How to Keep Your Dog Occupied When You’re Out

Leaving your dog at home for a short period is part of everyday life for many households, but dogs differ enormously in how comfortable they are when left alone.

Some dogs are happy to settle and sleep, while others may become bored or frustrated. Some dogs experience genuine separation-related distress, which needs a different approach from simply providing more toys.

The aim is to create a safe, comfortable environment, provide suitable enrichment and make sure your dog has gradually learned that spending time alone is nothing to worry about.

Understand How Your Dog Copes When Left Alone

Before choosing activities or dog toys, it is important to understand how your dog actually behaves when you are out.

Signs that a dog may be struggling can include:

• Barking, whining or howling
• Pacing or being unable to settle
• Excessive panting or drooling
• Toileting indoors
• Destructive behaviour
• Trying to escape
• Refusing food or treats they would normally enjoy

Some dogs show very little obvious evidence when their owner returns home. A pet camera can therefore be useful for checking whether your dog is genuinely relaxed while you are away.

If your dog regularly shows signs of distress when left alone, toys are unlikely to solve the underlying problem. Speak to your vet, who may recommend support from a suitably qualified clinical animal behaviourist.

How Long Should a Dog Be Left Alone?

How long an individual dog is comfortable being alone depends on their age, health, personality, training and routine.

UK welfare organisations generally advise that dogs should not routinely be left alone for more than around four hours at a time, and puppies or dogs that struggle with being left may need considerably shorter periods.

If you need to be away for longer, consider arranging for a family member, dog walker or pet sitter to visit, provide a toilet break and spend some time with your dog.

Using Dog Toys and Enrichment

For dogs that are comfortable being left alone, suitable enrichment can help prevent boredom and give them something constructive to do.

Useful options can include:

• Food puzzles: encourage your dog to work out how to access part of their meal or treats
• Stuffable food toys: can be prepared with your dog’s usual food or suitable treats
• Treat-dispensing toys: provide mental stimulation as your dog moves the toy to release food
• Safe chew toys: may provide an appropriate outlet for dogs that enjoy chewing

Only leave toys with your dog unsupervised if you are confident they are safe for that individual dog. Remove damaged toys, loose pieces or anything your dog is likely to break apart and swallow.

Any food used in enrichment toys should also be included within your dog’s normal daily food allowance.

Browse our dog toys and enrichment products.

Introduce Enrichment Before Leaving Your Dog Alone

Do not give your dog a new puzzle, chew or food toy for the first time immediately before leaving the house.

Introduce it while you are present so you can see how your dog uses it and check that it is suitable and safe. Once your dog understands the toy and you are happy with how they interact with it, it may be appropriate to use during short periods alone.

A dog that normally loves a food toy but refuses to touch it when left alone may be showing that they are worried rather than bored.

Create a Safe and Comfortable Space

Your dog should have somewhere secure and comfortable to relax while you are out.

Before leaving, make sure they have:

• Fresh drinking water
• A comfortable sleeping or resting area
• A comfortable room temperature
• Safe, suitable enrichment if appropriate
• No access to household items that could be dangerous if chewed or swallowed

Some dogs prefer a quiet room away from windows, particularly if passing people, dogs or traffic cause them to bark or become unsettled.

Baby gates or a suitably sized secure area can be useful for some dogs, but the space should already be familiar and comfortable rather than suddenly used as confinement when you leave.

Exercise and Toileting Before You Leave

Give your dog an opportunity to exercise, sniff and go to the toilet before leaving them alone.

The amount and type of activity should suit the individual dog. A relaxed walk or appropriate enrichment before you leave may help your dog settle afterwards.

Avoid assuming that exhausting a dog will cure anxiety. Separation-related distress is an emotional and behavioural problem, rather than simply excess energy.

Teach Your Dog to Be Comfortable Alone

Dogs should learn gradually that being left alone is safe.

Start with very short periods and increase the time gradually while your dog remains calm. If they begin showing signs of distress, the step has probably been too difficult and the period of separation should be reduced again.

This gradual approach is particularly important for puppies, newly adopted dogs and dogs that have not previously learned to spend time alone.

Can Technology Help?

A camera can be useful for observing your dog while you are away and may reveal behaviours that you would otherwise never see.

Automatic food dispensers and other interactive devices can also provide enrichment for some dogs, but they should complement good training and welfare rather than replace human contact, exercise or toilet breaks.

Be cautious with devices that unexpectedly make noises, move or dispense food, as some dogs may find them unsettling. Introduce any new device while you are at home first.

What If Your Dog Is Anxious When You Leave?

If your dog becomes distressed when left alone, simply adding more toys is unlikely to resolve the problem. Dogs experiencing separation-related distress may be too anxious to eat, play or interact with enrichment.

Do not punish your dog for barking, toileting or destructive behaviour that happens while you are away. These behaviours may be signs that they are struggling to cope.

Speak to your vet if you are concerned, particularly if the behaviour has started suddenly or is becoming worse. Your vet can rule out medical problems and, where appropriate, refer you to a qualified behaviour professional.

Helping Your Dog Have a Comfortable Day at Home

Suitable toys and enrichment can be a useful part of your dog’s routine when they are comfortable spending time alone, but they are only one part of the picture.

Good preparation includes appropriate exercise, toilet opportunities, fresh water, a safe resting area, gradual alone-time training and arranging additional human contact if you need to be away for longer periods.

For dogs that enjoy independent play, browse our dog toys and enrichment products at Wiggle and Wag.