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How Long Can You Leave A Golden Retriever Home Alone

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Getting A Golden Retriever

Can Golden Retrievers Stay Alone at Home

Do plenty of research before you get a Golden Retriever. Make sure you have the knowledge and dedication to give to these sweet natured dogs to keep them happy and the time and space to exercise them. While they make great family pets, make sure you are absolutely ready to take on the commitment of getting a dog first.

Encourage Them To Go To Bed Quietly

For this step, you should encourage your Golden Retriever to go to bed. While doing so, you should stay in the room for a while, until your dog is staying quiet in the bed. In doing so, reward him for this attitude.

Better verbal communication is also needed in doing so. You should ask him to stay in the room when you go out of the room. If he complies with your instructions, it is better to reward him with his favorite treat.

Am I A Bad Pet Owner If I Leave My Dog Alone For 10 Hours A Day

When people talk to me about getting a dog, the first thing I like to ask is how much time they have available to spend with the dog. Its important to remember that dogs are social animals. Theres a reason we call them our best friends: They are wired to spend time with us, watch us and help us. Its hard for dogs to become great at their job of companion if they dont ever spend any time in our company.

Thats not to say you shouldnt get a dog if you work far from it. We all need a friendly face to come home to at the end of the day. A dog is a friend who is always there to greet you, play with you and exercise you.

But not many of us can spend all day with our dogs, although it would be a great world if we could. We have work, school, family obligations, friends and other commitments in our lives. Im here to share some tips on how you can make your dogs life better enrich it, as my behavior expert friends say even when youre not home.

Read Also: How Do You Trim A Golden Retriever At Home

What About Potty Breaks While You Are Gone

If your dog can get to an appropriate bathroom place completely on his own, then this will not be a limiting factor.

On the other hand, if your dog requires you to let him out or back in, then you cannot leave him alone as long. You will have to visit your dog at least every 4 to 5 hours depending on his age.

Puppies will have to get out even more often than that.

Common Health Problems In Golden Retrievers

How Long Can You Leave a Golden Retriever Alone?  Dog ...

Like any purebred dog, Golden Retrievers may encounter some breed-related health problems throughout their lives. Often, Breed Clubs will also be able to provide advice on what tests your breed may need and where to get these done. Make sure the parents of your puppy have had the relevant health screening to reduce the chances of your puppy being affected by these upsetting conditions.

Golden Retrievers are amongst a group of breeds classed as Category Two by The Kennel Club. These are breeds of dog that have been highlighted as having points of concern visible features which, if exaggerated, might potentially affect the breed in the future and cause health and welfare concerns. For Golden Retrievers, this is because they can have short legs in proportion to their body and a tendency to become overweight.

Some of the conditions Golden Retrievers are more prone to developing include:

  • Ichthyosis a skin disease that causes thickening of the footpads and makes other areas of skin rough and covered with thick, greasy flakes that stick to the hair.
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    Mistakes When Teaching Leave It

    Here are some common mistakes most people make when teaching their golden retriever to leave it.

    Forcing your puppy to leave it

    In order for your puppy to best learn to leave it, they need to decide for themselves that they want to leave it, and they want to look at you.

    Punishing your puppy when they dont leave it

    You want your puppy to want to look at you when you ask them to leave it.

    If you physically or verbally punish them for not obeying, they wont want to look at you.

    Letting your dog get the treats on the floor as a reward

    In real life, you probably wont allow your puppy to get whatever youre asking them to leave alone, so dont get in the practice of telling them leave it, then letting them have it.

    Giving the leave it cue too soon

    If you ask your puppy to leave it before they can reliably leave it, they might get into the habit of hearing the cue, but not always obeying, which will make this behavior much more unreliable.

    Why You Shouldnt Buy A Golden Retriever

    YOU ARE LOOKING FOR AN OUTSIDE ONLY DOG Part of what makes Goldens Golden is their affectionate, people loving nature. This trait makes them VERY unhappy when they dont have a high amount of interaction with you. Goldens also need regular grooming to keep their skin and coat in good condition.

    Recommended Reading: Best Way To Dry A Golden Retriever

    If I Am Away From The House And My Golden Retriever For An Extended Period How Can I Ensure They Are Safe

    When you are away from home and your golden retriever for an extended time, you can ensure that they are safe by having a well-thought-out and planned home environment.

    Before leaving your home and golden retriever, it should be decided where they will be staying when you are away and what they will have access to.

    Dangerous items that they can get into or cause to break or come crashing down should be removed. That isnt possible another room or area should be selected.

