Help? Going back to the office full time soon and worried about my Malinois.

Hey everyone,

I need some advice.

I unexpectedly will be going back to the office five days a week soon, and I am already stressing about what to do with my dog during the day. She is a young Belgian Malinois, really smart and packed with energy. While I was working remote, we had a routine with training, walks, and play time throughout the day, and she is used to having me around a lot.

I will be gone for about eight hours, and I live in an apartment with no yard. I am worried she will get bored, anxious, or destructive being alone for that long.

Doggy daycare would be the obvious solution, but it is expensive where I live. It runs about $700 to $1,200 per month, which is roughly $32 to $60 per workday. That would eat away at a lot of my paycheck, and I am trying to find lower cost options that will still keep her safe, comfortable, and mentally stimulated.

Has anyone been through this?

• What actually worked when you had to leave a high-drive dog for work hours?
• Any affordable alternatives to daycare that you would recommend?

I really want to do right by her but I am feeling stuck. Thanks.