Can Goldendoodles Be Left Alone at Home?

Goldendoodles love spending time with their human family, and it’s normal to want to spend every waking minute with your furry friend. But between work duties and personal commitments, there will come a time when you must leave your Goldendoodle alone.

This might not sound like a big deal, but some dog breeds cope better than others when left alone, so it’s better to know how your canine companion is likely to react when you close the door behind you.

So, can Goldendoodles be left alone? And, more importantly, how long for? In this guide, we’ll cover everything you need to know about leaving your Goldendoodle alone so you can rest assured your dog is happy and healthy when left to their own devices.

 

Can I Leave My Goldendoodle Home Alone?

Goldendoodles are a sociable and friendly breed, but they are also highly adaptable to their environment as long as their basic needs are met.

Because of this, you should have no problem leaving your Goldendoodle alone in a familiar setting while you go about your day.

However, some basic training can help keep your Goldendoodle stay cool, calm, and collected whilst at home alone. Don’t know where to start? Don’t worry, we’ll provide some basic tips and tricks later in the article!

 

How Does a Goldendoodle React to Being Alone?

Goldendoodles love being around their human family and have an inherent loyalty rarely found in other breeds. But due to their laid-back and free-spirited nature, they can also adapt quickly to being alone.

If you haven’t found the right Goldendoodle for you and are simply doing your homework, you may be wondering: are Mini Goldendoodles hyper? The truth is, whilst most Goldendoodles are energetic dogs, they can learn to react calmly to being left alone with the right amount of training.

Goldendoodles are also extremely intelligent and will get used to your routine over time, whether you work in an office or from home.

 

How Soon Can I Leave My Goldendoodle Puppy Home Alone?

The thought of leaving your Goldendoodle puppy alone for the first time will always be a little nerve-wracking, but it’s always better to get your dog used to your routine sooner rather than later. This can prevent them from developing bad behaviors that they carry with them through to adulthood.

Because Goldendoodle puppies tend to be a little more clingy than adult Goldendoodles, they are also more likely to feel anxious and scared if they are left alone for extended periods. This could cause them to develop separation anxiety, isolation distress or confinement anxiety which can then lead to behaviors that are difficult to curb, such as excessive barking, growling, or howling.

Your Goldendoodle puppy is also still getting used to how their body works, so they won’t be as skilled as adult dogs at knowing when to urinate. This may mean they struggle to go long periods without going to the toilet. The unofficial rule is that, for each month of their age, dogs can usually last about one hour without needing to go to the toilet.

 

How Do I Know if My Goldendoodle Has Separation Anxiety?

Goldendoodles are known for their loving and affectionate personalities, but this also means they can get anxious and jittery when left alone without human companionship for extended periods.

This is why it’s important you know what signs to look out for, so you can easily identify separation anxiety in your Goldendoodle and take action to address it as soon as possible. These behaviors can usually be curbed with a combination of proper training and positive reinforcement.

Symptoms of separation anxiety in Goldendoodles

• Trembling
• Hiding
• Pacing
• Whining
• Barking
• Urinating
• Howling
• Chewing
• Digging

 

How Long Can I Leave My Goldendoodle Alone For?

Whilst Goldendoodles are generally known to share a list of common traits, each individual dog is unique.

With that in mind, it may take some trial and error to determine how long you can leave your Groodle alone before they get anxious or engage in destructive behaviors.

However, as a general rule, you shouldn’t leave adult Goldendoodles alone for more than six hours or one hour if they are still a puppy. There is a fine line between giving your Goldendoodle enough alone time and making them feel as if they have been abandoned.

 

Things You Should Know Before You Leave Your Goldendoodle Alone

So you’ve decided to take the plunge and leave your beloved Doodle for a while so you can go to work or run some errands. Here are some things to keep in mind before you leave them for the first time:

Expect mess

Even if you have already trained your Goldendoodle to be alone, they may still feel confused and restless and react by playing with or chewing on your belongings. This can be frustrating but the more they get used to spending time alone, the less scary it will feel.

