Tails from the trail and tips on training your human

Leaving Dogs Alone | Have you ever had to rush to attend to an emergency but didn’t know where to leave your untrained pup? Or have a busy work week coming up that will keep you away longer?

If this sounds like you, this article is meant for you. There is no denying that getting a pet is a big responsibility that comes with many learning moments. If you’re a dog parent, it is likely that you have had to leave your dog unattended for a few hours as you went about the day.

Although you may not want to leave your furry friend alone, there are some precautions you can take to ensure they are protected and taken care of.

However, before you even think of leaving your pet unsupervised, you should consider some of the following factors.

Dog Breed

Some dog breeds, such as golden retrievers, are family pets, and hence they love being around people. It may be difficult to leave them as it may cause an emotional reaction. However, some dog breeds such as Basset Hounds can be left to their devices as they can manage fine without their owner for a few hours.

Bladder Control

If your dog is untrained when it comes to relieving itself, you may have trouble leaving it unattended for long hours. This is because some dogs have a weak bladder that requires them to pee frequently. You may have to take them outside to pee if they are not fully trained to do so on their own.

Age

If your pet is a puppy (younger than two years), then it is not a good idea to leave it alone for too long at once. Like a baby, a puppy needs care and attention and relies on its mother or the owner. However, if your dog is above the age of two, you can leave it alone for 7-8 hours.

Attitude

Finally, you should consider your pet’s behavior and attitude. If they get emotional too easily, then they may have separation anxiety once you leave them. If the reaction is severe initially, you may have difficulty leaving it alone the next time you want to.

If you have considered these factors and have decided you can leave dogs alone for a few hours, the following guide is for you.

Here are some tips you can follow:

1. Leave Them Alone Gradually

One easy way you can accustom your dog to being left alone for some time is by leaving them alone a little at a time. Don’t try to leave your dog alone at once for a long stretch. This may be new for them, and they may get a bit disturbed by this. What you should do is try leaving them alone for an hour, then increase this time slowly to however many hours you want to. The idea is to make them used to your absence, slowly and gradually.

2. Play With Them a Bit Before Leaving

Before you leave dogs alone for a long time, try to play with them so they are happy and slightly tired. This will ensure that once you go away, they have immediate memories of you that get them through the period of your absence. Not only this, but play can make them tired, which will allow them to sleep for some time after you’re gone.

3. Fill Their Water Bowl

Depending on how many hours you plan on leaving them unsupervised, you should fill their water bowl and keep it in sight. This is to avoid dehydration as you may not give them water as you normally would have.

4. Take Out Their Food Dispensing Bowl

When you’re filling their water bowl, make sure you also fill their food dispensing bowl so they are able to eat. Usually, a food dispensing bowl is a good idea since it can keep your pet busy for a little while. However, if you don’t have a food-dispensing bowl, a normal bowl would do just fine. Just keep it in your dog’s sight and with only enough food that’s good for them.

5. Display All Their Favorite Toys

Try to keep all their favorite toys on display, so they have enough options to keep them busy. However, make sure you sort all those toys that are harmful or a choking hazard to minimize any chance of an accident.

6. Hide Away Anything That Makes Them Curious

Since ensuring dog safety is a vital aspect of leaving them alone, you should stow away all items that spark their curiosity. These items may include wires, trash cans, mirrors, or anything else that you are sure will attract your dog or cause a ruckus in your absence.

7. Lock All Doors and Windows

Moreover, make sure you lock all doors and close all windows tightly before leaving your dog unsupervised. This is important to ensure dog safety as they run outside or out of the main gate, which is a troublesome issue on its own. As extra precaution, ensure you have put a dog collar with a name tag, just in case.

8. Hire a Dog Walker

Finally, if your budget allows, you should hire a dog walker so they can drop by and check in while you’re away. Moreover, a dog walker can take your furry friend on a walk or play with it for some time to ensure they have an enjoyable day. However, make sure to arrange for one in advance so your dog can learn to trust them while you’re away.

