The biggest challenge I’ve ever had to face with Luna is her separation anxiety. She’s great with people. Decent with other dogs. But when it comes time to leave her at home, HIDE YOUR VALUABLES. For a long time that’s actually the approach we took (after trying and failing at keeping her in her crate). Over the years, we’ve learned MANY valuable lessons and lost a few pairs of shoes. Thankfully we have it mostly managed and she’s much more comfortable being on her own.
If you have a dog with similar anxiety or destructive behaviors when left at home alone, be sure to keep reading. I’m sharing a few of my favorite ideas to keep your dog entertained or busy when you can’t be with them.
This post also continues the 2018 Stocking Stuffer Giveaways with Day #7. Today’s giveaway is provided by DOGTV. If you haven’t heard of DOGTV (or tried it) yet, keep on reading! It’s a great option to help reduce your dog’s stress and anxiety while they are at home by themselves.
Affiliate links are used in this post and I may receive a commission if you click and/or purchase from the link to help support this blog. Do not worry, these links do not affect the price of products.
Disclaimer: DOGTV provided product free to review. I am being compensated to help spread the word about DOGTV. I received no other compensation or additional benefits for mentioning the brands or products in this post. The opinions and ideas in this post are my own and are uninfluenced by any other person or business. DOGTV is responsible for all giveaway prizes including shipping.
How to Keep Your Dog Entertained When You’re Away From Home
Stuff a KONG
A definite classic. You can stuff a KONG with peanut butter, yogurt, banana, fruit, kibble, or even your dog’s favorite treats. This will keep your dog busy a while when you are gone. Freeze it to make it last even longer. You can pick up a KONG at pretty much any pet store or order one from Amazon. They even have a few different options for puppies or aggressive chewers in multiple size options. West Paw also makes a few good options including the Tux.
Fill a Food Dispensing Toy
Food dispensing toys are another option for keeping food motivated pups busy when you’re away from home. These toys are interactive and require your dog to physically play with them to get the food or treats out. This encourages them to move around and solve a puzzle to get the prize inside. Some of my favorite options are the PetSafe Tug-A-Jug, KONG Wobbler, StarMark Bob-A-Lot, PetSafe Magic Mushroom, and Planet Dog Snoop.
Turn on the TV
TV designed specifically for dogs that is! TV can help drown out outside noise that may cause unnecessary stress in your dog, but also provide visual and mental stimulation to keep your dog occupied when you can’t be with them. It can help to avoid stress, boredom, and possible destructive behaviors.
DOGTV is a subscription based service that provides TV just for dogs 24/7. You can stream it online or using any streaming device (ROKU, Apple TV, etc.). The content on DOGTV is scientifically developed to provide the correct company for when your dog is left at home alone. It was created specifically taking into consideration a dog’s vision, hearing, and natural behavior patterns.
If you’re interested in trying out DOGTV for 30 days, be sure to sign up with our referral link to get a free month of access to DOGTV – http://dogtv.refr.cc/jessicas
Scatter Toys Around the House
If your dog loves his toys, try hiding them in different corners of your house before you leave. That will encourage your dog to explore and possible stumble upon a different toy as they are moving around. This provides both mental and physical stimulation that your dog needs. Giving them something good to do will also hopefully help reduce destructive behaviors from anxiety and boredom.
You can also try only giving them their favorite toys when you are away. That way they associate something good with you leaving rather than it being all negative.
Set Up a Treat Scavenger Hunt
A different alternative to the idea above with treats instead of toys. If your dog eats kibble, you can also hide that instead. This will cause them to explore and look for hidden treats while you’re gone, which will provide them with both physical and mental stimulation.
If you’re gone for a while, consider hiding stuffed KONGs or food dispensing toys instead of just treats by themselves. This will take a bit longer for your dog to work out.
Tire Them Out First
If you have a puppy or just a generally high energy dog, the best strategy may be to tire them out before you head out the door. You can go for a long walk or run, hit up the dog park, spend time training, or anything else that you and your dog enjoy doing together. If they expend enough energy before you leave, hopefully they will want to rest while you’re gone.
Get Another Dog
Okay, so this is only partially serious. Only even consider this option if you have the time, money, space, and general means to afford adding another dog to your family. Remember you have them for life! But, adding Ralph to our family drastically helped with Luna’s separation anxiety and the added company has improved how she does when she is home alone significantly.
It’s also definitely not a guaranteed result because not all dogs get along. If you are considering this at all, be sure to have your existing pup meet the new one before you agree to bring them home. Most rescues should be okay with this because they want to make sure the dogs they are adopting out have the best life possible and want to avoid any possible issues right from the beginning.
About DOGTV
I wasn’t sure how Ralph or Luna would react when I first put on DOGTV. We had previously just been leaving on a random TV channel to help drown out stressful noises when we had to leave them at home alone. But they started watching right away! The sounds and visual content definitely caught their attention and continued to keep their interest as it changed.
DOGTV aims to provide scientifically created visual content to help create confident and happy dogs with less stress, separation anxiety, or boredom. DOGTV also works with The Humane Society of the United States to help keep dogs happy and in their homes forever. Every time a dog enjoys DOGTV, they are helping to support The HSUS’s Pets for Life program.
Right now DOGTV has a special holiday offer with their Canine Enrichment Holiday Box. It’s an $85 value that is currently available for only $59. The contents include a 6-month subscription to DOGTV, Only Natural Pet Beef Trachea Chips, Only Natural Pet Pure Green Beef Tripe, Zippy Paws Santa Toy, DOGTV Water Bowl, and a DOGTV Waste Bag Dispenser.
Interested in trying DOGTV out? Sign up with our referral link and get 30 days free – http://dogtv.refr.cc/jessicas
If you want to learn more about DOGTV, be sure to follow them on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram! Don’t forget to check out the DOGTV website too.
FOUR lucky Beagles & Bargains readers will receive a DOGTV Holiday Gift Box or 6-month Subscription!
Residents of the United States are eligible to enter via the Rafflecopter below. Entries must be submitted by 11:59 PM EST on Saturday, December 22, 2018. Winners will be notified via email within 48 hours of the giveaway closing and will have 48 hours to respond and claim their prize.
Two (2) winners will receive one (1) DOGTV Holiday Gift Box. Estimated value is $85. Two (2) winners will receive one (1) DOGTV 6-month Subscription. Estimated value is $60.
Don’t forget to check out our Holiday Guide!
And don’t miss any of the 10 Stocking Stuffer Giveaways!
Does your dog watch TV? How do you currently keep your dog entertained when you’re away from home?
Want to save these ideas for later? Save “7 Ways to Keep Your Dog Entertained When You’re Away” by pinning the image below on Pinterest!
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