Over time, your Goldendoodle will learn from their mistakes and get used to spending time on their own. Make sure you leave your Doodle with plenty of their own toys to play with – this intelligent breed gets bored easily, so a good puzzle toy can help save your favorite slippers from getting chewed!

Less is more

Try leaving your Goldendoodle alone in small but regular intervals to help them gradually get used to spending time alone. This can be anything from going to the store to visiting a neighbor – the first time you leave them shouldn’t be when you’re away to work all day!

If you’re particularly nervous about how your Goldendoodle may react to being left alone or are worried your neighbors may be disturbed by the noise from excessive barking, start by heading outside and waiting around the corner for a few minutes. You might be pleasantly surprised!

Patience is key

Training a Goldendoodle to not only be alone but enjoy being alone requires a great deal of time and patience on both sides.

We know it can be tempting to give up and just take your Goldendoodle with you wherever you go. However, taking the time to administer proper training at a young age can help you bond with your puppy and prevent them from learning bad habits. No matter how much you love your doggo, there’s always going to be a time when it’s just not practical to take them with you!

 

Is It Okay to Leave My Goldendoodle Puppy in a Crate?

There are mixed opinions when it comes to whether dogs should be left in crates when home alone. However, in recent years, crate training has become a normal part of pet ownership not just in the USA but around the world.

Dog owners that have successfully crate-trained their puppies have praised the technique for helping their furry friends establish a safe space and get better at toilet training. Most dogs generally avoid making a mess where they sleep, so the crate can really be a useful tool.

But can the same be said for Goldendoodles?

In short, yes. Because Goldendoodles are highly receptive to their owner’s commands, they are regarded as one of the easiest breeds to train and should have no problem getting used to being in a crate for short periods of time.

Crate training your Goldendoodle: Top tips

Crate training your Goldendoodle can feel like a mammoth task but with the right tips and tricks, you can teach your dog to get in their crate (and stay there!) with minimal fuss.

Choose the right crate size

One of the most important steps in crate training your Goldendoodle is choosing the right crate size.

For example, if their crate is too big, your Goldendoodle may feel as if they can use the extra space to go to the toilet. This is a common problem amongst puppies of all breeds but if it isn’t addressed at a young age, it can become a life-long bad habit.

A crate that is too small, on the other hand, may lead to your Goldendoodle feeling trapped or uncomfortable. This can cause problems when it comes to getting your Goldendoodle to view their crate as a safe space where they can go to relax and unwind.

An adjustable crate can allow you to play around with sizes until you find the perfect fit for your Goldendoodle and adapt it as necessary as they grow into an adult dog. These types of crates can be slightly more expensive, but they will save you money in the long run as you won’t need to buy a bigger crate to accommodate your growing pup!

Practice positive reinforcement

Goldendoodles are highly receptive to praise and will soon learn to follow your command if there’s an added incentive.

Try enticing your Goldendoodle into their crate with a treat and a simple command word. Over time, they will start to associate the command word with their crate and will be more likely to do as you say if they know they’ll be rewarded with a tasty treat. Visit our homepage for a guide to the best treats for Goldendoodles and more training tips.

This can also help your Goldendoodle view their crate as a place for positivity as opposed to a place for punishment (which is a common but avoidable mistake amongst poorly trained puppies).

Celebrate small wins

The journey to crate training your Goldendoodle isn’t easy but by celebrating small wins along the way, you can make the process easier on you and your dog.

Goldendoodles are an extremely intelligent breed, but they may still feel confused at being told to get into a small crate so progress, no matter how small, should always be praised.

This can help teach your dog that it’s okay to make mistakes and, more importantly, reinforce the idea of their crate as a safe space.

 

How to Help Your Goldendoodle Adjust to Being Alone

Goldendoodles are, by nature, highly adaptable dogs but if your puppy is used to constant love and attention, they may struggle with being left alone for a few hours and resort to destructive behaviors such as chewing or digging.

