Most dogs find being alone hard at some point. Home Alone Confidence starts with the rules and safety basics for leaving your dog, then builds calm alone-time in tiny steps, the way veterinary behaviour guidance recommends: short absences your dog can handle, never long ones they can't. It also shows you when a vet or behaviour professional should be part of the plan. Every exercise uses rewards. The American Veterinary Society of Animal Behavior recommends reward-based training only, and found no evidence that force, pain or fear (prong or shock collars, leash jerks, shouting) work better in any situation.
What you'll achieve
By the end of the course
Your dog relaxes on their bed when you leave the room
Keys and coats stop triggering panic
Calm, settled time alone, built up gradually
A plan for days when you can't avoid longer absences
Part 1: Before you start
Your rights and responsibilities
Short reading lessons on what the law says about pets and service animals, and what's expected of you as an owner. Each ends with a quick quiz.
Pets, service animals and the law8 min read
What a trained pet is, and isn't, in the eyes of the law. This keeps you, your pet and our certificate on the right side of it.
Leaving your dog: rules, safety and when to get help7 min read
What the law expects when your dog is home alone, in the car or outside, and the signs that mean you need a vet or behaviour professional.
Part 2: Training
5 training lessons, about 10 minutes each
Each lesson has an animated diagram of the steps, step-by-step practice, troubleshooting tips, a clear goal for moving on, and a quiz.
Watch and measure10 min
Before changing anything, find out how long your dog is truly comfortable alone.
A safe, cosy place to relax10 min
Teach your dog that their bed is the best place to switch off, with you nearby at first.
Making departure cues boring10 min
Keys, shoes and coats often trigger panic before you've even left. We take the meaning out of them.
Tiny absences12 min
Step out for seconds, come back before your dog worries, and repeat.
Building time, and planning for real life10 min
Stretch alone-time gradually, and plan for the days you can't avoid being out.
How you finish
The final skills checklist
When every lesson is done, you tick off each skill once your pet can do it reliably. Your certificate is issued as soon as the list is complete.
Your pet relaxes on their bed while I'm in another room
Your pet stays calm when I pick up my keys and put on my coat
Your pet stays settled for 5 minutes alone with the front door closed
Your pet stays relaxed for 30 minutes alone, shown on my camera
Treatwise Pet School
Certificate of Achievement
Certified Home Alone Confidence Pet
Awarded for completing every lesson of a reward-based Treatwise training course and its final skills checklist.
This certificate was issued on completion of the Home Alone Confidence course, after the handler confirmed their pet can perform each skill on the course checklist.
Skills trained
Relaxing on a mat, calm with departure cues, settled alone for 30 minutes
Date issued
October 16, 2026
Certificate no.
SAMPLE
Certificate of course completion. Verify it at treatwisepets.com/verify.
Sample
Sample for illustration. Not a valid certificate.
What you'll need
Things to have ready
A camera or old phone to watch your dog while you're out
