Labradoodles remain one of the most popular ‘doodle’ breeds. And it’s no surprise – they’re loving, fun dogs that are great with kids and usually don’t have the shedding problem of their Labrador parents. But while most owners get Labradoodles specifically because of their family-friendly nature, what about the times you won’t be around? Can you leave your fun loving, sociable Labradoodle by themselves for long?
Labradoodles can be left along for up to 8 hours but ideally this should not be a regular occurrence. Labradoodle puppies should not be left along for more than 2 hours at a time.
So how can you plan for your absences? What preparations should you make before you head out for a long stretch? And how should you deal you’re your dog if your Labradoodle is especially anxious?
Through this article we’ll explore strategies you can implement right now to help your Labradoodle cope better with your absences, while giving you steps you can take to help avoid your home being turned upside down while you’re gone!
Read on to also get our checklist so you can prep for a long absence during the day to make sure your Labradoodle is going to be ok while you’re gone.
What Could Possibly Go Wrong?
Firstly, what’s the problem we’re trying to fix here? Why is it such a big deal to leave your Labradoodle alone for a stretch of time?
The challenge with all dog breeds that are bred for being great human companions, is they love human companionship. The warmer they are towards you, the more they will miss it while you’re away. Sadly there is no magic solution to have a dog who will adore you while you’re around and be just as happy when you’re not!
Labradoodles are intelligent dogs, with their Poodle heritage contributing to their brain power. Intelligent dogs require extra stimulation, so having long stretches without company doesn’t help with this.
While all Labradoodles will experience some level of separation, the worry is when they act out their anxiety in a physical way. Separation can lead to barking, howling, whining for long periods, destructive chewing or toilet ‘accidents’. In rare cases dogs can go even further overboard and turn a home upside down.
What To Do About It?
Research from animal behavioral specialists from the University of Lincoln in the United Kingdom [1] indicated that there are four key forms of separation anxiety in dogs:
- A focus on getting away from something in the house
- Wanting to get to something outside
- Reacting to external noises or events
- Boredom
The study team found that ‘separation anxiety’ is actually the symptom, and treating the causes may be the key to effective treatment.
We’ll cover all four of these root causes in the following strategies to help you manage your Labradoodle while they are alone.
Must Have Checklist for Leaving Your Labradoodle Alone
OK so let’s get straight to the nitty gritty. This checklist has been prepared to help you leave your Labradoodle at home without worrying that they will suffer the effects of separation anxiety. Some of these may not apply to your situation so just utilise the ones that do:
Food and Water. Make sure your Labradoodle has access to plenty of water, and consider leaving some dry food for them to snack on during the day. Make sure you take account of their current eating regimen before doing this – you don’t want to solve the issue of leaving your Labradoodle along by making them fat in the process!
Lock up Your Valuables. Or more specifically, make sure your Labradoodle can’t access those parts of your home which house the things important to you. Weather dependent you may elect to have your Labradoodle outside while you’re away (provided this does not lead to barking or whining issues). If indoors, make sure your Labradoodle only has access to ‘safe’ parts of your home – keep doors to bedrooms closed and make sure toys, remote controls and other tempting or precious items are well beyond their reach.
Exercise. You can’t exercise your Labradoodle while you’re out, so make sure you do before you leave. A long walk first thing in the morning is not only good for you, but will deplete some of your Labradoodle’s energy making them less active during the day. The more active, the more trouble they could get themselves into.
Toys. Make sure you leave plenty of your Labradoodle’s favorite toys within their access. This may be a favorite soft toy, ball or chew toy – whatever it is, make sure they have access to it.
Comfort. Make sure you’re setting your Labradoodle up for a relaxing time by making a comfy bed available to them (and I don’t mean YOUR bed!). A nice dog bed, perfectly sized for your Labradoodle, will give them an opportunity to chill while you’re away.
Toilet Break. Depending on your personal setup, your Labradoodle may or may not have access to a toilet area while you’re out. If you’re in a house and have a door flap then great, but if you’re in an apartment then you may want to think about pee pads. This will depend on the age of your Labradoodle, but either way it’s always a good plan to take them outside for a toilet break before you depart.
Remove Distractions. Sometimes it’s the things in the house, or equally the things they can see outside the home which are the biggest causes of anxiety while you’re away. Minimise these issues by putting your Labradoodle in a room, ideally, where they can’t see these things. This is not always possible, however, so you may need to remember to close curtains or blinds to avoid having your Labradoodle sit at the window ready to bark at any distraction outside.
