DOES YOUR DOG STAY HOME ALONE?
How To Make It Easier on You... And Your Animal Companion
These days it’s much more common for pets to stay home alone for long periods of time than it used to be. One reason is the higher number of two-income households, with both partners holding full-time jobs, along with extended school hours and daycare for children. The number of single households has also increased considerably in the last decades. Consequently, the dog is often home alone during the week. Over the weekends, there are chores, errands and social life... So even if someone is home, the dog might not get a whole lot of attention or exercise. Being leftThese days it’s much more common for pets to stay home alone for long periods of time than it used to be. One reason is the higher number of two-income households, with both partners holding full-time jobs, along with extended school hours and daycare for children. The number of single households has also increased considerably in the last decades. Consequently, the dog is often home alone during the week. Over the weekends, there are chores, errands and social life... So even if someone is home, the dog might not get a whole lot of attention or exercise. Being left home alone or in a boarding cage when the family goes away on vacation can make things even harder for your animal companion.
The best case scenario is to take your personal needs and lifestyle into consideration before you adopt; and then find the best match, keeping in mind that some breeds need more attention and companionship than others, and are more prone to certain behaviors such as separation anxiety. However, if you already find yourself in a latchkey dog situation that is causing stress to both you and your animal companion, the following tips may help.
Tips On Leaving Your Dog Home Alone:
1) Arrange for someone to take your dog out at least once during your work day. Ideally adult dogs should be allowed outside to relieve themselves at least 3-5 times a day. Leaving your dog without urinating for too long isn’t healthy. According to Dr. Kristy Conn (cesarsway.com), “holding urine for prolonged periods of time has been linked with increased incidence of urinary tract infections and urinary stones. It has also been suggested that it may predispose to certain urinary cancers due to prolonged contact between carcinogens in the urine and the cells of the urinary tract.” In addition, your dog can also get dehydrated for not drinking enough water due to having to wait too long to urinate. According to the National Geographic Pet Talk, a good rule of thumb is that dogs should “only be relied on to hold their urine or feces one hour for every month old they are, until 8 hours at 8 months old.” You should never expect a dog to hold it longer than 8 hours. Also, sick or older dogs won’t be able to hold it as long as healthy young adult dogs. Exception: some “working” breeds and guard dogs are fine for 10-12 hours.
NOTE: Trying to solve the problem by leaving training pads or newspaper on the floor to provide the dog with an option for relief and avoid an accident will only work if you train your dog to use them. There are many online blog articles and videos available on this subject.
2) Find a neighbor, friend or family member with similar circumstances and share dog sitting, walking, play dates, etc. That is a great solution if you’d like your dog to benefit from companionship without you having to adopt another pet.
3) Consider hiring a dog walker/sitter. A great way to meet your dog’s need to exercise, in addition to other basic needs. Some of the things to check when you choose a dog walker/sitter are: if they are insured and bonded; if they have experience with keeping the dogs safe; if they provide a service contract specifying services and fees; if they have a backup plan in case of bad weather or personal emergencies; if your dog will be walked alone or with other clients’ dogs (if with others, do they have a plan to prevent or deal with fighting?); etc. Finally, it’s a good idea to have the walker/sitter meet the animals before the first assignment so that you can observe their interaction with the animals (if they have a positive attitude, seem competent and comfortable when dealing with the animals, etc).
TIP: Pet Sitters International is considered to have high standards when it comes to the pet sitting and walking services listed; their website is petsitters.com.
4) Consider dog day care. A great option that can meet your dog’s needs in many ways, including exercise and socialization. Some of the things to check when you are choosing a day care are: for how many years they have been in operation (you can check the Better Business Bureau and also online for complaints); if the staff is trained and experienced; if the dogs are ever unsupervised; what kind of health requirements they ask for (vaccines record, flea control, etc); if they have a plan to prevent or deal with fighting; if a vet is on call for emergencies; etc. Some dog day cares offer the convenience of webcams through which you can monitor your dog remotely.
