Pet’s Nook: Home Alone

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Pet’s Nook HOME ALONe

By Indira Ceville-Borgella

So, we all should be back into the swing of things…School, work, life.. While it’s an exciting but busy time for kids and parents, the dogs out there may not be too happy about it. Let’s chat about a few ways to make this transition easier for our dogs.

TEACHING YOUR DOG TO BE INDEPENDENT

Being able to self engage is the key to staying home alone for dogs. Teaching your pup to be independent from an early age helps prevent separation anxiety, enables us to run errands effortlessly and makes it easier for us to step outside the house without the dog for a few hours, all while making sure our dogs are not miserable at home.

Independence training must start at an early age. We must take ample time to make sure our dogs are comfortable spending time alone by starting with only a few minutes, training our way up to a few hours.

7 TIPS TO HELP A DOG BE ALONE FOR EXTENDED PERIOD OF TIME :

1. Go big on mental stimulation Mental stimulation is not only an enriching experience for your dog, but also teaches them the art of self engagement. Ditching food bowls and using interactive puzzles and toys is a great start to keeping your engaged for a long time and an excellent way to tire them out. Kong wobblers, Classic Kong, snuffle mats, West Paw Toppl toy are some great beginner friendly toys.

2. Exercise your dog a little extra before and after

On the days you have to leave your dog alone for an extended period of time, make sure you’re providing them with ample exercise before you do so. Did you know, over 80% of behavioral issues can be prevented if a dog is getting the appropriate quality and quantity of exercise. Furthermore, take them out for a long walk and spend time playing with them once you’re back home too. 3.Schedule mid day walks If your dog is going to be left alone for more than several hours during the day, it would be unfair to do so without accommodating one of their most essential needs – walks. Consider asking a friend, family or hire a dog walker to walk your dog and play with them in your absence. 4. Dog Camera Dog cameras are the absolute best way to ensure your dog is safe in your absence. Furbo dog camera is one of the most popular options which also enables you to communicate with your dog and toss a treat to them when they are being good. 5. Consider day care If your dog loves interacting with other dogs, supervised day cares are an excellent option to keep your dog from getting bored.

Not only do they get to engage in safe and supervised play with other canines, but day cares also give them an appropriate outlet for their pent-up energies. Make sure you pick a day care centre that is reputable and is constantly supervised by professionals. Lastly, day cares may get your dog used to a high energy and exciting play routine that you may not be able to keep up on a daily basis at home. Hence, it is recommended to consider this option only 1-2 times a week. 6. Music Calming music for canines have gained popularity in recent times, especially with the soaring cases of separation anxiety in dogs. These music tracks are composed specially to soothe an anxious dog’s nerves. They are commonly used by pet parents in thunderstorms, fireworks and while leaving a dog alone for an extended period of time. In several cases, these music tracks have helped dog sleep better and calm down faster in the absence of their humans. 7. Ensure ample food, hydration and safety Make sure your dog knows where their food and water are located so that it’s easy for them to track it every time they need it. Quick tip – Instead of leaving food in a bowl, fill up a few toys with kibbles and treats to ensure extended engagement. Focus on crate training your dog to make sure they are not getting themselves into trouble. If crate training is not an option, barricade certain areas of the house to limit your dog’s access.

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