Tips for Leaving Your Dog at Home During Matthews Alive

Dogs aren’t allowed at Matthews Alive Festival, due to a Matthews town ordinance. 

We’ve put together some tips for leaving your dog at home during Matthews Alive, to ensure your fur family is content and happy while you’re off enjoying yourself at the Festival.

Walk your dog before leaving home

If you want a calm dog, before you leave the house, make sure you schedule time for a brisk walk or a vigorous game of fetch in the backyard or nearby dog park.

Ask a family member or friend to help

You likely have a family member, friend, or neighbor who would be willing to stop in and check on your dogs (and other pets) while you’re at Matthews Alive. A quick 10 minute check-in to let the pets out for a potty break, and a vigorous belly rub, is often enough. If they can stay a little longer, even better!

You could also hire a dog walker to come by and provide a professional field trip.

More dog toys, less destruction

A bored dog left to his own devices may act out by chewing up your devices. Boredom can be as much of a cause for acting out as separation anxiety. For this reason, it’s vital to leave out your dog’s favorite toys and anything else you can think of that he can use to entertain himself in your absence. Dog toys make great diversions.

Leave the TV or radio on

Pets often get used to the noises of having their family at home. By leaving the TV or radio on, you’ll provide some of that background noise they’ve grown accustom to, which may ease any separation anxiety.

Confine your dog, if necessary

If your dog tends to have accidents or chews items when you’re going, consider confining your pet to a smaller room in your house or a crate that’s big enough for them.