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Maybe you have a demanding job that requires you to put in long hours or perhaps one that entails a lot of traveling. What happens to your dog, then? Not only do you agonize over his sad puppy face, you worry about the furniture being intact when you return home too. Subtracting the guilt that pet parents feel when they have to leave their four legged friends alone for long, chewed up shoes and scratched door faces are a gaping reality they have to face. While some dogs take a nap or go about some mischief while you’re gone, others suffer from terrible separation anxiety that goads them into destructive behavior. Adult house-trained dogs can be left alone for hours provided their needs are satisfied. They wait for their owners in patience if there is food and water accessible to them in the meanwhile and they’ve been exercised before being left to themselves.Some dog breeds seem to handle being alone rather well. These are generally intelligent and find a way to entertain themselves in their owner’s absence. Such breeds tend to be independent and fast learners.
“Home Alone” Breeds
- The Bull Terrier has the instinct of a guard dog and won’t mind being left alone at your house. Instead of feeling abandoned in your absence, it will feel responsible for the security of the house.
- The Basset Hound is low on energy and loves to laze around. It is comparatively low on anxiety when compared to other breeds and do not show signs of mood swings. You can trust the interiors of your home with your Basset Hound.
- Shar-Pei, originally bred to be a herding dog, guard dog and hunting dog are quiet and reserved in nature. They can be difficult to train but if done so properly will know to respect your home-rules when left alone.
- Golden Retrievers that are in their adulthood and senior ages take immensely well to being left alone. In fact, you can even train them to enjoy their time alone by gradually introducing alone time to them.
- Beagles, too, do not fret if their owner leaves them be for a while. They need a certain amount of reassurance that their owner will return to them and that is enough to keep them satisfied.
- Chow Chows are intelligent and independent dogs that perform well as guard dogs. Their independent nature ensures that they do not feel ill at ease if left home without their owner.
Most dogs are at a risk of separation anxiety if their owner leaves them alone for too long. They need to be trained to be accepting of time alone. While it is okay to leave home without your dog, one must ensure that the dog isn’t left by himself for more than 8 hours.
The Top 5 Dog Separation Anxiety Tips
When you leave your home to head to the office, do the sounds of your dog’s whines, barks, and howls follow you out the door? If your dog feels down when he has to spend the day alone, try these tips to make it easier for you to leave, and to help keep your dog entertained while you’re away.
Here are our top 5 dog separation anxiety tips.
1. Tire ‘Em Out
Take your dog for a long walk, a quick jog, or a game of tug of war or fetch. A tired dog will rest and nap for much of the day, and will have an easier time with your departure.
2. Distract When You Leave
For many dogs, being alone during the day is just fine, but that moment when you depart can provoke anxiety. If that’s the case for your dog, make it your mission to provide a delicious distraction during that distressing moment. A
will keep your pup occupied while you ease out the door.
RELATED STORY: Is Your Dog Suffering From Separation Anxiety
3. Hire a Dog Walker
Especially when they’re young, a full day is a long time for a dog to spend alone. Hire a dog walker to come by in the middle of the day. Not only will your dog get a bathroom break, but they’ll also enjoy some social time.
4. Provide Tons of Toys
Avoid having chewed-up slippers and remote controls: Provide your dog with plenty of
,
, and other doggy delights to keep them occupied while you’re away. Get new toys occasionally so they don't get bored, and leave an
readily available each day.
5. Give Your Dog Something to Watch
What’s your dog going to do all day long while you’re gone? There's napping, eating, playing -- but maybe your dog needs a few more distractions and entertainment options. Think about leaving the television on (maybe to a nature program), having a fish tank, or setting up a bird feeder in your backyard to provide something interesting for your dog to watch. These dog anxiety tips have helped us at PetPlus before and we hope they'll help you too!