Although dogs are wonderful companions, spending every moment with them is not practical. At some point, we have to go out to run errands, attend appointments, or go to work. Our Orlando veterinary have shared some advice to help you make your puppy's first time alone at home easier.
Leaving Your Puppy at Home
At some point, it's necessary to leave your furry friend alone. This can benefit both you and your pet, as it teaches them to function independently and allows you to have a life beyond their care. However, the challenge is to avoid causing anxiety for either party during the first separation. In this post, we provide tips to help make the initial experience of leaving your dog alone a more positive and calm one.
When Can I Leave My Puppy Alone at Home?
Many individuals form a strong bond with their puppies, often referring to them as their fur babies. A common question posed is whether it is acceptable to leave an 8-week-old puppy at home by itself. We recommend avoiding leaving your puppy alone for an extended period during these initial stages. At 8 weeks old, they have recently been weaned and require consistent feedings and bathroom breaks. For their safety and well-being, it is best to wait until they reach a minimum age of 3 months before leaving them alone.
How to Prepare Your Puppy for Being Left Alone
Here are some simplified suggestions for preparing your puppy before leaving them alone:
- Teach your puppy to use the bathroom outside. It's important to avoid your dog feeling anxious or returning to a damaged home.
- Give your puppy some alone time. Help them adjust to not always having your attention by occasionally closing the door when you shower or not interacting with them while you enjoy activities like watching a movie or reading a book.
- Create a designated area for your puppy with easy access to water, food, bed, and toys. This reduces stress by providing them with the essentials in one place.
- Make sure all areas your puppy can access are safe. Consider using baby gates or confining them to a specific room.
- Introduce your puppy to other people. This way, if you need to leave them with a sitter or have someone check on them, they will be less stressed.
Leaving Them Alone for the First Time
- Begin with short walks around your neighborhood and gradually make them longer.
- Avoid making a big deal out of leaving. Depart in a calm manner to increase the likelihood of your dog staying calm.
- When you return, do so in a calm manner as well. By treating your arrivals and departures as routine, your dog will become more accustomed to them and remain calmer.
- Leave behind some of your worn clothes to provide your dog with familiar scents. Dogs have a keen sense of smell and can find comfort in familiar odors.
Dog Boarding at East Orlando Animal Hospital
If you need to leave your puppy while you travel, we understand how stressful this can be - especially if it's the first time you two will be apart for more than a few hours. This goes doubly so when your canine or kitty friend is ill or recovering from surgery.
At our Orlando veterinary hospital, we want to help put your mind at ease. With our comprehensive general cat and dog boarding services for all patients and medical boarding for pets with conditions that standard boarding facilities may be unable to accommodate, we can meet your and your pet's unique needs.
When you board your pet with us, they'll be supervised and receive the love and attention they need from our qualified, trained staff. Dogs are walked on a regular schedule, and cats get daily one-on-one interaction, including play, snuggles and pets, if wanted. Come visit us at our clean, secure and comfortable facilities to see for yourself what we have to offer.
