How Do I Leave My Puppy Alone When I Go To Work?

SIT, STAY, BEHAVE...

WRITTEN BY ALYSSA DAY, Contributing Writer

Puppies bring joy to your life. They are fun to be with and can be great stress relievers, but it’s not all about having fun with your puppy. You need to care for it and give it a safe home.

Did your circumstances change, and you need to go to the office? The pup you have been with 24/7 at home needs to be home alone. There are several things to try.

We have put together some options that will have your puppy entertained and safe while you are away, not to mention your home will be in one piece when you arrive home to the absolute delight of your little furry family member.

Leaving your puppy alone when you go to work may sound quite daunting, especially at the beginning.

Making a safe space in your home for your puppy will have you and your puppy feeling more confident about leaving each other for any length of time.

Create A Safe And Designated Space For Your Puppy

The last thing you want to find when you come home is to see your puppy running around the house, creating a mess.

A puppy that is left alone is more likely to do this. Therefore, crate training is essential if you plan to leave your dog alone when you go to work. The crate creates a safe, confined area for your puppy. Add their favorite toys, blankets, and even a t-shirt that needs a wash so they have your scent while alone. Add their food and water. No spill bowls work great in this environment. You can also purchase many food toys to add treats to keep them busy. Also, remember your pup is growing; they will sleep a reasonable amount of time. You will worry far more than they will fret. You’ve got this.

Identify Your Breed’s Behavior

A dog’s behavior differs according to its breed. Some breeds, including French Bulldogs, Greyhounds, and Basset Hounds, are less active and are happy to lounge around more than other breeds.

Others, including Oodles, Terriers, and Shepherds, are the more active, and to leave them alone, you need to ensure their active minds have something to occupy them.

You chose this breed, know your pup, and understand what will occupy them and what your little one prefers, but not all dogs of any one breed behave the same. Still unsure? Read on.

Take Things Slow

If you have been working at home for a long time, leaving your dog alone suddenly could be challenging. Can you leave your pup briefly before the eight-hour day arrives? If so, you can start by leaving your dog in the crate for short periods while at home. Crate them during dinner time, when you go shopping. On your return, a small treat will help teach your dog to associate your absence with treats and rewards.

Set A Regular Routine

Try to keep mealtimes, bedtime, and walks consistent; dogs of all ages love routines. When crate training, routine is a valuable tool. Pups often go to their crate when they, too, want alone time; being so cute is very tiring.

Give Your Puppy A Workout

Taking your pup out for a walk in the morning, or if they are not there yet, playtime before you leave for extended periods, is also very practical; wear them out. Exercise releases feel-good endorphins in dogs, similar to humans. When you are ready to leave for work, they will probably be settling down for a nap.

Provide Suitable Toys

It’s essential to keep your dog entertained while you’re at work. It keeps them from getting bored and becoming destructive inside the house.

Invest in quality toys. You can even use interactive puzzles to provide mental stimulation.

Play Background Noise

Playing background noise is an excellent way to help keep your dog from feeling lonely. It could be as simple as sound coming from the television or radio.

The background noise helps keep your puppy distracted while you’re off work. It also blocks out any outside noise that could make your puppy anxious.

Ensure Your Puppy Goes To The Bathroom

Dogs usually need to go to the bathroom three to five times daily. It can vary according to breed and age.

Puppies need to go to the bathroom more often than healthy adult dogs. Puppies can hold going to the toilet for one hour per month of age. So, a three-month-old puppy can keep going to the bathroom for up to three hours.

Dogs older than one year can wait for up to six hours between potty breaks

You can leave pee pads or grass pads, which can be the designated place to go to the bathroom when you’re not home. Another option is to add a dog door to your house and a safe secure fence so your dog can go outside as needed.

Address Separation Anxiety

Separation anxiety is a common issue in puppies. Your dog may have continuous accidents when you’re away, indicating that it has separation anxiety.

Addressing these issues will help your puppy will feel comfortable between when you leave and return home.

Come Home At Lunchtime or Hire A Dog Walker Or Pet Sitter

If you’re crating your puppy while at work, you may consider coming home midday to let it out. Even older dogs need to stretch out their legs and go have a relief break after staying for hours in the crate.

Your friends may only sometimes be able to check up on your dog. There could be instances when you’re stuck in traffic or at an important meeting in the office.

Hiring a dog walker or pet sitter is a great way to help when you are gone for long hours. You wITcan check out several on the Lowcountry Dog Marketplace at lowcountrydog.com/services.

Final Thoughts

Leaving a puppy alone and going to work can be distressing for any pet owner. You will constantly want to know what your puppy is up to and will be worried about it.

As you learned, there are several ways in which we can address this issue and ensure your puppy is safe and comfortable alone at home.Follow the above tips to create a safe and designated space for your dog. ■