7 Tips For Leaving Your Dog Home Alone While At Work (With No Guilt)
Hey there, dog lovers! Struggling with guilt feelings of leaving your dog alone while you head off to work? It is hard to walk past those eyes that make you feel like you’re abandoning your doggie bestie!
We’re here to help! Below are nine easy-to-implement tips. They’ll help your furry friend feel more comfortable and content when left home alone. They’ll also provide peace of mind and ease your anxiety.
Imagine feeling guilt-free and confident that your dog is happy and safe while you’re at work. See yourself arriving home to a happy tail wag welcome committee.
So, let’s get to it. Read on for the most practical ways to make sure your dog is comfortable and taken care of while you’re at work.
Follow these tips, you’ll be able to leave your furry companion alone with peace of mind, and no guilt!
What are Tips For Leaving Dog Home Alone While At Work
Closing that door on the way out pulls at your heartstrings! Keep your dog entertained and happy while you’re away to help relieve your feelings of guilt. All it takes are some simple tips and a bit of preparation.
These tips include creating a hidey hole for your dog to retreat to. Arranging for a dog walker, and providing chew treats and interactive toys.
Put these strategies in place and you can leave your dog at home with an easy heart. Knowing that you have seen to their entertainment and well being.
Reasons You Need to Know Tips For Leaving Your Dog Alone While At Work
There are many reasons why knowing how to handle leaving your dog alone is important. We address some of them below from this article.
- Avoiding separation anxiety
- Eradicating destructive behavior
- Providing exercise and mental stimulation
- Peace of mind
Follow the tips in this article and you can rest assured that your dog is in good hands, even when you’re not home.
Step-by-Step Instructions For Leaving Your Dog Home Alone While At Work
Ready to learn how to leave your dog at home with no guilt? Follow these simple steps for a stress-free experience.
Step 1: Create a cozy hidey hole where your dog can retreat when they need a break.
Step 2: Provide your dog with chew treats and interactive toys to keep them occupied. Make sure they have enough water for the day.
Step 3: Research hiring a pet or dog sitter or dog walker to check in on your pup during the day.
Step 4: Think about setting up a monitoring system.
Step 5: Prepare the evening before to ensure you have everything ready for the morning
Step 6: Exercise your dog well before you go to work.
Step 7: Leave the TV or radio on to provide some comforting background noise.
By following these steps, ensure that your dog is happy, healthy, and well-cared for while you’re at work.
1. Attend To All Your Dogs Needs
Create a special space for your dog to relax in while you’re gone. Make sure they have access to food, water, and their favorite toys.
It’s good to prepare everything the evening before so you don’t face a time crunch in the morning.
2. Exercise them before you leave for work
Make sure you give your dog plenty of exercise before you head out. When tired, they are more likely to sleep and relax while you’re away.
3. Chew Treats and Interactive Puzzle Toys
Don’t leave a bowl of kibbles for your dog to snack on! A long-lasting chew treat or a slow-feeder dispenser can keep them busy for hours.
Research these options for good quality and safe products. They should be appropriate for your dog’s size and dietary needs.
Giving your dog mental stimulation for some of the time will go a long way to making their day better. Interactive balls and toys or puzzle feeders challenge your dog’s mind. They encourage them to problem-solve. This keeps them engaged and focused while you’re gone.
4. Human and Pet Camera Monitoring
Hire a reputable pet sitter or dog walker or even ask a family member to come and check in on your dog during the day. This will help loads if you’re worried about leaving them alone for too long.
They’ll get extra human interaction to help ease their loneliness and anxiety. This could also be a good opportunity to take care of a potty break if necessary.
For your own peace of mind, set up a pet cam or other monitoring device if budget is an issue. This will allow you to check up on your furry friend during the day and always be sure they are safe and happy.
5. Help Them Calm Down if They’re Stressed
Some days are harder than others. If your doggy is super stressed, keep some natural calming products handy. These could include pheromone sprays or diffusers. These products help them feel more relaxed and deal better with separation anxiety.
6. Create a Hidey Hole
Create a cozy place for your dog to be able to hide away in. Dogs are den animals by nature. They love their own special place for an added sense of security and comfort while you’re away.
Choose a quiet corner in the house or garden to put a dog bed or even a box with blankets in it. If you have an adult dog make sure the space is large enough for them to stand up and turn around in.
7. Leave the TV or Radio On
Leave a TV or radio on while you’re away for some background noise. Your dog will feel connected to the outside world and less alone. Dogs, like most humans, are social creatures. They feel more comfortable when the sounds of human voices are present.
The sounds should be calm and relaxing, like a classical music station. This ensures that they are not overstimulated.
Key Considerations for Leaving Your Furry Friend Alone While At Work.
We formulated the action steps above to help you feel confident about going to work without your dog. To give you ideas on how to make sure they are happy and entertained. There are also some other things to keep in mind.
When you are at home be sure to spend time giving your dog lots of love and attention. This is a win-win point! They get quality time with you and you will feel less guilty when leaving them alone.
Is your dog showing signs of destructive behavior or separation anxiety? Don’t waste time seeking the help of a professional dog trainer or animal behaviorist. Professionals are best equipped to handle these issues. It’s the quickest way to ensure your pup is happy and well-balanced even when you’re away from home.
Taking it to the Next Level: How to Keep Your Dog Entertained While At Home On Their Own
The tips in this article will get you started. But there are other ways to level up your dog’s home-alone experience.
Another idea to consider is to rotate their toys every week or so. This will keep their enjoyment of them fresh and save you money.
You can go the extra mile by working on a training program for them to feel more comfortable when left alone. This will go a long way to have them thrive as well as be happy and healthy.
Alternatives to Leaving Your Fur Babies At Home While At Work
Here are some other options you can give thought to if you are not able to leave your dog at home while at work.
Doggie Daycare
Doggie daycare centers are a great solution for dogs that are happy to spend time with other dogs. One drawback is the cost. Most centers that offer dog daycare charge quite a hefty fee to cover all the staff and facilities.
Arrange Work From Home Days
Try discussing the issue with your employer to see if you could work from home. Some jobs are not suited for this kind of thing. If you are able to, this would create a great opportunity for bonding with your dog at home.
Play Dates
You may have friends that are in a similar predicament. Or even friends that work from home. Ask them if they are open to swapping play dates or taking your dog in for the day while they work from home. Think of an exchange that you could negotiate to “pay” them back for the service.
Wrapping Up and Our Experience Leaving A Dog Alone While At Work
With some planning and imagination, you can ace your daily routine. Ensure their well-being and health to keep your dog happy.
Some years back my partner had to leave her dog home alone. She remembers how rewarding it is to come home to a happy, wagging-tailed doggy at the end of a long day. She was much younger then and did not think through the details. Getting a dog is a big decision! Let alone what kind of dog when living in an apartment and working full-day!
She got herself a border collie puppy. She called him Billy. (Tugs at my heartstrings ;). I’m sure I needn’t say that having young puppies under such circumstances is diffcult. In her defense, she developed a robust routine to keep Billy 🙂 happy and entertained.
Billy went for long beach walks before and after work. This helped him work off any pent-up energy from staying at home. The beach time also provided a perfect opportunity for her to play and bond with him.
He went on outings and to work as often as workable. When left at home, he had access to a small garden for bathroom business and intermittent romping. Also, he had lots of toys as well as two cats. He became big buddies with one of the cats.
To wrap this up in one paragraph; stay aware of what your dog needs. Then use that information with the tips outlined in this article. You’ll be able to go to work with confidence and guilt-free.
