Hellobee Boards

Are you living in a home or apartment? Is there any green grass outside your door? We have a backyard but it isn't fenced so we can't just let him roam free and go yet. We have one of those things that you screw into the ground and it has like 25 feet of leash on it so I can click it on his collar and let him off the back deck and he has enough length to do his business then come right back up to the deck when he is done. Not sure if that would work in the kind of place you are living.

When I was in an apartment I pretty much just had to walk him with my daughter every morning, then walk in the evening again while she was awake and just let him pee at night right outside our front door at night since she was already in bed. Not ideal, its tough when the husband travels I can sympathize.

Hire a dog walker. What I do is take her out for a quick potty, then work from home and walk her during conference calls, then we do a family walk after daycare and a quick solo potty after LO is in bed.

If I have to go in to the office, I get the walker more frequently. I have no problem with then walking her if I'm home.

For logistics, I put the toddler in the Tula with a giant coat over us. When he's bigger, I'm sure I'll use a stroller, but the Tula is way easier for now.

We are super lazy and just let the dogs into the yard - we have 2 so they chase each other around for a while. Clearly not the best for them but honestly they haven't gotten a regular walk since LO1 was born We try and do some good outings for them on the weekends (LO loves the dog park!). When LO was little we didn't have a fenced yard so I would babywear if she was awake or bring the monitor if she was asleep and just stayed right outside the house for them to potty. They are far more into fetching so they'd rather walk to the park half a block away and fetch for 20 min than have a walk for exercise so we try and do that a couple times a week.

I am home on mat leave now, 3 kids and dog that gets 3-4 walks every day. DH either walks him before he goes to work or when he can't, and eventually as I get out of newborn days (she's 4w) I walk him as I take our oldest (she's 4 to school. We go for a mid day walk, then walk at school pick up, then bedtime walk. Beginning of day and/or bedtime when solo turns into ball play in the backyard so not as much activity, but then I am mindful of that and do bigger mid day walks. Probably 3-5km total in walk time!

When LO was littler I sent our dog to FILs house during DHs trip. It made a huge difference. If I were you I would send your dog to a doggie sitter (maybe someone wanting to try out a dog) or get a dog walker when DH is out of town at least just to give you a break until you feel more up to it.

@fuzzypeaches: If it's not too cold, I wear the baby and have the toddler walk with me. She has a leash that she holds that attaches to the actual leash. If it's really cold, I get up super early and walk the dog for five minutes, let her in the yard, and go on a longer one after work. When it's warmer, we'll all get up early and load into the stroller and go for a walk.

@fuzzypeaches: I do think it's unlikely a dog walker will come that early, but sure you could get someone to come by 8-9. I'd plan to let the dog out in the yard in the am just to give the opportunity to go. Your pup will get used to either doing his business in the yard or waiting til the dog walker comes very quickly.

@fuzzypeaches: That is awesome! Totally worth it!!

@fuzzypeaches: that worked out well!