Dog trainer Sarah Hodgson shared her top three tips to help your pet stay calm and relaxed when left home alone as she claimed there's some big things to consider07:29, 06 Jul 2026Leaving your dog home alone isn't a choice anyone wants to make, whether it's for work or popping out to see a friend. Healthy adult pets can generally be left alone for 4-6 hours, with the absolute maximum limit being 8 hours.‌Now one dog trainer revealed a 'big thing to consider' when leaving your pet home alone. Going out without your dog can leave you feeling worried about how your four-legged friend will manage in your absence. Dogs are naturally social creatures, so it's perfectly normal for them to feel anxious when left by themselves, particularly if it's a new experience. Sometimes owners simply have no option but to leave their dog at home – making it essential to teach your pet to feel settled when staying home alone at times.‌Sarah Hodgson is a dog trainer, podcaster, pet behaviour consultant and author of several books, including Dog Anxiety for Dummies. She provides dog training services both in person and online, as well as regularly shares guidance on social media.‌Content cannot be displayed without consentDog Training Expert Explains How to Reduce Separation AnxietyIn a TikTok video, Sarah explained: "When thinking about leaving your dogs home alone, here is a big thing to consider. When you leave the house you want them to be relaxed. You don't want them to feel agitated, anxious, aggressive."She explained if you leave dogs in a room with wide open windows facing the hallway or street, they will "assume the role of border patrol" – meaning every time something passes by or they hear a noise, they'll "react in a territorial fashion."‌The dog trainer discussed how dogs instinctively behave, particularly those with protective tendencies. Sharing three steps, Sarah recommends when leaving your dog home alone is creating a safe and calming space for your pet, such as a crate or dedicated room, making sure it feels "comforting" to them.She also proposes using sound-cancelling music or audio to block out noises from beyond your home.The dog trainer then urged owners to remain composed when returning home. She elaborated: "When you come in you want it to be a joyous occasion but keep your energy level calm and they'll mirror what you're modelling."‌In the caption of her TikTok clip, Sarah explained that establishing a "calmer home alone routine means a more relaxed dog throughout the day", which helps in various scenarios, such as welcoming guests or heading out for walks.Top Tips from Dogs Trust on Training Your Pet to Stay AloneSupporting her recommendations, Dogs Trust, the UK's leading dog welfare charity, shared its own guidance on helping dogs adjust to being left alone.It said: "Before leaving your dog home alone, you need to teach them that it is alright and that they will be able to cope on their own. The more you do this before you actually need to leave the house, the easier it will be when you do."Article continues belowDogs Trust recommends a number of helpful measures, including providing a cosy bed, creating a "doggy den", using baby gates to ease your pet into periods of separation, and training your pet to settle quietly while you're occupied rather than giving them attention every time they trail after you.They also suggest slowly acclimatising your dog to spending longer stretches alone, both while you remain in the house and when you head out.