Leaving dog home alone

Children could not go to school and the advice was to work from home as much as possible. This advice was followed en masse and resulted in several family members being present in the house 24/7. So our faithful four-legged friends did not lack for extra walks in the afternoon and of course attention, attention and more attention. But what happens now that the children can go back to school and when you can go back to work full-time at the office? This brings with it one big change for your beloved pet - being alone for long periods of time. How can you prepare your faithful four-legged friend for this (again)?

How much preparation is needed for your faithful four-legged friend depends on the routine you've been following recently. Have you maintained your routine and still been away from home regularly? Then you need to make fewer preparations than if you've hardly ever been away from home.

Whether you have an adult dog, which you already had before the quarantine period started, or a young puppy, it is best to let the animals get used to being alone (again) gradually. This way, you reduce the chances of stress or separation anxiety in your dog or puppy.

Getting dog used to being home alone

Create a safe haven for your pup; if you have an adult dog, the animal probably already has a safe haven. A safe haven is usually the crate, a basket or pillow. Reward your four-legged friend when he lies down in the crate, cushion or basket of his own accord. But also when the animal shows independent behavior.

Don't make a fuss when you leave home or when you return home. For example, don't go and hug or greet your puppy or dog extensively immediately when you get back home; but wait until the animal has calmed down and only then greet him or her.

It is best to build up being alone gradually; you cannot suddenly leave your pup or dog alone for hours at a time (again). You can build up being alone as follows:

You start by leaving your four-legged friend alone when you yourself still stay in the house. For example, you leave your dog in the living room and go yourself to the kitchen or bathroom and close the door. When your puppy or dog is quiet, you go back to the living room and reward the animal. When this goes well, you can move to the next step.

Instead of remaining present in the house, leave the house for a short time. For example, go for a walk around the block for about 5 to 10 minutes. Again, reward your four-legged friend if the animal is calm when you get home. Is your pup or dog not immediately calm when you come home? Then wait for a moment when he or she is, and then reward/greet the animal.

Is this going well? Then extend the period during which your dog is home alone. For example, go shopping or visit relatives or acquaintances. In this way you can gradually get used to the fact that it is okay to be alone once in a while.

*When you want to put your pup in a crate when you go away from home, you practice this in the same way. You first make sure the crate feels like a safe place for your pup; you can do this by always rewarding your pup when he lies down in the crate of his own accord and by making the crate more attractive with a pillow or crate rug. When you start practicing being alone, place your pup in the crate and go to another room in the house by yourself. If your pup responds positively and is calm and quiet, you come back and reward your pup. You expand this further and further according to the steps above.

You now know the importance of getting a dog used to being home alone. This must be taught step by step. Now that your dog has learned well, it is also important to give him/her a reward. Reward candies or dried chews are specially designed to reward your four-legged friend well!

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