Is it better to go home over lunch to play with a puppy home alone or let him be til the end of the day?

Question

My puppy is a cavalier king charles, 17 weeks old. He is in the kitchen w/food, toys, water and a bed and potty pad. I would like to come home during lunch, even to play w/him for a 1/2 hour, but when I leave again, he goes through the whole separation anxiety thing all over again. Is it best to let him be during the day and not put him through me leaving twice?

When I finally get home at night, he is the center of attention until bed and he sleeps in my room. We walk, play, etc. I'm even holding the end of one of his toys for him to tug on if I'm doing some more work or eating or something.

Answer 1

You should go and play with your puppy if you have the chance and take him for a quick walk. They'll get used to it and will know that you'll come back.

Answer 2

It's good that you're keeping your pup in a controlled setting rather than having him running around the house all day. Of course you will eventually want to train him to be able to go into each room of the house. Don't isolate him when you're home. About going home and playing with him for 1/2 hour, since you know that he goes through separation anxiety, perhaps it's better if you don't do it. Remember, though, that dogs are pack animals. They love to be with their "pack." So when you do come home in the evening, pay a lot of attention to him. Dogs love that. He'll probably get over his separation anxiety soon. Or another idea is to play some music for him while you're gone, but don't turn the stereo up loud. They have sensitive ears.
Good luck and take really good care of him.

Answer 3

Puppies need as much interaction and socilaization as they can get, so if you can make it home at lunchtime to play with your pet DO IT. Puppies that are isolated all day can grow up fearful, aggressive and unable to cope with new people and situations.

Separation anxiety is not uncommon in dogs, but as long as you stick to a normal schedule, your pup will eventually get used to your routine and will become less and less anxious about your leaving.

When its time for you to go, it sometimes helps to give the dog a special hard treat or toy (something that engages its attention) and then leave quietly while its attention is elsewhere. If you linger at the door, or mollycoddle the dog, you're only reinforcing the anxious behavior and the dog will "suffer" all the more.

Answer 4

I would not come home during the day. I have two Cavaliers and I would encourage you to think about getting a playmate for your puppy (e.g., if possible, another Cavalier). My husband and I are gone all day; I could come home but I think, like you, it's harder for the dogs (and me) when I have to return to the office. You've set up a nice, comfortable area for your puppy in your absence. Again, I would encourage a playmate, but if that's not a possibility, just know that your dog will be fine (probably will sleep most of the time) until you get home.

Answer 5

at this age it is best to go home for lunch if you can so that he can go potty and you can check on him. What you could do before leaving is give a new kong or spread out yummy treat in the kitchen for him to find so that he can fill the rest of the day. Another thing king charles are a smaller breed and you could even switch him from piddle pads to a litter box for dogs.

Answer 6

When my Boston was a puppy, it was hard for met to get home to play with him because I was 20 minutes from work. My lunch is only an hour long and I would have enough time to let him out and then back into the cage.

My husband would be able to stop at home sometimes for lunch and he'd play with him and let him out. He was fine as long as he got a cookie.

My dog seems so smart to me because if you put a coat on or grab your keys he runs to his cage- so he obviously knows whats coming & he wants that cookie. So, us coming home sometimes and sometimes not doesn't seem to have affected him or his mood. If you're worried about it- try to give him something to do while you sneak out. They sell balls at Petco that have holes in them where you can put their kibbles or small cookies in it. It keeps them entertained and it's really cute to watch my dog tap the ball and look for the food. Here you go. I don't have this one, but just so you have an idea. Mine was actually a little cheaper too.

http://www.petco.com/Shop/petco_Product_R_5_PC_productlist_Nav_188_N_22+101+30+5572_cp_2_Nao_12_sku_834637_familyID_4558.aspx

Good luck!

Answer 7

My neighbors got a boxer puppy two years ago! Maggie is a sweet heart. They take turns - Still - coming home everyday at lunch time to play with her. Becasue they are doing this she is a very social dog and has no problems when they go out becasue she knows that they will always come back.. It also keeps her from getting bored and getting into things. If you can do it I think it would be great! Good Luck!

Answer 8

If it were my puppy I'd be going home at lunch to let him out, play with him to tire him out a little, and just spend a bit of time with him. He'll soon learn that you always come back. If he has some separation anxiety it's best to not say good-bye to him, just leave. If you don't make a big deal out of going, pretty soon he won't either.

Answer 9

At 17 weeks old, he can handle being home alone all day without going out to potty or eating a snack. Make sure he has lots of safe toys he can play with while you are gone, like Kongs with peanut butter. Yum! And chew toys that he can't break apart and swallow pieces. If you can go home and play with him, he would greatly appreciate it, but if it's difficult, don't worry too much. Lots of dogs are alone during the day and they are fine. If you do it every day, and he never learns to entertain himself, he may develop separation anxiety, but then again, he may not. It all depends on the dog.

Answer 10

I wouldn't worry about it so much, as long as you don't mind cleaning up the puppy mess.....I have had dogs all my life and I love them very much....but you have to work...as long as the dog has toys food and water he will be fine...just give him plent of attention when you get home....I hear people talk about leaving dogs home all the time....If those people had their way no one would have a dog....I have always left my dogs home when I am at work....and my dogs are better trained and better behaved than most other peoples I know. You just have to give them the time you have and give them plenty of attention when you are home and he will be fine.....