Housebound Dogs (2 page)

Observe the dogs at the center. Are they sociable with staff, visitors, and the other dogs? Do they seem cheerful, relaxed, and otherwise enjoying themselves? Or are they edgy and wary of the staff?

Are the dogs allowed to mingle and play with each other, or are they kept isolated and confined in crates or cages?

Trust your instincts and your dog's, even if the center's owner presents himself as the expert. If the center's methods are contrary to your good sense or if your dog seems uncomfortable with the staff, don't leave your dog there. Do not leave your dog at a center that uses physical discipline, such as hitting or choke collars, or that keeps the dogs isolated in cages for most of the day. You do not want to put your pet in that kind of situation. Even one incident of abuse can traumatize him enough to cause long-term behavior problems.

When investigating a doggie day care, be sure that each dog has his own midsize personal space complete with a bed and a few of his favorite toys
.

Aside from arrangements you can make to cut down on the number of hours your dog is alone, there are other important decisions to make. What accommodations will you provide for your dog while you are out? Will he be confined or free? How will he relieve himself if he has to urinate? Read on for solutions.

Many dogs love their crate. They use it as their private retreat, a hide-away for a nap or to gnaw on a favorite toy. But even a well-trained, crate-loving, full-grown dog shouldn't be kept in the crate for longer than 9 hours at a time, and most of us work longer hours than that.
On the other hand, it's risky to allow a dog the run of the house when she is not properly housebroken, when she is still in the chewing stage, or if she is generally rambunctious or mischievous. She could get into things that you'd rather have left alone, whether because they could harm her or because you'd rather not have them chewn to pieces, urinated on, or covered in dog hair.

The best option is a compromise. Create an area of the house where the dog can hang out safely. Give her a space big enough that she can stretch out and walk around a little, but not necessarily an 8 x 10-foot room. Put a gate securely across the doorway so she can look out but not get out. Make sure the gate is too high for her to jump.

If your dog is not housebroken or is prone to accidents, use an area that is not carpeted, if possible. If you must use a carpeted area, put down a heavy plastic runner or a tarp. Secure the edges so it will not pull up. Spread some newspapers in one corner if there is any possibility that your dog will need to relieve herself before you get home. There are even disposable pads you can buy specifically for this purpose. It's also a good idea to make provisions for elimination if your schedule is such that you never know how long you'll be away each day. Then you and your dog won't have to worry if you're delayed and she just can't wait any longer.

If your dog sleeps in a crate, put the crate in the room, too. But do so only if there is enough space for her to move around outside of the crate. Remove the crate door or secure it in an open position so that the dog doesn't accidentally get locked in.

Other items you should leave in the gated area include:

A sturdy water dish filled daily with fresh water

One or two of her favorite playthings

A chew toy

A kennel mat or a blanket for napping on

Leave your dog's favorite snoozing bed in the gated area. The familiar scent and texture will comfort him during his time alone
.

It is usually not necessary to leave food for your dog while you are out. Generally, dogs need to eat only twice a day. However, water is absolutely essential to canine health and should be available to your dog at all times. Never leave your dog without any water.

It doesn't take long to learn that when your dog is bored, he can inflict some serious damage on his surroundings by chewing and clawing on whatever is within reach. Happily, there are many ways to alleviate a housebound dog's boredom. What works best for your dog will depend in part on his temperament. Some dogs love toys and will play for hours with them. Other dogs are quite content as long as they can watch the goings-on outside a window.

As discussed in the previous section, the best setup for a housebound dog is a secure, small space. However, don't leave your dog in a room and shut the door; it's too isolating. (Just imagine sitting in a closed room in an empty, silent house for hours every day, and you'll understand how quickly this can lead to boredom.) Instead, use a sturdy gate to keep him out of the rest of the house. If possible, arrange your dog's space so he can look out a window. Most dogs find it comforting and entertaining to watch the traffic and neighbors go by. If your dog is particularly territorial or anxious, however, he may get stirred up by seeing people or other dogs and would be best served by
not
having a window.

Some dogs detest a silent house and will benefit from some background noise. Try leaving on a radio near his room. You'll have to do some detective work and watch your dog closely to see whether he enjoys having the radio on or doesn't seem to care.

Even if your dog is not a big fan of toys, it won't hurt to set out a few before you leave. Rotate them from day to day for variety. Some dogs just like to have their things nearby, even if they don't actually play with them. However, there are many interesting and amusing dog toys on the market these days. You are likely to find at least one that will appeal to your dog. Browse in pet stores, catalogs, or pet-supply sites on the Internet.