CAN A MALTIPOO BE LEFT ALONE

Can a Maltipoo be Left Alone? – Everything You Must Know!

Are you wondering how your Maltipoo might react if you have to leave for 8 hours of work, and the only option is that your Maltipoo has to stay at home by itself?

Maltipoos can be left alone for a few hours but they are very social dogs, so there are some precautions you will need to take if you have to leave your Maltipoo alone for multiple hours every day.

Leaving your Maltipoo by itself is something that requires not only a bunch of the Best Maltipoo Toys, but also some special requirements, and hopefully, this is something you have already thought about before you got a puppy. If you already own a dog, there are several things you could do to make the day a lot more pleasant for your little furball.

What Could Go Wrong Letting a Maltipoo Be Left Alone?

Life With a Dog: A Guide on Being a Better Dog Owner!

    We respect your privacy. Unsubscribe at anytime.

    The first question people usually ask before getting one of these dogs and that is can a Maltipoo be left alone, and I can instantly name at least a few possible disasters you could end up getting home to after a long day of work.

    • Your whole house has turned into a doggy-toilet
    • Destroyed furniture
    • Items buried deep in your couch
    • Shoes or other clothing turned into delicious snacks

    These are some of the more common issues, but there might be a few things you haven’t thought about.

    For example, if your dog struggles with anxiety in the form of separation or isolation anxiety like many Maltipoos’ do (I will look more into this point in the next section).

    If a dog experiences any kind of anxiety when left alone, it will most likely lead to some kind of destructive behavior.

    Another quite important you should be sure of is if your dog is properly house trained.

    If you own a rescue dog from a local shelter, they more often than not comes with the benefit of already being potty-trained. This is a very good position if your way of life requires that you have to leave your dog at home alone for long periods of time.

    Anxiety-Based Behaviors in Dogs Left Alone

    When we’re talking about destructive behavior in a dog that is left alone, we need to look at the difference between destruction that is boredom-based and that which is based on anxiety.

    If your house ends up looking like a hurricane ran through it after you leave, there are a few questions you should consider:

    Does my Maltipoo show any signs of anxiety when I’m about to leave the house (or even if the dog thinks I’m about to leave)?

    Look for the usual signs like tucking its’ tail, hiding, trembling, or uncontrollable bowels.

    Some dogs might act perfectly normal when you are about to leave for the day, and then it just gets progressively worse all throughout the day. This is the kind of behavior that suggests that what the dog is experiencing is just boredom and not a case of anxiety.

    Remember that some anxiety isn’t something you can fix yourself and that you may end up having to seek a professional for the help that is needed.

    However, if you read on I will suggest some tips that I usually give when someone describes to me that they have a dog with anxiety issues.

    Don’t Leave it in a Crate the Entire Day

    One of the solutions that I hear some Maltipoo owners turn to as the first method is using the crate.

    If you are going to be away for a longer period of time, then a crate is not the perfect solution to the problem.

    Your dog usually loves sitting in his crate because, to him, his crate is like your favorite chair or spot on the couch.

    crate training a labradoodle puppy
crate training a puppy

    Even if you have bought one of the best crates on the market, leaving your dog alone in it all day is not the answer to any problems.

    There are quite a few really serious issues that can develop if you leave your dog in a crate for too long periods of time.

    First of all, dogs have to go to the bathroom regularly. And if you leave your Maltipoo in a crate for too long, he will eventually have to go to the bathroom.

    This obviously means that you are left with a mess to clean up when you get home, but you are now interfering with the dog’s subconscious that has taught it to always keep his own space clean.

    There is also the possibility that you introduce serious health concerns in your dog if you leave it in a crate all day.

    How Long is Too Long to Leave a Maltipoo?

    So, if you can’t avoid having to leave your Maltipoo home alone, then you should want to know how long you can actually leave him.

    And that is something that will depend on the setup you have.

    A few questions that you should consider before you try to figure out for how long your Maltipoo is okay with being left alone are:

    1. Is it possible for you to leave your dog roaming the house or do you have to confine him to a smaller area?
    2. Is it possible for your dog to relieve himself during the day or does he need to be let outside for potty breaks?
    3. Will your Maltipoo get bored during the course of the day or have you prepared any kind of mental stimulation throughout the day?
    4. Does your Maltipoo have access to plenty of water and food or do you have to be there to serve out the rations?
    5. Is the temperature controlled where your dog is located, or can your dog risk be stuck outside in the case of a sudden weather-change (colder or hotter)?

    While these are not the only things you should think about, let’s try and use these questions as a guideline and see if we can get a general idea of the question of how long can a Maltipoo be left alone.

