As much as we love our furry friends, leaving them alone at home can sometimes be a challenge. Keeping them occupied while you’re away, it’s important to avoid any destructive or anxious behaviour that may arise due to boredom. However, fear not! There are many things you can do to enrich your dog's environment and make their time at home alone a little bit easier.
Firstly, it's important to remember that building up to longer periods of alone time is key. Start small by leaving them alone in a safe space, such as the laundry, for just 30 minutes. Over time, increase the time they are alone and observe how they are handling it.
Once you've established a routine for their alone time, consider introducing specific toys to stimulate their brain. Puzzles and fun feeders are a great way to challenge your pup mentally and keep them entertained for longer periods. There are many interactive toys on the market specifically designed to keep your dog occupied and challenged. These toys can range from ones where the dog must paw at a ball to release a treat, to puzzles that require problem-solving to uncover the reward. Try a few different types of toys and see which ones your dog prefers. You can try harder level puzzles once they have mastered the easier ones.
Don't forget to treat them when they've been good! Positive reinforcement is an effective tool when it comes to dog training and keeping your pup busy while you’re away is no different. Treats are an excellent way to keep your dog happy and motivated while they work on their new puzzle or toy.
Overall, enriching your dog's environment is an essential part of keeping them healthy and happy. Try out a few different tactics and see what works best for your dog. Remember to always be patient and understanding - these things take time, and it may require a little trial and error to find the perfect solution.