Preparations for Leaving Your Dog Alone for A Long Time
2009-01-31

One of the biggest mistakes humans make is making it a big deal when we leave. No long, emotional goodbyes. You don't want to give your dog attention, then turn around and shut a door in his face. About 20 minutes before you leave don't pay attention to him. This helps minimize the contrast between your presence and absence.

Teach your animals to spend time alone. They won't love you less for it and their time alone soon will be spent resting up for your return instead of mouthing everything you own just to feel closer to you or trying to dig their way to wherever you are. An animal prepared for its owner to be away means intact possessions and a happy furry companion.

Dee Harrell Mooring is executive director of Pets In Need, the first no-kill animal rescue and adoption shelter serving the Peninsula and Silicon Valley.

Never make a big deal of your departure.

Separation anxiety can also occur before you even leave.

My dogs seem to have a sixth sense for knowing when I'm leaving. They follow me from room to room, whine, jump and bark at me. They love to go bye-bye, but have come to understand that they can't go with me every time I leave the house.

I leave my shoes by the door, otherwise I'd never make it out of my bedroom holding them. Dogs are smart. They will come to associate being left alone with the sound of keys rattling and shoes being put on.

Since you can't always leave your shoes and keys outside, leaving them by the door will keep you from tripping over your dog while you're trying to make your way out.

Don't make an issue out of your leaving by over-comforting your dog. He doesn't know what your saying for the most part, so playing with him before you leave or having long, drawn-out goodbyes will only excite him and leave him that much more worked up and dissapointed when you're gone