A common problem that many dog owners face is leaving their dogs home alone. This is a problem because dogs are social animals so they might get lonely and develop negative behaviors such as chewing or tearing things up.
Unfortunately, we can’t always be home due to work or other commitments, and many of us often wonder if we can leave our Jack Russells alone at home.
Join me as I take a look at leaving your Jack Russell alone, and whether or not it is a good idea.
Let’s get started.
Can Jack Russells Be Left Alone?
Yes, Jack Russells can be left at home alone but it is not recommended to leave them alone for long periods of time. This can cause them to develop issues such as anxiety that can lead to aggression. However, this depends on the age of your Jack Russell. Puppies under a year should not be left alone for more than 2 hours at a time, and adult Jack Russells can safely be left alone for up to 6 hours.
While you may be tempted to leave your Jack Russell alone at home, it is important that you make sure they get enough exercise, or mental stimulation, while away from home. If they do not get enough exercise or mental stimulation, they can get bored, develop separation anxiety, and other negative behaviors.
Tips for keeping your Jack Russell safely alone at home
If you have absolutely no choice but to leave your Jack Russell at home every day, then there are a few things you can try to make life easier for your pup.
1.) Ask a neighbor to check in
If you can, try to make arrangements with a neighbor to pop in every so often. This can help reassure your Jack Russell that someone is coming home. If they’re a people person, this could also be a good time for them to make a new friend.
2.) Get another dog
This is a great idea if you can swing it. Having another dog at home can provide company to your Jack Russell and will help take care of their exercise, mental stimulation, and loneliness issues. However, this might not fly with every family so try to think about what’s best for your individual situation.
3.) Try a dog walker
This can get a bit costly if you hire a dog walker to walk your Jack Russell every day, but dog walkers are usually quite reputable, so you don’t have to worry when leaving your Jack Russell alone at home.
However, there are plenty of options for you to consider so be sure to research your options beforehand so that you can make a decision that’s best for your specific needs and budget.
4.) Invest in toys
This is another easy fix that can keep your dog occupied while you’re at work or away from home. Invest in a few different types of toys and try not to go over the budget by ordering too many toys at once.
5.) Visit your Jack Russell during your lunch break
Not only will this give you a much-needed break from work, but it will also let your Jack Russell know that you haven’t forgotten about them. Depending on work, this might not be an option for everyone, but do what you have to do to make it happen.
6.) Invest in a pet camera
If your Jack Russell is young enough, and if you’ve invested in a baby monitor already for your family, then this is another great way to check in on your dog while at work or away from home. You can easily purchase a video baby monitor that allows you to see where your dog is and what he is doing.
7.) Hire a pop in service
If you absolutely can’t do any of the above, then consider hiring a dog walker to check in on your Jack Russell every day. There are lots of pop-in services out there who can just stop by and check in on your dog.
It’s important that you always make sure they are going to be a match for your Jack Russell as dogs can be very picky about who they get along with, so this is something you definitely want to take into consideration.
8.) Give him access to the yard
Provided that your yard has been secured so that your pup doesn’t escape and run away, you can let your Jack Russell out outside when you’re not around. This will give him an area to run around and get some much-needed exercise while you’re away.
What to do before leaving your Jack Russell at home
There are a couple of things to do before heading off to work or to the shops, and leaving your Jack Russell at home.
1.) Make sure he has access to food and water
If you’re going to be away for a few hours, it is best to make sure that your pup has enough food and water on hand. He will be bored when you’re not around, so it is important that he has something to do to keep him busy and occupied.
2.) Give him some exercise
If you’re going to leave your pup home alone for a few hours, it is important that you make sure he gets some activity time. It is always better to make sure he gets exercise before you leave him at home because it helps prevent boredom, and loneliness from setting in.
3.) Have him go on a potty break
Make sure that you take him out on a potty break before heading off to work. Having accidents in the house can be very unpleasant for both you and your pup, so it’s better to take care of it beforehand.
Conclusion
Don’t let your Jack Russell suffer from anxiety and boredom when you’re away at work, or out with the family. With some of the tips and tricks we’ve discussed today, you’ll be sure to give your pup a great time while you’re away.
If your pup is less than one year old, don’t leave him alone for longer than 2 hours at a time. An adult Jack Russell can be left alone for a bit longer, but I recommend not be away from home for longer than 6 hours at a time.
