Content
- Animal welfare
- Safe and proper zone
- Tours before leaving home
- how to leave him alone
- behavior problems
If it's the first time you've had a dog or you've just adopted one that you don't know about its character, it's normal to have doubts about the leave alone at home. Some dogs feel a strong separation anxiety and when saying goodbye to them they can chew on furniture and objects or howl incessantly.
In this article by PeritoAnimal we give you the best advice to leave your puppy at home properly so that it is not a drama every time you leave the house for your day to day. Remember that patience and caring are the keys to resolving this situation.
Keep reading and check it out. tips for leaving the dog alone at home.
Leave the dog alone at home does part of your learning that one must work properly so as not to create future behavior problems such as separation anxiety.
It's totally normal for your dog to get confused, lost and even scared the first few times when you leave, but it's important that this doesn't take away his desire to go out for a while, as your dog will learn to be alone. It will be essential to analyze properly how should we act at these times and what factors should be taken into account so that the animal feels comfortable and safe.
Animal welfare
Not all dogs can be left alone under the same conditions or in the same way, which we'll talk about next, but there is one thing they all have in common: they should be able to enjoy the 5 liberties of animal welfare:
- Free from hunger, thirst and malnutrition
- Discomfort free
- pain and disease free
- free to express yourself
- fear and stress free
Although it seems obvious to us that we comply with them, you should notice the small details that hide each of the freedoms. A simple tick or bad walks can be the cause of the animal's discomfort and the breach of freedoms.
Being able to offer your pet a totally healthy state is sometimes complicated, but working properly we can enjoy a happy and relaxed dog.
Safe and proper zone
To avoid possible problems, it is essential to be clear about the place where we are going to leave our dog. have a comfortable bed and fresh water in abundance will be essential for the dog to feel in a safe and comfortable area.
Do not leave room doors open and the kitchen open. You should make sure you can't damage anything or tamper with your stuff, which could bite. Use that area of your home that you think will be best for him. A terrace or a small room should be avoided at all costs as well as cold, sharp objects or excessive noise.
Another detail to bear in mind is the importance of not leaving an Elizabethan muzzle or necklace on, unless the ethologist has recommended it. It is very important that you understand that a dog that is not free to move can suffer from serious anxiety problems.
Tours before leaving home
Before leaving the house, you have to make sure you leave your puppy in good condition. We advise you to give a good ride and even exercise with him if he is a very active dog. During the tour you should allow him the freedom to smell and take care of his needs until he is satisfied, you will know yourself when it is time to return home.
After the tour you should give him your snack, never before, not to suffer from a stomach twist. You can feed it once a day or twice, as you prefer.
After a proper walk and eating, your dog should be slightly tired and quiet.
how to leave him alone
Before leaving the dog alone for many hours, make sure it will be fine. To do this, it will be essential to follow two steps and apply them progressively over a few days:
- If you are in the same house, leave your dog in a limited zone, without being able to approach you for short periods (5-10 minutes). Pay him no attention if he cries and permeate him whenever he behaves appropriately when his time is up. Increase periods progressively (20-40 minutes).
- The second step will be leave your home for short periods (15-30 minutes) and, as in the previous case, increase the time of your outings progressively. Little by little, your pet will get used to being without your presence.
When is the right time to leave him alone?
You'll even know when it's the right time to leave him alone for more than 1 hour. Your behavior indoors during your small outings should guide you to know if your dog is able to remain calm at home without your presence.
behavior problems
It is common for your puppy to develop small behavioral problems at first. Next, we'll explain the most common ones and what you should do about it:
- bite the furniture: It is normal and understandable for puppies to bite furniture or other objects. It is also common in adults who are nervous or suffer from separation anxiety. The best you can do is to offer him various toys to entertain himself when you are not.
- thief non-stop: Dog barking can occur in many cases and in different ways: chain screams, anxiety, discomfort... Identifying the cause will be essential to understand what our dog wants to communicate to us.
- separation anxiety: Separation anxiety is a serious problem that causes discomfort in the dog. It is essential to treat it properly, as soon as possible and with the proper mechanisms. An excellent tool to treat it is kong.
- eat everything you find: A poor diet or a possible illness can cause your pet to eat whatever it finds in the soil. In this situation, you should consult your veterinarian.
As you can see, there are several situations that many owners face, if your dog is also one of them, you should get informed to solve the problem as soon as possible. Dog educators can guide you and offer advice that is appropriate for your specific case.