Although pet owners love to be greeted at their door by their furry friends, coming home to find the sofa on the ground and the smiles of their pets is not the welcoming experience they are looking for.

“We all love spending time with our dogs, but we need to leave them at home alone sometimes,”Laura Roach, a certified dog trainer from Camp Bow Wow, a nationally recognized pet care franchise. “Nobody wants to come home to chewed-up shoes or ripped furniture. A tired dog is a good dog, so it’s important to give them exercise and socialization.”

It is important to make sure your dog is happy while you are gone. dog trainingDogs need to be exercised, but they shouldn’t be kept inside all day. Dogs require exercise and they need to be outside as much as possible. If they are left indoors too long they may develop behavioral or health problems or leave behind a mess for you.

Roach pointed out that dogs can become irritable if they are left alone if they have too much energy or boredom. Learn what professional dog trainers have to say about curbing chewing.

1. Drop your dog at doggy daycare several times a week. Camp Bow Wow offers over 100 locations in the United States where your dog can socialize and play while you work.

2. A pet sitter can take Fido on a 30-minute walk every other day. Most pet care facilities provide an at-home component. Camp Bow Wow for instance has Home Buddies-certified care givers that can take your dog out of their home to enjoy a well-deserved vacation.

3. To keep your dog entertained while you are gone, get interactive dog toys. Interactive toys are puzzles that stimulate your dog’s imagination and help them relax after they are done.

4. Maintain your dog’s mental stimulation. Dogs that are mentally exhausted have no time for thinking about problems. Pet owners can also take agility and obedience classes. A Behavior Buddies trainer can come to your house to teach you how to keep your dog happy and healthy. “dog proof.”

Are you curious to see what Fido does in a living space when he is left alone and without any exercise or attention? You can play the interactive Facebook game “Bad to the Bone”at www.facebook.com/campbowwow.

You can vote on Camp Bow Wow’s Facebook page for the finalists of their nationwide search for a best-behaved dog. The contest will see dogs matched up in an interactive face-off contest, where the winner will get a Camp Bow Wow gift card. Find out more about the services offered by the trusted brand at www.campbowwow.com.