The feeling of discomfort caused by separation from the owner is a very widespread problem among dogs, most commonly manifested by whimpering, prolonged barking, scratching and chewing things, and other forms of increased activity.
How to leave a dog alone at home? The answer to this question involves knowing your dog’s temperament, the characteristics of the breed, the necessary steps you must take to keep your dog safe in the home, and of course stay healthy.
What happens to a dog when left alone in a home
If the separation persists, the dog goes from the hyperactivity phase to the depression phase followed by a loss of appetite and interest in the environment, and anorexia may occur in severe cases of stay at home.
How to help a dog in quarantine?
Discomfort caused by separation from the owner is a very widespread problem among dogs, most commonly manifested by whimpering, prolonged barking, scratching and chewing things, and other forms of increased activity.
If the separation persists, the dog goes from the hyperactivity phase to the depression phase followed by a loss of appetite and interest in the environment, and anorexia may occur in severe cases of stay at home.
Opinion and advice of veterinarians
Dr. Victoria Volth, an animal behavioral disorder expert and lecturer at the University of Pennsylvania Veterinary Medicine, believes that abandoned dogs behave similarly to children separated from their parents, with all their actions being an attempt to draw attention to themselves and thus call the owner back.
What are dogs scared of? How to help dogs overcome their fears
This type of stress can affect any dog but is most commonly encountered in animals that have already changed owners and now live in fear of losing a new one.
Dogs who have not experienced such traumatic experiences have greater emotional security, though they may also find themselves in a state of stress if something suddenly changes in their life (moving, going to a dog boarding, separation after a vacation spent together).
Dr. Walth, after experimenting on 60 dogs, in collaboration with their owners, came to the conclusion that the only way to teach an animal to cope with loneliness without an emotional crisis is to gradually get used to the owner’s absence.
Start with short exits that extend systematically, and when one hour passes, which the dog spends alone, is likely to behave that way if loneliness extends throughout the day.
The most important thing is to allow the animal to feel comfortable, not to be bored, and to reassure the owner that he will return by leaving a familiar atmosphere after leaving the house (radio on can be very helpful).
But until all this is done the inevitable side effects of canine loneliness are barking and chewing on things that can be seen as separate problems.
Dog barking alone in the home
Barking is a method of communication between dogs and can be qualified as a perfectly natural form of behavior.
There are big differences between
– warning barking,
– threatening to bark,
– welcome barking,
– happy barking,
– the one who calls to play barking,
– scared barking
– and defensive barking, all of which are perfectly normal and acceptable modes of expression.
Not acceptable – uncontrollable barking
This barking is too loud and takes too long. To avoid it in the absence of the owner, it is necessary to first teach the dog to remain silent in the owner’s presence.
Aggression in dogs and how to prevent it
This is not difficult considering that the sole cause of a dog’s inability to learn something is a lack of consistency and firmness in the person who teaches it.
Usually, the command “Enough”, followed by a sudden pull of the collar, is sufficient to stop barking, except in persistent and less sensitive dogs.
Then it is necessary to grasp them with both hands by the neck, look the dog in the eye, repeat the command, shake them, and release.
This may seem harsh, but research by renowned French cynologist Yves de Brasay shows that this is the way a mother educates puppies.
He expresses his dissatisfaction with the offspring of a bitch by lifting it by the skin on his neck and either shaking it or throwing it aside.
This type of behavioral correction has a very powerful effect on an adult dog just because it reminds him of the time of puppy submission.
After several such exercises, it will be enough for the dog to hear the command “Enough” and to be silent at the moment.
It can then start with barking when the dog is home alone, leaving the allegedly departed owner nearby. As soon as the barking begins, it starts with the command “Enough”.
Any average intelligent dog will quickly understand what is required of him and learn to stand out in loneliness in silence.
However, it is easily possible that they will direct their energy to silent destructive actions …
A dog bites things in the home when left alone
Like barking, biting is part of every dog’s natural behavior. Dogs, with their mouths, explore their surroundings the same way a man does with his hands.
Because destructive nibbling usually takes place while the owner is not at home, it is impossible to catch the dog biting things or prevent it from starting. After a while, snacking becomes a mandatory form of behavior when the dog is lonely nervous, or bored.
Alone dog, left in a dull environment, begins to bite out of boredom.
In order to be distracted, certain conditions are required:
Provide the dog with only his space
First, he must be provided with a space that will be his own. All dogs love to have their own burrow – let that wish to speak for you.
Research by the ASPCA (The American Society for Cruelty to Animals Prevention) published in a bulletin entitled “A Pet Owner’s Guide to the Grate” says that the ideal modern dog burrow – a wicker basket or wire cage – is protected and secure.
He should be put there whenever we are unable to monitor him and inject him with a few items he can nibble on, such as artificial or real bones.
These objects become much more interesting to the dog when working on them than in their original form and are therefore able to hold his attention for hours.
Old towels and shoes are not acceptable toys because the dog is unable to distinguish them from new ones, so he should not be confused by mixing forbidden and allowed items.
When you are getting ready to leave the house, leave the dog and his toys in the cage, say hello, and leave.
This should be done for about two weeks and the dog should never be left unattended outside the cage at all times and given the opportunity for destructive chewing.
At the beginning of the third week, we can leave the door open on the cage and return in about twenty minutes.
