Tails from the trail and tips on training your human

Leaving Your Dog Unsupervised? Here are some Do’s and Don’ts

By Bobby Davidson on May 18, 2021

Dog Unsupervised - Happy Breath

A pet is a big responsibility. Whether it’s a cat, dog, or even a goldfish, making sure they are taken care of, are well-fed, and most importantly loved, take the owner’s energy and time.

Against this backdrop, pet owners have their lives too. With it comes the responsibility of running errands where you cannot take your pets along with you.

Leaving them unsupervised for a bit would seem like an ideal option. But leaving our furry friends alone also comes with a lot of guilt.

Ideally, your decision of leaving them unsupervised depends on a few things such as:

1) Age – If your dog is a puppy, say about 11-14 weeks, it is recommended to leave it unsupervised for 1-3 hours.  If your puppy 17 weeks or older, it can be left alone for 4-5 hours.

2) Breed­ – Low maintenance and peaceful dogs such as a Chow-Chow, French bulldog, or a Basset Hound can be left alone unsupervised for some time. However, if you have a dog that demands attention and loves being around people, such as an American Pitbull Terrier, then it may be a bad idea to leave them alone for a long stretch.

3) Its bladder control – Puppies need to be tended to after every two hours for peeing because their bladder capacity is not a lot. If you leave it unsupervised for a long time, it may wet its crate or places in your house.

4) Whether or not your dog has separation anxiety – You can see if your dog becomes extra hyper after you return home after leaving it alone for some time. This is usually a sign of separation anxiety, and you may want to establish a routine to normalize being unsupervised.

However, even if you have considered the above before leaving your dog unsupervised, you must ensure that they are appropriately taken care of and are not distressed by your absence. So what can you do to make sure your pet dog is taken care of? Here are some things you should do:

1) Do confine them: Kenneled dogs or dogs in the crate are a good way to leave them unsupervised for some time. You should prepare a bed and fill their water bowl to spend all their time inside, sleeping or lying.

2) Do leave their toys around: Before leaving, make sure your dog’s chewable toys are in front of them. So they can keep busy while you’re away. However, make sure some toys are that are not easily chewed or ingested as they may cause choking.

3)Do spend some quality time before leaving: If you suspect you will be leaving your furry friend for a long time, then try to spend some time beforehand by either taking them for a walk or playing with them.

4) Do hire a dog walker: Split time between leaving them unsupervised and handing them over to a dog walker. If you leave your dog daily for 6-7 hours, you can hire a dog walker to do a quick check-in. This way, your dog will be supervised for some time while you have been away.

5) Do keep a Food dispensing toy: These toys keep dogs busy and fulfilled. It is interactive and keeps dogs entertained at lengths. There are many types of food-dispensing toys you can choose from. Pick out its favorite one or one that is more interactive.

6) Do dog-proof the room: This is for its own safety, including the safety of your house. Lock the bathroom or put down any lids which may arouse their curiosity.

If you already knew the above do’s of leaving your dogs unsupervised, then read below for what you shouldn’t do. Knowing what not to do may ensure your dog’s safety in the long run.

1) Don’t leave them unsupervised for long: This one seems pretty obvious, but it’s good to reinforce it if you plan to leave for a longer time. You can begin by leaving them unattended for an hour and then gradually increase it to two hours. A good rule is to don’t leave them unsupervised for long at once.

2) Don’t leave them in unfamiliar places: You should not leave your dog unsupervised in an area that is not known to them. Doing so may distress them, which can make them destructive. Dog breeds known to be destructive can cause quite a stir if left alone in a new place.

3) Don’t leave out toys that can cause them to choke: This is true if your dog has many toys. These could be a ball, or a stick, or anything that can easily pass through their windpipe.

4) Don’t forget to hide the stuff that makes it curious: If you know what makes your dog curious, then hide them before leaving it unsupervised. For example, it could be the garbage can, kitchen utensils, or just about anything.

5) Don’t leave the main gates open: Always remember to keep your main gates locked, so there is no chance of your dog running away. If you have low-lying windows, then make sure they are also taken care of as you don’t want your dog to be missing when you return.

6) Moreover, leaving the TV on is not a good idea since your dog’s barks may subdue against the TV noise. You may leave it on mute if you want, but you should select things you know won’t make your dog unruly.

Bottom line

If your dog is well adjusted to being left alone for long periods, then you are lucky. However, if you plan on leaving them unsupervised, establish a routine and gradually progress. Consider these do’s and don’ts and make them a part of your routine.

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.
FacebookXLinkedInPinterestEmail