HOME ALONE

A training pro offers advice to prep your pet for solo time.

- JUNO DE MELO

ONE OF THE hardest parts of being a new dog owner is getting him-and you-used to being left alone. It's a process that can take some time, says Brett Endes, owner of the Dog Savant, a training service in Los Angeles. A good starting point is teaching him the "place" command. Announcing "place" directs him to stay on his bed or in his crate-ideally in a different room than the one you're in. To do it, guide your pup into place with a leash, pause until he sits down, then give him small, low-calorie treats (preferably training happens before mealtime). After he's gotten the hang of it, instruct him to lie down in his place. Gradually increase the amount of time between "down" and treating him. Tether the leash so he can't roam; loosen the slack bit by bit as he gets better at holding the command. If he sits up or tries to army-crawl off the bed, guide him back into place and repeat. After you've mastered duration, move on to distance. Walk farther and farther away, eventually into another room entirely.