With all the changes fall brings with it, one of the most important changes pet parents will transition into is leaving their dogs at home, alone, more often. Back to the classroom, back to more office days or just more running around can have your dog looking for something else to do that will cost you a new shoe or sock. A little pet safety in the home can go a long way, especially when your dog is being left alone a little longer than usual.

There are 3 things to consider when you’re starting out with dog proofing your house:

1. What is in your dog’s line of sight? Assessing your room from the height of your dog can help identify unsafe objects that you may have missed from your level.

2. Does your dog jump up on things? If you have a dog that can easily jump up on things and enjoys chewing after jumping, you may need to move some furniture around.

3. Where does your dog like to rest? Blankets and beds should never be placed over top or near electrical outlets or cords, fans, fireplaces or heaters.

Once you have an idea of what your dog is capable of when left to their own time, you can begin to piece together a plan on how to dog proof your house so it’s still together when you come back to it. Try following these safety tips to make sure your dog makes the most of their time alone without getting into trouble.

Keep your counters clean. Sometimes it can be a rush to get out of the door leaving behind some opened food and random things on the counter, which can be just close enough for a dog that enjoys jumping or putting their paws up. Their curiosity can have them counter surfing with any smells or leftover food. 

Always put things away before leaving the house. Put all trash in the trashcan and close that lid, making sure it’s securely on so you don’t come home to a dog that has rummaged through. All electrical wires should be put away or covered up enough that they won’t spark any interest in your dog. If your pup enjoys ripping apart plush toys or dog beds, place those things out of reach or in a closed closet so they don’t ingest anything while you’re not home. Also make sure your cabinets are closed (and possibly latched if paws and noses are good enough to open them) and anything else that creates interest in your dog that is lying around is behind closed doors.

Close your windows. Before leaving the house, make sure you always secure and lock your windows because even the smallest of openings can be a great opportunity for your dog to be too curious and open the window, possibly getting through the screen and making their great escape. If you need to leave a window open for ventilation, make sure it’s only a couple of inches and not enough for a pet to squeeze through.

Don’t leave your pet in the yard unsupervised. Whether you’re running an errand and will be back in a half hour or your dog is supposed to be used to being outside by themselves while you’re gone, you shouldn’t ever leave your pet outside alone when you’re not home. The risk of your dog escaping and running away is too high when you’re not there, so always make sure they are secured in the house before leaving.

Use blankets and sheets to help with your furniture. If you have a dog that enjoys the couch or the comfy chairs and you’re concerned about them being on it while you’re gone, use blankets or sheets on top to help with any nails snagging the fabric or getting too much dog hair on the couch. You can also teach your dog that a blanket or sheet means ‘off limits’ if you don’t want them on anything while you’re not there to supervise.

Don’t leave anything on low surfaces that is fragile, valuable or contains medications. Low standing nightstands, coffee tables, side tables and low hanging shelves with fragile, valuable or medications can be a huge hazard if your dog likes to knock things over or is super curious. Make sure anything left on those low lying areas is something that is not of interest to your dog and doesn’t contain anything that will put your dog in danger health wise. 

Establish off-limits areas. Giving access to the whole house can be a lot, so establishing some areas that are off-limits to your dog can help keep them from getting into trouble. Close doors to rooms you don’t want them in while you’re gone, put up baby gates to give them limited access to rooms or give them just one room that they can be in while you’re gone. Creating smaller spaces for them creates less items they can access and get into.

Food isn’t the only thing to think about in the kitchen. Dogs have been known to eat all sorts of small items like twisty ties, bread slips and even sponges, so make sure to put all small objects in cabinets and drawers. ALso, all knives should be put away and not left on the counter in case you have a jumper that knocks them down. 

Use technology to your advantage. Technology has come a long way for pets and allows pet parents to keep an eye on their furry friends when they have to be away from the house, so start using it to your advantage! There are dog monitors and cameras that can be a great way to check in on your dog to see how they are doing if you’re concerned about leaving them alone too long.

But technology can’t beat having someone let your dog out for some fresh air - so hire a local dog walker! Probably the best thing you can do for your dog if they are going to be home for an extended part of the day is to hire a local dog walker to help get out their zoomies and to save your house. Getting them a 30 minute walk while you’re at the office can do wonders for everyone and helps to break up your dog’s long day alone. Going Mutts Pet Services is your local dog walking company in the Lancaster area that wants to help with all of your pet care needs!

Eventually your dog will learn boundaries and that occupying their time with their own toys has a better outcome than chewing mom and dads shoes and socks. Making sure you have a small checklist before leaving each day can help set your pup up for success while they’re home alone and also put pet parents at ease while they can’t be home. 

Sources:

https://www.petmd.com/dog/care/10-pet-safety-tips-when-your-dog-home-alone

https://www.aspcapetinsurance.com/resources/how-to-pet-proof-your-home/

https://www.dailypaws.com/living-with-pets/pet-friendly-home/dog-proofing-your-home-and-yard