I am hearing through my contacts that shelters and adoption agencies are adopting dogs out at a terrific rate! This may be due to the change in schedule people are having during this “work from home” mandate. Personally, I am happy about the adoptions regardless of the reason, but at some point people may start to go back to work. Some, if not many of these dogs that have gotten used to someone being home all day, will have an extreme change in schedule. Some may not adjust to this change of being alone. Bad habits like destruction and housebreaking could start.
My advice to anyone is “Train today what you want tomorrow”! Start leaving the dog alone at different times, different lengths. Slowly start trying to lengthen and conform to the schedule you will keep when you return back to work.
Go back and forth with time away; it doesn’t have to be longer and longer. Change it up. Peek through the window or use a camera to see how your dog acts and how long it takes to settle. Crate training would have made your life a lot easier if you haven’t done so.
Setting the dog up to succeed is KEY. Schedule meals accordingly so they poop and pee before you leave. Possibly limit the space they have in the house. Close doors to bathrooms and any rooms they could get into something bad for their health. My rule is this: If you think they can (jump up, chew, open, crawl under, etc.) THEY CAN! Daily exercise cannot be more important!
Take off all collars, especially if they have tags on while the dog is home alone/unattended. I probably wouldn’t give them anything ingestible to chew. Leave the house knowing the dog cannot get into trouble.
Hiring a dog walker could be a great day splitter.
Frank
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