Do you know the importance of teaching your puppy how to be alone?
When you decide to adopt a puppy for the first time, there is a process of discovery and introduction until he gets used to his new home.
Throughout this process of raising a puppy, there is a very critical step: teaching your dog to enjoy being alone. Sometimes the idea of spending every minute of the day and night with your new puppy may seem tempting and exciting. However, that won’t do him any good, considering that at some point you’ll have to leave him alone. You want him to be used to being left alone from an early age so that in the future he won’t suffer from Separation Anxiety.
Dogs are social beings, but leaving a puppy alone at first can be a stressful task to say the least. The good news is, with patience and effort, you can make your dog feel confident, even when he’s home alone. To help you with this task, we share some useful tips below! Check it out:
Crate Training
It’s very likely that your puppy has never been alone before, so it can be traumatic for him to instantly go from a routine of constant companionship to a full day without you.
To avoid any problems, it is necessary that you start by teaching him to be alone while you are still at home, preferably in a safe, confined area. We recommend using either a crate or a playpen. The idea is that your dog recognizes this area as an environment for relaxation and enjoyment, not punishment.
Make this space surrounded with good things, such as toys and treats. We also recommend feeding your pup inside the crate or playpen. This way, your puppy will begin to associate being in the crate or playpen as a good thing.
Read more: 5 Great Ways To Crate Train Your Puppy
Teaching your Puppy How to be Alone
To take the next step, it’s important that your dog is happy in the confined area. Start by enclosing your puppy in the confined area with a chew toy, then leave the room without your dog noticing. Return quickly and reward your puppy with praise and treats.
You must repeat the process several times, gradually increasing the time and distance away from your pup. If your puppy is calm, don’t forget to reward him for good behavior. Also remember not to make too much noise when you return to check on him.
Once your puppy is confident on his own, understands toilet training, and displays good behavior, you can allow him to explore the house when you are away, one room at a time. But we’d recommend waiting until he is at least 1 year old to do this.
When leaving your puppy home alone, you should offer him something constructive to do. Kong toys filled with frozen, wet dog food are great options to stimulate your dog in your absence.
Preventing Separation Anxiety
Puppies who are not trained to be alone from an early age can develop separation anxiety in the future. Separation anxiety is a serious problem that involves persistent and intense anxiety about being away from their owner. As a responsible owner, you must help your dog to gain the confidence to have fun and be okay when he is not around you.
Dog Walker Astoria
If you require help providing socialization opportunities for your dog and you live in Astoria, you can enroll your pup in daily Socialization Walks with Buster and Whiskers. We offer daily 1-hour Socialization Walks. If your pup is under-socialized, we will work with them to help desensitize them and get them ready for our Group Socialization Walks. You must live within our Astoria coverage area. In addition, your dog must be up-to-date on all required vaccinations. Laying a strong foundation in socialization is the best gift you can give your pup for a long and happy life together!
Buster and Whiskers is The #1 Dog Walking Service in Astoria, NY. If your dog needs more exercise or social interaction, enroll your pup in daily Socialization Walks with us. Contact us for a professional and reliable Dog Walker in Astoria! Follow us on Instagram.
