{"id":927,"date":"2019-09-20T15:22:57","date_gmt":"2019-09-20T19:22:57","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.beverlyhillsvets.com\/blog\/?p=927"},"modified":"2019-09-20T15:22:57","modified_gmt":"2019-09-20T19:22:57","slug":"lonely-or-just-alone-what-to-know-about-leaving-your-dog-home-alone","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.beverlyhillsvets.com\/blog\/lonely-or-just-alone-what-to-know-about-leaving-your-dog-home-alone\/","title":{"rendered":"Lonely or Just Alone? What to Know About Leaving Your Dog Home Alone"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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We all know that dogs are our best friends \u2013 after all, they are hard-wired to want to be with us all the time. And many of us would love to take them everywhere we go. Unfortunately, there are times when our dog pals can\u2019t accompany us. Work, social functions, and other obligations sometimes dictate that we leave our dog home alone.
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Leaving your dog home alone doesn\u2019t a bad pet owner make. But there are some tips and tricks we can use to make this time spent alone more enriching for our dogs. Keep reading as Beverly Hills Veterinary Associates<\/a> shares our best tips. <\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

Duty Calls<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The most basic question dog owners ask when it comes to leaving their dog home alone is how long can the dog go without a bathroom break? 
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For most healthy adult dogs, the answer is somewhere between 4 and 6 hours. Puppies<\/a>, sick dogs, and older dogs need to go out more often. Keep in mind that every dog is an individual, and you may need to go through some trial and error before striking the right balance.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Leaving Your Dog Home Alone<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Every dog should be able to stay home alone without destroying the house or falling apart, but this may require some training. To start, make your dog his own den or cozy spot, where he can relax and feel safe. You can use a separate room, or, if he\u2019s trustworthy, give him the run of the house with his own bed and essentials<\/a> nearby. A crate is a great training tool, but it\u2019s generally accepted that crates are too confining for long periods of time. However, a crate with an \u201copen-door policy\u201d may be just the answer!
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Practice leaving your dog home alone for a few minutes at first, and gradually increase the amount of time you\u2019re away. Offer a treat<\/a> when you leave, but not when you return, and he\u2019ll learn good things happen when you leave. Try to leave and return nonchalantly, so that your dog learns it\u2019s just a normal part of the day. 
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If your dog is experiencing a great deal of anxiety<\/a>, or is destructive when you are gone, he may have separation anxiety. Give us a call if this is the case. Separation anxiety rarely gets better on its own and often worsens with time. A consultation with a veterinary behaviorist or a certified professional dog trainer can get you started on the right path. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

First, Exercise<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Regardless of how long you leave your dog home alone, all dogs need daily exercise<\/a>. Just how much depends on breed, age, and lifestyle. But benefits abound for all. 
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Exercise:
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