Leaving your pet home alone? 3 things you must do to keep your dog calm
Leaving your beloved dog at home while you head to work or run errands can trigger anxiety for both you and your furry friend. Dogs are naturally social, so leaving them alone can lead to separation anxiety. But what do you do when there is no alternative but to separate for a few hours? Well, givin
By Toi Lifestyle Desk
Leaving your beloved dog at home while you head to work or run errands can trigger anxiety for both you and your furry friend.
Dogs are naturally social, so leaving them alone can lead to separation anxiety.
But what do you do when there is no alternative but to separate for a few hours? Well, giving them the right training and preparation can help your pet feel secure and relaxed while you are away.
Dog trainer Sarah Hodgson, also the author of Dog Anxiety for Dummies, recently shared three essential strategies that can help keep your dog calm when home alone.Why calmness mattersWhen leaving your dog home alone, it is important to create a relaxed mental state for them.
Dogs that feel agitated or anxious are more likely to develop behavioural problems like destructive chewing or to exhibit territorial aggression.
According to Hodgson, the goal should be to have your dog feel peaceful and settled when you leave, not alert or stressed. “When thinking about leaving your dogs home alone, here is a big thing to consider: when you leave the house, you want them to be relaxed.
You don't want them to feel agitated, anxious, or aggressive,” she said in a video that is going viral on TikTok.Create a safe spaceNow, how do you do it? Hodgson suggests that keeping your dog calm involves establishing a dedicated safe space while you're away.
If you leave dogs in a room with fully open windows overlooking the hallway or the street, they will “assume the role of border patrol”.
So, when someone passes by or they detect a sound, they will “react in a territorial fashion”.
To prevent this, you need a safe space—perhaps a room that brings them comfort.
It could even be a ‘doggy den’ that your pet associates with security and comfort.Use sound-cancelling musicOne often overlooked factor in canine anxiety is external noise.
Hodgson recommends playing sound-cancelling music or calming background audio to mask outside noises.
Your dog will feel more relaxed by removing this external trigger.
Soft music or specially designed pet-calming audio can significantly reduce anxiety levels throughout your absence.Keep your calm upon reunionHow you greet your dog when you return home is equally important.
Hodgson suggests keeping your energy level calm and composed when arriving back. “When you come in, you want it to be a joyous occasion, but keep your energy level calm, and they'll mirror what you're modelling,” she said.The trainer emphasised that developing a “calmer home-alone routine means a more relaxed dog throughout the day”.By implementing these simple strategies, you'll help your dog feel secure and comfortable when home alone.Get the latest movie news, reviews, and celebrity updates.
Download the TOI App.