How To Keep a Dog From Being Bored When Home Alone?

Dogs are getting bored when we are away. As a result, we wonder about keeping ous dogs from being bored when they are home alone.

Some pet owners are lucky to accompany their dogs inside their home and have more time seeing each other. Other dogs are also lucky if their owners would leave home and work to provide their basic dog needs. Dogs are happy to see their pet parents, but we have to admit that dogs love outdoors and they are experiencing boredom and anxiety being not able to run freely and see their owners.  They also experience separation anxiety because they miss their lovable fur parents.

They need companionship, exercise, simulation and comfort to keep them safe and happy. Never leave your pet alone and in the dark. This will cause them trauma and isolation. Still, keep him happy while you are away.

It is easy to say that pet owners must get a work from home job or a business to watch and take care of their family and dogs, but in the real world, it cannot be avoided to leave home and head off to work or do some errands. Sometimes celebrations or business trips will take a few days because of the location and the time needed to do the work.

Whether you have dog toys, dog gadgets, simple dog toys or only tree barks, you can still get your dog to become lively and healthy again. Below, we listed 11 amazing tips to keep dogs busy when they’re alone.

#1 Get a treat-dispensing dog camera

For dog owners with an extra budget, get a treat-dispensing dog camera. Aside from watching your pet, you can interact with your doggy like speaking on your phone and your dog can hear you through the camera speaker when it’s lunch or training time. Some dog cameras can toss dog treats and have a laser pointer.

#2 Give your dog extra love and toys

Rub your dog’s belly. Do a dog massage or cuddle your dog so you can create a bond to your dog every time you just got home. Use dog interactive toys and keep your pet become interested to play whether you are present or not.  Dog puzzles are a good way to develop their senses like using ball toys, bone, hollow toy with some peanut butter or dog treats and many more on Amazon eBay, or Walmart. Use empty containers and jugs if you want to build DIY dog games.

Don’t forget to alternate toys to keep them interested.

To make your dog preoccupied, fill a round ice cream tub or any small container with water. Put a long or large treat, and freeze. On the next day, before you leave your home, put the ice with the treat out of the tub and leave it on the floor or a dog food container. When the ice melts, a treat unlocks like having a treasure or items unlocked in an online game.

Chewing toys or calming chews with a natural taste or food flavour will help your dog to calm down. Your pet will surely not bite or chew on your things inside the house. Barking issues might also be gone, and no burglars or thieves in your neighbourhood will know that no one is in your house except your dog.

Lure toys are also okay but not for small dogs. Depending on your dog breed, lure toys are good so they can practice hunting and look for objects or treats.

You can create a special room or an area for your dog to relax or play with toys. With this setup, cleaning will become easier and your dog will be used to go to that place whenever he wants to take a nap and at the same time play with puzzle dog toys.

#3 Give your pet a window seat

Your dog can see the outside world through the small window. Let him have a rest and be able to do sightseeing. Doing this will calm your dog’s mind and prevent him from biting and shredding your papers and furniture. Better if his view is a bit larger so he can see a wider view.

Shut all the curtains and blinds on your other windows to prevent your dog from barking or howling almost non-stop.

Give your pooch a comfy bed, ottoman footrest bed (for the small living room) or cave bed.

#4 Turn on your TV and let your dog watchdog channel

Turning the TV on is also a good way to get your dog out of boredom just make sure you have a trusted neighbour to call 911 or rescue your dog in case a fire or burglary occurs. A white noise machine is a good buy for your dog as it will leave some noise and reduces stress on your dog,

#5 If you have a trusted neighbour, let your pet socialize with them

This tip is good especially if you will go for a business trip or a celebration. Better if your neighbours have friendly dogs. In this way, your dog can adapt to a new environment and play with other dogs, Gaining and socializing with new dog friends will make your dog happier. It does not mean that you make your neighbours your full-time caretakers but as part-time caretakers. Just turn shifts with your neighbours in taking care of your dog.

Make friends in your neighbourhood and get your senses to work if they can be trusted. Also, do some favours for your neighbours so they will not feel that you are just taking advantage of them.

#6 Get your dog in a date

For a more fun experience, set up a dog date with another known friendly dog in your neighbourhood and let them play in your neighbour’s house or a park.

Interacting and playing with other pets will get your pet happy and become active.

#7 When you are beginning a new work, gradually leave your dog alone

Congratulations on your new work, but you have to leave your dog for long hours. If that‘s the case, before your starting working date, leave your dog alone in your house for short periods and then gradually on longer periods until your pooch is used to being alone and at the same time not being bored without you.

#8 Get your dog a furry brother, sister or friend in your house

Having a playmate will be fun as long as they don’t turn your house into a mess when you come home. Aside from socializing, they maybe can do teamwork when doing dog activities or simple jobs.

#9 Take note of the temperature in your home

Hot or cold weather will surely affect how your dog feels.  Leave a blanket when the weather’s cold while leaving a tub of water or a baby/kiddie pool (when on backyard or have an extra outdoor room) to refresh from the heat.

Ice treats are also good in summer. Dog clothing is a nice solution if your pet has short fur and is often cold. Before you leave, observe if your pet is comfortable with the cute shirt, vest or costume he is wearing.

#10 Hire a dog sitter

A dog sitter will take care of your dog when you are away. Aside from feeding and having a walk outside, the dog sitter will surely play with your pet. Your dog can also run, explore, hunt and sniff within the park and the sitter will watch your dog, A more money-saving alternative is to hire a dog walker in case no one can take care of your dog for almost a day.

If you have a dog daycare near your workplace, have him enrolled and visit him during your free time or pick him up when you are going home.

#11 If you are training your dog, give a simple job

Train your pooch on how to do a simple task like knowing how to carry dog toys or fetch barks or sticks and putting these on a box or on an area of your house. Your dog will not become bored and have a sense of responsibility especially when you are not. It’s an exercise too!

Leave treats on some dog toys or hidden parts of your house. The treats will serve as a reward to your dog after he pick some things to get the treats just like solving a puzzle and getting the treat as a reward.

When cleaning, watch out for the sharp objects and furniture corners as these may injure your dog when you are not there. Keep chemicals and hazardous things out of reach from your doggy.

Don’t wave goodbye or talk sad to your dog as it will just create anxiety when you leave the house, Your dog will be in panic immediately because he feels that you will be gone for a long time. Just do these tips gradually and your dog will be prepared to be alone in your house and calmly wait for you to go back.

With these tips, it’s easier to say goodbye to your dog and go to work without feeling lonely. A happy dog is a healthy dog. A dog parent will be less anxious knowing his loved fur friend will be doing okay during his shift.