Ideas on how to keep a puppy entertained while he's alone?

Question

I have to work and therefore have to leave my 1 year old dachsund at home. I know that it must be boring for him and I don't want him to start destroying things because he's bored. Do you have any suggestions for good ways to keep him entertained on his own? He has a Kong toy which he loves but he can only play with that so long...any ideas? Please no lectures on the fact that I have to leave him home alone, it's a temporary situation.

LoL Those of you suggesting a cat, thanks but I already have one and he has no interest whatsoever in entertaining my puppy. In fact he probably wishes I would get rid of him, my cat is 3 years old and can't stand the puppy! Nice try though.

Answer 1

Since he likes his Kong and is used to it, you can expand on that activity by providing several for him. Hide them around the house so that he has to hunt for them. I'm assuming that you stuff his with treats, but if you don't, give it a try!

You can also get a bucket or box (shallow enough that he can reach into it) and place the stuffed Kong in it along with other toys. He will need to burrow through the other toys to find the Kong. There is also something called Kong Time that automatically dispenses Kongs at random intervals - pretty nifty.

IQube and Busy Buddy are other problem-solving toys that should keep him busy.

If he watches tv and doesn't get overly excited by it, there are videos available for dogs. Only use it when he will be alone for a short period, or else your tv will be on all day for no reason.

This is a messy suggestion, but some people will do almost anything for their dogs, so I'll throw it out there: make doggy popsicles for him. Use the same molds that you would for popsicles. You can use water or any flavor of broth; place a few biscuits or jerky strips in each mold. Give him a pop before you leave; it will take awhile for the ice to melt so he can get the treats, but he'll probably be licking and working at it, too.

I hope those help!

Additional: Oh, my! I just saw suggestions to give your dog old shoes and pants to chew on. NEVER do this! Unless you want your dog to chew on your new shoes and pants, in which case knock yourself out.

Answer 2

I agree with DP. Crate training your dog will keep him and your stuff safe while you are not home. Make sure the he does not have a collar on while in the crate as it could get hung up and he could choke. Go for a walk before hand. A tired dog is a good dog. Also, have some special treat for when he is crated. Have you tried stuffing the Kong with bits of hot dog, squeezy cheese or peanut butter? That should keep him busy for a little. Also, put something (like your bath towel) in the crate with your scent on it that he can snuggle with. Turn on the t.v. or a radio so he won't feel alone.

One last idea...can you afford doggy-daycare? If so, check to see if there's one in your area. Mine goes one day a week, just to play and socialize, and she loves it!

Answer 3

Whatever you do... do not train your puppy to chew on socks, shoes, or anything that you think is just "old"... they don't care if it is torn or not, they will chew on the new ones too. I would go for playing with him or walking him before you leave, and hide treats in different places... and toys. Puppies tend to wander around when they are alone, make sure the things that he is more likely to find are his, and his only. I made the mistake of keeping my lab puppy in my room alone, rather than the entire house... she chewed up my text book (a $125 book)... and some toys of hers. So open your house up, keep trash put away and small items they might get confused with. Make their toys obvious, and treats in corners, they got sniffers for a reason!

Answer 4

Get a kitten. I have a rottweiler that was at home alone all day. He had lots of toys but no one to keep him company. My girlfriend wanted a cat and ever since we got the kitten the dog has been a lot happier. Dogs are pack animals and need another living thing to spend time with. The dog and cat get along and even though they don't really play often, it is obvious that the dog likes the company.

Answer 5

Have you tried putting treats inside the Kong like: Mashing up a Banana and mixing it with yoguart and freezing it.

This Website has some Kong Recipes:
http://dogs.thefuntimesguide.com/2006/02/dog_recipes_for_kong_chew_toys.php

Like these ones for example:
1. GOOEY CHEERIOS: Combine cheerios and peanut butter. Freeze.
2.PEANUT BUTTER GLUE: Fill Kong 1/3rd full of dog food. Pour in melted peanut butter (after it has cooled from microwaving). Add more dog food, followed by more melted peanut butter until the Kong toy is full. Freeze until solid.
3.ROCK-HARD KIBBLE: Combine some of your dog's regular food with cream cheese, which acts as a cement, keeping everything inside.

My Boston Terrier loves having this in his crate when we leave the house. I also take him for a long walk to tire him out before I leave and he ends up sleeping for awhile. Leave the TV on or Radio on when you are gone.

Here is a diagram of a Stuffed Kong:
http://www.labmed.org/catalog/kong2.html

Answer 6

well i have one to and what i do is give him lots of toys and a pillow and some blankets what i would not do is play with him and then leave him because the he thinks you want to play more and he will start to bark that's what happen to are puppy so i hope this was a help Bye
By the way DO NOT GIVE FOOD AND THEN LET HIM ALONE BECAUSE HE WILL PEE IN THE HOUSE OK good bye

Answer 7

That's real easy.all ya hav 2 do is place his favourite toys all over the place.and snacks and treats in corners fr him to sniff around and find.Also,place your once used pillow fr him to play around.he'll smell your scent in the pillow which will give him a sense of security.[btw,dachsunds are wonderful dogs and i as an animal lover sure appreciate the fact dat u care enough about your dog to actually fret over his entertainment.]

Answer 8

Maybe try buying more toys and give him a bone or a treat or something before you leave. And try leaving the radio on because with my dog it makes her think someone is there and she doesn't get lonely with it on.

Answer 9

I HAVE A FEW TRICKS, I TIRE MY NEW PUPPY OUT ABOUT 20 MIN BEFORE I LEAVE AND HE JUST SLEEPS FOR THE TIME I AM GONE, WITCH IS USUALLY NOT MORE THAN AFEW HOURS.
OR I KEEP THE RADIO ON SO THAT HE THINKS THERE IS SOMEBODY THERE.

Answer 10

go on google and find Kong recipes you can fill the kong and it will last ages. During hot weather fill a kong with water and freeze it dog love that.