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Dogs are very social creatures.  They are ancestors of wolves that always live in packs.

Most of us don't have the luxury of being home all the time, so there are occasions when

your puppy will have to be home alone.  When dogs are anxious, they can be destructive.

Many an owner came home to find the garbage rummaged through, shoes chewed up, or

the $4,000 sofa torn apart with the stuffing strewn all over the floor.  These are all the result

of the dog being fearful when nobody is home.  But, there are steps to prevent these

problems.

COMING AND GOING:  When you are leaving or arriving back home, NEVER make a big deal about it.  Simply put your puppy in the crate and quietly leave the house.  When you return home, calmly and quietly enter the house, open the crate and take your puppy out to bathroom.  Fussing over the dog only creates excitement which quickly becomes anxiety when you leave or are not around.

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TIPS FOR CRATE ITEMS: Make sure your dog has water and, if a puppy, a small amount of dry food in the crate.  Puppies, like human babies can't go for 6-8 hours without eating.  Don't overload the food, or you'll have a giant mess to clean up when you return home.  Expect for the first couple of months to have occasional messes in the cage.  Your puppy doesn't have full bladder and bowel control for several months.  Eventually,  your dog will get the idea, and be able to control bodily functions.

     Leave a safe chew toy, such as a Nylabone in the crate for your dog to chew.  If you don't the puppy may try to chew the metal parts of the crate and damage teeth.  When your dog is alone in the crate, it is important to NOT have him wearing a collar.  Many a dog has been strangled when the collar was caught in parts of the crate.

     Remember to leave an old t-shirt that you have rubbed on your skin.  This leaves your puppy with your scent for comfort.  Turn on a radio to an AM station with talk shows (not too loud!!!!).  This comforts the dog by hearing human voices.

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     If you have a job that requires you to be away from home for more than 7 or 8 hours, either consider hiring someone to come during the day to take the puppy out for a walk and bathroom break, or have a day care for doggies, OR don't get a dog until you CAN be home.  It is unfair to leave a pack animal at home for hour upon hour alone and afraid.  Consider a cat instead - they are more adaptable to being alone than dogs.  Remember, your puppy is a sentient being and totally dependent on you for food, water, companionship, and love.  Your dog is part of your family, with or without children.  Taken care of properly, your dog will return many years of love and affection to you.