It may not be as dramatic as MaCaulay Culkin’s 80s exploits, but numerous owners leave their canines home alone every day. It is an unavoidable part of daily life and recent studies have suggested that much can be learned during this solitaire period.
There are three distinct negative emotional behaviours that exist in dogs when left by themselves:
Fear
Many dogs experience fear when left alone and get upset by excessive noise and strange shadows. It brought on behaviours such as howling and searching for cover.
Anxiety
It is a major cause of illness in dogs and leads to scratching at doors, pacing and urinating. During excessive training, some dogs will show these side effects. The main cause of anxiety is being left at home alone.
Panic
Again dogs will become upset and search for a route out of their trapped environment.
There are dogs that are happy with their own company and will use the opportunity and freedom to break the rules. It is very interesting from a training point of view to observe a desire to disobey when the ‘master’ is not present. It suggests that these dogs are highly intelligent and react to training by consequence.
There are a number of things you can do to make your canine feel safe and relaxed when you leave. Avoid entering into a routine where the dog will identify they are about to be left alone. Secondly leave plenty of toys and familiar items within reach so they will not become easily bored or disruptive.
It is important to install bark control behaviours for certain dogs that make plenty of racket when they are home alone. This can be done with the help of our experts. Get in touch for more information.
Do not leave dogs home alone for long periods and make sure they have sufficient water and food. Be considerate and responsible at all times…
