Starting the process of leaving two dogs home alone

[Allthebowls]

Hello, we are starting to work on leaving our two dogs home alone together. Really with the aim of shorter periods to allow for crossover of us both being out for slightly overlapping periods of time (ideal would be about 45mins but to work up to that). Older dog is great being left alone for up to a few hrs and has had run of the house and can be trusted just to snooze and not get into anything. Younger dog has been very different and has struggled in the crate or with door closed separating them. He is now 19 months and has mostly grown out of his crazy teenage dog phase of annoying older dog, it’s been a couple of months now since we’ve had this behaviour and his energy rhythm during the day is much more predictable so we know when he’s gearing up for a walk/play etc. We’ve tried a few stints hiding down the side of the house and he’s so much more relaxed being out with other dog and so we want to try and see if they can be left out together.

Neither has ever shown any resource guarding traits and we remove anything that might be something they have a grumble over. They do share toys etc quite well and love a game of tug which is always reciprocal but just to be safe we take these away. They get a quickly eaten chew on our way out that they both scoff down in seconds so no edibles out either. Some rooms closed off that younger dog would get into things but they have the downstairs of the house, hallway and upper hallway. Collars taken off as well.

We have got a camera today to watch them whilst we test the waters and aim is to try short periods every day over the next few weeks and see if there anything of concern. In the day when we are home they largely only start to play with each other just before walk and meal times and it’s usually not too silly. Other than that they don’t really bother with each other although they do seem to snooze near each other.

We will make sure relaxed, exercised etc before we do and see how we go but just wondered if any other advice? Realise it’s not always doable but it would make a massive difference to be able to do this even just for short periods of time.

I should also say that they have never had a fight, both spayed, older dog female/younger male. Aside from measured telling offs from older dog when younger dog was a very crazy puppy they’ve never had a cross word!

We have a 7yo female and 6mo male, I recently started to leave them - short periods - making sure the puppy is tired. We have done away with the crate so both have access to most of the house. I bought a really cheap £25 camera which is great. I focus it at the front door so I can check if there is any distress. No problems here. They are pretty chilled. You sound like you’ve thought of everything so should go as well as it can. It’s great as they have each other, so they’re not really alone. Good luck!

Thanks! Had the camera on today and had a 15 min practice. Older dog as usual settles herself in her usual spot, younger dog went to the door a couple of times to start with but no obvious signs of distress. Within 3 mins he was on the couch and settled. He only moved at the sound of us walking back onto the drive. I think because older dog is so unbothered it makes a big difference as he seems to watch her for cues. We will keep going slowly increasing the time and watching. If he’s not at all distressed then it’s really making sure neither is in a silly mood, well exercised and relaxed before we leave. I’m sure they will play but obviously we don’t want anything too boisterous going on.