Can a Schnoodle Be Left Alone?
August 18, 2024 2024-08-18 14:21Can a Schnoodle Be Left Alone?
Andrea Thomas As dog owners, we want to spend all the time we can with our dogs, but sometimes we have no choice but to leave them at home when we go out. Our dogs aren’t always welcome everywhere we need to go.
If you have a Schnoodle, you know firsthand how loving and affectionate these dogs can be. A hybrid mix of a Poodle and a Schnauzer, the Schnoodle is a perfect blend of both of these dogs. Poodles and Schnauzers each come in three sizes, so there is a lot of variation with the Schnoodle. It’s common for these dogs to look different even though they’re still considered to be Schnoodles.
What doesn’t change is the fact that whether you own a Schnoodle or any other dog, you’ll have to leave them alone sometimes. Can a Schnoodle be left alone?
The good news is that with proper training, your Schnoodle can learn to tolerate being alone for reasonable lengths of time. Without this training, though, your dog can develop separation anxiety. Let’s look at how you can make it easier on your Schnoodle when you have to leave the house.
Table of Contents
Do Schnoodles Have Separation Anxiety?
Schnoodles are great dogs to own for many reasons. They have low-shedding coats, thanks to their Poodle parentage. While no dog is truly hypoallergenic, you may find yourself having to vacuum less often if you own a Schnoodle compared to some other breeds.
Schnoodles are friendly dogs and good options for families with kids. This is especially true if the dog is raised with children from puppyhood. Since Schnoodles come in different sizes but are typically small, they make good dogs for apartment dwellers and live well in an urban setting.
Schnoodles have the intelligence of both of their parent breeds. They also have the devotion to their owners and good natures of Schnauzers. Combined with the energetic, alert, and loving traits of the Poodle, a Schnoodle is a wonderful choice for a companion.
Both the Poodle and the Schnauzer can experience separation anxiety. This can also occur in your Schnoodle. Separation anxiety refers to the anxiety a dog feels when they are separated from their owners, or when they are left at home alone when their owners leave the house. It can make your Schnoodle do things like bark or cry excessively, become destructive, pee or poop in the house even if they’re housebroken, and even injure themselves.
In addition to separation anxiety, Schnoodles are intelligent and can become bored if they’re left alone too long. Since they’re smart, they may try to make up a way to be entertained, which can include chewing things you don’t want them to or knocking over and digging through the trash can.
How to Tell if a Schnoodle Is Stressed
If you’re not home, obviously you can’t witness the signs of your Schnoodle experiencing separation anxiety. Some of these signs will still be present when you arrive home, or you can set up a camera and watch how your dog reacts when you leave the house.
Here are some signs to look for that will show that your dog is stressed:
- Barking – Continued barking will exhaust your dog and irritate your neighbors, especially if you live in close quarters. If your dog is exhausted when you arrive home, it could be because stress has tired them out.
- Pacing or Running – Stressed dogs pace because they feel unsettled and don’t know what to do. They might lie down for a second and then get right back up and keep pacing. They may also run back and forth, from one end of the house to the other, and may back as they do it. This activity can also lead to them being very tired when you get home.
- Drooling – When Schnoodles are stressed or panicked, they may drool involuntarily. This is a sign that they are anxious about something. If you notice drool marks around your home or wet spots on your dog’s mouth but don’t notice your dog drooling on a regular basis, they could do it just because you left the house.
- Finding a Way to Escape – Anxious Schnoodles will try to escape the area in which they feel anxious. If you keep your dog in a crate, they could bite, chew, or dig at the bars or bottom tray. This can be dangerous for the dog because it can lead to injuries.
If you gate your dog in a certain room, they will chew or try to climb the gate. You can come home and find them asleep on the couch. If you leave your dog free in the house when you leave, they can chew, scratch, bite, and dig at carpets, doors, and windows.
How to Leave a Schnoodle Alone
If you’ve recently added a Schnoodle puppy to your household, now is the time to start teaching them how to be alone. It’s tempting to bring them everywhere you can and always spend as much time as possible with them, but there will be times when this isn’t possible. Teaching them to be alone from a young age sets them up for success later.
You can start by leaving your puppy alone for just ten minutes at a time. Place them in their crate or another puppy-proofed, secure area, and leave the house for ten minutes. Stand outside and listen for any barking or crying. It’s important to not make a big deal about leaving. Your puppy should learn to view this as just another part of their day. It’s also important to not make a big deal about coming back home.
Schnoodles are highly social and love being around people, so they won’t like being left alone at first, or maybe ever. But they can certainly get used to it and learn to adjust to this time alone with some help from you.
