Fun Tips for How to Entertain a Dog Home Alone

Whether you're working from home and need tips on great ways to entertain your dog or you work outside the home and are seeking advice on how to entertain a dog home alone, it's clear that a dog who has received adequate attention from their owner or someone else tends to be better-behaved.

Why Entertaining Your Dog Is Important

SIt’s important to understand why your dog can become a destructive chewer, barker or howler. Many times, it’s because they are experiencing separation anxiety or not receiving enough physical and/or mental stimulation.¹ You may come home to find destroyed belongings or hear from a neighbor that your dog has been howling.² If you’re working from home, you might find your puppy or dog barking at you to get your attention when you’re working on your computer or on a work call. Below are some options to help keep your dog physically and mentally active and entertained.

Dogs get separation anxiety

If you think your dog has separation anxiety issues, you might want to have them checked out by a dog trainer who specializes in these issues. Signing your dog up for group dog training might cost about $30 to $50 a class and a private dog training session likely costs $45 to $120 per session, depending on where you live in the country.³ If you have a puppy or dog that's new to your home, it might be wise to invest in some dog behavior training classes early on, before the dog's separation anxiety issues turn into the destruction of your belongings and then you still have to pay for dog training sessions.

Dogs need mental and physical engagement

Many of the reasons dogs get into trouble tend to be due to a lack of mental engagement and physical activity. Owners should set aside time each day to engage with their dogs in play and exercise. It's also crucial that you ensure you're meeting your breed's activity needs, as each breed needs different amounts of exercise. Siberian Huskies, for example, need more exercise in order to be better behaved — about one to two hours a day!⁴ A Bulldog, on the other hand, might only need about 20 to 30 minutes of walking each day to meet his or her exercise needs.⁵

Keeping your pooch busy with these activities can help you worry less by helping them be well-behaved while you’re working from home or away at work.

Tips to Help You Keep Your Dog Entertained

Here are tips to consider a dog home alone or keep your dog engaged throughout the day while you're working from home.

How to entertain a dog home alone

• Puzzle toys: Put a great into one of these engaging puzzle toys to keep your pup busy while they work to get it out. It keeps their mind share, too, while they problem solve. Approximate cost: $12 and up.⁶
• Automatic dog feeders: Having a programmable device that fills your dog's bowl when you're out helps relieve some of the stress that your dog is hungry while you're stuck at work. Approximate cost: $50 and up.⁷
• Treat tossing dog cameras: These devices are great for keeping an eye on your dog, talking to them while you're away and giving them a treat for being good boys and girls when home alone. Approximate cost: $99 and up.⁸
• Dog chew toy set: Use a dog chew toy with a soft treat, like peanut butter or a spreadable dog treat that requires them to lick to get it out. Licking is soothing for dogs and can help if they're feeling separation anxiety. Approximate cost: $20 and up.⁹
• Hire a midday dog walker: If your dog is a breed that requires a lot of exercise, having a dog walker come by during the day to take your dog for a long walk could help keep him or her happy. Dogs behave better when they're tired out!

Activities for dogs when you're working from home

Is it us or does it always seem like a delivery truck pulls up and our dogs lose their minds barking right when work calls start? Or, your pup finds her loudest squeaky toy to chew on in the background when you need peace and quiet.

While dogs will be dogs and occasionally bark throughout the day, it's possible to keep a dog entertained and well behaved when you are working from home.

One of the best things you can do to help ensure a better-behaved pup while he is home with you that day is to exercise your dog in the morning before your workday begins. Take them on a 20-minute walk — and vary the route for interest — to keep their minds active and help them get excess energy out.

It's also a good idea to carve out time to play with them once or twice throughout the day so they leave you alone when you really need to work. This would be a good time to play tug of war with a thick dog rope toy (prices start at approximately $10 and up) or make one yourself with an old T-shirt.¹

More affordable ideas on how to entertain your dog are to let them chase you around the house, throw a ball or engage in some wholesome cuddling or wrestling. You could also keep a few silent solo toys for them to play with when you're on work calls or need some quiet time while working from home. Usually, these will be hard chew toys, soft stuffed animal dog toys or even “silent squeaker dog toys," and can cost about $10 or more per toy.^{1, 10}

Alternate Care for Entertaining Your Dog

Those who work outside the home and think their dog could use more attention to battle boredom during the day might find it beneficial to enlist a neighbor or friend who works from home to pitch in and help. A trustworthy teen might be a good dog walker and companion to play with your dog after school if you won't be home until evening. A senior neighbor who can let the dog out to relieve himself in the backyard and give him some attention during the day could be a good solution for someone who is concerned about their dog's separation anxiety and health during the day. You might want to drop your dog off at a family member's house who is working from home or who has more hours to dedicate to your pup during the day.

Consider hiring a dog walker in your town. They can range from $10-$35 for a 30-minute walk for your pup. A pet sitter might also be a viable option, costing an average of $25-$30 a day or $75-$85 a night.^{11, 12}

4 Signs you should board your dog during the day

Not sure if your dog is better off spending the day at doggy daycare or with a dog sitter? Here are some signs that your pup would be better off going to a dog daycare:¹

1. They are acting out (destructive behavior).
2. They are having accidents.
3. Their behavior or mood has changed (does your dog seem depressed?).
4. They aren't eating as much.

Keeping Your Dog Active and Healthy Is Good for All!

Whether your pup is home all day with you, being entertained by a petsitter or is socializing at doggy daycare while you work, you'll want to ensure they are as happy and healthy as they can be. Regular exercise as well as stimulating activities and games can help them stay their healthiest — and best behaved.¹

Taking good care of your pet's wellbeing from tail to nose is a worthwhile endeavor. Make sure you get him or her regular checkups at the vet to make sure they are healthy and thriving. You can use your CareCredit Credit Card for pet care throughout the year for routine veterinary services as well as some emergencies and surgeries.*

Author Bio

Diana Kelly Levey is a health, fitness, and pet health writer with over five years of experience writing about pet health. She lives in New York with her Coonhound-Shepherd-Lax mix, Jackson, two sons, and her husband.