    Having a crate and the golden retriever crate trained is a great option, but not everyone likes this idea. If that is the case, a comfortable bed in a safe area where they can chew on some toys, move around, and have a snack or two and some water is best. A lovely window with a view can be great for entertainment, depending on the golden retrievers age and temperament.

    It can even be beneficial to remove their collar, so there isnt the chance to get caught on anything while you are away. This can be placed in a safe area, so they dont chew on it.

    Aside from this, having a friend, neighbor, or family member check in on them while you are away is handy to keep them not only healthy but emotionally happy too.

    When this is all combined, the likelihood of a golden retriever being unsafe is significantly reduced. This can give the pet parent peace of mind in those moments that they must be away from the fur baby that they love so much.

    Dog Breeds That Do Well Alone

    This Happens when I leave My 3 Golden retrievers alone Home

    Even though every dog has their own personality, some dog breeds are known to cope with solitude much better than others. Breeds who do well alone are mostly those who are known to be less active and energetic than others.

    Dog breeds that can be left alone for longer periods include breeds like:

    • Basset Hound
    • Akita Inu
    • Boston Terrier

    There are a few more breeds that have a good track record with separation, but how long can a dog be left alone in the first place, or, more precisely, does breed have anything to do with it? Just because your pooch doesnt chew your shoes while youre gone, it doesnt mean you can leave them alone for days.

    As Ive already mentioned above, adult, housetrained dogs can be left on their own for a few hours, provided that their needs are met , and that you regularly take them for walks and exercise each day.

    Dog breeds that can be left alone for 8 hours while youre working are usually intelligent, trained dogs that can entertain themselves in your absence. Pooches with this type of personality are eager learners and independent, and dont rely on their owner to keep them company throughout the day. Dog breeds that can be left alone for long periods include Labrador and Golden Retriever, Beagle, Peekapoo, or Shiba Inu. Naturally, by long-term periods, its implied that the period is up to 8 hours a day and not more.

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    Some Dogs May Always Need To Be Crated

    Certain dogs will never do well when left alone, Mauger said.

    As long as they are happy being in their crate, then use it, she said. Currently, one of my personal dogs cannot be left at home without getting into trouble. So to keep him safe and to keep my furniture safe, he is always crated.

    She also wanted to remind dog owners never to force a dog or puppy into a crate. Always keep the experience positive by using treats and giving the dog extra goodies such as bones or stuffed puzzle toys while youre away.

    Never use a crate for punishment, she said. The crate needs to be a safe place for your dog.

    How about the rest of you? How did you transition your dog to be left out of the crate?

    Turn The Tv To Dogtv While You Are Gone

    The TV has become the inevitable babysitter of the next generation. So, why not let your puppy in on the action.

    Your pooch may find a favorite TV show or movie that will keep him occupied for a couple of hours.

    No reason that your Golden Retriever cannot take part in a Netflix binge of their own every now and then. One of the best options if DOGTV. Here is one of their videos from YouTube. Check out their channel to see several examples of what you get from a subscription.

    You can check out DOGTV at

    If you have to leave your Golden Retriever at home alone, this special channel may be exactly what you need to keep your dog calm and relieve anxiety.

    Pet experts and scientists have designed the programming to do one of three specific things: relax, stimulate, and expose. The exposure programs can be especially helpful in your socialization program.

    If you are interested,

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    How Long Can You Leave A Dog Home Alone

    Did you know, your doggo is a very social animal?

    From interacting with people, to spending time with other dogs, your pooch should have daily opportunities to socialize. In fact, as too much alone time might make your pawsome pal feel lonely or distressed, its best to avoid leaving them too long.

    But what can you do when you do need to leave you doggo for a while? How long should you leave them for, and how can you make the experience easier? Spending time away from your pet can be challenging for both of you and there are some general guidelines you can follow. Keep in mind that these can vary all dogs are individuals – so your dogs past experiences, age and personality can affect their needs.

    How Long Can You Leave A Labrador Alone

    How Long Can You Leave A Golden Retriever Home Alone

    How Long Can You Leave A Labrador Alone? So, how long can Labradors be left alone? Labrador Retrievers can be left alone for a maximum of 4 hours, although puppies shouldnt be left alone for longer than one hour for each month of age. This should never exceed a maximum of 4 hours.

    One of the hardest things for most pet parents is leaving their dog home alone, especially when the dog is absolutely miserable in your absence. Even though every dog has their own personality, some dog breeds are known to cope with solitude much better than others. There are a few more breeds that have a good track record with separation, but how long can a dog be left alone in the first place, or, more precisely, does breed have anything to do with it? Just because your pooch doesnt chew your shoes while youre gone, it doesnt mean you can leave them alone for days. Dog breeds that can be left alone for 8 hours while youre working are usually intelligent, trained dogs that can entertain themselves in your absence. Dog breeds that can be left alone for long periods include Labrador and Golden Retriever, Beagle, Peekapoo, or Shiba Inu. Each dog has a personality of their own, and, sometimes, the breed of the dog only plays a small role in your dogs temperament. As for how long can a dog stay in a crate, the rule of the thumb is it shouldnt be more than 8 hours.

