While you’re away from your home for work, an errand or social call, one of the biggest worries for you is leaving your furry friend behind. But you don’t want to come home and be greeted by a sad face. With a little bit of planning, you can leave your dog at home with ease. This article will give you some helpful tips for leaving your dog alone at home.
Make Sure Your Dog is Safe While Unsupervised
The safest place for your dog to be while you’re away is in their crate. If you leave your dog in their crate for too long (more than 4 hours), they’ll grow anxious and stressed. If you don’t have a crate for your dog, a small room like the bathroom or laundry area is fine as long as there is nothing in there that could harm them. The room should be big enough that your dog can lay down and turn around comfortably.
A New Toy Can Make Your Dog Happy While You’re Gone
The best toy to buy if you need something to keep your dog company while away is a Kong toy. It is hollow inside, so you can fill it with something tasty that your dog likes, like peanut butter or dog food. The dog will need to lick and chew the Kong for it to get out all of the delicious stuff inside, but it is a great way to keep your dog busy while you’re gone.
Leave Some Background Noise
If you have music playing in the home while you are gone, your dog will be more likely to stay inside and behave. You can also leave the TV on if it’s not too loud. Just make sure that it’s on a channel that doesn’t move too quickly or show anything upsetting. If you leave your dog alone in the house unsupervised, make sure to leave him in a location where he can’t get into anything dangerous.
Enough Food and Water
The easiest way to make sure your dog has water and food while you are gone is to leave out a few bowls before you leave. Make sure that one bowl is filled with water, and leave the other empty. The empty bowl will help your dog know more food if he needs it. When you put your dog in their crate, put a cup or a water bowl with fresh water in it inside with him. This will make sure he still has water while you are gone, and you won’t have to worry about coming home to an unappetizing mess.
Install a Security Camera
If you are going to be gone for more than a day, you may want to install a security camera in your home. It will make you feel much calmer knowing that if something happens while you’re away, you’ll be able to see it. You may also use the security camera to check in on your dog when you can’t be there with them. Make sure that you put it somewhere that is easily viewable to provide the best protection. You should also be able to find several security camera system stores online or in your area just by doing a quick search.
Tire Your Doggo out Before You Leave
Try to tire your dog out before you leave. Running around outside, playing fetch, or going for a walk can do this. Letting your dog play with a ball or on an exercise wheel will also tire them out before you leave and make them much calmer while you’re gone. This is especially true if it’s a hot day and they like to play in the heat. You should also teach your dog that if they hear the door open or someone is home, their behavior has to change.
Train Your Dog Before You Leave
One of the best things you can do while you’re gone is to train your dog. If they know how to sit or name a few tricks, they will be much calmer while you’re gone. You can practice this along with the training commands already in place. Just make sure that you don’t overwhelm them with too much training before going on a long trip.
Closing Thoughts
In conclusion, leaving your dog alone at home can be stressful, but you can make sure that they are well taken care of with a little bit of preparation. Make sure to take your dog out once you’re home, and give them plenty of love and affection along with a nice bath.
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