    1. Are Potty Breaks Possibly While You Are Gone?

    If your Maltipoo has the option of going to an appropriate bathroom place completely on his own, then this will be a very positive factor.

    But on the other hand, if it a requirement from your dog that you are able to let him out or back in, then you cannot leave him alone for very long.

    You or somebody able to help you will have to visit your dog, depending on his age, at least every 4 to 5 hours.

    If you have a puppy, it will have to get out a lot more often than that, at least every 2 hours.

    2. Is Your Dog Going to Have Room to Roam?

    If it is possible for your dog to get up and wander around without a problem, or even better run around a bit, then your Maltipoo can stay home alone for a while.

    But what if there is no other option besides your dog being confined to his properly-sized crate? Then you can’t leave him in there for more than a couple of hours every once in a while.

    And if a crate is truly your only option, then you certainly shouldn’t leave your Maltipoo alone while you are at work for an entire day.

    3. Will Your Dog Have Access to Plenty of Water?

    By far, the most important factor for your dog’s overall health and basic body functions is water.

    Unlike food where you can decide how often your dog eats, that could be once or twice a day for older a Maltipoo, your dog should always have access to plenty of water throughout the day. Especially in a warm summer.

    This is pretty easy to manage thou. If you need to, you can just buy an extra water bowl.

    Or do what I’ve done a buy a PetSafe Drinkwell which is a fantastic product regardless if you have to be gone for 2 or 8 hours a day.

    4. What Will Your Maltipoo Be Able to do For Fun While Being Left Alone?

    There are several different solutions to keeping your dog mentally stimulated throughout the day. For example, take a KONG toy(affiliate link) and fill it with water-soaked dog food.

    The more of these kinds of things you have placed around your house, the longer your Maltipoo will be able to be left on his own.

    5. Will Your Dog be Able to Handle a Sudden Change in Weather?

    While the weatherman might never be wrong in where you live, the same can’t be said for the weathermen in my area, and predicting the weather exactly can be quite hard.

    If you then take a look at your Maltipoos’ situation. What will he do if the weather suddenly turns cold? Perhaps it starts raining. Is there a place where your dog can go to get out of these unforeseen weather changes?

    What could be the solution for your dog might be an insulated dog house or perhaps a doggy door into your home or garage. That way, if there is a sudden change in the weather where it takes a turn for the worse while your dog is alone, you don’t have to drop everything to get home.

    So before you’re leaving, make sure you’ve made proper preparations.

    How Long Can Maltipoo Puppies Be Left Alone?

    If you have a puppy, that’s quite a different story. Puppies are very high maintenance and have to get outside a lot more often than an adult dog.

    A Maltipoo puppy under 6 months shouldn’t be left alone for more than 2 hours.

    When we’re dealing with puppies you must establish and stick to a serious crate and feeding schedule. It’s the only way for your puppy to get the important nutrition it needs to feed its ever-growing body.

    If you start slacking with your puppy’s crate schedule, you will almost certainly end up adding months to the crate training process.

    Ways to Successfully Leave a Maltipoo Home Alone

    There are many things you can do to successfully leave a Maltipoo home alone.

    Some of these ideas are the ones I’ve mentioned above.

    But here are some more specific ideas that will help make your dog’s day a lot more interesting and has the added bonus that they help with decreasing your Maltipoos’ anxiety about being alone.

    Exhaust Your Dog Both Physically And Mentally

    Before you leave your Maltipoo alone for the day, make sure that they have been properly exercised. This breed is a quite active dog, so give them a proper walk or a good amount of fetch in your backyard.

    While most people are actually quite good at making sure their dogs’ are properly walked and exercised, a lot of us have a tendency to overlook an equally important part, and that is the mental stimulation.

    These dogs are some of the most intelligent breeds there is, so try playing different mental games with your pup before leaving.

    There are many different games your dog will love, but if you want some inspiration, I can highly recommend you take a look at the Brain Training for Dogs by Adrienne Farricelli training program, that’s packed with fun exercises you can try with your dog.

    Turning the TV to DOGTV While You Are Gone

    The TV has become a very popular babysitter for the current generation. So, why not allow your puppy to experience some of the action.

    Your Maltipoo may find a movie or TV show that they will love and keep them occupied for a couple of hours.

    No reason that your Maltipoo can’t part in binging a Netflix show on their own every once in a while.

    YouTube also has a whole bunch of channels dedicated to this form of entertainment, so give it a try and search if you can find a favorite for your dog.

    If you have to leave your Maltipoo at home alone, some of these channels and shows might help with keeping your dog calm and relieve any anxiety they might otherwise would’ve experienced.

    Leave Your Maltipoo With Some Puzzles With Hidden Surprises.

