(ARA) – Dogs love our company and knowing they’re part of the pack. But the fact is humans have to leave the house some time, whether it’s for work, to run errands or to go to a place where dogs aren’t welcome. So when you can’t be home to entertain your dog, how do you keep him busy and happy when he’s alone?

Most dogs are social animals and are happiest when they are surrounded by their humans. Some dogs suffer from separation anxiety and cry, bark and whine when left alone, while others just use their alone time to sleep. No matter what your dog’s personality, making sure he has something to keep him occupied during his time alone helps ensure your dog won’t destroy something in the house and your neighbors won’t be bothered by barking.

* Crate training is a valuable tool for when you’re away or even when you have people over and your dog just needs a quiet place to himself. A crate that is large enough for your dog to stand up and turn around in with a soft pad to sleep on is a great substitute for the dens wild dogs take refuge in. A favorite blanket or shirt that you’ve worn can be comforting for your dog.

* Whether he’s in the crate or roaming free, “busy” toys are a great way to keep a dog occupied. Fill safe toys with peanut butter and freeze them or add in small treats that will fall out as the toy is rolled around. Rotate toys (give a toy one day and a different toy the next) to help prevent boredom. Hide low fat treats around the house for your dog to find randomly throughout the day.

* If you’re going to be gone for several hours, make sure your dog gets plenty of exercise before you leave because a tired dog is a happy dog. Leave a radio on so your dog has friendly voices to keep him company.

* Feed your dog his biggest meal of the day before you leave so he’ll have a full stomach and want to take a nap.

* Make sure you have a place for your dog to relieve himself to avoid any accidents during the time you’re away. Most people don’t have large, fenced in yards and dog doors so an indoor dog potty like the UGODOG is an easy way to keep messes contained.

“I saw a stack of pee pads at the grocery store and realized how expensive and harmful to the environment they could be,” says Kami Havluciyan, inventor of the UGODOG. “If you use pee pads, the UGODOG saves about $400 a year and is an environmentally conscious alternative. It’s convenient, clean and easy to use for any size breed whether you’ve used pee pads or not.”

Your dog will appreciate not having to hold it all day and you’ll appreciate not having to clean up messes when you get home. So be a pal and give your dog somewhere to do his business when you’re not around to bring him outside.

* Keep your arrivals and departures low key. Don’t squeal and go overboard greeting your dog when you walk in the door and don’t linger and feel bad for the dog when you leave. The less of a commotion you make, the less your dog will panic when you walk out the door.

For more information on the UGODOG, training tips and ideas to keep your dog busy, visit www.UGODOG.com.

Courtesy of ARAcontent