Tips for teaching your dog to stay home alone 🐾
When you bring a puppy home, it will want to be with you all the time. Many dog owners postpone alone-time training because they don't want to upset their puppy. But the earlier you start, the easier it often becomes. You can actually start just a few days after your puppy has moved in.
Small steps create big results
Alone-time training isn't about leaving your puppy for several hours from day one. It's about gradually teaching them that you leave – and that you always come back.
Here's a simple way to structure the training:
• Start with closed doors – close the door when you go to the toilet or into another room.
• Take a shower – once your puppy is more comfortable with closed doors, you can take a shower alone.
• Take out the trash – short trips away from home teach your puppy that it's perfectly okay for you to disappear for a moment.
• Take a short trip alone – start with 2–5 minutes and slowly increase the time.
Your puppy needs to learn that your disappearance is not dangerous.
Should your puppy have a confined area?
Dogs are different, and so are their needs.
For some puppies, a smaller area provides more peace and security. A large home can seem overwhelming, and some dogs feel they need to keep an eye on everything.
A single room, a dog crate, or a smaller zone can therefore help some dogs.
Other dogs, however, become more anxious when confined. If your puppy whines or seems frustrated, giving access to more rooms might help.
Experiment and see what suits your particular dog.
Set your puppy up for success
Whether your puppy has access to one area or the entire home, it's important to make the surroundings safe.
Remove things that can break – or that your puppy could get hurt by.
Remember that puppies explore the world with their teeth.
Leave a tired – but awake – puppy
A puppy with too much energy will often find it difficult to settle down, but an overstimulated puppy can also struggle to relax.
The goal is therefore a tired – but still awake – dog.
A good walk or a quiet mental activity can help, but avoid very wild games just before you leave.
It's a good idea to wait a little while after activity before leaving. Sit on the sofa, drink a cup of coffee, or read a book so your puppy has time to settle down again.
Use natural aids for calmness
If your puppy struggles to relax, you can give them a little help.
Some experience good results with natural, calming products or pheromone products, which help to create extra security in new situations.
Provide calm occupation
The first 5–10 minutes alone are often the hardest.
Here, a calm activity can help your puppy focus on something other than the fact that you've left.
For example, you can use:
• Lick mat with wet food
• Puzzle toy with treats
• Long-lasting and safe chew toys
Small puppies should not be left alone with chew bones, as larger pieces can break off and get stuck.
Return calmly
When you come home again, keep the atmosphere calm.
You can praise your puppy, but avoid making your homecoming the biggest event of the day.
If your dog jumps, whines, or becomes very excited, it can help to give them a few minutes to calm down again.
This way, your dog learns that it's perfectly natural for you to leave – and that you will always come back ❤️
