As much as we love our canine friends, spending the entire day together is not always possible. Life can be quite busy – working, running errands, making time for friends and family… Leaving your dog home alone is inevitable at times and almost always accompanied by feelings of guilt. But fear not: as long as your dog is well trained and kept safe and comfy while you’re out, alone time can be a fun time!

How to Keep Dog from Being Bored When Home Alone?

Leave the TV or Radio On

A silent and empty house can make dogs feel alone, frightened and nervous, so it is better to leave the radio or the TV on for them. This gives your dog a sense they are not alone and can make your home feel less empty. Find soothing music or talk radio station and set the volume at a reasonable level – your dog’s ears are more sensitive and he /she can hear far better than you. Also, remember that being overexposed to one sound the entire day can also be irritating to your dog’s ears, so set a timer to prevent this from happening.

Dog Mattress

Giving your pooch its own cozy dog mattress where it can curl up, relax and feel warm and comfortable is very important while you’re away. Pick mattress for dog that is the right size and place it in a cozy spot. If you’re not sure what kind of mattress to buy for your dog, let their breed have a say.

Mattress dog beds that are flat, simple and rectangular-shaped will best suit medium to large-sized breeds like Retrievers, Australian Shepherds, and Rottweilers. For ultimate comfort, top-quality mattresses should be waterproofed and made from a material that responds well to body heat and weight by molding to the contours of the body, like memory foam.

If your dog belongs to a breed that’s notorious for chewing, it’ll need a dog mattress that’s chew proofed. These are made of very durable materials like canvas, vinyl, and high denier nylon, in order to withstand even the most merciless chewers.

If your pooch is a small size dog, don’t place him/her in a huge mattress as this can be a bit intimidating. Soft and fluffy beds with plush lined interior and raised edges add protection and comfort and provide a sense of calm which is great for alone time when your dog can feel a bit anxious.

Chewing Toys

Dogs chew because of many reasons, boredom and separation anxiety being the main ones. Boredom can make a dog look for something interesting to do. If left without options, their choices may include anything, from your favorite shoes to the sofa and those beautiful pillows you just got. Puppies, in particular, are prone to chewing whatever looks appealing to them. To combat boredom, you can leave some hard rubber chewing toys for them. Pick chew dog toys that are sturdy enough to withstand the chewing strength of your dog.

Dog-Proof Your House

Even if your canine friend is well trained when left alone or bored, it might be tempted to do things they shouldn’t and go into certain rooms they’re not allowed. That being said, you should keep hazardous items like medicines, chemicals, poisonous plants and valuable possessions out of reach. Put all small objects that they may find chewable or fun to play with on higher shelves and close the doors of the rooms they shouldn’t be in while you are gone.

How Long Can I Leave a Dog Home Alone?

If you provide it with all of the essentials, leaving your dog alone shouldn’t be an issue. In fact, just like humans, dogs also need time on their own. But how long is too long? Although there isn’t a simple answer to this, one thing is for sure – dogs shouldn’t be neglected for more than half a day. In general, a well-trained dog provided with anything needed can be left alone for eight to ten hours, which is around the time a full-time working pet parent spends outside home.

Puppies, on the other hand, are more demanding than grown up and trained dogs. They crave more attention and care. In general, puppies can be left alone for one hour per month of age. What this means is that a two-month-old puppy can be left on their own for around two hours. If you have a full-time job, consider hiring a loving and caring pet sitter you can trust to help you in the first three months period.