Set your new dog up for success when you leave him or her home alone by following
these tips from Dr. E. Kathryn Meyer of the Veterinary Behavior Clinic in Gaithersburg.
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When training your puppy, it’s best to keep the dog confined to a crate or designated area of the house while you’re gone. You can allow supervised access to the whole house for 15 or 30 minutes and work up to longer periods.
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Pick up anything that might be attractive to your dog that could fit in his mouth or anything that might resemble a toy—remote controls, shoes, socks, sunglasses, children’s retainers or mouth guards, pillows.
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Make sure all food is secured. Don’t leave anything on kitchen counters.
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Buy dog-proof trash cans or put your receptacles behind a closed door or well out of reach.
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Shut all bathroom doors. Dogs like to get into everything from toilet paper to toothbrushes.
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Leave chew toys and treats to keep your dog occupied while you’re away—but make sure they don’t pose a choking hazard; consult your vet about the appropriate size and type for your dog.
