One of the main reasons Cavapoos are such an in-demand family dog, is their love of being with people. They are the classic indoors dog – they love cuddles, require minimal exercise and are happy to just chill and relax. But as much as they love human company, it just isn’t possible for owners to be at home 100% of the time. So, what happens when you must leave? Can Cavapoos be left alone?
Cavapoos can be happily left along for short periods of a few hours at a time as adults. As puppies a few extra precautions are necessary, and you will also need to minimize any time away.
OK so how long is too long, and what precautions should you take? Trust us, you will want to make sure you are fully prepared before you leave your precious Cavapoo alone for the first time so let us fill you in on exactly what you need to know, to do just that.
Before you Take the Plunge
We really should not have to say this, but sadly not every Cavapoo purchase is a wise decision. During the COVID-19 pandemic, the sales of dogs went through the roof as countless millions around the world were forced into prolonged lock downs and yearned for some canine company. But sadly, since the pandemic has started to ease, there has been an increasing number of dogs becoming unwanted and needing to be rehomed. Nobody wants this, so it is important to make sure a dog is the right choice for your situation, and importantly that the characteristics of a Cavapoo are a good fit for your family and lifestyle.
If you considering buying a dog you should consider your routine and make sure your selection fits you well. Cavapoos are dogs which need human interaction – they were bred to be with people and will just not be happy if they are in a home lacking human presence. If you know you work long hours and will need to leave your Cavapoo behind regularly for extended periods, then they may not be the best choice for you.
There are plenty of breeds of dogs, however, that suit their owners being away for long periods. Greyhounds, for example, generally do not form the same close bond to their human owners that Cavapoos do. That is not to say they are completely detached; they just do not have the same longing to be with people and are quite content to spend down time by themselves.
The bottom line is Doodles, including the Cavapoo, are born to be with people, so make sure your family are honest with themselves about how much time they will be able to spend at home in the company of their dog.
What Could Possibly Go Wrong…?
What could possibly go wrong with leaving a Cavapoo at home by themselves? In short: a lot! Therefore, it is important you are prepared so the experience does not leave them with scars (physical or emotional) and you come home to a happy home.
One of the big concerns many Cavapoo owners have is that of Separation Anxiety. As a mental health issue, separation anxiety is diagnosed by a specific symptom, but has a range of potential consequences. Here are some of the things which can arise from Separation Anxiety if you leave your Cavapoo alone at home:
Crying, barking and other distressed vocalizations. It is a common effect from separation anxiety to have a Cavapoo pine for their owners. They may whine for no reason and also bark at any noise they hear from outside. This can be frustrating for neighbors when the owner is away from home all day and can lead to complaints, and for apartment dwellers, issues with the building management.
Destructive behavior. It is possible for separation anxiety to lead to the destruction by your Cavapoo of things around the home. This could be objects they get the hands on (read: teeth on) such as TV remotes, toys (that do not belong to them) shoes left conveniently in their vicinity (i.e. any shoe) and other items left at Cavapoo biting height. Cavapoos can also chew on furniture. Not all chewing will be caused by separation anxiety (Cavapoo puppies will chew while with their puppy teeth) but in adult dogs chewing can be a consequence of separation anxiety.
Toilet ‘Accidents’. Toilet accidents are common in puppies, so if you are leaving your Cavapoo puppy along for any period of time an accident should be expected. This, however, is not always caused by separation anxiety and in older dogs a toilet accident is more likely to be for other reasons, such as separation anxiety. Even a fully trained Cavapoo may decide to vote with their ‘bits’ due to the emotional turmoil of being left all alone.
Dig, Dig, Dig. If you have a yard you might find your Cavapoo desperately digging for some long lost treasure, which turns out to be nothing. Digging can be a sign of separation anxiety, and may be an unwelcome sight, especially if you take pride in your garden.
Getting Started with Being Away
None of us wants to make our poor Cavapoo suffer, and neither do we want to suffer ourselves from the consequences of separation anxiety. It is important we are ready and have some plans in place to minimize any potential impact.
To set the scene it is helpful to understand the concept of ‘Object Permanence’ as outlined in Jean Piaget’s theory of cognitive development [1]. In this theory, infant children are extremely egotistical and do not understand that things can exist which are separate to themselves. As such, something which vanishes from their view is considered to no longer exist, which can be distressing for the child. At around 8 months or so babies start to develop the concept of object permanence which is why they are so taken with a simple game of peek-a-boo.
The same theory has been shown for puppies which develop objective permanence at around 11 weeks. However, object permanence in adult dogs is not as advanced as humans and their abilities generally equate to the object permanence abilities of a 1 to 2 year old child [2].
What does this mean? Well, it means that your Cavapoo may not know you are coming back at first, and even when they do they will not have the same ability to comprehend this as humans. Add to this the potential consequences of a separation situation and we need to make sure we plan our trips away carefully.
First, it is important that any trips away from the home are initially very short. We need to get our Cavapoo to understand that when we go away it is not for ever and we will return. Over time we can lengthen these trips bit by bit and eventually we will be able to stay away for longer periods, hopefully without distress to our pooch.
Secondly, we need to make sure our homes are ‘Cavapoo proof’. All those objects and potential distractions which they may elect to chew upon should be safely put away. Any potential for toilet accidents should be minimized by closing your Cavapoo in only part of the home (dogs roaming after a ‘number 2’ accident can lead to some horrendous results…). You may with to put down some ‘pee mats’ and also invest in some fake indoor grass to help your Cavapoo go where they should.
What Can You Do?
Now that we have started to outline the first steps in leaving our Cavapoos alone – planning short trips at first and ‘dog proofing’ out homes – it is now time to outline the other things which can improve the outlook of leaving our Cavapoos by themselves.