5) Consider adopting a companion dog or cat for your dog. Dogs are pack animals and get to live an average of 5 years longer if they have an animal companion. Although having another dog or other animal means more upkeep, the advantages can by far outweigh the disadvantages. If the two animals are a good match, they will meet each other’s need to socialize, keep each other active and even provide emotional support to one another by helping alleviate depression and separation anxiety. All of which will make things a lot easier by placing less demands on you. In addition, studies show that children with pets tend to grow up more balanced and responsible. In a household with more than one child, having more than one dog or other pet will provide each child with their own special friend. Plus, consider this: anywhere you live there are thousands of animals in shelter cages looking for forever homes. So if you have the means to afford giving another animal a home while at the same time providing companionship for your dog or other pet, that’s a win-win situation for everyone.
6) Leave out your dog’s favorite toys or treats to keep him entertained. But make sure they are safe for your dog. Chew bones can also be a dog’s favorite pass time; however, some experts recommend being careful about leaving your dog alone at home with this type of treat, as no one would be present to tend to the dog in case he choked on it. So make sure the size of the bone is appropriate for your dog’s size and that your dog can handle it.
7) Leave the TV or radio on with relaxing music. Scientific studies show that dogs respond well to relaxation music, among other genres. This can be especially beneficial for dogs that suffer from separation anxiety. However, loud TV or the wrong kind of music can also have the opposite effect of causing stressed behavior. To learn more about what kind of music works best for dogs and other animals, please see the blog article What Type Of Music Do Pets Like? at LiveScience.com.
8) Take advantage of the technology available today. Now you can keep an eye on or get in contact with your pet when you are away through webcams; pet monitoring phone apps; Skype and other video calling sites (with the help of the sitter); and systems such as PetBot and PetChatz which allow you to train your dog to call you or receive a call from you, and then dispense treats as reward.
9) Consider arranging for your dog to stay at your home with a pet/house sitter, at a sitter’s home or at a good day care when you travel, rather than boarding him in a cage at the vet or at a lower-end day care. It’s hard for your dog to be left behind for extended periods of time; it’s likely to make it even harder if he has to stay inside a cage for the better part of the time, surrounded by other scared pets in cages. If full time day care or pet/house sitting are not feasible options, consider keeping your dog at home and having someone (or more than one person) stopping by 3 or 4 times a day to take care of his needs.
10) Carry an ICE (In Case of Emergency) tag in your wallet or handbag that also includes information about your dog and other pets in need of follow-up care, in case of long delays or lengthy absence caused by accidents or other unexpected occurrences. You can also have that information available on your phone, tablet, laptop, etc.
11) Have an emergency plan in place. Make sure to have one or two reliable people who can take care of your dog and other pets in case of unplanned long delays or long-term absence. Their contact information should be included in your ICE tag.
Some of these services can be expensive to use on a regular basis, so you can also try a combination of several of the above. For instance, you can use the day care and/or the dog walker/sitter option 2 to 3 times a week, and then have a friend or neighbor stop by to just let the dog out the other days. You can plan a play date once a week. You can also leave your dog with a few toys and calming music on. Taking such steps might seem cumbersome in the beginning (more steps to add to an already busy schedule). However, once you get used to the new routine you can enjoy some great benefits, including less worry and feelings of guilt for leaving your dog alone too much, less accident or mess clean up, a healthier and happier animal companion, and much more. Try it out! You and your dog will be happy you did.