Comfort
Making your Schnoodle’s spot for the day as comfortable as possible will help them adjust to being alone. If you use a crate for your dog, fill it with a comfortable bed and a few toys. If you pen them in an area of the house, leave a soft bed, toys, and water out for them.
Some Schnoodles feel better with a radio or television left on a low volume. The noise can help them feel less alone. If the house is too quiet, some dogs feel more anxious. Wherever you choose to keep your dog when you leave for the day, it should make them feel safe and secure.
Entertainment
Schnoodles are smart and love to have something to do. If they’re bored, that something to do could be chewing the leg of the coffee table. Leaving toys out for them to chew will help keep them entertained.
Puzzle toys will keep their minds occupied and keep them busy. These toys require that your dog solve a puzzle before being rewarded with a treat.
You can also use treat balls that reward your dog with a treat as they roll it. A Kong filled with low-fat yogurt or peanut butter and then frozen overnight will give your dog a tasty treat to work on all day, and they can even view you leaving as a positive thing because it means they get their special snack.
Keep the Area Safe
Check your dog’s area to make sure it’s free from clutter and doesn’t include anything that could be chewed or swallowed. Electric cords should be hidden or tucked away. If your Schnoodle could bump into something that could tip over onto them and cause injury, it should be removed. Trash cans should be secured or kept in another room.
Set Up a Camera
Even if you think that your Schnoodle is doing fine all day alone, you don’t truly know what they’re up to. If you’re concerned that your dog is anxious and upset, use a camera to monitor their behavior throughout the day and see what they’re doing.
Hopefully, you’ll see a relaxed dog snoozing the day away. If you see any signs of separation anxiety or distress, you’ll know that the routine needs to be adjusted before you leave again. Maybe your dog needs more toys or distractions. Maybe they need a radio playing softly. The camera will help you learn what works and what doesn’t.
How Long Can an Adult Schnoodle Be Left Alone?
If you start getting your dog used to being alone when they are young, they should easily be able to be left alone for the length of your regular workday, but no more than that. If you’re going to be gone longer than 8 hours, consider breaking up your dog’s day. Not only will they enjoy having a potty break, but they will also like to have some company.
A dog walker can come and take your dog out for a walk, have some playtime, feed them a meal (if necessary), administer any medications, and more. If you’re going to be gone for a few hours but your dog needs lunch and meds at a certain time, a dog walker can be a wonderful solution.
A trusted friend or relative is also a good option if you know someone available and willing. If you can’t find someone to come to the house, dog daycares offer a place to let your dog socialize, play, and have fun instead of sitting at home alone. This is only a good option for dogs that enjoy the company of other dogs.
Schnoodles don’t like being left home alone, but they can get used to it if they’re taught how to be alone from the start.
Schnoodle Puppies
It’s important to teach your Schnoodle how to be alone from the time they’re young, but Schnoodle puppies can’t stay alone as long as adults can. Puppies under 6 months old should not be left alone for more than 2 hours.
Not only will they need a potty break, but they require more supervision as they can easily get into more trouble than adult dogs. Puppies are more sensitive to separation anxiety than adult dogs, as well.
It may require some schedule juggling on your part when you bring a Schnoodle puppy into your home. You want to make sure they aren’t alone for too long, but you also have a life to live. If you can’t adjust your schedule to stay home for longer periods with your new pup, consider hiring a dog walker or having a trusted friend come over while you’re gone.
Depending on how long you’re gone, this person may have to come twice a day. Once your dog reaches adulthood, they won’t need as many frequent visitors, but at least one break in the day is still good for them.
Are Schnoodles Difficult Dogs to Own?
Schnoodles aren’t difficult dogs to own, but they can be stubborn sometimes. This can make training a little difficult when the dog decides they don’t want to do something.
As long as you are aware of their tendency to develop separation anxiety and you use proper, positive training methods, your Schnoodle can learn anything you want them to. They’re smart dogs and eager to please their owners.
They require regular grooming to keep their coats maintained. Since they have hair that can grow long and get matted, they need regular clippings and brushings to keep it looking tidy. An appointment with a professional groomer can provide your Schnoodle with everything they need to look and smell fantastic.
The bottom line
Schnoodles are prone to separation anxiety and don’t like being left alone. If you teach your dog from puppyhood how to stay alone, they will have an easier time getting used to it as they get older.
Schnoodles are smart dogs and can learn anything with the right training methods. If you want to give your dog a break in their day, consider having a dog walker or friend come over to give them a quick potty break and some company.
You can still leave the house if you have a Schnoodle. You just have to be aware of their needs and work to meet them.
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