Aside from arrangements you can make to cut down on the number
of hours your dog is alone, there are other important decisions to make. What
accommodations will you provide for your dog while you are out? Will he be
confined or free? How will he relieve himself if he has to urinate? Read on for
solutions.
Creating a Dog “Roomâ€
Many dogs love their crate. They use it as their private
retreat, a hide-away for a nap or to gnaw on a favorite toy. But even a
well-trained, crate-loving, full-grown dog shouldn’t be kept in the crate for
longer than 9 hours at a time, and most of us work longer hours than that. On the other hand, it’s risky to allow a dog the run of the house
when she is not properly housebroken, when she is still in the chewing stage, or
if she is generally rambunctious or mischievous. She could get into things that
you’d rather have left alone, whether because they could harm her or because
you’d rather not have them chewn to pieces, urinated on, or covered in dog
hair.
The best option is a compromise. Create an area of the house
where the dog can hang out safely. Give her a space big enough that she can
stretch out and walk around a little, but not necessarily an 8 x 10-foot room.
Put a gate securely across the doorway so she can look out but not get out. Make
sure the gate is too high for her to jump.
If your dog is not housebroken or is prone to accidents, use an
area that is not carpeted, if possible. If you must use a carpeted area, put
down a heavy plastic runner or a tarp. Secure the edges so it will not pull up.
Spread some newspapers in one corner if there is any possibility that your dog
will need to relieve herself before you get home. There are even disposable pads
you can buy specifically for this purpose. It’s also a good idea to make
provisions for elimination if your schedule is such that you never know how long
you’ll be away each day. Then you and your dog won’t have to worry if
you’re delayed and she just can’t wait any longer.
If your dog sleeps in a crate, put the crate in the room, too.
But do so only if there is enough space for her to move around outside of the
crate. Remove the crate door or secure it in an open position so that the dog
doesn’t accidentally get locked in.
Other items you should leave in the gated area include:
Leave your dog’s favorite snoozing bed in the gated
area. The familiar scent and texture will comfort him during his time
alone.
Providing Food and Water
It is usually not necessary to leave food for your dog while
you are out. Generally, dogs need to eat only twice a day. However, water is
absolutely essential to canine health and should be available to your dog at all
times. Never leave your dog without any water.
Alleviating Boredom
It doesn’t take long to learn that when your dog is bored,
he can inflict some serious damage on his surroundings by chewing and clawing on
whatever is within reach. Happily, there are many ways to alleviate a housebound
dog’s boredom. What works best for your dog will depend in part on his
temperament. Some dogs love toys and will play for hours with them. Other dogs
are quite content as long as they can watch the goings-on outside a window.
As discussed in the previous section, the best
setup for a housebound dog is a secure, small space. However, don’t leave your
dog in a room and shut the door; it’s too isolating. (Just imagine sitting in
a closed room in an empty, silent house for hours every day, and you’ll
understand how quickly this can lead to boredom.) Instead, use a sturdy gate to
keep him out of the rest of the house. If possible, arrange your dog’s space
so he can look out a window. Most dogs find it comforting and entertaining to
watch the traffic and neighbors go by. If your dog is particularly territorial
or anxious, however, he may get stirred up by seeing people or other dogs and
would be best served by not having a window.
Some dogs detest a silent house and will benefit from some
background noise. Try leaving on a radio near his room. You’ll have to do some
detective work and watch your dog closely to see whether he enjoys having the
radio on or doesn’t seem to care.
Even if your dog is not a big fan of toys, it won’t hurt to
set out a few before you leave. Rotate them from day to day for variety. Some
dogs just like to have their things nearby, even if they don’t actually play
with them. However, there are many interesting and amusing dog toys on the
market these days. You are likely to find at least one that will appeal to your
dog. Browse in pet stores, catalogs, or pet-supply sites on the Internet.
When confining your dog to a small area, use a sturdy gate
that allows him to view, but not visit, the rest of the house. If your dog has
feline friends, raise the gate just high enough off the ground that the cats
can