Gisele Marasca-Vargas; 06/24/2016
Related Articles:
How Long Is Too Long To Leave Your Dog Alone?
http://channel.nationalgeographic.com/wild/pet-talk/articles/how-long-is-too-long-to-leave-your-dog-alone/
How Often Should A Dog Urinate?
https://www.cesarsway.com/dog-behavior/housebreaking-issues/how-often-should-a-dog-urinate
What Type Of Music Do Pets Like?
https://www.livescience.com/33780-animal-music-pets.html
How To Make It Easier on You... And Your Animal Companion
These days it’s much more common for pets to stay home alone for long periods of time than it used to be. One reason is the higher number of two-income households, with both partners holding full-time jobs, along with extended school hours and daycare for children. The number of single households has also increased considerably in the last decades. Consequently, the dog is often home alone during the week. Over the weekends, there are chores, errands and social life... So even if someone is home, the dog might not get a whole lot of attention or exercise. Being leftThese days it’s much more common for pets to stay home alone for long periods of time than it used to be. One reason is the higher number of two-income households, with both partners holding full-time jobs, along with extended school hours and daycare for children. The number of single households has also increased considerably in the last decades. Consequently, the dog is often home alone during the week. Over the weekends, there are chores, errands and social life... So even if someone is home, the dog might not get a whole lot of attention or exercise. Being left home alone or in a boarding cage when the family goes away on vacation can make things even harder for your animal companion.
The best case scenario is to take your personal needs and lifestyle into consideration before you adopt; and then find the best match, keeping in mind that some breeds need more attention and companionship than others, and are more prone to certain behaviors such as separation anxiety. However, if you already find yourself in a latchkey dog situation that is causing stress to both you and your animal companion, the following tips may help.
Tips On Leaving Your Dog Home Alone:
1) Arrange for someone to take your dog out at least once during your work day. Ideally adult dogs should be allowed outside to relieve themselves at least 3-5 times a day. Leaving your dog without urinating for too long isn’t healthy. According to Dr. Kristy Conn (cesarsway.com), “holding urine for prolonged periods of time has been linked with increased incidence of urinary tract infections and urinary stones. It has also been suggested that it may predispose to certain urinary cancers due to prolonged contact between carcinogens in the urine and the cells of the urinary tract.” In addition, your dog can also get dehydrated for not drinking enough water due to having to wait too long to urinate. According to the National Geographic Pet Talk, a good rule of thumb is that dogs should “only be relied on to hold their urine or feces one hour for every month old they are, until 8 hours at 8 months old.” You should never expect a dog to hold it longer than 8 hours. Also, sick or older dogs won’t be able to hold it as long as healthy young adult dogs. Exception: some “working” breeds and guard dogs are fine for 10-12 hours.
NOTE: Trying to solve the problem by leaving training pads or newspaper on the floor to provide the dog with an option for relief and avoid an accident will only work if you train your dog to use them. There are many online blog articles and videos available on this subject.
2) Find a neighbor, friend or family member with similar circumstances and share dog sitting, walking, play dates, etc. That is a great solution if you’d like your dog to benefit from companionship without you having to adopt another pet.
3) Consider hiring a dog walker/sitter. A great way to meet your dog’s need to exercise, in addition to other basic needs. Some of the things to check when you choose a dog walker/sitter are: if they are insured and bonded; if they have experience with keeping the dogs safe; if they provide a service contract specifying services and fees; if they have a backup plan in case of bad weather or personal emergencies; if your dog will be walked alone or with other clients’ dogs (if with others, do they have a plan to prevent or deal with fighting?); etc. Finally, it’s a good idea to have the walker/sitter meet the animals before the first assignment so that you can observe their interaction with the animals (if they have a positive attitude, seem competent and comfortable when dealing with the animals, etc).
TIP: Pet Sitters International is considered to have high standards when it comes to the pet sitting and walking services listed; their website is petsitters.com.
4) Consider dog day care. A great option that can meet your dog’s needs in many ways, including exercise and socialization. Some of the things to check when you are choosing a day care are: for how many years they have been in operation (you can check the Better Business Bureau and also online for complaints); if the staff is trained and experienced; if the dogs are ever unsupervised; what kind of health requirements they ask for (vaccines record, flea control, etc); if they have a plan to prevent or deal with fighting; if a vet is on call for emergencies; etc. Some dog day cares offer the convenience of webcams through which you can monitor your dog remotely.
