Dog Training to be Confident When Alone

Dog Training to be Confident When Alone

Puppy Training to Enjoy Their Safe Space


There is so much preparation and work to do when bringing a new puppy home, and one that gets overlooked is the necessity of teaching them how to be okay with- and even enjoy- being home alone. Of course, you probably absolutely adore them and may be tempted to spend 24/7 with them, but eventually, you have to leave them home alone and it's more beneficial if they are properly equipped to be confident and calm rather than stressed in their relatively new environment with separation anxiety. 


Providing a safe confinement area is a great first step. They have likely never been alone- either with you or their littermates- and expecting them to automatically adjust from constant companionship is a tall order. A puppy pen you put together, a kennel, or even a small area closed off with gates if properly worked into can be seen as a safe relaxing place for them rather than a punishment. Help them associate it with positive things by feeding them meals inside it or having special toys only for that area. Once they're happy to enter it on their own, you can begin training them to be alone. 


Close the area off completely and leave them inside with some toys or a puzzle feeder- constructive activities to keep them distracted and give them something to do. Dogs or puppies alone in any area without distraction and constructive activities can be a setup for disaster. If they have nothing to do, they may find something less desirable to do. In addition, it will help them learn to be happy on their own. Quietly leave and return to the room after a few minutes, rewarding them with a treat and praise. Do it again, slowly increasing the amount of time you're away, and always reward them if they're calm when you return. Keep the praise gentle to not over-excite them so they don't immediately want to come out and be with you. The goal is that they won't perceive you leaving as a big deal or miss you as soon as you leave.

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Puppy Training to Enjoy Their

Safe Space


There is so much preparation and work to do when bringing a new puppy home, and one that gets overlooked is the necessity of teaching them how to be okay with- and even enjoy- being home alone. Of course, you probably absolutely adore them and may be tempted to spend 24/7 with them, but eventually, you have to leave them home alone and it's more beneficial if they are properly equipped to be confident and calm rather than stressed in their relatively new environment with separation anxiety.


Providing a safe confinement area is a great first step. They have likely never been alone- either with you or their littermates- and expecting them to automatically adjust from constant companionship is a tall order. A puppy pen you put together, a kennel, or even a small area closed off with gates if properly worked into can be seen as a safe relaxing place for them rather than a punishment. Help them associate it with positive things by feeding them meals inside it or having special toys only for that area. Once they're happy to enter it on their own, you can begin training them to be alone. 


Close the area off completely and leave them

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Speak With A Dog Training Expert

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inside with some toys or a puzzle feeder- constructive activities to keep them distracted and give them something to do. Dogs or puppies alone in any area without distraction and constructive activities can be a setup for disaster. If they have nothing to do, they may find something less desirable to do. In addition, it will help them learn to be happy on their own. Quietly leave and return to the room after a few minutes, rewarding them with a treat and praise. Do it again, slowly increasing the amount of time you're away, and always reward them if they're calm when you return. Keep the praise gentle to not over-excite them so they don't immediately want to come out and be with you. The goal is that they won't perceive you leaving as a big deal or miss you as soon as you leave the room. 

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Positive Dog Training at a Healthy Pace


If they whine or cry when left in the confinement area alone, either the training began before they fully associated it with positive things, or you have left them alone for too long. Don't immediately let them out because they'll learn that the whining gets them out and earns attention. Return to showing them the safe space can be a happy place, and once you're ready to train again shorten the time and then build it a little more slowly. 


Once they have learned to be confident and calm on their own and have mastered potty training and good behavior, you can move away from the specific confinement area and into leaving them at home alone one room at a time. Eventually, you want to be able to trust your dog with more freedom, knowing he or she will remain calm and self-assured. 


This process can take a while at the beginning, and if you don't have the time to be home with them you can find a trusted dog sitter or hire a professional trainer and they can also work on potty training at the same time. When your puppy has worked up to being alone for half of the day but not the full time you're away, a dog walker is also a great solution to give them companionship and attention when needed. If you need any assistance through this very important training process, Elite-K9 is just a call away!