Dachshunds can be prone to separation anxiety when left alone, but it's not a guarantee. This is because they are social animals that thrive on interaction and attention from their owners.
Studies have shown that Dachshunds can suffer from anxiety when left alone for extended periods of time, with some owners reporting that their dogs exhibit destructive behavior, such as chewing or digging.
In fact, a study on canine separation anxiety found that Dachshunds are one of the breeds most susceptible to this condition, with 62% of owners reporting signs of anxiety when leaving their dogs alone.
The good news is that with proper training and preparation, Dachshunds can learn to cope with being left alone.
Additional reading: Can Birds Be Left Alone for a Week?
Preparing Your Dachshund
To prepare your Dachshund for being left alone, take them on a long walk before you go out to help them burn off energy and go to the toilet. This will reduce the likelihood of them getting into mischief and trouble when you're away.
Make sure your Dachshund has access to water and their food or a long-lasting treat before you leave the house. Leaving an old item of clothing that smells like you in their bed can also help them feel safe and relaxed.
Dachshunds shouldn't be left alone for more than four hours, but if you do have to go out for longer, consider organizing for someone to pop in or for your Dachshund to go to doggy day care.
Here are some tips to help you prepare your Dachshund for being left alone:
- Make sure they have a comfy bed or build them a doggy den.
- Teach your Dachshund to settle down calmly when you're busy.
- Use baby gates across doorways to introduce time apart.
Prepare Your Dog
Preparation is key when it comes to leaving your Dachshund home alone. To make the transition smooth, start by taking your dog for a long walk before you go out. This will give them a chance to burn off some energy and tire themselves out.
Make sure your dog has everything they need before you leave the house. This includes access to water and their food or a long-lasting treat. Leaving an old item of clothing that smells like you in their bed can also help them feel safe and relaxed.
Take a look at this: How Long Can You Leave a Bird Alone?
Leaving the TV or radio on can also help calm your dog. You can use a word or phrase, such as "see you later", to establish a routine and make your departure and return uneventful.
Don't make a fuss when you leave or return home. This can create anxiety in your dog and make them more clingy. Instead, focus on rewarding them when they remain calm and relaxed.
Here's a checklist to help you prepare your dog for being left home alone:
- Take your dog for a long walk before you go out
- Make sure your dog has access to water and their food or a long-lasting treat
- Leave an old item of clothing that smells like you in their bed
- Leave the TV or radio on to provide background noise
- Use a word or phrase to establish a routine
- Don't make a fuss when you leave or return home
Remember, don't leave your Dachshund alone for too long. Four hours is the maximum, and even then, it's best to start with shorter periods and gradually increase the time.
Before Getting a Dog
Before getting a Dachshund, consider your current schedule and availability.
You should think about how long your new Dachshund will be home alone each day. Dogs are social animals and shouldn't be left alone for extended periods.
Dachshunds need exercise, time to bond with their family, and time to get used to their new environment.
If you don't intend to spend lots of time with your Dachshund each day, maybe a different pet would be a better fit.
Suggestion: Can I Leave My Rabbit Alone for a Week?
Leaving Dachshunds Alone
Dachshunds can't be left alone for long periods, they're pack animals and get bored, anxious, lonely, and stressed on their own. If you must leave them alone, try to find someone who can take care of them.
To make things easier, leave them with enough food, water, and treats. Dachshunds love to eat, so make sure they're satisfied all day until you return.
Here's a rough guide to help you prepare your dog for being left home alone:
- Take your dog for a long walk before you go out to burn off energy and tire them out.
- Make sure they have access to water and their food or a long-lasting treat.
- Leave an old item of clothing that smells like you in their bed for comfort.
- Don't make a fuss when you leave or return, keep it calm and routine.
- Reward your dog for remaining calm and relaxed.
Remember, dogs shouldn't be left alone for more than four hours, and if your dog is showing signs of separation anxiety, build up to this gradually. If you have to go out for longer, organize for someone to pop in or take your dog to doggy day care.
Leaving Dachshunds Alone
Dachshunds are not independent dogs and need a lot of attention, which makes leaving them alone brutal for them.
