My husband is a teacher too and now he is home with Nikko. But when he goes back in Sept. Nikko will be all alone again. I try to leave lots of things for him to occupy his time. He gets locked in the kitchen and I leave out food, water, lots of toys and his kong stuffed with goodies. I know he won't be a happy camper the first few days but I think they get used to it. It makes us feel bad to leave him alone, but if mommy and daddy don't work, how is Nikko going to continue being spoiled the way he is?