Do You Leave Your Dog Home Alone?

by Ronel Forbes

January 31, 2023

You may occasionally need to leave your dog alone at home. This may cause stress in certain pets, which can lead to undesirable behaviors including lapses in toilet training and the destruction of belongings.

There are occasions when you’ll have to leave your dog at home alone, even in today’s work-from-home environment. This may cause stress in certain pets, which can lead to undesirable behaviors including lapses in toilet training and the destruction of belongings.

Let’s take a quick look at separation anxiety in dogs and consider some possible remedies to keep your dog entertained and content while by himself at home.

What is separation anxiety?

Dogs are pack creatures by nature. Since they form close bonds with the members of their human “pack” as pets, it’s concerning when one or more of them are gone. Your dog may experience confusion, boredom, or stress while left alone at home until the pack is reassembled.

Dog separation anxiety typically manifests as behavioral symptoms. Some pets will ruin rugs or experience other potty training difficulties, while others will destroy the possessions of their owners. While their person is away, some will wail or vocalize for extended periods of time. In extreme situations, dogs left alone at home during the day have gnawed away molding and clawed through doors.

The health of your dog may potentially suffer from separation anxiety. When owners aren’t home, some dogs won’t eat, which, in some cases, can cause gastrointestinal or nutritional problems.

Dog separation anxiety symptoms

You may notice the following signs of your dog becoming frightened or uneasy about being left alone at home:

When you leave, your dog starts to act up. The first 15 minutes are the toughest since your dog gets quite upset throughout that period. All of the physiological symptoms of fear, including a rise in heart rate and breathing rate, panting, salivating, increased activity, and occasionally the desire to use the restroom, may be present. Your dog might try to follow you as you leave, chewing on door frames, rugs, doors, or leaping up on window sills in an attempt to find a way out. As an alternative, your dog may bark, whine, or scream to entice you to return.
After this anxious time, your dog might relax and chew on something you just touched that still smells like you. In order to feel secure, dogs will frequently chew scented objects into little bits and snuggle up in the debris. This causes your dog to create a “barrier” of your fragrance around them.
Your dog can be overjoyed and agitated when you get back. They might be damp from sweating or excessive drinking brought on by stress.
Your dog could want to follow you around the house when you’re at home. When they observe you getting ready to leave the house, they could start acting worried (eg panting, pacing).

Occupying your dog while you are away

What can you do, then, to prevent your dog from engaging in harmful behavior while you’re away from home? Here are a few ideas you may use right away.

Make toys available as a diversion.

A plentiful supply of your dog’s favorite toys can lower the likelihood that your pet will engage in destructive behavior to relieve stress. Consider adding peanut butter to a durable toy (like a Kong ball). Your pet will love this greatly while also receiving comfort and food from it.

Provide a show for your dog to watch.

Some dogs can be amused just by having a window to perch in. To give your pet some visual stimulation, place their favorite pillow beside the window. Leaving the TV on while you’re gone is an alternative strategy.

While the majority of dogs don’t “watch” television in the same way that people do, the sound of voices can create the sense that a home is bustling, which might help your pet feel less stressed while you’re away.

Exercise your pet regularly.

Keeping your dog active can help to reduce their anxiety. Regular walks and play sessions will help your pet get rid of a lot of the “nervous energy” that can make them behave out when left alone. Before you leave the house, try taking your dog for a good run. Both of you will benefit from the exercise, which may also sooth your pet while you’re gone.

Leave them with a game to play.

Dogs enjoy solving puzzles, therefore if you want to prevent stress-related behaviors in your pet, try leaving them with some enjoyable puzzle tasks. Making a “busy bucket” with a couple of your pet’s favorite treats and toys and concealing it with some hand towels is one approach to achieve this. Playing and eating can provide your pet hours of happiness.

Alternately, you might do a scavenger hunt and hide some toys and snacks about the house in secure hiding spots. To find them all, your dog will need to utilize its nose. This not only keeps your pet busy, but it also strengthens its instincts for hunting.

Give your pet toys it can destroy.

Some dogs simply enjoy gnawing on stuff. Don’t give up if you have one of those. Try preserving some used cardboard boxes and providing them to your pet as chew toys. This will help you let out any pent-up tension and decrease the likelihood that your pet may try to eat your slippers.

Try finding some company.

Your pet needs community and socialization just like you and I do to keep happy and healthy. A playdate with another pet owner can be planned. Make sure your pets get along and are compatible. Having a house guest pet can help keep both animals calmer.

Look in your neighborhood for services that will babysit and feed your pet while you’re away if that sounds like double the difficulty. This allows your pet to leave the house while you are away and gives them plenty of stimulation, exercise, and play to reduce stress.

Please read: Pet-Friendly Kitchen

Conclusion

We hope these pointers are beneficial. The health of your pet is vital to us at MGS Insurance Agency, and when your dog is left alone, a stray sock or trash bag can suddenly become a serious concern.

We provide fully customisable policies as a result, with no ambiguity. Do not let a sudden injury leave you unsure of how you will pay your bills each month. Request a quote now.