cYour online guide to Toy dog breeds

Is Your Dog Home Alone?

Make your home a haven for Fido and ensure your own peace of mind

Does your dog have a sad face when you leave home in the morning?

I firmly believe that owning a dog is compatible with having a full-time job outside the home. You just need to use the right techniques and products to keep Fido occupied while you're gone.

You also need to minimize the possibility of incessant barking that riles your neighbors and results in police showing up on your doorstep.

Here's what has worked for me:

Create an indoor den

Leaving a dog alone outdoors all day is a terrible idea. It guarantees problems with the neighbors and behavior problems from your dog. Further, you can't protect your dog from sudden, bad weather.

Use a crate if you or a pet sitter come in during the day to let him out for a break. The rule of thumb is don't keep a dog in a crate longer than 4-hours at a stretch.

If no one is home, use a gate, that he can see out of, to create a den in a room such as the kitchen or laundry room.

Arrange a toilet area in the farthest part of the room using a doggy door to the outside or newspapers, pads or dog litter tray.

Create a haven

Don't let him have the run of the house especially if he's a puppy. A bored dog is a destructive dog and one that can harm himself by chewing or swallowing dangerous objects.

Have a favorite blanket, toy and comfortable bed in his crate or the room where you leave him during the day. He needs a comfortable place to nap during the day.

Create mental stimulation

I like to leave a Kong toy filled with peanut butter or other gooey treat. My dog happily spends the afternoon trying to get the treat. Another good toy is the Buster Cubes which can be filled with dry food.

Create pleasant sounds

Do you like to be a quiet house for hours on end? Leave the radio, TV or CD player on. Some owners tape their own voices and leave that playing all day. My dog loves classical music. Just make sure it's soothing music, no heavy metal bands, please.

Create sustenance  

I don't like to leave food out. Bored dogs can overeat just as bored humans do. However, I do think dogs should have drinking water available any time they want it. Try leaving a bowl or two of water for him. If you can afford it, use a water dispensing product.

Create a soothing environment

One of the newest products available is an electric diffuser that releases Dog Appeasing Pheromones (DAP). These mimic the natural pheromones produced by lactating bitches to reassure puppies.

One study showed a 70% reduction in barking and whining when the DAP was used. Sounds weird may be a scent-sible solution for whining puppies.

Create unemotional leaving and return 

Don't make a production when you leave and come home. Spend time with your dog (playing to tire him out and taking him to the potty) before you leave in the morning.

When you get home at night, try to wait 5 minutes before acknowledging him when you get home.

Consider - as a last resort - mood stabilizers

The drug clomipramine is sometimes prescribed for dogs that exhibit extreme hyperactivity or destructive behaviors when their owners are absent and when other treatments haven't been effective.

Think of it as Prozac for dogs. It's not addictive, but it's a last resort that should only be used under veterinarian control.

Recommend Products

(For information or to order, click on product photo or name/hyperlink)

Crate
DAP Dog Phenonems
Doggy Door (high tech)
Gate
Toy
Water Dispensing Unit
Music

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Crate

I like this one because no tools are required as it folds up and down (but watch your fingers). The double door is great because it gives two options for access and makes it easier to clean.

For dogs larger than 10 pounds, go to the next size:
Precision Pet Products 2-Door Great Crate (18"W X 24"D X 20"H; Black; For Pets Up To 25 lbs.)

Choose the size of crate that your dog will need when he reaches his full adult size. For most Toy breeds, that will be the smallest size which is $54.99. Remember your dog has to be able to stand up and turn around in the crate.

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DAP Dog Pheromones

Comfort Zone Diffuser with D.A.P. for Dogs (One 48 ml bottle; One refill) Calm your dog safely and naturally to reduce or eliminate excessive barking, destructive digging and chewing, or soiling with Comfort Zone. Female dogs secrete special pheromones while nursing their offspring. Called "appeasing pheromones", they act to comfort and reassure the puppies in times of stress. They have been shown to have the same effect on adult dogs as well. Comfort Zone with D.A.P has been formulated to mimic these pheromones to calm dogs of all ages and reduce or even completely stop undesirable stress-related behavior. Comfort Zone reduces or completely stops stress-related behavior including:barking, urination and defecation, whimpering and whining, and anxiety chewing. Comfort Zone helps comfort dogs and puppies in stressful situations such as: being alone in the house, visitors to the home, new pet or family member, moving to a new home, visits to the veterinarian, adjusting to a new environment, thunderstorms or fireworks. Convenient plug-in module gently releases D.A.P Dog Appeasing Pheromone for up to four weeks. Nontoxic and odorless. Not a drug or tranquilizer. Will not affect humans or other pets. $34.99

Doggy Door

North States Pet Gate (Fits Doorways 26-42" Wide; 26-42"Wx26"H) Pressure gate immediately and effortlessly creates a barrier for your pet. Deluxe 26" high gate adjusts easily to doorways 26" to 42" wide. Unique door sockets give pressure mounted Pet Gate extra holding power in doorways and openings. Works between wrought iron railings, or between wall and wrought iron railing. Use as a swing gate. Hardware included for easy swing mounting. Rounded edges will not pinch. Easy to clean plastic surfaces. $36.99

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Toy

KONGTime - Doggie Day Care in a Box () KONGTime is the perfect solution for removing any dog's boredom as it automatically dispenses food-filled KONG toys while you are away. Works with your dog's regular food, KONG Stuff'N Snaps and Paste. Replaces all or part of your dog's daily meal. Easy to use and clean. Counter-top or floor use. Compact and durable. Works with small, medium, and large KONG toys and is recommended for single dog households. 4 AA batteries included

This should keep most dogs interested. There's a beep before a toy dispenses. Batteries are long lasting. $79.99.

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Water Dispensing Unit

Drinkwell Platinum Pet Fountain (15" L x 9" W x 10" H; Fountain)
The Ultimate in Style and Design Our Most Advanced Pet Fountain

The Drinkwell Platinum pet fountain is the ultimate in style and design. This all new
design utilizes the same patented free-falling stream of water as the original Drinkwell which entices dogs to drink more water, keeping them happy, healthy and hydrated.

The Platinum features a new snap on lid to prevent accidental removal, a pre-filter
to catch large particles before they reach the motor, and a new submersible pump
for nearly silent operation.

With the same quality that consumers have come to rely on, the Drinkwell Platinum
is a culmination of 10 years experience in making pet fountains. Simple and Safe.
And proven to benefit your dog's health. The Drinwkell Pet Fountain is a great way to show your dogs just how much you care.

By using a 5-inch falling stream of water, the Pet Fountain continually aerates
your dog's water with healthful oxygen. A charcoal filter also removes bad tastes
and odors, giving your dog the best possible - and most appealing - way to stay hydrated!

Low voltage 12v system complete with inline disconnect. Dishwasher safe reservoir
included Snap On Lid to prevent accidental removal. Specially designed spout reduces
"Braiding" of water which helps to prevent splash and noise. Pre-Filter (Catches hair & particles before they reach the motor).

Rubber feet prevent sliding. $79.99

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Music

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Enjoy your dog and enjoy your life together.