Building up being alone…

Getting your dog used to being home alone

1. Create a safe haven for your puppy; if you have an adult dog, the animal probably already has a safe haven. A safe haven is often the crate, a bed, or a cushion. Reward your four-legged friend when they lie down in the crate, on the cushion, or in the bed on their own. Also reward when the animal shows independent behavior.
   
   
2. Don’t make a fuss when you leave the house or when you come back home. For example, don’t immediately hug or greet your puppy or dog extensively when you return; wait until the animal has calmed down and then greet him or her.
   
   
3. You should gradually build up the time your dog spends alone; you can’t suddenly leave your puppy or dog alone for hours again. You can build up alone time as follows:
   
   
   

• Start by leaving your four-legged friend alone while you are still inside the house. For example, leave your dog in the living room and go to the kitchen or bathroom and close the door. When your puppy or dog is quiet, go back to the living room and reward the animal. If this goes well, you can move on to the next step.
  
  
  
• Instead of staying inside the house, leave the house for a short time. For example, take a short walk around the block, about 5 to 10 minutes. Also reward your four-legged friend here when the animal is calm when you come home. If your puppy or dog is not immediately calm when you come home, wait for a moment when he or she is, and then reward/greet the animal.
  
  
  
• Is this going well? Then gradually extend the period your dog is home alone. For example, go grocery shopping or visit family or friends. This way you take one step further each time and your four-legged friend can gradually get used to the idea that it’s okay to be alone sometimes.
  
  
  

*If you want to place your puppy in a crate when you leave the house, practice this in the same way. First, make sure the crate feels like a safe place for your puppy; you can do this by rewarding your puppy whenever he lies down in the crate on his own and by making the crate more attractive with a cushion or crate mat. When you start practicing being alone, place your puppy in the crate and go to another room in the house. If your puppy reacts positively and is calm and quiet, come back and reward your puppy. Gradually extend this according to the steps above.

You now know that it’s important to get a dog used to being home alone. This must be taught step by step. Now that your dog has learned well, it’s also important to give him/her a reward. The reward treats or the dried chew snacks are specially developed to reward your four-legged friend well!

Curious about all the reward treats and dried chew snacks? View them here reward treats and here the dried chew snacks!

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