Pawternity leave. Yes, you read that right. It’s catching on – well, at least in the United Kingdom. New pet owners are being offered paid leave – anywhere from a few hours to a few weeks – by some companies to spend time with their furry new additions. And while the idea might sound a little unusual, there are some real benefits to spending quality time with pets early in your relationship.
Many new pet owners know the struggle and heartache of bringing home a new dog and having to leave him 24 hours later to head to work. Some even try to juggle their lunches around veterinary appointments, housebreaking efforts or training classes. Instead of trying to squeeze your dog into your existing schedule, what if you could stay home to take care of him?
While pawternity leave may not be a reality in the United States just yet, it might be worth scheduling time off to care for your dog while he adjusts to his new environment. Here are some alternatives to a formal leave of absence:
- Take a few vacation days during his first week home so you can bond with your dog, take care of initial veterinary appointments and potentially reduce your housetraining time – not to mention relieve some of your puppy's stress at rehoming.
- Be open and honest with your coworkers about your new puppy and the responsibilities he will require – that way they’ll be more understanding when you have to occasionally leave the office for any veterinary appointments or pet-related emergencies.
- Hire a dog walker you trust who can keep your puppy active and happy during the day when you’re not able to get away from the office. Or ask a neighbor or family member to help out in a pinch.
- When your dog gets a little older, consider enrolling him in doggie daycare one or two days a week. Your dog can get some of the exercise and socialization he needs there, and you can relax knowing he’s in familiar surroundings if you need to be out of town.
