One of the hardest things for a pet owner is leaving a dog home alone. We feel guilty leaving them behind as they look at us with their big eyes. We worry about what they might do when we are not around.
The truth is that dogs are very social animals and want to be around us all the time, and can suffer from separation anxiety when they are left alone. This anxiety can lead to barking and howling, dogs can also resort to chewing furniture, shoes, and other finds while they are alone. Luckily there are some things we can do to relieve anxiety and boredom.
- Take your dog for a walk before leaving.
- Leave Dog toys around your house.
- Bring a second dog home to accompany your dog.
- Give your dog a place to go potty.
Taking your dog for a walk
The first thing we can do to make dogs relaxed and calm is to take them for a walk before leaving the house. The exercise will tire and calm down your dog. This way he will probably go to sleep while you are away. If you don’t have time to take your dog for a walk, a vigorous play of fletch will also work. Just make your dog play long enough so he tires out. This will also help prevent your dog from chewing things around the house. An anxious dog that is full of energy can be very destructive. If you have a very busy schedule and don’t have the time either to play with your dog or take him for a walk before you leave, consider hiring a dog walker.
Dog toys can save your furniture
Bored dogs will act out by chewing every they find, furniture, your favorite shoes, living room rugs, or even worse, the electrical cord of your appliances. The best way of preventing this is to leave out as many dog toys as possible. This way your dog will have something to entertain himself in your absence. This will not only stop your dog from entertaining himself with your furniture and garments but will also help your dog from suffering separation anxiety.
There are also toys where you can hide treats inside, this is a great option for keeping your dog busy. But keep in mind that your dog could eat the treats fast and then lose interest in the toy, so buy toys that make it very difficult to get the treats, this will keep him busy for a longer time, but your dog will eventually get the treats anyway, so don’t forget to leave his regular toys as well.
Check out this related post: How to Keep a Dachshund Busy
Bringing home a friend for your dog
Many dog owners consider adopting a second dog so that their first dog will always have company and won’t suffer or get bored when they are not around. This is a great idea if you consider all the implications of getting a second dog. Some of the things you must take into consideration when adopting a new dog are size, gender, energy, temperament, and age. A second dog can bring a lot of happiness and joy or many problem and headaches. Ask your veterinarian or dog trainer what kind of dog would be a good fit for your current dog. There is nothing worse than bringing a new dog, just to find out that he doesn’t get along with your dog. If you choose to adopt a second dog, consider going to a reputable rescue organization and asking them to foster the dog for a few days before adopting.
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Your dog needs to pee
There is one more thing to consider when leaving your dog or dog’s home alone, dogs need to pee! Make sure your dog has a place where he can do his business. If you live in a house with a yard, you are in luck, you can keep your dog in the yard. Just make sure to check your fence for holes where your dog could escape. If you don’t have a yard, choose a place where your dog can pee. Dogs should not go any more than six hours without going to the bathroom. Puppies need to go more often, if dogs hold their urine for too long they can develop urinary tract infections. So is very important to provide your dog with a place where he can go pee. There are many options for pee pads you can install in your house.
These products will help you leave your dog home alone
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