Dogs are man's best friend and we love them dearly. But sometimes we have to leave our canine friends at home for a little while, whether it be because we're going out of town or just need some time alone. But how can you make sure your pup is safe when you're not there? Here are a few tips to keep in mind.

What can happen when you leave the house?

Leaving your dog home alone can be stressful for both you and your pup, especially if they get anxious when you're not there. Dogs that get anxious can experience several different problems. Some dogs may become destructive while others will develop a host of behavioural issues like barking and whining nonstop (and possibly even howling). Fortunately, there are ways to reduce the anxiety for you and your dog so you can get some alone time without feeling guilty.

How long can you leave your dog home alone?

The amount of time you can leave your dog home alone will vary depending on many factors like age, breed, and temperament. However, there are general guidelines to follow that may be helpful.

Puppies: Puppies up to a year old should be let out every 3 hours. After a year, they can hold their bladders for 4-5 hours at a time.

Adult dogs:

An adult dog can usually stay home alone from 4-8 hours but longer durations may cause boredom and destructive behaviour.

Older dogs:

Older dogs may need to go outside to use the bathroom less frequently. However, not all old dogs are the same so make sure you know your dog's bladder capacity before deciding how long they can stay home alone.

Find a dog sitter

Finding a reliable dog sitter is the best way to ensure that your pup is safe while you're away. Dog sitters will come in every day to feed, walk, and play with your dog. They can also help keep an eye on your house by checking in periodically throughout the day. What's more, if something does happen while you're out of town, they'll be there to take care of it.

Arrange for your neighbours to keep an eye on the home

Similar to a dog sitter but (hopefully) not as expensive! If you have a good relationship with your neighbour, this can be super helpful and cost-effective! No neighbour? Ask a family member if they can be your (unpaid!) dog walker ;-)

Leave them with a pet camera

As pet owners, we have a habit of worrying and this is often half the battle when leaving your dog at home. Being able to check in with the aid of a pet-cam, will help you feel a little more connected and ease your mind if you need to be away from your pooch for a few hours.

Don't give them free rein of the house

It's important that your dog isn't allowed full access to the house as they could easily make a mess that will be harder to clean up while you're away. So, if you do leave them unsupervised, consider sectioning off parts of the house to limit the amount of destruction they can cause :-)

Be consistent with your schedule/routine

Where possible, it's a good idea to be consistent with your pup's routine. Respecting this routine will help make the transition easier for them when you're away.

Tire your dog out before you leave

A tired dog is a good dog. If your pup is asleep, chances are they won't be making messes for you to clean up ;-) So, where possible, take your dog for a long morning walk before you leave the house.

While it might be tempting to just turn on your heel and head out the door, try spending a few minutes with your pup before you leave. It will help reduce some of their anxiety when they're left alone so they won't feel abandoned.

Leave a few activities he/she can busy himself with

Allowing your dog to play whilst you're away is great for their physical and mental wellbeing, so if you want to keep them busy while you're away, be sure to leave some fun chew toys or bones around. Be mindful not to leave a toy that can be easily destroyed, as this may pose a choking hazard.

Keep the radio/tv on!

This may be a little controversial but it can be helpful to have background noise if you have to leave your dog for longer periods of time. This will ensure they are never alone in total silence, allowing them to feel more at ease when left alone :-)

Build up your absence gradually

Increase the time you leave the dog a little longer - building up to the desired length of time in short periods. This way, the dog is introduced to the idea slowly and will make the transition easier for them when you're actually going away.

Fresh water

Goes without saying but don't forget to leave them fresh water whilst you're away from your furry friend!

Leaving food

You can buy a food-dispensing toy that will keep your dog busy and active for hours. Of course, you’ll want to add some of our freeze-dried dog food treats :-)

Conclusion

Leaving your dog at home can be difficult for both you and them. So make sure you leave plenty of activities for them to busy themselves with, put them in their own separate part of the house if they are quite happy alone there, make sure they have fresh water available all day long, tire them out before leaving, remain consistent. These tips can help with separation anxiety and making the dogs alone time easier.

Lecker Bites is a dog food company that makes and sells freeze-dried food. They started in 2012 and now they sell their products in over 10 countries. Easy to feed, light to transport, and great for pets with dietary restrictions.

Shop Now