Should I adopt a Cocker Spaniel if I'm going to be away from home from 8-5?

Question

He is seven months old. He is a very active and happy cocker by what I have seen; there are NO signs of abusive or a behavioral problem . He will start off staying with my mother and another very sociable dog at her home until I move into my new place. I will only be living 15 minutes from work. So I WILL be able to contribute 15-30 minutes midday to let him out to romp around. The reason I am adopting him is because I will be living on my own and WANT the companionship and the play time. I'm not going to just toss him in a crate to whine all day. However, he will be crated during the day until I am sure he is trained. I also have a friend who lives downstairs who does not work during the day. NOW, how is that?

He is seven months old. He is a very active and happy cocker by what I have seen; there are NO signs of abuse or a behavioral problem . He will start off staying with my mother and another very sociable dog at her home until I move into my new place. I will only be living 15 minutes from work. So I WILL be able to contribute 15-30 minutes midday to let him out to romp around. The reason I am adopting him is because I will be living on my own and WANT the companionship and the play time. I'm not going to just toss him in a crate to whine all day. However, he will be crated during the day until I am sure he is trained. I also have a friend who lives downstairs who does not work during the day. NOW, how is that?

Answer 1

The answer is maybe. How old is the dog? A puppy can not be left alone as long as an older dog. If an older dog, is he used to being alone? When you are home, will you have the time and energy to devote at least an hour to your dog? Do you have the time/energy to give your dog LOTS of exercise? The biggest problem dogs have is not getting enough exercise. This is often the underlying cause of a dog barking, being destructive, and other behavior problems. A dog will not exercise himself when he is left home alone. Do you have any other animal to keep him company? It does not need to be another dog. There are also many things you can do to help him not be so alone. Leave the TV on. There are even special DVDs to entertain him. Have a dog walker come or leave him at doggy daycare. Leave special toys for him to play with only when you are not home. Give him a lot of exercise before you go to work. Getting up early if you have to. In other words, it takes extra work if you are going to do right by your dog, but it is possible and can be a lot of fun. Good luck!

Answer 2

Please no. Some dogs can take that, but a cocker spaniel simply can't cope with being left alone for that length of time. Cockers were bred for work, and they cannot spend all say obediently waiting for your return doing nothing. They need a lot of attention and interactive play, or they can develop a lot of behaviour problems. Destructive chewing would almost certainly be a problem. My lecturer (she's an experienced dog behaviourist) sees a cocker that has developed OCD - he can't walk along a floor without pushing his nose into every single area that's a different colour from the main one, if that makes sense. Basically he walks smacking his nose hard into the floor every step. It's apparently very common in cocker spaniels that don't engage in productive playtime frequently. If you leave a cocker all day then it may seem to get along, but it won't be at all happy. They were bred to work and interact with people, and can't live quietly at home alone.
If you would like to acquire a dog that would be happy at home all day, though, I'd really advise going for a retired racing greyhound. Not only would you be giving a much needed home to a dog, but you wouldn't need to worry about leaving them - they are entirely accustomed to spending long periods of time in their crates without human company and are happy to do so. Not only are they good to leave, but they're also very well socialised due to being around people so much, very well lead trained, and affectionate lovely dogs to own.

Answer 3

If you're going to adopt a dog you'll need to spend a lot of time with it initially so the dog can get used to you, your home, and your routines. Remember that newly adopted dogs often take a week or two before they settle in and start showing you who they really are and how they really feel. Take at least 7-10 days off of work if you can to help your new dog settle in.

Once the dog is comfortable in your environment, you may be able to leave it home for the day as long as it has ample room to move around, an ample supply of water, and interactive toys to keep its brain occupied while you're away.

Understand, however, that some dogs react to isolation by house-soiling, chewing at the walls or destroying property. If your dog is coming from a shelter, it was most likely neglected previously -- and you're leaving it by itself itself may translate in the dog's brain as just another form of neglect.

If you're adopting a puppy, no, you shouldn't leave it alone all day. Puppies require a lot of training and socialization to make them good house pets -- and the dog can't get that if you're not home.

Answer 4

Why not? Millions of dog owners across the country go to work during the day...

I have a 1 1/2 year old dog and a 4 year old dog that stay at home while my husband and I both work Monday - Friday. I have a pet sitter come in mid-day to let them out and take them for a walk.

Answer 5

DO not adopt a cocker spaniel
if you will be away from 9---5

Cocker spaniels really suffer badly, from being left alone .

they cannot take , staying , on their own for long spells ,

you will get all sorts of behavioral problems.
(Anxiety neurosis):

tearing up furniture even curtains

dragging out & going through waste bins

scratching and destroying doors

howling for the whole time , you are away

wetting and defeacating ,inapropriatly

and even aggresion to anyone who visits , with or without you .

That will be one horribly unhappy mixed up dog

please, do not consider adopting a dog to that ;


The only other option you may concider,
is to have two or even three dogs, together
.
they will usualy settle as a pack ,
and provided they have thier own cosy bed ,
water and food handy .
and chewy toys
they can be left for a while , without that dreadful anxiety .

i wish you well .

>^,,^<

Answer 6

Yes, if it's an adult it's fine. I would look into crate training to avoid problems when a dog is left unattended. This will make his life and yours happier. Make sure, though, that when you get home you spend plenty of quality time with your pup. You were busy all day, your dog was waiting home for you.

Answer 7

No...they are sad if u leave home and need lots of love and attention. A better dog is the Chihuahua or Scottish Terrier/Snouzer. They get along better in the house.

Answer 8

I think those are pretty good dogs to leave at home for that length of time. Just make sure it's housebroken and has toys and maybe one of those bones to chew on. And lots of love when you are home.

Answer 9

If the dog is over 1 year of age

Answer 10

if you want to you can but make sure when you are away you have people in the house so it get use people and when you get you spend alot of time with it when you get home