Springer Spaniels are playful breeds that are great for the whole family. But what happens when you have to leave your loving pooch at home because of work or school?
You should not leave Springer Spaniels home alone for longer than a typical working day (8 hours). Leaving dogs at home for long periods can lead to destructive behavior, bladder issues, and anxiety.
But we can’t be at home with our pups all day, every day. When you have to leave your Springer Spaniel, you should keep a few things in mind.
Springer Spaniel Breed Information
Springer Spaniels are great family dogs. They are exceptionally loving, great with other breeds, and good with children.
They are medium-sized dogs (40-50 pounds or 18.14-22.67 kg) and have a coat that comes in several patterns and colors.
One of the best things about a Springer Spaniel is its socialness. They are fun-loving, playful, and even open to strangers.
They are also lovely household pets that are easy to train. An active lifestyle is best for this breed since Springer Spaniels have a high energy level and crave mental stimulation.
Leaving Your Spaniel Home Alone
There are several factors to consider before leaving your pup home alone. The most important things to consider are:
Age
One significant factor to consider when deciding how long to leave your dog at home is age. This is because of one important thing: bladder control.
Young Springer Spaniels are more likely to have accidents than mature ones. Dogs don’t have complete control over their bladders until they are about six months old. Because of this, you should not leave young pups home alone for more than a couple of hours at a time.
On the other end of that spectrum, elderly dogs can also have trouble with bladder control. Leaks are common with older dogs. You may not be able to leave a more senior dog alone for as long as you did when they were younger.
Activity Levels
Another factor to consider when leaving your dog at home is their activity level. Is your dog an active breed who never tires of playing? Or would they rather lay around the house sleeping in the sunshine?
You may not be able to leave an active breed alone for long because they get bored quickly. Springer Spaniels need stimulation and may get destructive if they get too bored.
Emotional Needs
The other thing to consider is your dog’s emotional needs. Some dogs suffer from separation anxiety when they are left home alone. This distress can cause them to be loud, destructive, anxious, and even to lose bladder control in the house.
Understanding your dog’s temperament and anxiety levels is very important before leaving them alone for too long.
Tips for Leaving Your Spaniel Home Alone
We can’t be at home with our loving pups 24/7. So, what do we do when we have to leave them alone?
There are some things you can do (and shouldn’t do) when leaving your dog at home.
Things to Do
Here are a few things you can do to help your dog relax and stay out of trouble when you leave them home alone:
- Leave on a TV: Leaving a TV on can help reduce your dog’s anxiety. They may find the sounds comforting while their owners are away. Some channels even dedicate their programming to dogs.
- Leave puzzle toys: Dogs like the Springer Spaniel love to be mentally stimulated. Leaving puzzle toys that they can play with will keep your dog busy and occupied while you’re gone. There are even toys that house treats that your dog is sure to love. My dog’s favorite puzzle can be found on Amazon.
- Reduce all temptations: Nothing is worse than coming home and finding out your dog has gotten into something while you were at work. Be sure to put the trash and other items your dog may find tempting out of reach to avoid these accidents. I had to crate train my dogs due to them being slightly destructive. Check out Midwest Homes crate if you are considering the use a of a crate, especially when they are young.
- Take them to daycare: Daycare isn’t just for humans; it is for pups too! Doggy daycare is an excellent alternative to leaving your pup home alone, especially if your dog is a social butterfly, who loves playing with other dogs.
- Hire a dog walker: Hiring a dog walker is a great way to ensure your pup gets exercise, treats, and freshwater while you are gone. It’s also easy to set up recurring visits through a company or a dog walking app. This way, you can schedule visits when you need them and avoid driving your dog to and from daycare.
Things to Not Do
Even if your dog is mature, laid back, and happy alone, there are still some things you should not do:
- Leave for too long: Leaving your dog alone for longer than a typical workday (8-10 hours) is terrible for their bladder. Your dog should go outside at least once every 8 hours.
- Leave your dog out: You may think the best solution if you have to leave your dog all day is to leave them outside. But there are many reasons this could be a bad idea. Dogs can get overheated outside if it’s too hot or may become sick if it’s too cold. Leaving dogs out can also lead to bad habits such as digging, animal chasing, and rolling around in undesirable things.
- Leave them with no water: Dogs need access to plenty of fresh water at all times of the day. Before leaving the house, be sure that they have access to the water they will need for the day.
Final Thoughts
Springer Spaniels are great options for family pets. Because they are medium-sized dogs with high activity levels, you should not leave them alone for longer than 8 hours.
If you have to leave your Spaniel alone, be sure to keep them inside with enough water. You can also explore options such as dog walkers and daycare to ensure they get enough exercise and relieve themselves during the day.
