How To Train Your Dog to Be Home Alone
1 month ago, I came acrossTeacup Maltipoos for saleon Facebook and ended up adopting the cutest little Maltipoo. Yesterday, we celebrated Chi-Chi's 1 month anniversary, and we have never been happier!
Bringing a new dog home is a huge responsibility – it's like having a child that needs to be cared for and looked after. The weeks after meeting a new furry friend and welcoming them into your home are simply amazing – you spend most of the day playing around with them and taking care of all their needs.
The honeymoon period is great until responsibilities kick in, and it's time to get to work and run some errands, and you have to be separated from your four-legged BFF and have to hear him whimper every time you step out of the door.
What can you do in such a situation?
It may be difficult, but the best and essential thing to do is to train your dog to be home alone.
As challenging as it may be, training your dog to stay home alone while remaining safe is an important step in the overall grooming of your dog. If dogs aren't trained to stay home alone, they can develop separation anxiety.
Therefore, in this article, we'll be discussing tips and tricks to train your dog, especially your Maltipoo, to stay home alone.
Is it Safe to Leave Dogs such as Maltipoos Home Alone?
Dogs can stay home alone. However, it's certainly not recommended for long periods. Many dog parents leave their pets by themselves when doing everyday work, but your pet being on its own for too long can be harmful to its health as it can result in anxiety issues.
The same is the case with Maltipoos – If you own a Maltipoo dog or are planning to get one, know that they are a very social dog breed that adores interaction with humans and other dogs.
Having little to no social interaction can result in them getting lonely. However, leaving them at home for a few hours is completely safe and okay. However, you must train your dog to be home alone before you can start doing so. If you don't, your dog will suffer separation anxiety.
How to Know Your Maltipoo is Suffering from Separation Anxiety or Loneliness?
It's not always easy to pinpoint when your dog is feeling lonely or is anxious. However, there are some signs you can watch out for:
· Your pup is following you around the house way more than usual: Whenever dogs such as Maltipoos tend to get lonely, they become clingier than usual. So, if your dog isn't leaving your side for hours, this may be a sign it is feeling lonely. This clingy behavior can be due to them craving companionship or simply the fear of you leaving the house again.
· Your pup is being destructive: Lonely Dogs tend to show destructive tendencies to get their owner's attention, such as chewing furniture or breaking things around the house.
· Your pup is sleeping more than usual: If you notice your dog sleeping more than usual – this too can be a sign of loneliness.
What Can You Do to Make Your Maltipoo Less Lonely and Anxious?
There are several steps to take to make your dog feel better. Start by gradually leaving them on their own. For example, start by leaving the room for 15-20 minutes and eventually increase the number of minutes. Other things you can do is to provide them with more toys as a way to keep them busy and socialize with them before you leave. All these steps are a good part of their training to make them learn to be by themselves.
How to Train Your Maltipoo to be Home Alone?
1.Ensure His Surroundings are Pleasant
If your Maltipoo has comfortable surroundings and things to do while you're away, he'll never get lonely or anxious. There are several things you can do to keep his surroundings comfortable and fun, they are:
· Make sure your furry friend has a comfortable bed with blankets and some toys. Move it to a spot where he spends most of his time, so the space feels familiar and home-like to him.
· Try taking your dog for a walk and some playtime before you leave him at home. If your pup is tired, he's more likely to spend his time sleeping when you're out. This will prevent boredom and loneliness.
2.Trick & Train
Training your Maltipoo to be home alone is a time-taking process, particularly due to his social nature. But your future self will thank you for doing so in the long term as it's a part of keeping your dog mentally strong.
· Whenever you come home after leaving your BFF alone, make sure you give him his favorite treat along with loads of love and attention. Eventually, he will associate your arrival with treats and affection and may not mind being by himself.
· Avoid making your pup sleep with you daily, as this attachment will make it harder for him to stay alone or even nap during the daytime.
3.Invest in a Dog CCTV Camera
Can we ever truly be separated from our loved ones during this era of technological advancement? Leaving your Maltipoo may not seem like the hardest thing in the world if you invest in a good dog camera.
Dog cameras enable you to keep a check on your pup at all times. Whether you're at the office or stuck in a long queue somewhere, you'll know exactly what your BFF is up to. Moreover, some even allow you to speak with your pup back home through two-way audio.
It is a great way to keep up with your Maltipoo every day while also preventing him from getting lonely.
4.Turn on the Telly!
Another fascinating trick to keep your four-legged friend distracted while you're absent is to turn the channel to DOGTV! Your Maltipoo can enjoy some movies or tv shows and may not even notice that you're gone!
You're Ready to Train Your Dog to Be Home Alone
Dogs are precious beings that only ask for their owner's love and attention. However, many pet owners have responsibilities that can't be neglected which is why leaving your dog alone at home, as hard as it may be, can be inevitable.
But worry not! With the right tricks and tips, you can eventually train them to enjoy some me-time while you're gone.
But It's also important to remember that Maltipoos – like most dogs are fun-loving and active dogs that need attention and interaction to thrive. So, a Maltipoo shouldn't be left alone at home for longer than four hours. If you have commitments that require you to be busy for longer hours – it's best to hire a dog sitter as Maltipoos tend to be prone to social anxiety.
Author Bio:
Ashir provides ghostwriting and copywriting services. His educational background in the technical field and business studies helps him in tackling topics ranging from career and business productivity to web development and digital marketing. He occasionally writes articles for We Love Doodles.