5) Consider adopting a companion dog or cat for your dog. Dogs are pack animals and get to live an average of 5 years longer if they have an animal companion. Although having another dog or other animal means more upkeep, the advantages can by far outweigh the disadvantages. If the two animals are a good match, they will meet each other’s need to socialize, keep each other active and even provide emotional support to one another by helping alleviate depression and separation anxiety. All of which will make things a lot easier by placing less demands on you. In addition, studies show that children with pets tend to grow up more balanced and responsible. In a household with more than one child, having more than one dog or other pet will provide each child with their own special friend. Plus, consider this: anywhere you live there are thousands of animals in shelter cages looking for forever homes. So if you have the means to afford giving another animal a home while at the same time providing companionship for your dog or other pet, that’s a win-win situation for everyone.
6) Leave out your dog’s favorite toys or treats to keep him entertained. But make sure they are safe for your dog. Chew bones can also be a dog’s favorite pass time; however, some experts recommend being careful about leaving your dog alone at home with this type of treat, as no one would be present to tend to the dog in case he choked on it. So make sure the size of the bone is appropriate for your dog’s size and that your dog can handle it.
7) Leave the TV or radio on with relaxing music. Scientific studies show that dogs respond well to relaxation music, among other genres. This can be especially beneficial for dogs that suffer from separation anxiety. However, loud TV or the wrong kind of music can also have the opposite effect of causing stressed behavior. To learn more about what kind of music works best for dogs and other animals, please see the blog article What Type Of Music Do Pets Like? at LiveScience.com.
8) Take advantage of the technology available today. Now you can keep an eye on or get in contact with your pet when you are away through webcams; pet monitoring phone apps; Skype and other video calling sites (with the help of the sitter); and systems such as PetBot and PetChatz which allow you to train your dog to call you or receive a call from you, and then dispense treats as reward.
9) Consider arranging for your dog to stay at your home with a pet/house sitter, at a sitter’s home or at a good day care when you travel, rather than boarding him in a cage at the vet or at a lower-end day care. It’s hard for your dog to be left behind for extended periods of time; it’s likely to make it even harder if he has to stay inside a cage for the better part of the time, surrounded by other scared pets in cages. If full time day care or pet/house sitting are not feasible options, consider keeping your dog at home and having someone (or more than one person) stopping by 3 or 4 times a day to take care of his needs.
10) Carry an ICE (In Case of Emergency) tag in your wallet or handbag that also includes information about your dog and other pets in need of follow-up care, in case of long delays or lengthy absence caused by accidents or other unexpected occurrences. You can also have that information available on your phone, tablet, laptop, etc.
11) Have an emergency plan in place. Make sure to have one or two reliable people who can take care of your dog and other pets in case of unplanned long delays or long-term absence. Their contact information should be included in your ICE tag.
Some of these services can be expensive to use on a regular basis, so you can also try a combination of several of the above. For instance, you can use the day care and/or the dog walker/sitter option 2 to 3 times a week, and then have a friend or neighbor stop by to just let the dog out the other days. You can plan a play date once a week. You can also leave your dog with a few toys and calming music on. Taking such steps might seem cumbersome in the beginning (more steps to add to an already busy schedule). However, once you get used to the new routine you can enjoy some great benefits, including less worry and feelings of guilt for leaving your dog alone too much, less accident or mess clean up, a healthier and happier animal companion, and much more. Try it out! You and your dog will be happy you did.
Gisele Marasca-Vargas; 06/24/2016
Related Articles:
How Long Is Too Long To Leave Your Dog Alone?
http://channel.nationalgeographic.com/wild/pet-talk/articles/how-long-is-too-long-to-leave-your-dog-alone/
How Often Should A Dog Urinate?
https://www.cesarsway.com/dog-behavior/housebreaking-issues/how-often-should-a-dog-urinate
What Type Of Music Do Pets Like?
https://www.livescience.com/33780-animal-music-pets.html