Leaving the Dog Alone

If no one is at home all day and then the dog is unnoticed when you are home, chances are there that the dog will bark all day long.

To pay attention to this problem, first you must understand that a dog requires notice and work outs just like we do. By going through each reason for barking and trying to relate them with your dog, is one step closer to solving that problem. It makes no logic to get a dog just to transfer it to the back garden never to interrelate with what is believed to be his human family. Do not get a dog if you have no time to spend with it. And try to take into consideration the altering tendency of your family. Life transforms in due course but that dog will still be there and wanting notice, concern and work outs. 

If you have to be gone for a long span of time, there are more than a few things you can do to help out your dog deal with being unaccompanied. First off, try to make him accustomed to you departing and returning back. You would like him to know you do return back and he has not been cast off.

After that, make your dog used to you being not here for a longer span of time. Do not just let him to be on his own for hours on end at the same time. Your dog, and this should be taught to him as a puppy, has to get accustomed to a longer period unaccompanied one step at a time. It may perhaps need a weekend of training or even longer. Begin with a very small absence and work your way up.

When it comes to having to be left alone, however, your dog must learn to accept being alone without causing a ruckus. There is little more annoying to neighbours than being forced to listen to someone else’s dog bark nonstop.

Whining, barking, or howling when left alone should not be tolerated. It is easier to prevent in a puppy than it is to correct in an adult dog. However, even a lonely barker can be cured in an afternoon or evening if you arm yourself with patience and whatever acting talent you possess.

You must pretend to leave your dog alone, telling him to “Guard the house”, and that you will be “back soon”. As soon as your dog starts to bark or howl, you must burst furiously into your home, saying “Bad Dog” or “No!” A single experience may be enough to make it clear to your dog that his barking displeases you.

When your dog is duly impressed by your dissatisfaction, you should forgive him, settle him down, tell him to “Guard the House” and leave again. Be patient and hope for the best. If your dog has not barked within 5 or 10 minutes, you can be almost certain that he has learned his lesson. But if he resumes his barking, you must repeat the entire scenario, and repeat it as often as necessary.

As a final scene, stay away for a brief time, and when he hasn’t barked, return, greet him fondly and praise him. Then reward him with a treat or a walk, whichever he prefers. The next day you can test him by making a point of leaving him alone for a short period of time. Chances are that he will pass the test.