Labradoodles are an incredibly lovable and social breed of dog, so can they be left alone? Of course, the short answer is yes. However, it’s not always easy to do so for a dog used to constant company and attention.
Can Labradoodles be Left Alone?
here are twelve steps that you can take to make a brilliant decision about whether or can labradoodles be left alone:
1. Know what socialization is and what it means for your dog
A well-socialised dog with good social skills will be less likely to develop behavior issues, such as separation anxiety. If you don’t understand how important this is for the health of your Labradoodle, it’s time you do some research about dogs and the way they communicate with one another.
2. Know what your Labradoodle is currently like with people
While it’s essential to train a dog, you need first to learn how they act outside of training sessions. Do they bark at strangers? Are they fearful or shy of new people? Does your Labradoodle require some reassurance from you when a friend comes over? These clues will help you understand how your dog currently handles being left alone.
3. Evaluate the situation
Depending on how you currently leave your Labradoodle alone and how often they’re left alone, it’s imperative to evaluate the situation to see if it’s the best possible time to be left alone. The best time for your dog to be left alone is when you’re at work, and they’re on a leash. The next best time is when they’re in a crate while you are home, while the third best option is to leave them outside during the day with a pen nearby.
4. Decide on how long you’ll be gone
The best way to leave your dog alone is to give them at least two hours of supervised time. It’s also a good idea to leave food and water close by in case they get hungry or thirsty, and toys or treats to keep them busy should they get bored.
5. Give them a few minutes of training before you go away
When you’re leaving your Labradoodle alone, be sure he has been given some simple commands while you’re around, such as “sit,” “stay” or “leave it.”
Ideally, practice with him when you’re doing something like watching TV, so he can have some fun while you are out of the room.
6. Give them a new toy before you go away
To make sure your Labradoodle is happy and comfortable while you’re gone, leave them a new toy or treat that they’ve never seen before. This will give them something to do while they wait for your return, and they’ll be more than happy to show off the toy or treat when you get back home.
7. Bring them lots of attention when you are gone
When you get home, play with your dog! Hug them and make them feel your love. Play with them for a couple of minutes to show that you’ve missed them, and then leave again for another hour or so. When you come back home, give your dog a lot of pets, kisses, and affection to show that they’ve been missed while they were away.
8. Give them some small tasks while they’re alone at first
If you’re leaving them alone for the first time, give them a simple command to do while you’re away. This will make your Labradoodle feel like they are doing something important and will help them feel more comfortable being left alone.
9. Evaluate how the first experience went and make adjustments
Was your dog happy about being left alone? Was he so sad that it was difficult for you to go out again? This is the point at which you can evaluate how well or how poorly your dog handled being left alone, and if necessary, make adjustments until it’s a successful experience for both of you. Moreover, it’s important to note that sometimes your Labradoodle just needs to get used to the new routine and experience, so be patient.
10. Stay home for a day or two to give them extra time alone
On the mornings when you’re at home with your Labradoodle and not going out, spend some more time with them before you have to go out. This will give your dog more time without you leaving, which should make them more comfortable when it is time for you to go out. This also gives you some time together without any distractions whenever they’re fearful or shy of being left alone.
11. Leave home at the same time each day
While it might be tempting to stay close to the same time each day, one of your biggest mistakes would be to get into a routine with your dog. Instead, make sure that you leave and come back close in time so that they don’t get used to seeing you grow old while they wait for you.
12. Last, but not least..
The final step is ensuring that all other family members are on board with the way you’re leaving your Labradoodle alone. You can make all the plans in the world, but if other people aren’t doing their part, your Labradoodle will pick up on it and be upset. It’s advisable to have other family members on board with your new plan for leaving your dog alone.
Anxiety Behavior in Labradoodles Left Alone?
Negative associations usually cause separation anxiety. Labradoodles that have been left alone in the past with no human contact often repeat this behavior. This can be very dangerous and some dogs have jumped over the windows or dug through walls in their home to get to their owner. While their owner is in another room (even if it is only a few feet away) they can show signs of stress by barking, whining, and being destructive.
How Do I Break the Behavior?
There are many ways to break the behavior without getting your pup into trouble. One way is not allowing them out until later. For example, you can leave them in the kitchen for an hour a day, then move them to the bathroom after a week or two.
You can also increase their physical activity before your departure by taking them for a long walk before going off on your errand. Another option is to wait until they are tired. This works exceptionally well if you go out of town and will be gone for more than one day.
How long is Too Long For a Labradoodles Left Alone?
Many people think leaving a Labradoodle for long periods alone is bad for them. However, in most cases, this isn’t true. It actually can be good for their mental and physical health if done appropriately.
The most important recommendation in making sure your dog does well when you leave them alone is to ensure that they have something to do while you are gone — toys treats, food or water. If they have something to do, they will be more capable of coping with the situation and becoming more comfortable.
Can I Leave My Labradoodle in a Crate?
As a pet owner you might feel the urge to simply leave your dog in a crate while you are away sorting out business. However, we don’t think this would be a good idea and should be definitely avoided.
Though having a crate inside your home is good since it is normally known to be a safe place for dogs, if you have them locked up in a crate for too long, then there can be some serious consequences. It is not a bad thing to leave your dog in this space for a few hours, but if you are away for the entire day, this could leave to your dog having behavioral issues.
The fact that labradoodles are considered to be social dogs, they tend to love the company of others whether it is humans or other dogs. This is why we don’t recommend locking them away for too long because your dog might become frustrated and even lash out.
When it comes to crating your dog’s, we only think it is wise to do so with puppies. In case you are going away and you are planning on leaving them inside a crate, you can have like a friend or family to check up on them every 2-3 hour until you are back home.
Conclusion
An additional point to note is that not all Labradoodles are created equal, and there are many individual differences between the pet dogs in this breed. The training of a Labradoodle is unique to each dog and their potential tendencies towards separation anxiety. This article provided general guidelines for owners who wish to leave their dogs alone and is not intended as medical advice or advice for individual circumstances.