Dogs thrive on the affection and care of human beings, but we can’t be with our dogs at every moment. We have jobs to attend to, family responsibilities to consider, and let’s not forget our much-needed social time. What’s perhaps most difficult for our four-legged friends, though, is our longer-term absences: business trips, vacations, holiday getaways. If your Dog is already whimpering at the sight of your suitcase, or if you’re just concerned about leaving your dog alone for 10 hours a day, consider some important points to keep her happy and healthy while you’re away.

Dogs Need Obedience Training

According to WebMD, it takes an average of 4 to 6 months to fully house-train a puppy. If your dog is still learning, you’ll need to restrict his access to certain areas of the home while you’re away. After all, you don’t want to come home to an accident on your white velvet sofa. Other types of Obedience Training are also important. For instance, if you want your dog to stay off certain pieces of furniture, you’ll want to make this type of training a part of your daily routine. This way, you won’t have to worry about coming home to a disaster area.

Dogs Are Social by Nature

As descendants of wolves, dogs are pack animals who thrive on social interactions and hierarchies. If you have multiple dogs or you’re only leaving for a few hours, you won’t need to worry as much about them getting lonely, but if you have only one dog in the home and you’re planning to leave for days at a time, it’s a good idea to have a trusted friend or relative stop by to spend some time with the animal in addition to feeding. Even just an hour a day of playtime, exercise, or general company can be hugely beneficial for the dog’s mental health.

Alone Time Can Lead to Sedentary Behavior

As many as 60 percent of dogs are overweight, and about half of overweight dogs are obese. Without daily stimulation from their human companions, dogs can become sedentary and gain weight as a result. If you’re going to be away for a while or your schedule precludes you from providing the necessary exercise every day, you can still ensure that Rover stays fit by using an automated toy like the iFetch ball launcher.

Dogs Appreciate the Small Comforts

To reduce separation anxiety, you can take steps to promote a comfortable household. Leave treats and chew toys for the dog, and leave one of your shirts in the dog bed so he can still have your scent close at hand. Some dog lovers even go so far as to install a mobile-friendly video baby monitor near the dog’s bed so that they can communicate face to face with the dog while they’re away. While that last suggestion may seem extreme to some people, it may be useful if you’re leaving for a few days at a time.

Dog ID Tags Are a Lifesaver

As previously mentioned, you can’t be there for your dog every moment of the day. If she should happen to dig under the fence or slip away from the dog walker while you’re away, it’s absolutely essential that she have a collar with updated ID tags. More and more dog owners are also opting to microchip their dogs. By ensuring that your dog is always equipped with some kind of up-to-date identification, you can rest a little easier while you’re attending meetings at the office or sipping margaritas on the other side of the country.

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