Potential signs of furniture destruction clearly indicate that the dog is not bitten by loneliness and boredom but because he is anxious and nervous about the owner’s absence.
A worried and nervous dog suffers from feelings of social isolation, is insecure and scared. Here too, the cage appears as an important aid, as a place where the animal will feel safe and happy.
The toy we leave behind for nibbling should be rubbed between our palms beforehand to retain our scent.
Excellent results are achieved with artificial bones that smell of meat and on which the owner leaves a scent.
After two weeks we can leave the door open on the cage and go out for a short time.
If we find a mess upon our return, the exit time should be shortened until we can return before the destruction begins. The dog should then be praised and the outings gradually extended. This method will surely produce results with little patience.
Each owner can expect from a new dog a certain amount of destruction caused by curiosity and an attempt to become accustomed to an unfamiliar environment.
The solution here also lies in introducing the dog to objects that it can and can bite. If the relationship between man and animal is right, the results of this form of training will not fail.
More helpful tips for a dog left alone in the house
Keep things in the house so that the dog does not have free access
Dogs often run through garbage cans and eat something they should not, which they find on shelves and tables.
Before leaving the house, remove the bin, bags, food, small items, and anything you do not want the dog to eat or ruin from the area where you will leave it.
If the dog has a habit of biting a variety of cables, block access, especially if it is a power cord.
Remove the lamps or unplug them completely.
Generally, if the dog has a habit of chewing
– pillows,
– stuffed toys
– All objects filled with sponge pieces, styrofoam, or some soft material such as cotton or wool must be removed.
If swallowed, they may be suffocated. Also, provide lockers where you keep your house chemistry or medicines and for this, you can freely use locks that are used for safety reasons in homes with young children.
Close the windows
There are many accidents involving dogs, and especially cats, due to their fall from a height.
Before leaving the house, make sure the windows are closed and secured. If you want to leave the window open for ventilation, only do so if you can provide an opening of several inches.
Ideal windows that can only be opened on the higher side. Even if you live in a ground floor house, keep the windows closed as this will prevent the dog from escaping.
Give your dog some fun
When alone and waiting for you to return, the dog becomes bored.
Then everything comes to mind. First, they will see things that you should not touch when you are in the house. And here’s the ultimate challenge and fun.
To keep him away from items and even furniture pieces that are ideal for chewing, provide him with items that will be interesting and attractive to chew or play.
Interactive dog toys or chewing toys, as well as balls, can be quite a good solution.
Leave the TV or radio turned on to give it the impression of a normal home atmosphere and it will act soothing as it awaits your return.
Make a safe dog house
Today there are very well made folding cages where you can leave the dog confident that the weather will be completely safe without you.
Of course, it is necessary to teach the dog to stay in this area beforehand, so start with this for at least a few weeks before officially leaving him alone.
The cage should be large enough for the dog to lie comfortably in it, to stand and stretch.
Set up a sleeping mat or deck chair, and add your favorite toys.
It is important that the dog does not identify this space with punishment but as a space in which he or she feels safe and comfortable.
Limit your dog’s space
Close any door that you do not want the dog to enter.
Remember that many dogs are intelligent enough to learn to use classic handles and open the door on their own. So, or change the shape of the lock. Also, be sure to lock the door.
If you do not have doors on the premises you want to secure, use enclosures that are sturdy and high enough that the dog cannot jump over or breakthrough.
Remember to leave food and freshwater in the area.
If you have more dogs – separate them
This advice applies to those dogs who sometimes come into conflict.
What to do when a dog attacks your dog
If this happens in your presence, it is much more likely that an altercation will occur due to the stress caused by being left in the home.
The separation will prevent potential injuries. Of course, conflicts are not the only reason for separation.
Even if the dogs get along very well, the circumstances of being alone can heighten the desire to play together and chase after an empty home, so the damage to the home will be even greater.
Do not leave your dog unattended in the yard
The risk of skipping the dog fence you left alone in the yard is too great.
There are numerous challenges that can propel him to such behavior. In addition, think about the effects of weather such as high heat or cold.
If you are already leaving your dog in the yard, keep it in a specially secured area from which it cannot escape with adequate protection from the effects of sun, heat, rain, wind, and cold.
Make sure you give him access to freshwater. We do not recommend tying your dog.
Use technology to monitor your dog
You may find this advice a bit bizarre, but think it over!
The development of electronic technology has provided the ability to be very effective with your pet even when you are not physically next to him. Or at least watch what his behavior is while he is alone in the house.
Place the cameras in the space where you left it and watch the internet from time to time in your workplace.
This will also allow you to gain a better understanding of what you need to do in the future to ensure your pet’s safety.
Leave a mark on the front door and windows that the dog is in the house
This will help emergency responders respond more effectively during emergency and rescue operations.
This applies not only to firefighters but also to plumbers or electricians if a pipe burst, fuse popping, and similar cases require rapid intervention.
Ultimately, it is also a deterrent to potential burglars.
Hire a Pet Sitter
If all of the above is too complicated for you, take the opportunity to hire someone to babysit your pet when you are away from home.
He will be with your dog in the environment he loves most, and he can take him out for a favorite walk.
He will be careful not to get into a dangerous situation and will keep him company. It can be a professional or one of the relatives or even the neighbor your dog loves and is used to in his company.
Another option is to leave the dog in one of the specialized daycare centers where he or she will be in the company of other pets or professionals to look after his or her safety.
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