DogExpress
Guest post!
As the adage goes, “dog is man’s best friend. “It is, therefore, understandable for you to be anxious about leaving your furry four-legged companion alone when you go to work.
So how can you ensure that both you and your pup remain at ease and happy when you are apart? Are there tips to keep your dog happy while you’re away? Well, the answer to these questions depends on several factors like age, personality, tending needs, as well as the level of energy of the dog.
For instance, if your mutt is below eighteen months, chances are it still needs lessons on potty training and would have challenges when left alone for long.
The same applies if your pup has separation anxiety or does not fancy being alone. If you leave such a dog at home for long, it can become destructive or drop nasty surprises around your home.
Effective Tips To Keep Your Dog Happy While You Are Away
1. Hire a Pet Sitter to keep your dog happy
A brilliant way to ensure a win-win situation for both you and the dog is to get a pet sitter or walker to care for the dog. Alternatively, you could take it to doggie daycare.
However, first, verify that the pet sitter has a satisfactory dog-siting experience. If you plan to leave the hound at the daycare, dedicate some time to visit the facility to not only meet the caregivers but also scope the area to inspect where your dog will stay. It is also important to ensure the dog sitter or pet handler genuinely cares for your pet.
If you find the level of care and attention satisfying, go ahead and avail items that will make the experience successful. Such includes your vet’s contact information, your emergency phone number, the dog’s favorite blanket, collar, toys, and food.
The best part about hiring someone to take care of your dog is that the pooch will get its potty break, favorite snacks, and playtime.
2. Make your presence felt
Make your pawed friend feel like you are still around the house, so as to reduce the effect of your separation. You can accomplish that by leaving your soiled laundry lying around the house.
The dog will enjoy curling up with stuff that has your scent. A word of caution, though, if your pup is a chewer, avoid leaving items that you cannot stand getting damaged.
In addition to leaving your dirty laundry, use a gadget such as the Petcube to make your presence more visible. With this pet camera, you can conveniently interact, talk and even play with the dog.
3. Switch on the TV
An interesting way of keeping your dog amused and out of mischief while you are away is by keeping him or her glued to your TV. The good thing about TV channels is that you can never run out of programs that the dog will find entertaining.
These include kid’s channels and dog-themed channels like DogTV. DogTV is a favorite among canine lovers because it offers endless hours of entertainment and companionship for dogs. It is rich in content meant specifically for pooches’ sight and hearing senses.
4. Get an automatic pet feeder
If your primary concern about leaving your pet behind is that the dog will eat too much or won’t eat at all, then you need to get an automatic pet feeder. This device will help you remotely manage the pup’s feeding times, food supply as well as portion sizes, via your smartphone.
Furthermore, you can use the feeder to identify the foods which are ideal and most compatible for your pet, using variables such as the mutt’s body weight, activity level, and age.
As a result, your pet gets to enjoy tasty and nutritious meals throughout the day, while you profit from the peace of mind by knowing your best friend is well-fed.
5. Invest in play toys
Dogs become destructive around the house because they are energetic, and only want to release the piled-up steam. Hence, if you wish to salvage your home from pet destruction and still keep your hound happy, encourage the dog to run off the energy. You can do so by taking the pooch out for a walk before leaving, or by availing toys that will keep the dog active.
Some excellent toy choices include self-fetching toys and puzzle toys, which besides keeping the dog distracted, help to stimulate cognitive and problem-solving skills.
The beauty of most of these toys is that you can access them remotely via your smartphone, making it possible for you to play with your dog, even while you are away.
Conclusion
Even though separating from your furry pet can be tough, it is comforting to know that the above tips to keep your dog happy while you’re away are useful. Nonetheless, always monitor your pet before leaving and after you come back to confirm whether he or she is happy.
in Chandigarh, India. 