    I’ve previously mentioned the KONG toy with added food to give your dog something to work with.

    Amazon.com has another treat that I’m sure your Maltipoo will enjoy, especially if the dog is a bit older and less into destroying everything it sees.

    This is the Outward Hounds Puzzle Brick (affiliate link). Your dog has to move the different pieces to get the hidden treats. I’ve had one for several years, and my dog absolutely loves it.

    Another great toy is the Pet Zone IQ Treat Ball (affiliate link). This toy is supposed to be filled with treats before you leave. And then while you are gone, your dog will have to push it around the floor to get his reward.

    Return Home for Lunch

    If it in any way is a possibility for you to come home for lunch, even once in a while, it will give your dog the option for an extended break outside.

    If perhaps you live close enough to work or might be able to take a bit longer of a lunch break, then you could give your dog enough exercise and mental stimulation in the middle of the day to last until you return for the evening.

    Get Someone Else to Let Your Dog Outside

    Depending on whatever your relationship might be with your neighbors, try asking one of them if they could be interested in helping you get your dog outside once or twice during the day.

    If this is something you will only have to do once or twice, it will typically not be a problem.

    But if you are planning to leave your dog for extended periods of time on a regular basis you should probably start looking for a solution that does not mean you will end up depleting your “favor” account with neighbors, friends, or family.

    Hire a Dog Walker

    If you are interested in a long-term solution, then you should consider trying a local dog-walking service.

    Depending on what the options in your area might be, you can typically arrange for someone to come by your house every day at an agreed-upon time, and have them feed, walk, and supply water for your dog.

    It can, of course, get a bit expensive, but it is a near-optimal solution for those that can’t afford something like doggy daycare.

    Doggy Daycare

    This is the Roll Royce of options for leaving your Maltipoo throughout the day.

    This is also without question the most expensive option on my list.

    Prices will typically vary depending on the services that you get your Maltipoo but expect to be spending between $15 and $35 dollars per day on average.

    Getting a monthly package means you might save on the average per day cost, but expect to still be paying anywhere from around $200 to $500 per month.

    Take Your Dog With You to Work

    But perhaps all of the above-mentioned ideas don’t work for you or simply isn’t an option, then what might else be a solution?

    For me, every now and then, I take my dog in the back of my car and bring him with me to work.

    There are a few things that you have to be certain of before you get carried away though.

    For example, if you have a Maltipoo that tends to barks a lot, then don’t expect that your co-workers will appreciate you bringing your dog to work with you.

    Or if you have a schedule that is packed with meetings during the day so you won’t be able to look after it anyway.

    The only time I take my Maltipoo with me is if I know that I will be able to leave the office about every two hours so that my dog can get outside for some fresh air and exercise.

    Conclusion

    As with everything else when owning a dog, whether or not you can let your Maltipoo be left alone depends on whatever your specific situation is.

    If you find yourself living on 30 acres of land and your dog has the option of running around outside all day, and also have a way to get inside if there’s a change of weather, then you can absolutely leave it home by itself. Your dog will most likely love that!

    But in reality, there really isn’t a perfect answer to the question of can a Maltipoo be left alone, it all depends on so many variables.

    But, if you have a Maltipoo or plan on getting one, there are a lot of different options for what you can do to make it as great as possible for the dog whenever you end up having to leave it alone for extended periods of time.

    Some of My Favorite Products For Dog Owners

    I hope this article has helped you just a bit in everyday life as a dog owner. Being a dog owner for more than 25 years, I’ve tried many different products with varying success, but these products below are some that I can highly recommend to every dog and their owner without hesitation!

    These links are affiliate links, so if you do end up using the links, I will earn a commission. But it’s products that I use daily myself, and I have the utmost praise for.

    Dog Food: Every dog needs to eat correctly, and finding the best food for your dog can be challenging, as the market is absolutely flooded with products. But since 2015 when the company was founded, I’ve been using Ollie Petfood. With their product being tailor-made to suit every dog’s specific needs, and as my dogs love the product, I’m pretty sure I’ve found a product I will continue to use for many years more. If you use my link you can get 50% off your first order.

    Dog Training: If you’ve ever owned a puppy, you know that it requires a lot of training to grow into a well-behaved adult. Brain Training for Dogs has helped me immensely with the mental training part of raising a dog, and it’s something I strongly recommend you consider.

    Grooming: If you have a dog in your home, you’re going to need a brush, and for this, I recommend a Hertzko Self-Cleaning Slicker Brush. For that price, you simply can’t beat this brush for everyday grooming.

    If you’re looking for the most up-to-date recommendations, check out my recommended products section that I’ve created to help every dog owner!

    Leave a Comment