As more people are being ordered back to the office, dog owners face a new challenge: helping their dogs adjust to a sudden change in daily life.
Many dogs, having experienced unprecedented amounts of quality time with their humans during pandemic lockdowns and the past few years of working from home, now face the prospect of being alone.
For some dogs, this may be the first time they’ve ever had to spend hours alone.
Experts warn that this transition could lead to anxiety, making it crucial for pet parents to take proactive steps to prepare their dogs for the return to regular schedules.
To ease that transition, you can take several steps now to prepare your dog for being home alone.
Re-establish your routine
You must reintroduce your former work routine if you had a dog before the pandemic.
It’ll resemble getting your dogs and kids back into a routine after summer vacation.
However, if you adopt a dog or puppy during your time at home and this is new to them, you need to create a routine.
The good news is dogs like structure. They thrive when they know what is expected of them.
That means establishing times to get up, eat, walk, and go to bed.
Sure, your dogs enjoyed having you home 24/7, but seriously, having you around infringed on their precious sleep time. They might be ready to spend a little time at home alone.
Start by leaving them for short periods or a couple of hours. You can confine your pup to one area of your home while you go to another, or you can leave and take a walk around the block or take a quick drive.
Alone time training teaches your dog to understand that you will return and that the separation isn’t permanent.
If you previously had a dog, follow your former routine. Grab your car keys, wallet, briefcase, and anything else the dog associates with you going to work, and leave at the time you used to leave.
It won’t matter if you aren’t gone for eight or 10 hours like you used to be. Your dog will enthusiastically greet you when you return home.
Create a safe dog home alone space
If your puppy or dog is crate-trained, you can use the crate as a safe space when you leave. Just remember not to use the crate as punishment or leave your dog in it for too many hours.
If you don’t want to crate your dog, consider confining the dog to a smaller space. Your pup doesn’t need to have the full run of your house.
Shutting the door to a small room, like a bathroom, can restrict your dog. You can also use puppy gates to block off the stairs.
Be sure to leave your dog with food, water, and a comfy place to lounge
If you’re new to using a crate, you can choose between hard-sided plastic crates with one or two doors, collapsible, wire, or soft crates.
Your goal is to help your puppy or dog understand their crate is their special place.
Entertain your dog
Help entertain your dog when she’s home alone. Consider using chew toys, interactive feeders, or puzzle toys to keep your dog occupied.
Another option is to fill a Kong toy with tasty treats to keep him busy.
Several of these options give your dog treats and much-needed mental stimulation.
To help ease the strain of being home alone, consider giving your dog something to listen to. Leave the TV or radio on.
Music can help keep dogs calm, according to a study by researchers at Colorado State University. The researchers discovered music helped soothe shelter dogs.
But understand that the type of music is vital. Loud, heavy metal music increased anxiety, while classical music was soothing and lulled the dogs to sleep.
Experiment with your dog and find what sounds work best for your pup.
Exercise, exercise, exercise
A tired dog is a good dog, and one of the best ways to help reduce the risk of separation anxiety or boredom when you leave your dog home alone is to tire her out first.
Take a brisk walk or play a game of fetch before you go.
Another option is to work in a quick training session. Training is both physically and mentally taxing for your dog.
To determine how much exercise your dog needs, consider her age, breed, and overall health.
In general, puppies and younger dogs need more exercise than older dogs. The good news is they also tire out quicker.
Active dog breeds like Labrador retrievers, Australian shepherds, and Border Collies need more exercise than couch potato pups like Yorkies, Cocker Spaniels, Great Danes, and Bernese Mountain dogs.
If your dog is suffering from a degenerative disease like arthritis or hip dysplasia, weighs too much, or suffers from heart disease or cancer, you’ll need to limit both the length and intensity of your walks.
Watch for bad behavior
Dogs that suffer from separation anxiety show a variety of signs. Some revert to their pre-potty-training days.
Others bark incessantly, howl, chew, dig, or scratch.
You can use a pet cam to monitor your dog when you’re gone. Some even offer options that let you talk to your dog.
If your dog is showing poor behavior, don’t scold or punish it; instead, look for solutions to the problem.
Talk to your vet if you’re tiring your dog out before you leave and are providing appropriate distractions.
Your dog may need medication to help cope with anxiety. You also can consider using over-the-counter options like calming bites, stress-relief supplements, or a Thundershirt.
Training using rewards for good behavior can also help.
Get help
If your dog continues to struggle and working from home isn’t an option, consider getting help to care for it.
Your dog may benefit from spending full or half-days at doggy daycare, or you may need a dog sitter or dog walker to give your pooch potty breaks.
If you have a friend with a dog, and both are well-behaved and play well together, schedule a puppy play date.
Recognize signs of separation anxiety
Separation anxiety is a common issue in dogs that can lead to distressing behaviors when they are left alone.
Recognizing the symptoms of separation anxiety early can help you address the problem effectively.
Excessive barking or howling
One of the most noticeable signs is persistent barking or howling when the dog is left alone.
Destructive behavior
Dogs may chew furniture, scratch doors, or engage in other destructive behaviors as a way to cope with their anxiety.
Pacing or restlessness
If a dog walks in circles or appears unable to settle down when alone, this may indicate anxiety.
Attempting to escape
A dog might attempt to break free from a crate or a room, potentially injuring themselves.
Inappropriate elimination
Accidents in the house when the dog is left alone can indicate anxiety rather than a lack of house training.
Excessive greeting behavior
When you return home, An overly enthusiastic greeting, including jumping or whimpering, can also signal anxiety about your departure.
Bottom line on helping your dog stay home alone
Your dog loves spending time with you, and an abrupt change in your schedule likely will cause distress.
Prepare your dog to spend time home alone by establishing a schedule, creating a safe space, entertaining your dog when she’s home alone, and exercising your dog before you leave.
If your dog struggles to adjust, consider getting help or medicating your dog to smooth out the rough patch. This likely will only need to be a temporary solution as your dog gets reoriented to spending more time alone.
Sara B. Hansen has spent 20-plus years as a professional editor and writer. She’s also the author of The Complete Guide to Cocker Spaniels. She decided to create her dream job by launching DogsBestLife.com in 2011. Sara grew up with family dogs, and since she bought her first house, she’s had a furry companion or two to help make it a home. She shares her heart and home with Nutmeg, a Pembroke Welsh Corgi. Her previous dogs: Sydney (September 2008-April 2020), Finley (November 1993-January 2008), and Browning (May 1993-November 2007). You can reach Sara @ editor@dogsbestlife.com.