Is Your Dog Safe When Home Alone? 5 Tips

It’s been a very long day, the last thing an owner needs when walking in the house is to find a huge mess. Garbage strewn across the floor, pillows emptied, a favorite pair of shoes obliterated. What would be worse is coming home and finding the dog unconscious from something he got into. Below are five easy tips to keep dogs safe while they’re home alone.

Set Limits
To crate or not to crate, that is a tricky question. Some owners would prefer to crate their dogs. They say that crating not only provides security from their dogs getting into anything, but also gives them a safe haven to relax. Opponents to the crate would prefer their dogs have free roam of the house. Whichever an owner chooses, there needs to be boundaries set for the dog, shut doors to off limit rooms or secure them behind a closed door or a locked baby gate.

Before Leaving
Take the dog on a fast paced walk. Owners should wear out their dogs before going out; make sure they are good and tired. If the dogs have been well exercised the chances of them getting into anything that could harm them will drop. A frozen Kong filled with peanut butter will keep a chewer occupied for a couple hours at least. If they are tired and occupied they may not cry as much. For more severe cases of separation anxiety contact a certified professional dog trainer.

Take Precaution
Dogs are smart. Bored dogs are smarter. Avoid the nosiness of a dog by being one step ahead of them. Child proof the cupboards to keep them from getting into the cleaning supplies or food they know are in there. Either one could be harmful to a dog if consumed. Some dogs know how to work doorknobs to get into forbidden rooms. Knob protectors will come in handy for the paws that can’t quite squeeze hard enough to turn.

Helpful Hint
Certain breeds like to dig in the garbage. Better to do it when the humans are away, not as much yelling. Switch out an uncovered can with a covered one and place a heavy object in the bottom such as a small cinderblock before putting a bag in. By weighting down the can, it makes the garbage harder to knock over and rummage through.

Final Note
If the dog is a chewer, make sure all electrical cords up out of reach. A chewer is a chewer, doesn’t matter the material a dog will gnaw on it until they find something better to gnaw on. A live electrical cord could cause serious injury to a dog looking to exercise their jaw muscles. Give the dog appropriate chew toys that won’t fall apart while the owner is out.

Whether it is a new puppy or a seasoned adult, there comes a time when a dog will be left alone. With a few quick adjustments, owners will have peace of mind knowing their dogs are safe and happy.

rootbeerFeatured Dog- RootBeer
Root Beer wants nothing more than a family to call his own as he is extremely devoted to those who love him as much as he loves them. He is a young active dog. He loves walks and mental games but he also loves to run and play. He’s a fast learner, catching on to phrases and commands quickly. Root Beer is a friendly dog who loves attention. He would be the ideal companion for an active family or someone who enjoys a daily run. With his alert, inquisitive nature, he is sure to excel at obedience training. With one blue eye and one brown eye he is on the lookout for a new friend and family.

Other Available dogs:
Ellie- Black and white Labrador/ pitbull blend. Friendly, loves people does well on leash.
Echo- Shy Chihuahua blend. Loves to be held and cuddles with you.

trufflesFeatured Cat- Truffles
Truffles is a beautiful white and gray tabby. She knows her name and will come when called. She likes to play with the laser toys. She is quite the talker and will tell you all kinds of stories. She enjoys watching out the window to see just what is happening in the outside world. Truffles would make wonderful company for someone living alone or someone that likes a cat that wants to be with you when you are watching TV or reading.

Other Available Cats:
Sunshine- Came to shelter when her owner died. she is a quiet refined lady. Beautiful long hair with a white body and black tail and head.

Sunshine

Sunshine

All animals will be spayed or neutered prior to leaving shelter and receive 1 year rabies vaccination and city license. Ages are approximated.

The City of Mesquite Animal Shelter located at 795 Hardy Way is open for adoptions from 11am until 1 pm, Monday through Saturday, Sunday 1pm -3pm. Please call 702-346-7415 during these hours to speak to the front desk. Animal Control may be reached by phone or voicemail at 702-346-5268.

The animals submitted to the media may have changes so please visit our Petfinder website for a current listing and more detailed information on the animals. www.mesquiteanimalshelter.petfinder.com
Please also check our Facebook pages for lost and found animals along with pet information. https://www.facebook.com/MesquiteNVAnimalControl and https://www.facebook.com/FRIENDSOFMESQUITENVANIMALSHELTER