When Can I Leave My Cocker Spaniel Home Alone?
by Jason
Reply from Pauline (Web Owner) Cockers don't like to be left home alone - they're family dogs and love to be with their pack at all times. Dogs who are left alone and not given enough mental and physical stimulation are easily bored and can develop separation anxiety and can sometimes become quite destructive. Trust me, behavioural problems from bored dogs can be a real challenge to correct. However, being ever practical, our dogs sometimes need to be left alone from time to time and, if we're working, we sometimes need to leave them for longer than we'd like. Personally, I wouldn't leave a puppy alone for 8 hours each day. They need regular toilet breaks, training, socialization, play, and lots of cuddles - read our article on puppy care. If you can, ask a neighbour, friend or relative, to pop in a couple of times each day to let him into the garden for a toilet break, some fresh air and a little playtime. Take your cocker for a long walk (at least 45 minutes) before you go out to work to help tire him out so that he'll sleep contentedly. I recommend the same when you come him in the evening - throw a ball or a frisbee for him to run after to get his heart and lungs pumping. Leave your cocker in a safe room (no trailing wires, garbage bins etc) with a warm comfortable bed, safe chew toys, and a bowl of fresh water. You could leave a radio on, tuned into a chat show, to keep him 'company'. If I need to go out for any length of time, and it's feasible, I will take my cocker with me and leave him in the boot of the car (don't worry - it's an estate car!). I walk him first to tire him out, give him a biscuit, and he just lies there in his soft bed or on his blanket and is so content because he knows I'm not far. If I'm shopping, I can pop back every hour or two and give him a little walk and a treat before leaving him again. PS: I'm always careful to leave him with water, slightly open windows, in the shade, or in a secure underground car park. Cocker Spaniel Questions And Answers Return to About Cocker Spaniels - Homepage
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