Can a Dachshund Be Left Alone in the House? Time Limits & Considerations
In an ideal world, we’d spend our entire days with our fur babies, but our work, social lives, and daily errands have a tendency to get in the way. One of the most common questions new or prospective Dachshund parents have is this: Can I leave my Dachshund at home while I go about my daily tasks? The short answer is that you can leave your Dachshund alone at home, but not for long periods.
The longer answer, as always, is far more complicated because every Dachshund’s tolerance for alone time is different. In this post, we’ll share all you need to know about leaving your Dachshund alone at home.
How Long Can I Leave My Dachshund Alone?
According to Dachshund Health UK, Dachshunds can stay at home alone, but they should not do so for more than 4 hours at a time. On the other hand, the American Kennel Club’s guideline is that adult dogs in general can be left alone for a maximum of 6 to 8 hours.
So, the maximum time you can leave your adult Dachshund alone falls between 4 and 6 hours, with 8 hours as the absolute maximum. Unfortunately, there’s no clear-cut answer to how long a Dachshund can be left alone because they all have different needs.
You’ll need to consider factors like how old your Dachshund is, any health needs they have, and issues like separation anxiety. Let’s explore each of these factors in more depth.
Age
Puppies can’t be left alone as long as a fully grown, healthy adult Dachshund. This is because puppies are developing their confidence gradually, so need some time to feel comfortable being left alone. If a puppy doesn’t have the opportunity to get used to being alone gradually in a positive way, this could lead to destructive tendencies and separation issues.
Moreover, the simple fact is that puppies need to pee more regularly, so leaving them alone for too long could be problematic in that regard. Likewise, a senior Dachshund may need to use the bathroom more often than they used to. The American Kennel Club age guidelines for leaving dogs alone are as follows:
- Up to 10 weeks: 1 hour
- 10 to 12 weeks: 2 hours
- 2 months: 3 hours
- 4 months: 4 hours
- 5 months: 5 hours
- 6 months: 6 hours
Once the puppy is 6 months old, the maximum amount of time increases to between 6 and 8 hours. These are only guidelines, though, and some puppies may need a bit more time than others.
Health Issues
Any health issues your Dachshund has is another deciding factor in how long they can be left alone. If your Dachshund is undergoing medical treatment, they may need someone around to administer their medication at set times. Or perhaps your Dachshund has been a bit poorly lately and needs someone to check in on them regularly.
If your Dachshund has health issues that affect the length of time they can be left alone but you can’t stay home, it’s worth considering getting a pet sitter to keep an eye on them and make sure their needs are met.
If you need guidance on managing your dog's health conditions, we suggest you speak to a vet.
Separation Anxiety
Dachshunds are typically incredibly affectionate and sociable dogs, which are some of their best characteristics; however, it can make them prone to issues like separation anxiety if they don’t have positive “alone time” experiences from an early age. It occurs because the dog feels insecure, stressed, and sometimes even frightened when the owner isn’t around.
Signs of separation anxiety include (but are not limited to) barking excessively, scratching at the door, whining, howling, and destructive behavior, like chewing furniture and objects. Any dog can suffer from separation anxiety, but some develop it as a result of past trauma like being abandoned. In some cases, even moving house or a schedule change can trigger its development.
One method of tackling separation anxiety is to gradually increase the time the dog spends alone. For example, you could start by shutting a door in your house between you and your dog for just a few seconds at first, using rewards to create a positive association.
The time the dog spends alone should increase slowly over days and weeks until your dog can handle you leaving the house for short periods, too. If you’re finding the situation difficult, you might want to reach out to a professional behaviorist for support. Pet sitters and doggy daycare can also be very helpful while you and your dog work on the issue.
Final Thoughts
In brief, healthy adult Dachshunds can be left alone for, ideally, no longer than 4 to 6 hours. Eight hours is the maximum amount of time any dog should be left alone. Since you know your Dachshund best, you’re in the best position to judge how much time would be appropriate. While some dogs are really confident and independent, others take your absence much harder for a variety of possible reasons.
When your Dachshund spends time alone, make sure they have access to clean water, mentally stimulating toys, personal comforts like soft toys (if this is something your Dachshund likes), and a comfortable place to sleep.
Featured Image Credit: Masarik, Shutterstock
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Kit Copson is a freelance writer and lifelong animal lover with a strong interest in animal welfare. She has parented many furry beings over the years and is currently a proud cat mom of two—one very chilled (unless hungry) Siamese and a skittish but adorable Domestic Shorthair—and dog mom of one—an adopted Bichon Poodle cross. When not writing about or spending time with pets, Kit can be found drawing in her sketchpad, reading, or more often than not, drinking tea.
