Dear Miss Behavin’:
Our dog Betty has recently become anxious when left home alone. She gets into the garbage, has chewed on some furniture, and sometimes howls. How can we help her relax when she’s home alone?
Whether your dog is transitioning to a new situation (recently adopted, moved to a new home, staying with a dog sitter) or has recently become anxious when left alone, there are a handful of things you can do to sooth the angst.
Exercise can play a key role in how a dog behaves when left alone, especially in young dogs and active breeds. There is quite a bit of truth to the old saying “a tired dog is a good dog”. That said, find an activity in the morning or before you leave that works for you and your dog – a game of fetch, a trip to the park, or a fast-paced neighborhood walk followed by some play time.
In addition to exercise, you may need to confine your dog to one area of the house using a gate or by closing off bedrooms. This will limit any unwanted behaviors (chewing, barking out the window, accidents) to one area. Additionally, if you know Betty likes to tip over the garbage can or get into the dog food bin, stow these items away or put them outside so she isn’t tempted.
Crates and kennels can also be useful. While some dogs do well in a crate, others can become more anxious when confined so it’s best to sort this out on a weekend or when you have time to do short trials (30-90 minutes) in the crate. It is typically recommended that dogs stay in a crate for no more than four to six hours at a time, so plan accordingly. They should have room inside their crate to stand up, lie down, and turn around.
Finally, turn on a radio or TV as background noise when your dog is alone (so long as she isn’t sound sensitive). Often times we don’t realize how noisy we are (TV, phone calls, cooking) when we’re home and silence can make some dogs uneasy or more alert to outside noises.