Don’t Make a Fuss. Importantly, the way we leave and the way we arrive has a big bearing on a dog’s reaction to being left alone. Through persistence and careful discipline, you can train your Labradoodle to realise that your arrival is not a cause for celebration any more than your departure is a time for sadness. Leave without a big fuss and arrive home without a big fuss.
What If They Just Can’t Handle It!
Sometimes, even with all the best preparation, your Labradoodle will still struggle to handle being without you for long periods. If that is the case then you still have a few options to consider.
Working from Home. Since the COVID-19 pandemic, workplaces have become increasingly flexible around employees working from home. This doesn’t suit all professions, but if it does yours then you may wish to consider spending a few days a week at home, even if normally you’d be in the office. If working from home isn’t an option then also consider popping by at lunchtime to check in on your furry friend.
Ask a Friend. Friends and neighbours can often be a big help. Can you ask a neighbour to pop around and check on your Labradoodle and maybe even take them for a walk or play with them? Many retirees would love the opportunity to spend some time with a playful dog and would jump at the chance. If there is someone you trust then this is a great option to break up your Labradoodle’s long day by themselves.
Dog Walker. There are plenty of professional dog walkers who are used to taking the dogs of busy owners out for long walks during the day. Look on your local community groups to find dog walkers in your area. It’s also a great option for local students who would be excited to early some extra dollars in such a fun way.
Doggy Day Care. Most people have heard of dog hotels or kennels where you can leave your canine friend while on vacation. But there are also many places which specialize in looking after your dog during daytime hours. Much like kindergarten for preschoolers, doggy day care is a great way for your dog to get lots of attention while you’re not at home. This is the most expensive option though, so probably one of the last to be considered.
What About Puppies?
The information provided so far is really designed for adult Labradoodles. So what about puppies? A ‘puppy’ can represent a dog from zero to 12 months old according to the American Kennel Club [1].
During this period your Labradoodle will change significantly, and once they have reached 12 months the information provided here can be considered relevant to them. But when they are much younger, their needs are quite different.
Usually, most breeders will keep puppies until they are between 4 and 12 weeks old. When they first come to you, they will need lots of attention and this early phase is vital for your long term relationship. Here bonds are made with your Labradoodle, so you shouldn’t leave them alone for long periods each day.
When you do have to go out then here are some things which can help.
Comforter. Often puppies come with a blanket from their breeder with their mother’s smell on it. This will be treasured by the puppy during their first few weeks and should be available to them when you have to go out.
Bed. Setup a comfy bed which they can sleep in while you’re out. Labradoodle puppies spend most of the day asleep so somewhere to rest is important.
Crate/pen. You will probably want to keep the puppy in a limited space while you’re gone. Toilet accidents are inevitable for puppies and having had the experience of a puppy spread their ‘mess’ around a large area while out, I can assure you that is not something you want to come home to!
Pee mats. Make sure you have mats setup so your puppy can happily go while you’re away. Of course, it’s a good idea to take them to the toilet before you leave to also help. It’s worth bearing in mind that Labradoodle puppies can’t hold their bladders as long as adults.
Wrap Up and Final Tip
Leaving your Labradoodle alone for the first time can be daunting, especially as they can be prone to anxiety in your absence. But following out checklist will set you on the right path. Remember to cater to the specific needs of a Labradoodle puppy to ensure they are well looked after too. Lastly, if your Labradoodle doesn’t take to being by themselves, consider the strategies we’ve outlined to help them during the day.
Our last tip is to help your Labradoodle ease into you being away. First, try to be away for short periods at first, increasing the time after a while so they gradually get used to your absence. Also, a symbolic treat – such as a teeth cleaning chew every time you leave – is a strong symbol that you are leaving but will return. If you make it a habit, and provide a good setup for your Labradoodle while you’re away, you’ll be able to provide a great environment for them while taking care of your beloved dog.
[1] Developing Diagnostic Frameworks in Veterinary Behavioral Medicine: Disambiguating Separation Related Problems in Dogs, Luciana S. de Assis, Raquel Matos, Thomas W. Pike, Oliver H. P. Burman and Daniel S. Mills, 17 January 2020
[2] Puppy Growth Chart: When Does My Puppy Finish Growing? Susan Paretts, August 10, 2021, https://www.akc.org/expert-advice/health/when-does-my-puppy-finish-growing