You should never leave Dachshunds alone for long periods, as they can get bored, anxious, lonely, and stressed on their own. They are pack animals that require mental stimulation and exercise.
A unique perspective: Can Dachshunds Get along with Cats?
To prepare your Dachshund for being left home alone, take them for a long walk before you go out to burn off energy and tire them out. This will help them settle down and sleep while you're out.
Make sure your Dachshund has access to water and their food or a long-lasting treat before you leave the house. Leaving an old item of clothing that smells like you in their bed can also help make them feel safe and relaxed.
Dachshunds with separation anxiety often have potty accidents when left alone, despite training and being let out before you leave. This is a common sign of separation anxiety that you should look out for.
To teach your Dachshund to be alone, start by introducing time apart gradually, using baby gates across doorways, and leaving them with a long-lasting treat or toy that releases food. You should also build up the time you leave the house for gradually.
Dachshunds shouldn't be left alone for more than four hours, but if they're showing signs of separation anxiety, you should continue to build up to this gradually. If you do have to go out for longer, organize for someone to pop in or for your Dachshund to go to doggy day care.
Recommended read: White Dapple Dachshund
Here are some things to consider when leaving your Dachshund alone:
- Make sure they have a comfy bed or build them a doggy den
- Teach your Dachshund to settle down calmly when you're busy
- Use baby gates across doorways to introduce time apart
- Leave them with a long-lasting treat or toy that releases food
- Slowly increase the time you leave them alone while you're in the house
- Start to build up the time you leave the house for
- Factor some time apart into your daily routine
Pairing Dachshunds
Pairing Dachshunds can be a great solution to help them cope with being left alone. Dachshunds are known to get attached to one person, but they can also form strong bonds with other dogs.
Having two Dachshunds is often better than one, as they can provide each other with companionship and playtime. This can reduce their frustration and anxiety associated with being left alone.
Dachshunds are social by nature, which makes them well-suited to living with a companion dog. Their friendliness and love for affection are just a couple of examples of their social temperament.
Leaving two Dachshunds together can be an effective way to deal with separation anxiety, as they'll likely be too busy playing to notice your absence.
Expand your knowledge: How Long Can a Rabbit Be Left Alone?
Dachshund Anxiety and Behavior
Dachshunds are pack animals that can get bored, anxious, lonely, and stressed when left alone for long periods. They still need mental stimulation and exercise, even though they're small in size.
Leaving Dachshunds alone all day can be brutal for them, requiring a lot of attention which makes it tough for them to handle. They may get into mischief and trouble, like peeing everywhere or whining all day.
Dachshunds can suffer from separation anxiety, which makes them clingy and afraid to be left alone. They may hang close to you because they're afraid you'll leave them.
Some common signs of separation anxiety in Dachshunds include excessive barking, whining, and moping. This can happen whether you've left for work or just stepped into the next room.
If your Dachshund is experiencing separation anxiety, consider using calming supplements with lavender, hemp, melatonin, or other calming agents to help calm them down. This can make a big difference in their behavior and your life.
Related reading: Can Maltese Dogs Be Left Alone
Managing Separation
Dachshunds are social animals that thrive in environments where they have another person or animal to play with, which makes them more receptive to being left home alone with a companion.
If you're considering leaving your dachshund alone, it's worth noting that they sleep a lot, with 12 to 14 hours of sleep per day, which can be a good thing when you're away.
Getting a second dachshund can be a great option as they can keep each other company, but it's essential to remember that some breeds are more independent and can handle being left alone.
There are several breeds that are known to be quite independent and can be left home alone, including Pugs, Boston Terriers, French Bulldogs, Akita Inus, Chihuahuas, and Bull Terriers.
If you do decide to leave your dachshund alone, make sure they have plenty of toys and stimulation to keep them occupied, and consider investing in a dog camera to check in on them remotely.
Take a look at this: Mini Dachshund
Sources
- How Long Can You Leave a Puppy Alone? (akc.org)
- 9 questions to ask before getting a Dachshund (countryliving.com)
- How to help your dog get used to spending time alone (dogstrust.org.uk)
- Okay, Let's Talk About Dachshunds (telltaildogtraining.com)
- signs of separation anxiety (aspca.org)
Featured Images: pexels.com