The Bottom Line

It’s definitely not easy leaving your furry pet alone. However, at times, there is no option but to leave them unattended for a while as responsibilities and chores call. You may leave them alone, but it’s always a good idea to ensure proper care and safety precautions beforehand. Moreover, upon your return, make sure to give your pet ample time so they are not in any distress. As such, give them their favorite treat, so they are back to their normal self.

by Bobby J Davidson

We are in business to provide great products for the outdoorsy hikers, campers and their dogs; and to help clean our parks, rivers and oceans for a better planet earth for hikers and their dogs.

Parks Clean

Parks are high-traffic areas in most cities. This means that trash is bound to show up in and around your park and playground.

When discussing ways your family can help clean your local park, don’t overlook a literal cleanup! Picking up trash will make a huge difference in the appearance and vibe of your park. A clean area will encourage others to keep the park pristine. When picking up trash and debris, make sure to wear gloves to protect yourself, and put trash in appropriate receptacles or lawn bags. You can also contact your local trash company to schedule a pickup when you are finished.

Rivers Clean

The storm drain on your street collects the water from your roof, driveway, and sidewalk and funnels it directly in your local lake or river. Nutrients from grass and leaves, pet waste, and fertilizers “enrich” our lakes and streams — feeding algae blooms and harming fish. Chemicals from washing your car in the drive and household chemical spills add up, taking a nasty toll on our favorite swimming areas and fishing spots. Soil can also be picked up by runoff, reducing the clarity of water and hurting fish.

So as you prepare your lawn and garden, here are a few helpful tips to keep our lakes and rivers beautiful and safe for all of us.

Use mulch and vegetation to keep soil from washing away.
Sweep or rake grass and leaves away from street curbs.
Mulch and compost grass clippings and leaves.
Keep paved surfaces to a minimum.
Capture water runoff with a rain garden and rain barrels.
Wash your car on the grass, where the water will get filtered.
Keep chemicals away from storm drains.
Collect your pet’s waste.
Aim your rain-gutter downspouts onto grass.

Beaches Clean (do it for the ocean)

In 2007, the United States Senate and House of Representatives passed the National Clean Beaches Week Resolution to recognize the value of beaches to the American way of life and the important contributions of beaches to the economy, recreation, and natural environment of the United States.

Clean Beaches Week, celebrated annually July 1-7, offers the perfect opportunity to encourage stewardship and volunteerism along our coastlines. But where do you even begin? Follow these tips to get started.

Identify a clean-up site. Choose a place that needs some TLC, making sure that volunteers can safely access the site. Get permission, if needed, for your clean-up event, perhaps from the local parks agency.
Choose a site coordinator. (That might be you!) A beach clean-up takes a lot of work and needs an organized person to keep everything on track before, during, and after the event.
Visit the site in advance. The coordinator will need to know where to set up a volunteer check-in station, where to leave trash and recyclables, and what area(s) volunteers will clean.
Gather supplies. Depending on your location, you’ll need supplies such as trash bags, a first aid kit, hand sanitizer, wipes, and large coolers of water. You should also provide (or ask volunteers to bring) items such as reusable work/garden gloves, reusable water bottles, sunscreen, and bug spray.
Plan how to handle the recyclables. Reach out to recyclers in your area (and perhaps your community’s solid waste departments) to make arrangements for accepting any glass, plastic, and aluminum that you collect.
Line up event partners. Contact local businesses for donations of drinks, food, and supplies. Ask a local solid waste hauler to donate their services for trash removal.
Plan for handling hazardous waste. Determine how you’ll dispose of any medical and sewage waste you might find. One solution: A wide-mouth container with a tight-fitting lid, such as an empty laundry detergent bottle. Clearly label that it contains hazardous waste.
Get volunteers to help. Recruit friends, family, co-workers, and neighbors. Create an event on Facebook and ask volunteers to sign up online. This will give you an idea of how many people to expect and will help communicate event details.
Stay safe. Be prepared for a variety of health emergencies, from minor cuts and scrapes to heat stroke.
Take photos! Post pics online to share the success of your event and recognize volunteers for their hard work.