Can You Leave A Dachshund Alone?

Are you kidding? No! No way! What are you thinking, man? You can’t leave these precious little creatures alone by themselves!

Ok, only kidding! Well, maybe half kidding.

Yes, a dachshund can be left at home alone by themselves, but the recommendation is for only four, to maybe six hours max. This will vary slightly from dox to dox, but that’s a good estimation. It is not advisable to leave them at home alone all day while you’re at work without some type of bathroom break.

So Why Only Four to Six Hours?

OK, that’s not very long. What could possibly happen?

Separation Anxiety and Boredom

All dogs can experience some level of separation anxiety, however dachshunds seem particularly sensitive to it. Especially if you are their ‘best fren’ and cuddle buddy.

I mean, seriously, who are we kidding? Doxies are just so adorable that we spoil them with love and attention. So when we go out, they get sad. Sometimes even downright depressed.

By some chance, if they overcome being sad for a little while, they get bored. Let’s consider what a stressed or bored dachshund will do.

Bark and Howl

Even if you think your little hound might not bark and howl while you are out, or only bark and howl when you get back home in anticipation of your return – you might be surprised!

Here’s a tip to see what they do while you are out. If you have one of those removable front door / outdoor cameras, unclip it and let it monitor your doxie next time you’re out for a couple of hours.

Excessive howling and barking is bad for several reasons.

If you live in close proximity to your neighbor, that could cause some complaints. Complaints can escalate into calls from landlords and even a visit from law enforcement or pet control.

Additionally, dogs can get sore throats and even laryngitis from prolonged periods of barking. Just like when we go to a concert and sing for three hours as loud as we can.

If the prolonged barking is chronic, it could even lead to damaged vocal cords and a hoarse bark.

Get Sad or Depressed

That’s just pure sadness. You don’t want to think about your little doxie sad-eyed and depressed, bundled up on the floor like a common dog! I mean, is there anything more pitiful than a sad dachshund?

Portrayal of a sad dachshund, waiting for his/her people to come home. No dachshunds were saddened in this depiction. Photo credit: vmdj2002

Is this what its come to? Are you really only as happy as your dachshund? Uh, yeah. Sometimes. Admit it! They have a way of making you obsessed about them.

Chew on Furniture

Many a dash-hound don’t just like playing with their toys. They love shredding them to pieces. Does yours? Don’t be ashamed. It’s how they do.

Dachshunds chew for a lot of reasons, and one of those reasons is a coping mechanism for anxiety. Thinking about those pillows on your couch. Or even the couch…

Wee in the House

Dachshunds are notorious about being hard to house train. That being said, accidents usually happen when you are away. There are some medical conditions that can account for this, but assuming no underlying medical reasons and despite what you might think, this is not revenge peeing. This goes back to stress and separation anxiety.

Bladder and Urinary Tract Infections

This is another reason why you really shouldn’t leave a dachshund at home for more than four to six hours at a time. They can get bladder or urinary tract infections by holding their outside business for too long.

Bacteria are present in the grass and dirt. And guess what? Dachshunds are low to the ground. This makes them more likely to get infections than other breeds since their little parts come into contact with the grass and dirt when they go outside or out for a walk.

Urine is sterile (under normal conditions), so the act of peeing aids in flushing out the urinary tract. Waiting longer than four to six hours can allow enough time for bacteria to grow into a potential infection.

Female doxies are even more at risk for bladder infections as their urinary tract is shorter than males.

So What Can You Do About It?

You work. You have things to do. Sure, you’d like to take your little buddy with you everywhere, but you can’t. So what can you do to make their lives a little easier while you’re out?

Get Some Energy Out

Take you dox for a good long walk before you leave. This will not only help get some energy out, doxies like empty their bladder in strategic places along the way, leaving less to bless the inside of the house.

Alternatively, you could play ball or frisbee with them. A tired doxie is more likely to be relaxed and may even take a nap while you are out. But a word of warning. A hot and tired dox will drink a lot of water, and will probably need go outside within a couple of hours.

Get Another Dachshund

Or two. If you don’t already have a pack of wieners. Its hard to stop at just one! But seriously, dachshunds are social animals and don’t like to be alone. They love to have company, human or dog.

Keep in mind, twice (or thrice) the number of doxies means more vet visits, more food, more arrangements to be made if you want to go on vacation, more of lots of things. All of which means more money spent. But it also means more dachshund love! Just be prepared.

Leave On Some Ambient Noise

Soft, relaxing ambient noise is not only soothing and relaxing, it can also help drown out outside noise, like passing cars that remind them you’re gone every couple of minutes.

Just not too loud, or something that is too upbeat like Nirvana or Van Halen. That could have the opposite effect and give them added anxiety.

But seriously, give it a try. Put on some soft jazz or classical coffee shop type music on and watch your ween’s eyes start to get heavy. Flowing water and rain sounds work as well.

YouTube is a good resource where you can find extended sleep music and sounds. Put it on your smart tv at a reasonable volume before you leave.

Come Home for Lunch

If you work, come home for lunch. Spend some time with the weens.

Dog Walker or Pet Sitting Service

If you can’t make it back home within four to six hours, considering hiring a dog walker, or a pet sitting service. There are some good services at reasonable prices that will come by and let your pups out and spend 15 to 30 minutes (or more) with them. Just make sure you take some time to research and find a good, responsible service that truly loves dogs.

All Dachshunds Are Different

It must be said that all these tips are based on generalizations. Since all dachshunds have different and unique personalities, their level of separation anxiety will vary as well. Some may have no issues at all, while others are much more sensitive to being alone. It will be up to you to evaluate how much separation anxiety and loneliness your dachshund (or dachshunds) experience and take equal action to make their day a little less stressful while you are away.

All, The Doxie Files