Is it bad to lock your dog in a room? Essential Tips

Should I Confine My Puppy To One Room

If you’re thinking of confining your puppy to one room to help improve its life or make it easier in some way – you can restrict your puppy to one room, provided you take care of all its needs.

For example, the room you’re thinking of confining your puppy to needs to be puppy-safe. Additionally, you’ll have to ensure the room comprises whatever else your pup will need to spend a few hours in that space comfortably.

9 tips to safely lock your dog in a room

Before keeping a dog confined to one room, make sure that it’s safe.

When you isolate them in a room, anything can happen without you knowing.

It’s important to be aware of the potential risks. We don’t want any objects in the room that can pose hazards when we leave.

When your pooch is older, you don’t need to do much beyond decluttering the room. But you need to be extra careful with an anxious pup.

Do these things to provide a safe environment for your dog:

  • Place products that are toxic to your dog in a different room. These include floor cleaners and air fresheners. You can also store them up high behind closed cabinet doors.
  • Put away personal items such as clothing and shoes you wouldn’t want your pooch chewing on while you’re not around.
  • Don’t leave the trash cans in the room. You can also replace them with pet-proof trash cans made with stainless steel.
  • Use cable sleeves to prevent your dog from chewing electrical wires and cords. Choose the ones that are made with abrasion and flame-resistant material.
  • Is It Okay To Lock Your Dog In The Bathroom

    A room doesn’t exactly equal a bathroom. A room can be equipped with carpeting, necessities for your dog, such as a bed, its toys, water & food bowls, and it also offers proper ventilation.

    However, bathrooms are too small for your pet to move around in freely, have cold bare floors that canines should not sleep on, and won’t provide much in the way of adequate temperature control – which is why locking your dog in the bathroom isn’t okay at all.

    Do you lock the dog out of the room?

    Dogs feel most unsettled when left home alone in the bedroom, with new research discovering it increases their heart rate by a whopping 47.2%.

    With the gradual easing of lockdown seeing many of us return to work, a study by comparethemarket.com found that over a third of dogs (36%) will be left home alone 3.5 days per week — equating to over 5.7 hours per day. While we are itching for normal life to resume, our furry friends could struggle to adjust.

    As part of the research, comparethemarket.com carried out a study on five different dog breeds (1,000 dogs in total) using heart rate monitors to find out which locations make our four-legged friends feel most at ease — and which we should avoid.

    While pups were most distressed in the bedroom, the team found that dogs feel comfortable in the kitchen (71.2 BPM), followed closely by the living room (71.8 BPM). Interestingly, its thought dogs associate both of these areas with positive outcomes (for example, they snuggle with owners in the living room and eat in the kitchen).

    “Dogs may become confused if left in the bedroom as they know their owners only use this space for sleep,” Dr Heather Venkat explains. “Additionally, some dogs dont like confined spaces and therefore areas such as your porch may make them feel more uncomfortable than the kitchen or living room.”

    Chris King, head of home insurance at comparethemarket.com, adds: “For many, leaving your dog home alone when youre at work is unavoidable, but it is important to both make sure theyre comfortable. Sometimes damage from leaving your pet at home comes with the territory so you should check your home insurance plan to ensure youre covered.”

    As life begins to return to normal, there are lots of ways owners can avoid separation anxiety. From minimising disturbances by closing curtains to leaving out a special toy for them to play with, its important to ensure our pets are safe and happy when home alone.

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