Many dog owners have to leave their dogs at home while they’re at work. This is fine, as long as the dog isn’t destructive or doesn’t require training. Have you began training your dogs to be home alone.
Dogs left alone need to be well-behaved and trained to get through their day without you.
This article will guide you on best practices to train your dog to be home alone without getting anxious or bored.
So, keep reading on!
Why Should You Train Your Dog to Be Left at Home Alone?
This site contains affiliate links to products. We may receive a commission for purchases made through these links.
You should train your dogs to be left at home alone because they will not destroy your home. They can be dangerous to themselves if left alone for long periods.
Dogs are not naturally good at being left alone; they need the training to learn how to behave when their owners are away from home.
It’s also important that you teach your dog an emergency plan if something happens while you’re out of the house and unable to return immediately. It will take you or someone who can help rescue them longer than normal to return home after work if there is a fire or natural disaster!
How Long Can You Leave Your Dog at Home?
How long you can leave your dog at home depends on its breed, age, and personality.
Generally, dogs older than a year old can be left alone for many hours if well-adjusted. For a more detailed overview, have a look at the following chart:
| Age | Hours You Can Leave Your Dog Home Alone! |
| 10-12 Weeks | 2 Hours |
| 3 Months | 3 Hours |
| 5 Months | 4 Hours |
| 6 Months | 5 Hours |
| Up to 7 Months | 6-8 Hours |
| Senior Dogs | Up to 6 Hours |
Signs of Dog Suffering from Separation Anxiety
Check these signs in your dog to figure out whether your dog is suffering from separation anxiety or not:
- whining or barking excessively
- pacing back and forth
- shaking uncontrollably
- drooling excessively or panting heavily (a sign of stress)
urinating or defecating on the floor (usually accompanied by whining)
Reserve a Specific Spot at Home for Your Dog
By reserving a specific spot at home for your dog, you can create a safe and comfortable area for them to relax in while you are away.
Keep things they like in their spot; it means putting their favorite toy treats or even a blanket. Do not place the spot in a high-traffic area of your house. This will lead to distractions that could cause them stress.
Reserve one room where it is quiet and dark, so your dog doesn’t feel anxious when alone with his thoughts. Finally, do not put the spot near windows where he might be able to see people passing by outside or dogs walking past the house
Get Familiar with your Dog Breed’s Behavior
Learn about the temperament of your dog’s breed as one of the first things you should do. Each breed has different traits and needs. It’s important to make sure that you get a dog that suits your lifestyle and household.
For example, if you work long hours each day and don’t have time for many exercises, it may not be good to adopt an active breed like a retriever or spaniel.
A poodle may be a good option if you live in an apartment with little space to train your dog. Poodles are better than an Irish wolfhound or Scottish deerhound (two large breeds).
Give them Entertainment
Your dog will be bored, so you’ll have to give them some entertainment. If your dog is a toy-lover, consider leaving them with one of those treat-dispensing toys (you can find them at most pet stores).
If they like food, hide treats around the house and let them sniff around until they find them!
You can also leave the TV on if your dog is interested in watching television with you–make sure it’s not loud.
And lastly, if all else fails and your dog cannot entertain himself with these options, freeze up some wet food inside an empty Kong toy so that they have something fun to chew on!
Crate Train Your Dog
Dogs can be trained to be home alone with crate training. The idea is to provide your dog with a safe place to go when they’re feeling anxious or scared. They will feel less stressed when you leave.
It also helps him or her learn that being contained in a small space isn’t necessarily bad. If used correctly, crates can become associated with positive experiences instead of negative ones!
Finding the right size crate for your pet is the first step; if it’s too large, they won’t be able to get comfortable in it, but if it’s too small, there won’t be enough space for them to move around comfortably.
You’ll also want the crate placed somewhere where your dog has visual contact with you—this will let them know that you’re still nearby even though they cannot see directly through the crate’s bars.
Rest Assured that they Visited the Bathroom
You can be sure your dog will use the bathroom before you leave if you give them plenty of water and take them for a walk.
If you want to make this process even more stress-free, bring them outside before letting them into the bathroom so that they’ll know what’s expected of them.
When it’s time to go, make sure your dog has a clean space (like a crate) where they can do their business without ruining anything—and clean up after them when you get home!
Leave Your Curtains Open
It is a great option for you to consider if your dog does not have separation anxiety and can be left alone for hours. Leaving the curtains open will allow your pup to see outside, making the home feel less isolated. However, you must make sure that there are no windows that dogs can access, or they could potentially jump through them while trying to get outside!
Start Slowly and Practice Gradually but Consistently
Start slowly and practice gradually but consistently. As with any training, it’s best to start small and build from there.
A crate or bed where your dog feels comfortable is the best place for them to be alone. Once they are comfortable being alone at home for an extended period, you can gradually increase your time away from them.
Show them Your Love When You Reach Back Home
As you might have guessed, dogs can become very sad and lonely when left alone for long periods. Dogs need human companionship just as much as humans do.When you get home from work, spend some time with your dog. Be patient with them if they are excited to see you; don’t punish them for being excited
Enroll them in Training Classes
If your dog is dealing with separation anxiety, a training class is a great place for him to learn how to cope with being alone.
Dog trainers can also help you with any aggression issues your puppy may have—including fear of other dogs or people.
If your dog has basic obedience skills and needs some practice staying calm while you’re away, enrolling him in a group class can be a great option.
It will give both of you the chance to get used to each other’s absence before leaving him home alone all day!
More experienced pups might benefit from private lessons taught by an expert trainer who knows their breed well enough to recognize potential problems and offer solutions for their unique situations (like my German Shepherd). If this seems like something that would work for both parties involved, it could make the difference between getting frustrated at home alone until you get off work versus feeling confident enough about our safety together without me around
Bonus Tip
| Bonus Tip: Protecting Your Home from Your Dog When You’re Outside! Here’s a bonus tip: if you regularly leave your dog alone at home, it’s a good idea to protect your furniture and property from chewing. Dogs that spend time alone will often find ways to entertain themselves by chewing on things like couches or carpeting—and this can get expensive very quickly! If you don’t want to replace torn-up furniture or carpet, consider buying some bitter apple spray for dogs (or any other spray deterrent). Many people also recommend using baby gates when leaving dogs unattended in a room with access to stairs; this helps protect them from hurting themselves unintentionally and prevents them from getting into trouble by accessing areas where they shouldn’t be going. Last but not least, let your neighbors know if your dog behaves poorly when you are not at home. They can bark excessively and dig holes in your yard or house) before leaving to be prepared too! Once you get control of the situation, training your dogs to be home alone will get easier. |
Click below to discover the secrets of behavior training used by professional dog trainers.
Verdict!
It’s important to understand that dogs are pack animals, and they can develop separation anxiety if you leave them alone for too long. Training dogs to be home alone takes time and patience. However, with a little bit of training and preparation, your dog should be able to stay home alone without any issues.
Have pictures you want to share? We would love to display photos of your pet canines on our blog site. Send your best pictures to our email address at; justlovingmydogs@gmail.com. We will select from pictures we receive, and include them in our weekly posts and upcoming newsletters
Other Articles
Choosing A Dog Carrier: What You Need to Know
 Are Cane Corso Dogs Suitable for First-Timers
One Comment
Comments are closed.
What i do not understood is actually how you’re not actually much more well-liked than you may be now. You’re very intelligent. You realize therefore significantly relating to this subject, produced me personally consider it from numerous varied angles. Its like women and men aren’t fascinated unless it’s one thing to accomplish with Lady gaga! Your own stuffs outstanding. Always maintain it up!