How long can a dog be left alone?
Recommendations by age, training in small steps – and what helps against boredom.
Daily life with a dog: guides and knowledge
Simply explained articles from the DOGSY knowledge team on daily life with a dog. You can read the start of every article without an account, and the full text after free registration.
All articles on daily life with a dog (26)
Dogs in the car: securing your dog and your duties in Switzerland
What is required when you drive with a dog in Switzerland – securing your dog, police checks, and what you also need to know in hot weather.
Does my dog really need that much sleep?
Adult dogs rest for most of the day. Why enough sleep is so important and how too little rest leads to constant stress.
How noise stresses your dog
Dogs hear far more finely than we do. Constant noise is a real stress factor for them. How to provide more acoustic calm in your dog's everyday life.
Safely through road traffic
Your dog can't judge cars. With a short lead, the right side and a stop at the kerb, the way through traffic becomes safe.
Finding the right harness
H-harness, Y-harness or Norwegian harness? How they differ, what matters for the fit, and why a chest harness spares the neck.
Which lead suits what?
Short walking lead, long lead, retractable lead: each has its purpose. An overview of when which lead makes sense – and where caution is called for.
Taking your dog on buses and trains
Train travel needs practice. Which rules apply, how to get your dog used to the bustle and what makes the journey more pleasant for it.
Practising car journeys with your dog
Barking, drooling, refusing to get in: car travel stresses many dogs. Here's how to get your dog used to it patiently and in small steps.
The right resting place for your dog
A good sleeping spot shelters from the hustle without isolating. How to find the ideal retreat where your dog truly finds rest.
The dog crate as a retreat
A crate can be a cosy retreat – but in Switzerland only without a door. What's allowed and how to get your dog used to it positively.
The first days in the new home
A new dog arrives with a thousand impressions. Why less is more now and how to give it a calm, secure start.
Basic equipment for your dog
What you really need before your dog moves in: the most important kit for a safe, relaxed start – without unnecessary frills.
Making everyday life easier for your senior dog
A ramp, non-slip mats, more time: with a few small aids and a little patience, your old dog stays comfortable for a long time. The key tips.
Enjoying the senior years with your dog
Saying goodbye to wild hikes hurts – yet this calm phase of life has a magic of its own. How to enjoy it consciously.
Why snuffling tires your dog out
Ten minutes of intense snuffling often gives your dog more of a workout than a big walk. How to turn the walk into a cinema for the nose.
Balancing: training body awareness
Stepping onto a tree trunk, walking over something wobbly: balance exercises with everyday objects make dogs more confident, focused and composed.
Searching for food: the simplest nose game
Scatter a handful of food and let the dog search – done. This mini-game provides a workout, calms excited dogs and only needs an appetite.
Filling the Kong the right way
A stuffed Kong keeps a dog busy, calms it and helps with being left alone. Here's how to fill it for beginners, pros and hot days.
Introducing new games the right way
The first impression decides whether your dog loves or avoids a game. How to ensure good feelings and quick successes from the start.
Make your own dog enrichment
Toilet-roll tubes, cardboard boxes and old towels turn into a search game in no time. Cheap DIY ideas that really keep your dog busy.
Little tasks for the walk
Instead of just walking side by side: small tasks along the way make your walk exciting and strengthen your dog's focus on you.
Out and about with your dog
So that every walk is a joy: the right equipment, good planning and relaxed encounters.
Activities & games for everyday life
A well-occupied dog is a contented dog. Here's how to keep it busy in a meaningful way – without a non-stop programme.
A relaxed everyday life at home
Clear routines, a good retreat and the right amount of rest: this is how your life together becomes harmonious.
Your first dog – how to get started
From preparation to the first week: what you really need – and what can wait.
Frequently asked questions
Does my dog have to be secured in the car?
A dog is not allowed to move around freely in the car. The Swiss traffic rules treat him like a load: he must be stowed and secured so that he does not endanger or get in the way of anyone – even if you have to brake hard. A firmly anchored travel crate, a dog guard in the boot or a safety harness attached to the seat belt all count as securing. A collar on the seat belt does not: when you brake, the whole force pulls on the neck.
What are the rules for dogs on buses and trains?
On public transport there is usually a lead requirement, often a muzzle requirement too. For larger dogs you generally need a ticket; small ones may sometimes travel in a carrier bag. You can find out the exact rules from the transport operators; they differ from region to region.
Which harness suits my dog?
A well-fitting chest harness is the best choice for everyday life. It spreads the pull across the chest and body and spares the sensitive neck area. Because pulling on the neck can harm your dog, up to and including raised pressure in the eye or injuries. With such a large choice, it's worth knowing the main designs.
How do I handle the first days with my new dog?
At first, do without big outings, visits and exciting activities. For a newcomer, the house, the garden and the way to the toileting spot are already enough to explore. Give it time to arrive in peace, rather than wanting to show it everything straight away. Overwhelming it in the first few days often takes its toll later.
How long can a dog be left alone?
An adult dog that has learnt to be on its own will usually stay relaxed for four to six hours alone. Puppies, adolescent dogs and seniors manage considerably less. Dogs are social animals – Swiss animal welfare legislation, too, requires sufficient daily contact with people; permanent isolation is not an option.
Does my dog really need that much sleep?
Many people underestimate how much rest a dog needs. An adult dog sleeps and rests for a large part of the day; puppies and seniors need even more. Sleep isn't a luxury but vital, so that your dog can process what it has experienced and relieve stress.
Walking partners or dog care near you
With a free DOGSY account you can see who near you goes for walks with dogs or offers dog care.
Help near you
These articles are no substitute for veterinary advice. Source: DOGSY knowledge editorial team.