THE WESTERN Bulldogs' recent decision to allow Zephaniah Skinner to travel home for a brief break seems to be paying off with the 2010 draftee returning a happier person.

The 21-year-old went home to Noonkanbah, near Fitzroy Crossing in Western Australia, in the weeks after his round seven debut against the Sydney Swans in Canberra.

He was back training with his teammates this week and looked fit and healthy, and most importantly, enthusiastic.

"I think he did [benefit], and that's not unusual," assistant coach Brett Montgomery said on Wednesday.

"Zephy's a really good, young diligent man and he's going to be good player for this footy club and it will be gradual.

"We probably gave him a game when, to be perfectly honest, he didn't deserve it but we thought it was great experience.

"He'll be better for it and he's come back really happy."

Skinner had minimal impact with just two touches, two marks and one behind in his one and only AFL game after being subbed on for the final quarter.

There were reports the high-flying 2010 recruit, who was picked up by the Dogs with No.88 overall pick in the NAB AFL Draft, had become frustrated after he was dropped the following week.

Montgomery said the decision to allow Skinner to go home and see his family ahead of the Dogs' round nine clash with West Coast at Perth's Patersons Stadium, was jointly made to help combat any onset of homesickness.

"It's something we'd been planning on and whether it was that week or any other week … it probably came a little earlier than expected," he said.

"He's come back happy and that's important."

Skinner played in Williamstown's 40-point win over the Casey Scorpions on Saturday at Avalon Airport Oval but failed to kick a goal.