How to Make Life With a Dog Easier When You Have a Busy Schedule

Having a dog is wonderful. However, between work, social plans, errands, family commitments and the small matter of remembering to feed yourself occasionally, dog admin can sometimes feel like another job you’ve accidentally taken on. But it doesn’t have to.

The answer isn’t getting up at 5am to squeeze an elaborate dog-care routine into your day. It’s more about making the things you’re already doing work a little harder for you.

A few clever tweaks around the house and some simple routines can make feeding, walking, grooming and general dog care feel much less like a list of jobs to tick off.

And, importantly, you still get to enjoy the fun bit - actually being with your dog!

Make Your Home Work for You

If you’re constantly searching for the lead, poo bags or the dog’s towel five minutes before you’re supposed to leave the house, it’s probably time for a rethink. You could opt to create a little dog station near the door.

It doesn’t need to be fancy. A basket or storage box containing the essentials means you can grab everything in one go when it’s time for a walk. Keep a towel nearby for wet and muddy days, too (your sofa will thank you)!

The same idea works around feeding time. Keep your dog’s food, bowls and other everyday essentials together so you’re not wandering around the kitchen trying to remember where you put everything.

If your dog takes medication or supplements, make them part of an established routine where appropriate, while keeping everything safely stored away from curious noses.

And then there’s the furniture. Unless you’ve somehow acquired the world’s only dog that never sheds, never gets muddy and has impeccable table manners… washable throws and easy-to-clean rugs are your friends. Give your dog a comfortable bed of their own and make life easier for yourself wherever possible.

Make Dog Care Part of Your Existing Routine

The easiest things to remember are usually the things attached to something you already do.

Think about your dog’s mealtimes. You’re already getting their food ready, so that can become a natural reminder to refresh their water bowl, check you’re not running dangerously low on food and take care of any other suitable daily tasks.

Dental care is another one that can be easier to remember when it’s connected to mealtime rather than treated as an entirely separate event.

For example, products such as the ProDenta dental powder available from puplabs.com⁠ can be incorporated into your dog’s routine according to the product’s instructions.

Just remember that dental products aren’t a substitute for proper veterinary care. If you notice things such as bleeding gums, obvious discomfort, loose teeth, bad breath that seems persistent or difficulty eating, speak to your vet.

The same principle can work with other little jobs. Brush your dog while you’re watching your favourite programme. Check their paws after the evening walk. Wash their bedding when you’re already doing the laundry.

Suddenly, you’re not adding six new jobs to your day. You’re simply attaching small jobs to things you were going to do anyway.

Find a Walking Routine That Fits Your Actual Life

Have a look at your day and find the points where a walk naturally makes sense. For some people, that’s first thing in the morning before work begins. For others, an evening walk is the perfect excuse to switch off after staring at a screen all day.

And if you’re heading somewhere locally anyway, could your dog come along? A trip to the local shop, a coffee run or a visit to a nearby green space might give you an opportunity to combine things rather than making several separate journeys.

It’s also worth remembering that a good walk isn’t necessarily about clocking up an impressive number of miles. Dogs get a lot from being able to sniff, explore and investigate what’s happening around them. You don’t have to power walk around the neighbourhood as though you’re training for the Olympics.

Mix up your usual route when you can. Try a different street, visit another park or simply let your dog take the scenic route occasionally.

How much exercise your dog needs will depend on things such as their age, breed, health and temperament, so there’s no need to compare your routine with the dog you follow on Instagram who apparently runs 10km before breakfast.

Make the Mud Situation Manageable

Dogs are excellent at bringing the outside world indoors.

Mud on the paws. Hair on the sofa. Leaves in places you didn’t know leaves could reach.

You could spend your entire life cleaning if you tried to keep on top of every single bit of it.

Instead, make a few strategic changes.

Keep an old towel by the door so you can deal with muddy paws before they make their way through the house. Put washable throws over favourite sleeping spots and keep a lint roller somewhere genuinely convenient rather than hidden at the back of a cupboard.

Regular little cleans are usually easier than waiting until the whole house needs attention.

And if you’re choosing new furnishings, think about practicality as well as appearance. Beautiful cream cushions might look fantastic in the shop, but if your dog treats the sofa as their personal territory, you may want to reconsider. There is such a thing as choosing a fabric with your sanity in mind.

Get Ahead of Your Busy Days

You know those days when everything seems to happen at once?

You’re late for work, you’ve forgotten to buy dog food, the dog needs a walk and you’ve just realised you’re supposed to be somewhere at 7pm.

This is where a little preparation can save a lot of stress.

Keep enough food at home that you aren’t constantly operating on the last handful of biscuits. Add regular purchases to your calendar or shopping list so you don’t have to rely on remembering them.

If you have an early start, get the lead, coat and walking essentials ready the night before.

And if you know you’re going to have an especially hectic day, arrange help in advance. A trusted friend or family member, dog walker or suitable dog-care service can make all the difference.

There’s no shame in admitting that you can’t be everywhere at once. In fact, planning for the occasional busy day is part of being a responsible dog owner.

Have a Dog-Care Emergency Folder

Having all the important information in one place is incredibly useful.

Make sure your vet’s details are saved in your phone and that anyone who regularly looks after your dog knows the basics of their routine. That might include feeding times, medication instructions, your vet’s contact details and who to call in an emergency.

You can also keep a note of useful information such as your dog’s microchip details and insurance information. It takes a few minutes to organise when everything is fine, but trying to remember it all while you’re stressed and rushing out of the door is considerably less fun.

Don’t Try to Become the World’s Most Organised Dog Owner

There’s a tendency to make pet care sound like you need a colour-coded spreadsheet, seven different storage baskets and a perfectly timed daily routine. You really don’t.

The best routine is the one that works with your actual life.

If you’re naturally an early riser, make the morning walk part of your routine. If evenings are calmer, use that time for grooming or a longer stroll. If you always make a cup of tea after dinner, perhaps that’s your reminder to refresh the water bowl.

Your dog doesn’t care whether you’ve followed a beautifully designed schedule.

They care that they’re fed, exercised, cared for, safe and getting plenty of time with you.

Make Life Easier, Not More Complicated

Having a busy life and having a dog aren’t mutually exclusive.

It just helps to remove some of the unnecessary friction.

Keep the things you use regularly where you actually need them. Attach smaller care tasks to routines you’ve already established. Make walks part of your existing day rather than another enormous event in the diary. Prepare for those particularly chaotic days before they arrive.

And give yourself a break.

There will be days when the walk is shorter than planned, dinner is later than usual and your dog spends most of the evening asleep on the sofa while you catch up on everything else. That’s life.

Your dog doesn’t need you to be perfect. They just need you to be there, consistently, and to make sure their needs are looked after.

The easier you make the everyday stuff, the more time and energy you have left for the best bit of having a dog: the walks, the cuddles, the silly games and the constant companionship.

Even if they do continue to bring half the garden into your house.

*this post features sponsored content.