Dogs are highly social creatures. Being alone can therefore be very stressful for them. Fortunately you can teach your pup to enjoy its own time, or at least to tolerate it. If you don’t teach your puppy this, you may end up with a dog that barks more, digs or chews. Or even a dog with a severe case of separation anxiety. That’s why it’s important to know how to teach a dog to be alone, so that teaching your dog to be alone is actually successful.
Step-by-step plan to teach your pup / dog to be alone:
With the right training you can teach your dog to be alone, which is essential for its well-being.
Teaching a dog to be alone must be done step by step, so that the dog feels comfortable during this training. It is important for the dog to build confidence in the process of learning to be alone.
- Initially leave your puppy alone every day for at least 30 minutes to an hour in his crate or puppy playroom. Gradually increase that time to two hours for a puppy three months and younger, or to four hours for a puppy three to six months old. Your puppy will begin to adjust to being alone and will learn a valuable lesson: the owner always comes back.
We recommend leaving your dog in a safe place, a spacious crate or a puppy playroom. So do not use your whole house to let him roam freely. Accidents can happen quickly.
You can buy a dog crate at bol.com, click here for the price. - Make the time your puppy is alone an important time. Make sure he can eat his meal then. If he has already eaten his regular meal, you can optionally fill a toy with a few kibble pieces or treats.
- Teach your dog that ‘quiet time’ is a good thing by showing him how to be calm. Interrupt his playtime occasionally with short, quiet pauses. Tell your dog to ‘lie down calmly’ and ask him to stay still for a few seconds. Then reward him and continue playing.
At first keep these intervals very short, only a few seconds long. When he is able to remain calm for these short periods, slowly build up to 10 or 20 seconds. Your dog will quickly learn that quiet time is followed by playtime and the waiting will never be more than he can handle.
Extra tip: Keep his alone time short at first (maximum 30 minutes). That way your dog can still remember that you will come back. Make the experience pleasant. Give him a few things he is allowed to chew on. Also always make sure he has already done his business and that there is some water available. If he cries, at least you know that he is not thirsty or hungry and that he does not need to go to the toilet.
It is crucial to create a positive experience during the process of teaching your dog to be alone. Make sure he feels safe in his environment.
If you follow the steps for teaching your dog to be alone, your dog will learn to be alone calmly, which will benefit your dog’s well-being.
Remember that training your dog to be alone is a process. Teaching a dog to be alone requires consistency and understanding.
Troubleshooting:
My puppy used to be fine being alone. But that stopped at some point. Now he cries every time I leave:
Chances are you went too far, too fast. Wait for a pause in the crying before going back inside. If he is back to chewing his chew toys or has calmed down, take another, much shorter break out of the room.
Start your next “being alone” training with an interval that you know your puppy can handle. And maintain that interval for a while. Once he can handle that, you can gradually add a few minutes…
My puppy goes into a frenzy when I leave him alone:
This can be a normal reaction. Your puppy can create quite a little storm when first left alone. You may also be surprised at how long he can keep crying and barking before taking a break. 5 to 10 minutes is normal, but it can feel like an eternity.
Rest assured that it is possible to teach a dog to be alone through patience and training. Every success, no matter how small, is a step forward.
Many dogs will try to chew at the crate door or paw at it in an attempt to push it. A final attempt to get to you. But they will eventually stop when it becomes clear that this will not work.
If you have questions about the process of teaching a dog to be alone, do not hesitate to seek help from a professional.
This behavior, however distressing, is to be expected when you start this type of training for the first time. Follow the steps above, make sure you do not keep your puppy in his crate for too long, and ensure that the toys you give him when you leave are well filled and loved.
When does your dog have separation anxiety and when should you take further steps, possibly with a dog trainer?
- He eats nothing or does not look at the treats you left for him.
- Destructive chewing or scratching at the exit, the door or his crate.
- If your dog’s nails, paw pads or teeth are worn or bloody, or he pants from exhaustion.
- Begging, whining, drooling and following you closely when you are ready to leave.
To get the most out of training your dog, it is essential to take the process of teaching your dog to be alone seriously.
Investing in books on teaching a dog to be alone can also be useful to gain more insight into training techniques.
Would you like some extra explanation? Please contact us.
Or buy a book about dog training at bol.com