How to Prepare Your Dog for Staying Home Alone
Are you looking for tips on how to train your dog to stay home alone? Read on! Dog owners have all experienced the heartache of leaving their pup at home and seeing their separation anxiety spiral. Watching our dogs struggle is challenging, but leaving a dog at home alone can be an enjoyable experience with the right approach. Here's how to make your dog comfortable being home alone.
Make it Special
Train your dog to view you leaving the house as a special event by offering a unique treat. Save a snack like our Premium Jerky Dog Treats and a special lovey for them to snuggle with every time you leave home. As you learn how to train your dog to stay home alone, you’ll find that leaving them in a positive, comforting environment makes a big difference. That way, they'll still be overjoyed when you return, but they'll also look forward to their extra special home alone time.
Schedule Some Play Time
Delight your dog with some high-energy playtime to lift their spirits and release their excess energy. If you don't have time for play, try a jog to wear your dog out and get them ready for a nap. By the time you leave, they'll feel ready to settle in for a snooze and relaxation. A big part of knowing how to train your dog to stay home alone is simply putting in some extra effort before you go.
Offer Some Love
Assure your dog how much you care for them with some extra love before you leave. Lots of snuggles, brushing their coat, or a doggie massage with long strokes help relieve their attention and get in the touch time they crave. A little praise and hugs also go a long way. Showing your pup affection is always a good idea, but it’s especially helpful as you find out how to make your dog comfortable being home alone.
Give Them a Task
As you discover how to train your dog to stay home alone, try to brainstorm ways to keep them occupied. Dogs are task-oriented and enjoy a fun challenge. Hide a toy with a treat inside — like our all-natural Elk & Venison Topper — in a dog-approved area of your home. They'll have a blast hunting for it, digging into their treat, and chewing on their toy. After their adventure, they’ll be ready to settle down and stop focusing on their separation anxiety.
Leave on Some Music
If your dog enjoys some noise and activity, leave some music on when you leave. A quiet house can cause boredom and loneliness, so put together the perfect playlist as you experiment with how to train your dog to stay home alone. Choose something relaxing and soft enough that they can sleep without being disturbed. If the soft music doesn't do the trick, dog videos on YouTube also entertain them while you're away on an errand or at work.
Practice Makes Perfect
Give your dog a chance to get used to you leaving the house for long periods of time. Prep them for your departure, take a short walk or do a quick errand, and return in 15 minutes or so. Slowly work up to hours so that it feels like the new normal for your pup. They'll also learn to trust that you always come back for them, no matter how long you're gone. Rehearsing for the real thing is a great trick to keep in mind as you learn how to train your dog to stay home alone!
Dog Proof Your Home
As you look into how to make your dog comfortable being home alone, don’t overlook potential behavioral issues. Even if your dog is a seasoned pro at staying off of the couch and refraining from knocking things down, leaving them alone is a game-changer. You don't know if they'll experience boredom or anxiety, and they may need some help to stay out of trouble. Dog proof your home with pet gates while still leaving plenty of room to roam.
Reaching for our STOP The Chew Bitter Spray Deterrent can also alleviate compulsive chewing on furniture and baseboards. The alcohol-free formula contains natural bitters to naturally distract them from destructive chewing. While you research how to train your dog to stay home alone, take steps to encourage good behavior, so you don’t have to worry about what your pup is up to while you’re gone.
Invest in a Dog Walker
A dog walker is a small investment in your pet's well-being and health. Schedule your walker for a time of day when you know your dog is the most restless or in the middle of the day. Your dog gets some human interaction, releases excess energy, and gets some time in the fresh air to soothe their worries.
Final Thoughts
With some planning and innovation, your dog can spend time alone without stress or loneliness. Learning how to train your dog to stay home alone all starts with managing their energy and assuring them you'll be back, along with some special treats and toys along the way. We hope this guide on how to make your dog comfortable being home alone has been helpful! Need reinforcements? Shop our selection of all-natural sprays and treats for dogs.