How to leave a puppy at home alone?

Remember the famous movie “Home Alone”? The fervent little boy in just a few days of being alone defeated his house. If you leave a puppy alone for a long time, can he make the same mess? Maybe, if you do not prepare him for independence and do not teach him to calmly endure temporary loneliness.

In the first days in a new house, try not to leave the baby alone. For him, everything here is unfamiliar, so any sound, rustle, noise provokes fear. If you still need to go away on business, you can close the dog in the smallest room. It is desirable that it does not contain objects that make harsh sounds (telephones, household appliances, intercom handset). Be sure to make sure that there is drinking water and food nearby. Something of yours that he is already used to will help a lot: a home T-shirt, a pillow. It can be placed in a conspicuous place so that the dog can smell a familiar smell at any time.

Do not check with long absences how long you can leave a puppy alone at home, it is better to accustom him to this gradually: you can’t leave one puppy at home for more than 4 hours at a month old, for more than 5 hours at a two-month-old, for more than 6 hours at a three-month-old hours. If the puppy is left alone at night, the light must be turned on where he is.

As the pet grows, its character and habits are formed. Do not lock a very young puppy for more than 3-4 hours. Ask friends or neighbors to visit the baby so that if necessary they leave the light on in the room, check the availability of food, and clean up after him. As soon as you return, be sure to praise your four-legged friend, pet him, give him more time. If he nevertheless made a mess, do not scold him and do not punish him, because he still does not understand what is possible and what is not. 

If you leave home an already grown puppy, at the age of 5-6 months, be sure to walk him before leaving. If the crumbs do not need long walks, then older puppies suffer if they are locked alone in the apartment for a long time.

Don’t go overboard with taking care of your little friend. The dog should not be taught to the constant presence of a person nearby. This deprives her of independence, and adds unnecessary problems to you. If you spend all 24 hours a day next to the puppy, then he will constantly whine and cry at the slightest attempt on your part to leave the house. If you want to teach your puppy to be independent, do not let him sleep in your bed, do not hold him all the time. It is important to keep a distance so that the dog calms down from simple strokes, pats, a familiar voice.

Remember that the baby, who now lives in the same territory with you, is very curious. He still does not understand the boundaries of what is permitted, so he can play too much and make a mess. Assess your housing in terms of the presence of objects dangerous for the puppy. Wires and any cords should be hidden from free access. It is better to put shoes in closed boxes. On open surfaces, do not leave bulk products, as well as vases and other items that the puppy wants to roll and roll. Poorly fixed small items, souvenirs, papers, etc., are best removed higher and further away so that the puppy does not encroach on their safety. By the way, a large number of his favorite toys left with him while you are not at home will also save you from this.

When the puppy gets used to being alone for a while, he will calmly endure parting and meet you not with a sad look, but with joyful barking and tail wagging.