Back to School: Your Dog’s Home

Getting ready for back to school? This week we’ve been sharing back to school tips for your dog provided by Bark Busters, the world’s largest dog training company. Today’s tip: providing your dog his own “home” while you’re away:

• Crate: Most dogs love the safety of a crate. Because they are descended from animals that live in dens, a crate is a natural shelter for a dog because it has the same characteristics of a den. If your dog hasn’t been crate trained, don’t start training him the day the kids leave for school. That’s too late and can actually add to his back to school stress. If you haven’t crate trained yet, start slowly. When your dog has become accustomed to his new crate, do not leave him there for extended periods of time. How long is too long? If you plan to be away longer than 10 hours for a dog and 6 hours for a puppy, ask a friend to come by to let your dog out to toilet during that time.

• Laundry room: If your dog will be inside all day and you are worried about him toileting in the house, enclose him in a small room (which inhibits the tendency to toilet) and has an easy-clean floor of vinyl or tile (just in case). Be sure to add a soft bed and toys in the room for him (see yesterday’s tip on preventing dog boredom).

• Doghouse: If your dog will be kept outside while you are gone, make sure he has a shelter in which to get out of the weather. Dogs are more relaxed when they are covered and in familiar surroundings. Place the doghouse next to the house so that he feels like it is an extension of the larger “den,” and provide a blanket or other comfy bedding.

Related posts:

1. Going Back to School: Separation Anxiety
2. Going Back to School: Preventing Boredom
3. Back to School: Identifying Separation Anxiety
4. Preparing for Fourth of July Fireworks
5. Bringing a Dog Home from Mexico