Restraining Your Puppy While You Are Away

So, you know the importance of teaching your puppy to be polite and you know how much work you will have to do with him to become this way, but let’s face it, you cannot always be with your puppy and some times, we all need a break. What are you supposed to do when you have to leave your puppy at home by himself? Do you risk having all the work you’ve done come undone or do you choose to restrain him in some way?

Many people choose to restrain their puppy in a place where the puppy will be safe and comfortable without getting into trouble. In the past, many people would work to keep their puppies in an area such as the laundry room or kitchen or a bathroom, which is usually hard for them to cause trouble or make messes. Should you choose to confine your puppy in this way, it’s important to make sure that he has toys to chew on and a comfortable place to take a nap. Also, you should make sure that there is nothing in these spaces where a puppy could get hurt or chew on something they are not supposed to.

Now, if you cannot confine your puppy in a room, another option is to get a crate for your puppy. Try to make sure that it is a comfortable fit for him, and not too small or too large. This will keep your puppy from leaving you too many messes to clean up, as even young dogs do not like to do “jobs” in the space where they sleep. Over time, a crate will serve as a comfortable place for your puppy to rest even when the door is open, so it’s important not to punish him in this space.

Another option when you need to restrain your puppy and make sure that he is well behaved when you are not able to pay attention to him is to tie him to something. You can often tie him to a piece of furniture, as long as he is not strong enough to pull it over. Consider your kitchen table for this purpose. Give your puppy about four feet of rope and make sure that he has a comfortable bed for naps and plenty of things to chew on.

In the end, restraining your puppy when you are gone is the best way to make sure that he doesn’t destroy your valuable possessions and that your puppy learns to be polite, even when you’re not home to watch him. Don’t worry, you’re not being cruel to him; you are making sure he stays safe and happy to have that long life you want to spend with him.