Longlivedog.com – Leaving your dog home alone for a few hours can be a nerve-wracking experience. But it’s also an essential part of their development. And if you’re not prepared for it, you risk causing them serious harm. This blog post will give you tips on what to do when you leave your dog home alone.
From preparing food and water to ensuring they have toys and treats, we’ll cover everything you need to know to ensure your pet is safe and happy while you’re away.
To leave your dog home alone, be prepared with these tips.
Make sure your dog has plenty of water and food.
If you’re leaving your dog home alone for a few hours, make sure they have plenty of water and food. Dogs can quickly become dehydrated and hungry without access to fluids or food. In addition to water, please provide them with treats or toys to keep them busy. If you’re planning to be away for an extended period, make sure to leave instructions on how your dog should be fed and watered in case of an emergency.
Have a plan for what you’ll do if your dog gets into any trouble
If you’re like most pet parents, leaving your dog home alone is one of the things that feels like a no-brainer. After all, who could resist skipping down the street with Fido in tow?
Here are five tips to help make leaving Fido at home less stressful:
- Plan what you’ll do if your dog gets into trouble. If your dog has been trained to stay inside when left alone, have some scenarios drawn up so that you know how to handle specific situations (i.e., if your dog breaks windows or starts tearing up furniture). But if you ever need to leave your pup home alone for a few hours, you should do a few things in advance to ensure their safety and well-being. This way, even if something does happen while you’re away, you’ll be prepared and won’t have to search for Fido when you get back frantically.
- Make sure your home is secure. If your dog is prone to getting into trouble, make sure there are no openings in your house where they can escape (doors that close automatically, gaps under doors, and windowsills). Also, keep all virtual objects out of reach of Fido – this includes anything that can be used as a chew toy or playmate (remember to remove any dangerous items before leaving!).
- Subscribe to alerts and create an emergency plan. If there’s anything concerning going on in the neighborhood.
Train your dog in basic obedience commands
Train your dog in basic obedience commands to keep them safe and comfortable when you’re away. Basic commands include sit, stay, come, down, and fetch. Remember to give the command calmly and slowly, so your dog understands what you want them to do.
Suppose your dog is responding well to basic obedience training but has occasional accidents in the house. In that case, working on specific “leave-behind” behaviors, such as not chewing on furniture or toys, using a crate when you go out, and coming when called, may be helpful.
Have an emergency whistle or call bell ready
If you’re leaving your dog home alone for a few hours, it’s essential to have an emergency whistle or call bell ready in case of an emergency. If your dog is left alone and starts barking or howling uncontrollably, take them to the nearest animal shelter or rescue center as quickly as possible.
Make sure your house is secure before you leave.
When you leave your dog home alone for a few hours, make sure your house is secure. Ensure all doors and windows are closed and locked, especially if pet-sensitive items are in place. If your dog is microchipped, have the chip number handy, so you can call the dog’s owner if something happens. And lastly, ensure your dog has some food and water available in case they get lonely or thirsty while you’re away.
Remember that your dog loves you and will be just as anxious to see you when you get home as they were when you left. Provide plenty of love and reassurance during this time, so your dog knows that everything is okay.
Conclusion
If you’re like most pet owners, you love your dog more than anything and would do anything to keep them safe. That being said, there will come a time when you have to leave your dog home alone for a few hours.
Here are some tips on what to prepare in advance so that your dog is as comfortable as possible while you’re away:
- Stimulate their favorite activities – If your dog loves playing fetch or going for walks, bring some of their favorite toys with you, so they have something to keep them occupied.
- Ensure their food and water are fresh – When we leave our dogs unattended, they must be included since they might not see us again for a while.
- Give them a treat – Even if you don’t plan on leaving your dog home all day long, it’s always helpful to give them a small pleasure when you first get home so that they know you’re happy to see them!
