Leaving your dogs at home can be heartbreaking, especially when they’ve never been left alone all their lives. However, it is impossible to be with your dogs every minute. The best thing that you can do is to teach them how to be calm and comfortable when you leave. But just how can you do that?
Knowing Your Dogs
First off, you have to know how long you can leave your dogs without affecting their well-being. For instance, it is recommended for puppies to be left alone for only two hours a day as they can develop separation anxiety.
Meanwhile, adult dogs aged over eighteen months, who are more accustomed to being home alone, can be left all by themselves for about four to six hours a day. Elderly dogs are another thing. Depending on whether they have certain health issues, old dogs can be left alone for two to six hours a day.
It’s best to train your dogs to keep calm when you leave; otherwise, they may develop bad behaviors such as biting, chewing on clothes and furniture, binge eating, scratching, barking at random objects, and getting lost more often—none of which you’d want to happen to your furry buddies!
The Location Matters
You get three options where to leave your dogs: inside crated, inside roaming free, and outside roaming free. In deciding the location, there are several factors that you must consider, including the amount of time you will be away, the dog’s bladder capacity, the available space in your home, and whether the dog has destructive behavior.
There are pros and cons to all three locations, and it’s up to you do decide which situation should work best for your pets.
Getting Them Used to “Me Time”
Since you are leaving your dogs alone, it’s best to get them used to spending some quality time by themselves. Be patient, though, as this may not happen overnight and will require some training.
Ease them into this habit by gradually increasing their “me times” in your preferred location. You can either leave them alone while you’re in another part of the house or just leave them entirely for a few minutes. A simple trick to keep them busy is to leave a treat before going your way. Chew toys or long lasting dog chews are also great at keeping them distracted and preventing them from nibbling away your socks and furniture.
When you leave, avoid rushing to them when they start whining or barking; this will only reinforce their behavior and will make it harder for both of you to separate. Don’t worry; they will be able to work their emotions out on their own. You get find great ways to positively reinforce their good behavior when you are gone.
Getting Active with Your Dog
Generally, dogs don’t like being alone as they are very social animals. To make up for the time you spend apart, it is advisable to bond with your furry pals when you get home—and what better way than some physical activity to release all that suppressed energy?
Usually, dogs tend to be active at dusk and dawn. To keep this from happening, make sure to take your dogs for some exercise before leaving in the morning and when you arrive home in the afternoon. A good walk around the neighborhood or a game of fetch in the park should best make up for their times alone.
Of course, don’t forget to give them their daily dose of belly rubs and cuddles. A whole day without them can make them lonely!
Your heart may crumble every time you step out your door in the morning, worried that your dogs may not be able to cope well, but dogs are more resilient than you think. With the right tips and tricks—and a healthy amount of quality time together—your dogs will get by just fine.
