Home alone

Leaving your puppy home alone

Dr. Isabelle Demontigny-Bédard, a veterinarian specializing in behavioural medicine, tells you how you can help your puppy feel less alone during your absence.

Leaving your puppy home alone

Dr. Isabelle Demontigny-Bédard, a veterinarian specializing in behavioural medicine, tells you how you can help your puppy feel less alone during your absence.

Why this is important?

Scientific studies have shown that some dogs have more trouble staying home without their owners than others. Even when they’re puppies, some will be excessively loud, have a hard time relaxing and even become destructive. This behaviour can be a normal level of activity for a puppy or the result of an lack of chew toys. On the other hand, this behaviour may persist over the long term in some dogs. It is thus important to ensure that your young pet behaves itself when you are not around.

How to do this?

A cage can be a useful tool to limit messes made by a puppy and to teach where and when they can relieve themselves. Before leaving them alone in a cage, it is important to help them get used to it and associate it positively with things such as food, toys or snacks in your company.

Leaving your puppy alone at home for short periods and setting up a camera before leaving them alone for the work day will allow you to see how they are behaving when you are away. You can also monitor their stress levels.

What can go wrong along the way

If your puppy isn’t able to relax when you are not around, this may be caused by separation anxiety. If this is the case, the problem should be treated as quickly as possible. Your veterinarian can help you choose the option best suited to your pet.

Do you have other questions?

Don’t hesitate to contact the Passionimo veterinary hospital closest to you.