Try these tips to avoid your Doodle developing separation anxiety when you have to leave them alone:

Leave toys lying around

Having plenty of toys lying around can help keep your Goldendoodle stimulated and entertained whilst you’re not there. Many dogs will eventually learn to relax and may even fall asleep after they realize you’re gone but giving them something to tire them out can aid their training.

They may still destroy a few toys if they feel a bit restless or scared at the thought of being alone, but this is a better alternative to having your furniture or favorite pair of shoes ripped to shreds!

Investing in some durable rope toys or puzzle toys can provide the right amount of stimulation your dog needs to keep them busy and distracted until you get home.

Introduce alone time

Before you leave your Goldendoodle alone for the first time, try introducing your dog to the idea of alone time whilst you’re still at home. This can help them adjust to their own company.

It can be as simple as leaving the room and closing the door behind you or popping outside for five minutes. Doing this can help you observe how they react to being left alone suddenly.

If your Goldendoodle seems quite happy to be left alone if they know you’re still home, try repeating the same technique but doing so for slightly longer each time. For example, if you’ve only ever left the room for five minutes, try extending this by further five-minute increments until your Goldendoodle can be left alone for an hour.

This can reassure your Goldendoodle that you always come back and make it easier for you to eventually leave the house for longer periods of time when you feel comfortable enough to do so.

Prepare a comfortable area

If your Goldendoodle struggles with being left alone, preparing a comfortable area for them to relax in can help calm their nerves. This could be anything from draping a blanket over the couch to putting extra pillows in their bed.

Leaving a piece of your clothing, such as a t-shirt or sweater, can also help your Goldendoodle pick up on your scent when you’re not there. This can lead to them settling quickly and staying put until you get back.

 

What if I Don’t Feel Comfortable Leaving My Goldendoodle Alone?

It’s completely normal to feel guilty when you leave your Goldendoodle alone for the first time, but it will get that little bit easier each time (we promise!).

To ease yourself into leaving your Goldendoodle alone, it will help to start small and work your way up. Try going for a short walk on your lunch break or setting up an in-home camera so you can keep a close eye on them while you’re out.

Leaving your Goldendoodle in another room for a short period while you work from home or cook a meal can also help you get used to the idea of eventually leaving your dog home alone for a few hours.

 

What Can I Do if My Goldendoodle Hates Being Alone?

Because Goldendoodles are such a sociable breed, they naturally prefer to spend time with other people and dogs rather than spend time alone.

However, there are steps you can take to ensure your Goldendoodle has their social needs met even if your busy schedule means they can’t always spend 100% of their time with you.

Doggy daycare

If you work long hours, sending your Goldendoodle puppy to doggy daycare can teach them how to interact with other dogs, allow them to burn excess energy, and, more importantly, distract them from the fact that you’re not there.

This can also teach your Goldendoodle to become comfortable around other people and dogs and help you relax safe in the knowledge that your puppy is in good hands.

Dog walker

If you can’t spend as much time with your Goldendoodle as you’d like, hiring a local dog walker may be the answer to your prayers.

As well as getting plenty of exercise, your Goldendoodle will get to interact with other dogs and get plenty of potty breaks. Using this service will also ensure your pup is stimulated by new sights and sounds which can aid their development and social skills – it’s a win-win!

A dog sitter is also an option if you’ll be away for a longer period (for example, an overnight trip).

 

FAQs

Are Goldendoodles independent dogs?

Goldendoodles, as a whole, prefer to be around people and dogs than be left alone. But that doesn’t mean they can’t be trained to be independent.

As Goldendoodles grow, they also learn to rely less on their owner. So, if your Goldendoodle is at the stage where they hate being apart from you for even a second, hang in there!

Can Goldendoodle puppies be left alone for eight hours?

Whilst a trained Goldendoodle can stay home alone for eight hours, they shouldn’t be left alone for more than six hours unless absolutely necessary.

However, this depends on whether they’re potty-trained and how long it has been since they had a potty break. Consider hiring a dog sitter or walker if you’re going to be away from home for eight hours and can’t bring your Doodle with you. Even the best-trained Groodles will likely need a potty break after eight hours!