The Forgotten Hours: Midday Solutions for Dogs Home Alone

While families juggle school schedules, sports practices, and work commitments, many dogs spend long stretches of the day home alone. It’s during these “forgotten hours”, between the morning rush and evening return, that unwanted behaviors like chewing, barking, or pacing often appear.

For trainers, daycares, and retailers, this is more than a challenge, it’s an opportunity to provide education, services, and products that make life easier for pets and their families, while helping your business stand out.

1. The Power of Predictable Departures

Insight for Pros: Dogs thrive on routine, and even small, consistent cues can help them transition calmly when families head out the door. The key is predictability, not time-consuming exercise.

Business Idea: Trainers can teach clients a simple “settle spot” routine, where the dog goes to a mat or platform for just a minute or two before the family leaves. Retailers can recommend tools like the KLIMB or a mat paired with a chew to make this easier. Daycares can reinforce this skill during drop-off, modeling calm transitions for families.

Ready-to-Share Tip: “Create a simple leaving routine for your dog; same spot, same toy, every time. It helps departures feel calm and predictable.”

2. Engaging Dogs During the Alone Hours

Insight for Pros: Once the family is out the door, dogs need mental and physical outlets to fill the long, quiet hours. Without them, boredom often leads to destructive behaviors. Options like puzzle feeders, lick mats, long-lasting chews, or even background stimulation such as DogTV can help break up the day.

Business Idea: Retailers can position enrichment items as must-haves for keeping dogs occupied. Trainers can encourage clients to rotate toys to maintain novelty. Daycares can offer “take-home boredom buster kits” so families have easy solutions ready.

Merchandising Idea: Feature a rotating “Boredom Busters” display highlighting enrichment toys and chews, alongside simple training tools like the KLIMB. This gives families a reason to come back regularly for new ideas.

3. The Midday Break Advantage

Insight for Pros: Not every family can return home mid-day, which is where dog walkers and daycares make all the difference. Even a short break for movement or enrichment can reset a dog’s emotional balance for the rest of the day.

Business Idea: Daycares can offer structured enrichment sessions or short training refreshers as premium services. Dog walkers can promote upgraded visits that include a canine “mini workout” with the Propel or KLIMB, turning a standard walk into a more engaging and mentally stimulating experience. Retailers can support both groups by recommending tools and bundles designed for these services, helping local pros stand out while driving product sales.

Pro Tip for Retailers: Partner with a trusted dog walker and co-promote premium “fitness walks” featuring these tools. It highlights your products in action and connects your store to a wider customer network.

Closing Thought

The hours between morning goodbyes and evening reunions may be easy for families to overlook, but they’re often the hardest for dogs. By sharing educational insights and offering simple, practical solutions, professionals can ease this stress for pets while creating new revenue opportunities for their businesses.

Whether it’s structured play with the Propel Air Platform, a predictable “place” with the KLIMB, or enrichment pairings that keep dogs busy, these tools help pet parents succeed and position you as their trusted guide.