Alone at home

Leaving dogs home alone: Tips for a stress-free separation

As dog owners, we sometimes face the challenge of having to leave our four-legged friend alone at home for short or long periods of time. But how can we ensure that our dog is not stressed or unhappy during our absence?

In this blog post, we would like to give you some valuable tips on how to make the separation as stress-free as possible for your dog.

1. Slow acclimatization: Give your dog enough time to get used to being alone. Start with short periods of absence and gradually increase these. In this way, your dog can slowly adapt to the situation and build up trust.
2. Create a safe environment: Make sure your dog has access to a safe and comfortable area when he is alone. A cozy retreat with a soft blanket or basket can give your dog a sense of security. Also check that the room is dog-safe and that there are no sources of danger such as poisonous plants or open windows.
3. Introduce rituals: Introducing special rituals before you leave can help your dog prepare for the upcoming separation and feel safe. This could be, for example, giving your dog a treat or hiding a small toy that he can discover when you are gone. This associates being alone with something positive.
4. Provide opportunities for activity: Give your dog plenty of opportunities to keep busy to avoid boredom and frustration. For example, fill a Kong toy with treats or give him chews that he can enjoy in your absence. There are also interactive toys and puzzles that will challenge your dog mentally and help keep him occupied.
5. Training and positive reinforcement: Train your dog to stay alone. Start with short periods of absence and reward him when he remains calm and relaxed. Use positive reinforcement, such as praise and treats, to reinforce the behavior. If your dog has problems with being left alone, you can also enlist the help of a dog trainer.
6. Consider dog daycare: If you will be away for an extended period of time, it may be a good idea to consider doggie daycare. This can be a trusted person from your family or friends or a professional dog day care center or dog sitter. This way, your dog has company and is well looked after while you are away.

Bottom line: Being alone for dogs can be challenging at first, but with patience, training and positive reinforcement, you can teach your dog to be comfortable in your absence. By creating a safe environment, providing activities and possibly considering doggie daycare, you can help your dog get through the separation stress-free.