the right toys, and the right expectations, a dog can thrive even if you work 9 to 5. It’s not about sacrifice. It’s about smart planning.

And if you do it right? You’ll come home to a tired, happy dog who’s glad you’re back-not because they missed you, but because they knew you’d always return.