What's My Dog Doing When I'm Not Home?

Leaving a dog home alone is never easy. Your furry friend will start to whine, pace around the door and beg for attention before you leave the house. While they may seem quiet once you close the front door, who knows what dogs do when you're not home. If you've come home to a few messes and even a few inexplicable situations, you may wish you could be a fly on the wall to watch your pets without them knowing you're there. Let's dive into some of the most common things dogs do while home alone.

Sleep

Wondering what dogs so when you're not home? Most dogs spend a lot of their time catching some Z's. When you're not home to keep your pet busy, they'll likely find a comfortable place to cuddle up and take a siesta. If you're gone for a longer period of time, your pet might even take a few naps.

According to the American Kennel Club, dogs are known to sleep half (or more) of the day, with puppies and senior dogs needing extra sleep to "recharge their batteries." If you think your dog's lying down too much, know that your pet may not be sleeping the whole time. They may be content simply lounging.

Play

After a nice nap, your pet's probably ready to play. But what do dogs do when you're not home when it comes to playing? Some pets will play with the toys left out for them, so make sure they have access to different types of toys to stimulate their brain. If you have other pets at home, they may even play together.

If you're worried about your dog getting enough exercise when you're out, consider hiring a dog walker.

Eat

While many dogs are ready to eat the second the food hits the bowl, some dogs are more grazers than others. They may wait to eat after you leave or just go throughout their day eating small bits at a time. For dogs that are grazers, make sure that you are still feeding them the appropriate amount. Dogs that don't seem to be eating their food may be picky eaters or may have an underlying condition that causes them to not be hungry. Talk to your vet if you're concerned with your dog's eating habits.

Misbehave

Do you have a rule against dogs on your bed? If so, you might want to check your comforters for fur. When you're not home, you're pet may very well be doing exactly what they know is against the rules when you're present. That means jumping up onto counters, nosing around for snacks in the pantry, or worse — eating from the cat's litter box.

Guard

Your dog protects your home from invaders when you're not home — or at least they think they do. While not all dogs have a protective mentality, some dogs take guard at the window or door and bark when they hear signs of a potential intruder. Though the "intruder" in question may very well be the mail carrier or your next door neighbor. If you regularly hear your dog bark at your arrival or you notice that the blinds or curtains tend move around, that's a good sign your dog is on security detail while you're gone.

Destroy

While not all dogs fall under this category, some pets will destroy items in your home when you're not present. This happens most often in dogs experiencing anxiety or in puppies who haven't been trained yet. Dogs who act out by chewing may target your shoes or the furniture, so if you come home to see items destroyed, talk with an animal behaviorist or sign your pet up for obedience training.

See For Yourself

Still not sure you know what your dog is doing during the day? With advancements in pet technology, it's becoming easier and easier to know exactly what your dog is doing during the day with pet cameras. Some are just simple cameras that let you keep an eye on your house and dog during the day, but there are becoming more and more sophisticated pet cameras every day. Some will allow you to communicate with your dog, some will allow you to dispense treats when they're being good, and some come with ways to interact with your dog so you know they're getting in their playtime. If your dog is allowed to roam free throughout your house, it still may be difficult to know what they're up to all the time, unless you have a camera in every room of the house. But a little glimpse into their every day can be a fun way to keep track of them and make sure they're not getting into trouble.

Now that you know what dogs do when you're not home, you can rest assured your pet is keeping busy while you're out of the house. Remember, leaving a dog home alone for a long period of time is never a good idea. If you're going to be out for some time, make sure there's a pet sitter to feed them, let them out to relieve themselves, and help them get the exercise and mental stimulation they need.