    How long can you leave a Labrador? four hours

    Read Also: When Do Golden Retrievers Calm Down

    Tips For Helping Your Golden Retriever Live A Long Life

    Here are some tips to help your golden retriever live a long life like Augie.

    1. Listen to your veterinarian.

    This is probably the most important tip.

    Your vet will know your dog, and have the best recommendations and action plan to keep them healthy.

    This includes flea, tick, and heartworm medicines, food and exercise advice, and much more.

    2. Listen to your dog.

    When Oliver was a puppy, we spent countless hours researching what the best food for golden retriever puppies was.

    Well, guess what?

    After a few weeks of us feeding him the best food for golden retriever puppies, he stopped eating and became more lethargic.

    We listened to what he was trying to tell us, we talked with our vet about it, and we decided to switch foods.

    Right away he loved the new food, started eating more, and started getting his normal, crazy energy back.

    Just because something is popular for many dogs, doesnt necessarily mean that itll be good for your dog, so pay attention to them and how theyre feeling so you can work with your vet to keep them happy and healthy.

    3. Feed your dog a quality dog food.

    Yes, Walmart brand food may be cheaper at first, but youll probably end up paying more in vet bills down the road.

    Not to mention, with a quality dog food, your dog will probably be happier and healthier for it.

    Talk to your veterinarian, do your research, and feed your pup a quality food.

    4. Groom your golden retriever regularly.

    5. Exercise your golden retriever regularly.

    Tiring Your Golden Retriever Before Leaving Him

    You should try to take your Golden Retriever for long walks in the morning rather than in the evening. This way your Golden will be tired out before you leave for work. Due to this activity, your Golden Retriever will spend a couple of hours sleeping as well as resting and will not be bored easily.

    4. Getting Interactive Toys

    To keep your dog busy in an activity while you are away, it is better to get him some interactive toys. The selection of toys depends on the taste of your dog. Some dogs love to chew toys while others like to have toyed with puzzles. Therefore, this step can buy you some time while you are away for work.

    Also Check: Golden Retriever Puppy Shedding

    How Much Sleep Do Dogs Need

    FUN FACT: Larger dog breeds sleep more than smaller breeds. You will find big dogs like Newfoundland or Saint Bernard sleeping more than tiny breeds like a chihuahua.

    Puppies sleep more than adults and sleep is an essential part of raising a happy pup.

    Dogs sleep a lot, even during the day and this was inherited from their wolf counterparts. Some dogs are just calm and quiet, and some wait to spend their energy all at once when possible.

    Summing Up: How Long Can You Leave A Dog Alone

    9 Things you MUST KNOW Before Getting a Golden Retriever!

    On average, you can leave an adult dog home alone for upto six hours per day.

    For puppies, it depends on their age and their capacity to hold urine. So:

    • 8-10 week old puppies can be left alone for an hour
    • 2-3 month old puppies for 2 hours
    • 4-8 month old puppies for 4 hours

    Did we answer your question? Let us know in the comments if we missed anything, and well get back to you as soon as we can.

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    How Long Can I Leave My Dog Alone

    Its okay to leave dogs over the age of 18 months alone for about 6 hours a day. Of course, this depends on various factors such as the dogs actual age, breed, medical needs, etc.

    In most cases, leaving a dog alone for more than 8 hours can cause various behavioral issues such as problem barking, stress, and anxiety.

    Give It Lots Of Love And Cuddles When You Get Home

    Golden retrievers can be often seen pacing around the residence anxiously awaiting their owners return. If you are ever facing this dog-version of separation anxiety, you may want to consider offering some Golden Retriever cuddles, attention, and lots of love when you get home.

    While not all golden retrievers are at risk of separation anxiety, there are some things you can do to lower your risk of this fearful behavior. Make certain that you give your golden retriever lots of positive emotional and physical contact when you get home after a walk or when hes been out for a long time. Also, give him a treat after he lays down with you for a few minutes to calm him down.

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    Caring For Your Golden Retriever

    Golden Retrievers are usually real big softies and can make a great addition to a home. They are a popular pet for families, but be aware that they are prone to certain health conditions and you will need to make sure your pets been screened where possible to avoid them. Its also really important to keep your Retriever in shape, as they can easily become overweight.

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