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I used to put my mutt in his kennel when I went to work, because I couldn’t trust him to be left home alone. Now he stays out, at least most days. Here are a few ideas you can try to keep your dog entertained while you are gone. But more importantly, I’d like to hear some of your ideas.
1. Rotate her toys.
Don’t leave the same toys out every day for your dog. It’s better to mix them up. Leave four of five toys out when you leave for work, and leave different toys out the next day. When you come home, put the toys away. She will be much more interested in her toys if she doesn’t have access to them all the time.
2. Offer her some chew toys or bones.
Give your dog a new bone or something else to chew just before you head out the door. I buy hollow bones and fill them with peanut butter. Then I put them in the freezer. When the peanut butter is frozen, it keeps my mutt busy longer. A good chew toy to try is the Kong brand. You can fill these with peanut butter and some dog biscuits and then freeze them. Your dog will spend a decent amount of time licking the toy clean and trying to dislodge the treats. It’s a good puzzle for them.
3. Take your dog for a long walk.
If you get in the habit of walking your dog before work, she will be drained of energy and ready for a nap. That way she will spend more time sleeping while you’re gone, and less time looking for something to do.
4. Leave the radio or TV on.
I don’t know if my mutt cares or not whether the radio is on while I’m gone. But I leave a rock station playing anyway. At least it decreases that silent feeling of being alone. The sound of the radio will also block outside noise from the neighbors that might cause my mutt to bark.
5. Take her to dog daycare.
If you are willing to pay up to $25 a day, take your dog to daycare. Most dogs really enjoy this. Try it once a week or twice a month to begin with, maybe during your busiest weeks. You could also hire a dog walker to let her out. If you have friends who are dog owners, you could volunteer to host a dog play date on one of your days off, and they could take the dogs another day. Even doing this twice a month would add some variety for your dog.
6. Leave your pets together.
If your pets get along, why not leave them out together? My dog and cat don’t play together much, but they enjoy each other’s company. When they are left home together they don’t feel as lonely.
7. Hang out with your dog on your lunch break.
If you can, come home and let your dog out during lunch. Take her for as long a walk as you have time for. You can always eat your lunch later in the afternoon at your desk.
8. Buy her a dog bed.
If your dog has her own place to sleep where she feels safe and comfortable, like her own bed, an open kennel, a blanket or your couch, she will be more content to sleep during the day instead of finding trouble.
9. Don’t leave any temptations.
If you think your dog might chew your photo album or reach the box of cookies in the far corner of the counter, she will. Just assume she will find trouble if she has the chance.
10. Teach your dog a new hobby.
If all else fails, maybe your dog could knit you a sweater, paint or do some volunteer work. If you’re lucky, she might even cook your dinner.
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March 4th, 2008 at 9:42 pm
I LOVE hanging out with my dog on my lunch breaks. I actually moved to an apartment 5 minutes away from my job for that reason (and because the apartment was a lot better).
Love your blog by the way!
March 5th, 2008 at 2:29 pm
Yeah! thanks for the great tips! rotating toys is a very good idea-
As for 10. My shih tzu, Walter has just been signed up for volunteer work at the nursing home my great-grandma is at. He’s gonna do great entertaining the old folks!
vee’s last blog post..BOOK!