Firstly, it is important to remember that prevention is always better than cure. Rather than try and deal with problems that can arise from leaving our Cavapoos alone at home, we should first work on ways to avoid the problems altogether. The cornerstone of good obedience and avoiding issues is to work on a sound baseline of training. Training is the most important component of establishing a happy and healthy home life for your Cavapoo, and can help avoid the issues that come from separation anxiety.
Well fed and Watered. Always, always, always make sure you leave plenty of water for your Cavapoo while you are out. Make it a habit to check their bowl every time you leave home to make sure you do not forget to leave them enough water. For longer absences, leave them some food – dry food can be left out all day, but be careful if you are leaving fresh food as this should not be left out for long periods and is meant to be eaten straight away.
Toys. Leaving toys for your Cavapoo is usually not something you need to actively remember as for many dog owners toys are often strewn around the home. But if you are an owner that likes to get toys out to play with your dog, then tidy them away afterwards then make a point of leaving your Cavapoo with something before you go out. It can become a symbol they relate to when you give your Cavapoo one of their toys before you leave home. Your dog will learn to associate the giving of a toy with your trip and knowing, over time, that you will be back. But this will take some time and constituency.
2-way Camera. If your Cavapoo is struggling with you being away then consider investing in a two-way camera to communicate with your Cavapoo while you are absent. These cameras are great ways to see and hear what your Cavapoo is up to and to be able to speak directly with them while you are gone, often through the apps that come with the devices.
These devices can be great for the right dog, but do not suit all Cavapoos. Some Cavapoos may recognize your voice but struggle to associate the sound with you.
Before you invest in this option, you may want to try a test first using a mobile phone. Get a second phone and video call it and put it on speaker, then leave home (leaving your Cavapoo in place) and speak through the phone and see if your Cavapoo responds. They may be calmed by this, or it may pass them by completely! If they take to it, then an investment in a doggy cam may be wise, and it is a lot cheaper than buying your Cavapoo their own iPhone!
Toilet Preparations. One of the things new Cavapoo owners fear the most is coming home to a house which has been ‘desecrated’ by their incontinent dog. As described already, these accidents can happen because your Cavapoo is still a puppy and not in full control of themselves or trained, or it can be an act of stress from separation anxiety.
It can also of course be the result of being left alone for too long, and not having access to somewhere to ‘go’. Make sure before you leave home that you take your Cavapoo outside and give them an opportunity to ‘use the bathroom’. This can save a lot of pain and anguish later.
For new puppies, you may want to consider ‘damage limitation’. Cordon your Cavapoo in one particular part of your home so they cannot wander too far, thus reducing the consequence of any toilet accident. This can also be achieved by using a playpen fence, crate or even some boxes placed in the right locations.
Oh I’m so Tired. Dogs tend to ‘act up’ more when they are full of energy. Tire them out first and they will struggle less with being left alone as they will spend a large part of the time you are away resting. Cavapoos do not need much exercise but taking them for a walk before you leave for your time away will make a big difference.
Inside (please!) Some Cavapoo owners think they are doing their dog a favor but putting them outside when they go out “They can explore and play while I’m gone” they think to themselves. This is not a good idea with a Cavapoo – they are bred to be indoors dogs and this rule still applies when you are not home.
Every Dog is Different
Exactly how your Cavapoo will react to being left alone is dependent on their individual personality. Whenever experts describe characteristics of dogs by breed they are only ever generalizing. The reality is the personalities of dogs vary dog by dog – there is no guarantee a specific dog will act a certain way.
The range of personalities is amplified in Cavapoos where their nature is determined through the combination of two different dog breeds. Both the Poodle and Cavalier King Charles Spaniel have quite different personalities and Cavapooos are a mashup of these two. This combination can vary significantly, especially when different generations of Cavapoo are factored in.
The fact is you may end up with a Cavapoo that is extremely clingy or one that is not. You may have a Cavapoo that follows you around constantly, or one that is content to spend time in their basket. You may also find your Cavapoo locks on to an ‘alpha’ in the family and is primarily concerned with whether they are home, or in other cases they may favor no one in particular. Exactly how your specific Cavapoo will fare during periods of you being absent depends, to a large extent, on them.
Instead of Being Absent…?
If you have tried all the tips in this article but you still have a troubled Cavapoo that struggles with you leaving the home for long periods, then it may be time to consider some alternative strategies.
A Surrogate Owner? If you have to go out regularly, such as to work, then is there anyone you could leave your Cavapoo with while you are away? You might have a friend who works from home all day and would be grateful to have your Cavapoo as company. Win-win.
Seniors will love it. Dog therapy is increasingly popular, and senior folks in particular generally love to cuddle a small dog. If you have an elderly relative or neighbor who spends most of their time at home alone, they may welcome the addition of a furry friend to keep them company while you are out.
Doggy Day Care. Doggy day care is child minding for your furry friend. It can be an expensive option if used regularly but has the advantage of providing regular care for your Cavapoo when you cannot.
Walkies? If you are called away from home regularly then having someone walk your Cavapoo on a regular basis can be a good way to break up their day. Often walkers will be happy to collect your dog and return them for you. The advantage is your Cavapoo gets some well-needed exercise, it does not cost as much as a day care and can also help alleviate some of your dog’s frustration with being left alone.
Work From Home. In the modern age working from home has never been more popular or indeed possible. Consider mixing up your work week by spending more time at home. You may need to sell this to your boss, so what better way than to show them some cute photos of your darling Cavapoo 🙂
[1] https://www.verywellmind.com/what-is-object-permanence-2795405
[2] https://blog.chicle.rescrf.com/do-dogs-have-object-permanence