Yikes! Leaving your dog - gasp - alone in your home!

Did you know that you need to train your dog to be alone in the house?

Many dog owners don't know what age you can reasonably expect toleave your dog alone in the house, without having any problems. The answer to this question really depends on you and your dog.

The typical age when most people can start leaving their dogs alone in thehouse at around 1.5 years of age.

Keep in mind that even at 6 months of age, even though your dog may look like a full grown dog at this age--he's not. And just like a baby would need to be put in a play pen or a crib when unsupervised-- so does your dog.

(Of course, your dog needs to be let out of the crate for regularpotty breaks, exercise and play. For some dog owners, confining the dog in a doggie-safe kennel run outside may work better).

But back to the crate: The crate also has an added benefit ofgiving your dog a "safe zone." Everybody (even humans) needs a safe zone. That's why we live in houses and apartments with locks on our doors. Because we need a place where we can be safe. The crate does this for the domesticated dog, by playing on your dog's ingrained "den instinct."

Once your dog is older and has demonstrated to you that he's oldenough to handle the responsibility of being alone in the house (by leaving him for short periods of time, that gradually get longer and longer-- and by correcting unwanted behavior when he attempts it while you are home) you'll soon have a pet that can be left in the house, unsupervised without causing any problems.