You want the best for your beloved dog. But we usually make mistakes in our busy schedules that can hurt our beloved dog. So, it’s very important to be careful about your dogs as they need attention and care like babies.
You might find that when you are ready to go out of your house your pet gets furious. However, this will make you feel like a terrible pet owner and a bad dog friend. Sometimes, being comfortable with leaving your pet at home is a necessity as you need to attend to your daily needs.
In this article, we will discuss some common dog owner mistakes when leaving our dog home alone. We will also discuss why they are wrong and how to avoid them.
1. Not Providing Enough Exercise Before Leaving
Dogs are naturally very active. They have a lot of energy. When they can’t do anything to drain their energies, they start draining them indoors. As a result, chewing on household items, barking unnecessarily, and jumping on the sofa. They are even throwing things off shelves.
How to avoid it?
Take your dog out at least 30 minutes before going out. Walking, running, playing fetch—anything will do. This will keep the dog tired. They will be calm even when you are not home. If you don’t have time, you need to maintain a short exercise routine. This will keep the dog healthy.
2. Leaving the dog alone for too long
Dogs are very social animals. They are used to being with their family or owner. They can’t stay alone for hours every day. They will start to break down mentally and also suffer from separation anxiety. When alone for a long time they start crying, barking, and making the house dirty.
How to avoid it?
Try to reduce the time when they are left alone. Ask a friend or family member to check on the dog multiple times when you are not there at home. Or, you can use a professional service like dog boarding in Dubai. They do everything from feeding, playing, and walking the dogs. This keeps the dog from being lonely and improves mental health.
3. Not offering mental stimulation
Many people think that dogs only want to play or walk. But in fact, they also need mental stimulation. If they have nothing to do, they will get bored easily. This boredom leads to bad habits. They will destroy household items, bark a lot, scratch at the door, etc.
How to avoid it?
Buy an intelligent toy that has food or treats hidden in it. Sometimes the dog tries to find something to eat. This keeps their mind busy and passes the time. If you want, you can leave a “Kong” toy with butter or treats inside. This is very popular among dogs. You can also use an automatic feeder. It provides food at a fixed time. If you’re away for longer periods, you can also use the dog boarding service. Here they can play and socialize with other dogs. This also keeps them mentally healthy.
4. Not creating a safe, comfortable space
Dogs also need a safe and comfortable environment when left alone at home. But we often leave a messy house or dangerous objects that can be dangerous for the dog. Your dog can be restless and anxious in an uncomfortable and unsafe place. This is bad for his health.
How to avoid it?
Create a specific place where the dog can relax. You can make a place with his favorite bed, food, water, and toys. Make sure the room’s temperature is comfortable. You can keep windows open and let the light and air flow properly. Please keep electrical wires and small plastic or glass objects out of their reach. If the dog is not used to being alone at home, train him gradually. This helps you get used to it.
5. Skipping a Goodbye Routine
Many people think that dogs don’t understand anything. But this is a big mistake. Dogs are used to small daily routines. If you leave quietly, the dog gets confused. This creates insecurity in them, and they start to become more restless when they are alone.
How to avoid it?
Create a small “goodbye routine.” For example, lightly petting, saying “I’m coming,” or turning his attention to a toy. You can give him a treat or a favorite toy.
This helps the dog to understand that you are leaving. This greatly reduces his anxiety.
6. Failing to Train for Alone Time
Many owners do not train their dogs to be alone. As a result, the dog is not mentally prepared when suddenly left alone. This causes them to scratch at the door, break glass, or tremble in fear. It is not only for the dog, but also for you.
How to avoid it?
You can train your dog to be alone for short periods of time. At first it starts with a short period, like 10-15 minutes, and then 30 minutes. Then increase the time. One can also train them to be separate for some time, even when you are at home. This will help to understand that it is not necessary to be together all the time. If you train your dog step by step in this way, the dog will learn to take being alone as normal.
7. Punishing After the Fact
If you come home and see that the dog has chewed something or destroyed the house, you get angry but it is normal. And punishing them is wrong. Because the dog does not understand why you are angry. In his eyes, you suddenly became bad. This can also cause a rift in your relationship with him.
How to avoid it?
Find the reason without punishing. Did you leave him alone for a long time? Did you provide mental stimulation? Did you keep him in a safe place?If you find the root of the problem and work on training or a positive reward system, such mistakes will be less likely to happen in the future. If you have to go out often, you can use dog boarding in Dubai. These facilities ensure the dog is well cared for, mentally engaged, and never left alone. This will not only keep your pet happy while you are away but also give you peace of mind.
Conclusion
Your dog is a part of your family. So it is important to think carefully before leaving them alone. You must avoid the common dog owner mistakes to keep your dog healthy, calm, and happy. Finally, a little planning, love, and professional help (like dog boarding Dubai) will take better care of your dog.
