Ultimately, most dogs adapt to being left home alone, but puppies and even adult dogs can feel insecure and nervous being left home alone. You can't explain to a dog that you're coming back. They need to learn this over time and trust you enough to know it's true and part of the routine. However, you can make the experience of being home alone more comfortable and less traumatic for your dog. A quiet empty house can make people feel alone and scared. That can happen to dogs too. At home, a dog should feel warm, familiar and reassuring. A scared dog can be nervous and even destructive in his fear. To make your dog feel more at ease when he is home alone, try some of these tricks that will make the house feel less empty and provide him with security and entertainment.
Provide chew toys Boredom can leave a dog searching for something to do, and their choices can cause damage to your home and items lying around if they don't have alternatives. Puppies, in particular, tend to chew on anything and everything. Chew toys provide an outlet for boredom and the instinct to chew. Choose chew toys that are sturdy enough to withstand the chewing force of your specific dog.
Leave the radio on
Leave the radio on for musical companionship for your dog. Choose a radio station that is soothing to the dog. Their ears are more sensitive than ours. Set the volume to a reasonable level so that your house feels less empty but not so loud that the dog can't relax. A radio station where people talk is ideal.
Turn on the television
Some dogs enjoy the company of a television. Although they don't look at it or see it the way we do, they sometimes respond to certain visual or auditory stimuli that a television provides. Like the radio, pick a channel that will calm your dog. A documentary, comedy, or history channel may be a better choice than an action channel. The point is to provide companionship and let your dog relax, not excite him.
Provide a resting place
Give your dog a safe, comfortable place to rest. An overly anxious dog may do better in a small enclosed area where they feel less nervous. A large dog bed with cushions in a cozy place, or a soft open house for your dog to sleep in, gives the dog a trusted safe place that they know is theirs.
Remove temptations
A bored or nervous dog who is left alone may be tempted to do things they shouldn't when you're out of sight. If the dog has not yet learned what is not allowed or likes to test the limits when you are away, it is better to remove the temptation. Put away anything they might find chewable or fun to play with that isn't right for them. Small objects sitting on easily accessible surfaces, such as the coffee table, can quickly attract a dog's attention. Before you leave the house, look around and pick up anything you think isn't appropriate. Close the door of all the rooms they shouldn't go when you're gone.
Leave the lights on
Light is comforting and makes your dog feel more at home. Leave at least one light on in an area where the dog is likely to be. If you leave early or come back late, but you don't want to leave lights on during the day, invest in timers that turn lights on and off at specific times.
Enter a trusted object A favorite cuddly soft toy, or even an old blanket or piece of clothing with the scent of a trusted family member can help your dog feel your presence when you're not around. It can also help your four-legged friends understand that you are not gone for good and have not left them permanently. Familiar smells, which they associate with home and family, are comforting for a dog.
Have someone come over If the days away from home are long, consider hiring someone or asking a friend or family member to spend a little time each day with your dog to give them a break from the long empty time alone. Choose someone you know you can rely on to take good care of your dog and who will leave your home safely when they leave. Let the person take the dog outside for a walk and/or play with him. The walk and company will break up a long lonely day.
