If you have a miniature schnauzer or are considering introducing a puppy into your home, you likely want to know whether it is okay to leave them alone at home.
When buying a puppy, it is important that someone is at home, at least most of the time. However, there will be times when you need to leave your puppy at home by itself.
With proper training, most miniature schnauzers will be just fine staying at home by themselves for up to 8 hours a day while you’re away for the day. Schnauzers weren’t bred specifically to be companion dogs, so their breeding itself doesn’t mean they’re bad at being by themselves, but, they are likely to miss you and you’ll need to provide the basics of food, water, locked doors and toys or other entertainment while you’re gone.
It is not usually a good idea to introduce a puppy into your family unless you have time to look after it. If you are extremely busy and spend ten hours out of the house every day, it may not be the right time to buy a puppy. However, miniature schnauzers will be okay if they are left alone for shorter periods of time.
Each dog is different, and there are ways to make this experience less stressful for both them and you. Some puppies may find spending time alone more difficult than others. However, the way that they deal with being left alone has more to do with their training rather than their breed’s inherent characteristics.
Keep reading to find out more about leaving your miniature schnauzer alone at home successfully.
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Can You Leave A Miniature Schnauzer Alone At Home?
Miniature schnauzers are usually fine if you leave them alone at home for shorter or even longer periods of time. However, you should in every case try to avoid leaving your dog alone for overly long periods of time.
It is important to train your puppy early so that he becomes used to being left alone and does not develop separation anxiety. It is also important to ensure that your miniature schnauzer has everything that he needs to keep himself occupied at home to prevent boredom.
If your dog becomes bored when he is left alone at home, he is likely to become destructive. Boredom is the main reason for behavioral problems and destructive behavior such as chewing furniture and barking, so make sure that your dog has things to keep him occupied when he is alone.
Also, make sure that your dog is safe and secure when left alone and that there is no chance of him escaping when you are gone.
How Long Can You Leave a Miniature Schnauzer At Home?
While it is not usually a good idea to do so, most well-trained miniature schnauzers can be left alone for up to eight or ten hours at a time if you do work full time. There are many ways to ensure that your dog is occupied and does not become bored or frustrated when alone.
Make sure that your dog has enough toys, food and water when he is alone.
Do Miniature Schnauzers Have Separation Anxiety?
Most miniature schnauzers are fine if they are left home alone, however some can develop separation anxiety and become stressed when they are left by their owners. Each dog is different, but the way that they react to being left alone usually has to do with their training as a puppy rather than their breed characteristics.
Miniature schnauzers are a very sociable breed and love to be in the company of people, and I even wrote about Schnauzers being cuddly and affectionate. They will usually spend a lot of time following you around the house and do not like being apart from you.
Thus, it is not usually a good idea to think about introducing a miniature schnauzer into your family if you do not have the time for it.
Extreme separation anxiety is a condition in which a dog experiences high levels of panic and anxiety when left alone. In this state, the dog is at risk of hurting himself. While it is not a common behavioral condition in miniature schnauzers, it is important to seek help if you notice signs of it in your dog.
If your dog does not want to be left alone it can suffer from separation stress of anxiety. They may either feel anxiety when being left alone or when being separated by a certain person.
Where To Leave a Miniature Schnauzer Alone in the Home
When leaving a miniature schnauzer alone at home, one of the first things to consider is where they will stay. If your miniature schnauzer is well trained and well behaved, you may be able to trust him enough to let him have the whole house.
However, if your miniature schnauzer is not so well-behaved, you may want to leave him in a smaller, restricted space. This may include:
Crating Your Schnauzer
Using a crate for your dog when leaving him alone at home can make him feel safe and secure. However, this is only really an option if you are only leaving the house for short periods of time.
It is not a good idea to leave your dog in a crate for more than an hour or two at a time.
Playpen
Another option when leaving your miniature schnauzer at home is installing a playpen somewhere in your home. This is a good way to ensure your dog is safely confined while providing him with more room to play.
You could even set their crate up within the playpen so that they have a safe space if they are feeling anxious or stressed. However, it is still not a good idea to leave your dog alone in a playpen for more than a few hours at a time.
Spare Room
You can also leave your miniature schnauzer in a small safe room if you are worried about leaving him to have the run of the whole house. Some of the best rooms to consider include the kitchen, bathroom, empty spare room or bathroom. Choose a room that is safe and that has minimal furniture. If the room does not have a door, use a pet gate to keep your dog safe.
Avoid leaving your dog alone in a garage or shed where there are potentially toxic substances that could harm him.
Outside
If your outdoor area is securely fenced in, it is possible to keep your dog outside when you are at work. Make sure that your dog has a kennel outside so that he has somewhere safe and dry to sleep while you are away.
Also, make sure that there are no places through which your dog could escape or potentially become stolen, like I’ve addressed in my article about if schnauzers can be outdoor dogs.
You could also consider installing a dog door so that your dog has access to a room of the house as well as the garden.
How To Train Your Miniature Schnauzer To Be Left Alone At Home
It is a good idea to train any dog to be left alone at home, even if you do not intend to spend much time away from your dog. It is something that you should start teaching your dog from when he is a puppy.
You can teach an older dog to like or tolerate being alone, but it is much easier to train a puppy.
Begin by leaving your puppy in their secure areas such as their playpen or your spare room for between half an hour to an hour every day. This will slowly teach them how to deal with being left alone and they will learn that you will always return to them too.
Make the time he spends by himself pleasant for your dog by providing everything that he needs including food, water and toys. Consider giving him a chew or puzzle toy to keep him occupied while alone.
Start by practicing leaving your puppy alone while you are at home. Even if you are in another room, your puppy will get used to being alone while you do something else in another part of the house.
Continue to leave your dog alone for a short period every day and return in a calm manner. Do not make it a big deal for your puppy, simply say “bye” to your dog and leave the room without making a big fuss.
Checking On Your Miniature Schnauzer
When you begin to leave your miniature schnauzer alone at home for longer periods of time of up to a few hours, it can be a good idea to check on them, at least until they are used to it.
Consider asking a neighbor or friend to check up on your miniature schnauzer when he is alone and give him some company.
You can also monitor your schnauzer with a pet camera! This will allow you to check that he is okay while you are gone. There are pretty affordable options for pet cameras with two way audio like this Petcube on Amazon.
How To Keep Your Miniature Schnauzer Entertained When Home Alone
When you leave your dog at home alone, try to give them a view of outside by keeping the curtains open. Also, consider leaving a radio on to provide background noise to help them stay calm. You can also leave the television on for some additional background noise.
Make sure to leave enough toys, food and water for while you are away. Consider offer chew toys or food puzzle toys for your dog to keep him occupied.
