Traveling for work with pets
So I’m having a bit of conflict with what I should do. Here’s a bit of back story, I’ll try to keep it short.
I will be traveling for work soon, with no prediction on how frequently or how far. I’m not sure how my options will be for finding pet friendly air bnbs and hotels, as some of these areas will be extremely remote. I also will be going on a week vacation every six weeks, some of which my pets could come with me, and others they may not. I also will be working 5-7 day weeks, anywhere from 8-12 hours a day, with no prediction as how it will pan out.
This being said, getting rid of my dog is not an option. I have a cat that can stay with my mom, but my dog will stay. I also will more than likely be traveling with my boyfriend, who works for the same company, and will be staying with me as well, but it won’t always be guaranteed, and we also will be vacationing together.
Here’s what I’m asking. Has anyone been in a similar situation that knows how to make this easier? Here are my concerns: being in a kennel while I’m working, and having someone to watch her while I’m vacationing.
Here’s my other consideration. I brought up to my boyfriend I’m considering getting a second dog. He’s brought up some concerns about this that are valid, and I don’t want to make this decision without it being the RIGHT decision. Here are my reasonings for the second dog:
My dog already seems lonely after leaving a multi-dog household. I think if we got her a friend, she may be less lonely, especially when I’m gone at work all day. She’s almost a year old, and well trained. Not trained enough YET to be left alone in an air bnb or hotel, but I’m working on it, and have already trained multiple anxieties and reactive tendencies out of her. With that being said, I won’t be traveling for another 6 months, and have time to train her. I’d also plan on getting a dog that’s around 6-8 months old, so not entirely a puppy but young enough to still be pliable.
My goal would be to have two well trained dogs, trained enough to be left alone at home for the day without tearing anything up and if I’m gone too long they should use the bathroom on a puppy pad if it came down to it. Or if that sounds unreasonable, are there any better suggestions? Would it be better for my dogs mental health to get her a friend, or would it be too much work, and unreasonable, as someone who’s traveling for potentially the next ten years?
I can say, with my current schedule of 55 hour weeks I spend time with her daily and take her hiking every weekend, but if my work scope went back up to 70 hours and potentially 7 days a week, she probably won’t get that same attention.
So what I’m asking is, what is your opinion? Should I get a second dog? I’m willing to put in the extra money and work for training and baby sitters. Also, does anyone have any tips to make this easier, like how to find pet-sitters, training tips, any experience you may have or may have heard of. I don’t want to get rid of her, she’s a rescue and just generally a great dog, and I love her; she comes before everyone except my mom. Im willing to put in extra money and whatever time I have to giving her the best quality of life, but time will be limited to me.
Anyone who read this long, thank you and I’m open to all opinions.