Dachshunds are known for being loyal and loving companions, but what happens when their owners have to leave them at home alone? Is it safe to leave a dachshund home alone? In this blog post, we’ll explore some of the potential risks associated with leaving a dachshund home alone and offer tips for ensuring your furry friend stays safe and happy while you’re away.
Can dachshunds be left alone all day?
No dachshund can’t be left alone all day long. These dogs are prone to develop separation anxiety if left alone for long periods because they form a strong bond with their owners.
It is well-known by people who own dachshunds that these dogs follow them around all day long. This breed has a reputation for being clingy and needy.
That’s why Dachshunds can’t be left alone all day and need company, as well as plenty of physical activity and mental stimulation throughout the day.
Can you leave a dachshund alone for 8 hours?
Dachshunds do not do well alone when left alone for more than 4 hours.
If left inside for too long without human contact or any other dogs to play with, dachshunds may get bored, lonely, and anxious.
This can lead them to become unpleasant and destructive by chewing on furniture and barking incessantly until you return. Your doxie must have some company when left at home all day so this problem does not occur!
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Do dachshunds get separation anxiety?
Dachshunds are pack animals and generally don’t do well when they’re left alone. Being alone for long periods can make them feel lonely and depressed.
When a dachshund hasn’t been trained to stay at home, it can develop mild or severe separation anxiety which is defined as “extreme distress when an animal is separated from its owner”.
This condition results in the dog destroying anything within reach of their small mouths whether that be household goods, like furniture, or even walls, doors, or your favorite shoes.
Related post: Separation Anxiety in Dachshunds
Do dachshunds grow out of separation anxiety?
Some dachshunds get used to being alone in the house for long periods, while others never do. each dog is an individual with a different personality.
But in general, dachshunds do not grow out of separation anxiety. These dogs are very dependent on their owners. So normally this is something that is not going to fix itself.
However, you can fix this behavior by training your dachshund to stay alone in your house.
How do you train a Dachshund to be alone?
To help your dog feel less anxious about being alone, you can train him to be alone. Begin by leaving him for short periods and gradually increasing the length. In this way, your dachshund will gradually get used to being alone and will be less anxious when you are not there.
To teach your dachshund how to be alone, you mustn’t make a fuss when leaving and returning. It’s also tempting, but don’t create too much of a commotion on your return home, even if your dog makes a riot when he greets you.
Don’t make a fuss when your dachshund greets you when you return home. By doing this, you will be teaching your dog that leaving and returning home is normal and should not be anxious when you leave.
Not acting excited when your dachshund greets you may sound mean to some people. But it is a way to make the dog understand that you leave the house as part of the daily routine and that you will always come back home. more information is available here
Can two dachshunds be left alone?
Your dachshund will love having a companion, but you should always introduce your second dog when the first is already settled. Dachshunds are pack animals and they like to have companionship in their environment so if you can afford two of them it may be beneficial for both dogs.
Although, getting a second dachshund may not be a solution for your dog’s separation anxiety. What often ends up happening is that instead of having one lonely and stressed dachshund at home, you will have two lonely and stressed dachshunds.
They will indeed keep each other company, but they both will be anxious until you return. Unless you successfully train both dachshunds to be alone.
What should I do with my dog when I go to work?
As we mentioned before, the best way to make sure your dog does not suffer from separation anxiety while you are at work is to train him to get used to being alone in the house. Getting your dachshund a canine companion to accompany each other in your absence, is also a good idea. There are some things you can do to help your dog to be alone at home.
Walk your dog before going to work
A tired dog will be calmer staying alone in the house. If you walk your dog before going to work, your dog will go to rest and will not notice your absence. On the other hand, a dog full of energy will be anxious while you are not there.
Leave toys around your house
It is a good idea to give your dog something to entertain himself while you are away. Toys like Kong are great for this. You can fill the toys with peanut butter (as long as it is safe for your dog) or another type of treat that your dog likes.
This way, your dog will spend much of the time you are outside, playing with his kong instead of being bored and anxious waiting for you. This type of toy works very well with dachshunds because these dogs are very food-driven.
Hire a dog sitter
Hiring a pet sitter is a good way of not having to worry about leaving the dog alone during the day since your dog will be accompanied and you will be able to continue with your day with peace of mind.
However, this may not be an option because paying a pet sitter every day can be quite expensive. But it is still an excellent option when you have to travel for work or vacation, and you cannot take your dog with you.
Take your dog to pet care
If hiring a pet sitter is not an option, you can look for a dog daycare where you can leave your pet during work hours. Find a place near your home or work, where you can leave your dog on the way to work.
Your dog will be accompanied by humans and will have canine friends to play with and socialize with. Many of these dog daycare places also have boarding services if you need to leave your dog for a day or two.
Leave your dog with a neighbor
If you are lucky enough to have a responsible neighbor with whom you have good relationships, and who likes animals.
You can ask him or her to take care of your dog while you are at work. This may seem like an imposition on your part. But, for a dog lover, taking care of your neighbor’s dog can be a treat. So you don’t lose anything by asking.
Use camera feeders
You can also use technology to accompany your dog remotely. You can use a dog-treat camera like Furbo to see and talk to your dog from work.
These dogs treat cameras are great because they will allow you to check on your dog from the office. Thus, you will be calm knowing that your dog is fine and your dog will hear your voice and feel accompanied.
Also, your dog will like treats that come out of the machine, so he will probably stay in front of the camera, waiting for more treats while you are away.
Related post: Do Dachshunds bark a lot?
Final thoughts
The dachshund is a dog that needs constant attention and does not like to be left alone for long periods. This breed of dog has an innate need to bond with people and can develop separation anxiety if they spend too much time without their owners. If you have a dachshund, it’s important to train your pet so they can stay by themselves during the day or when you’re away from home. You should also consider getting two dogs as this will help ease the lonely feeling of one animal being separated from his pack.
Related post: Dachshund Training Guide: Tips & Tutorials to Train a Dachshund
