Are we suitable cocker spaniel owners?

[ST1995]

Hello there!
I came across this website as I am currently just after some advice on the cocker spaniel breed from experienced owners like yourselves.
Me and my partner are considering getting ourselves a cocker spaniel as we really love the breed.
However the only thing from stopping us is that we will not be at home all the time. My partner is in work full time 7am-4pm and my work pattern is 3 and a half days a week.  My question is would a cocker spaniel cope with being on its own for 3 and a half days a week or is this just considered cruel? If needs be I could take it to my parents for one of the 3 days it’s by itself for, however the last thing we would want is to get a dog and for it to be unhappy with our lifestyle.
If you could provide us your opinion  on our circumstances that would be great!

Many thanks

Sarah

[Emilyoliver]

Hi 🙂, there’s no reason you can’t have a cocker and work. Just make sure you exercise it before you go out, and when you get home. I’d recommend you take it to your parents for one if the days, and on the others have a dog walker come in to break up its day. I’ve always worked and had cockers. It’s hard work getting up early to walk them in the morning, particularly when it’s bad weather and/ or dark - but it’s so worth it.

[Gerryjane]

But if it’s a puppy you are considering then leaving it alone for any length of time would be a very bad idea. Baby puppies need time to develop confidence .... I have seen too many develop separation anxiety later on because this aspect of puppy care has not been understood.

[Emilyoliver]

But if it’s a puppy you are considering then leaving it alone for any length of time would be a very bad idea. Baby puppies need time to develop confidence .... I have seen too many develop separation anxiety later on because this aspect of puppy care has not been understood.

I think a lot of separation anxiety issues also stem from puppies never learning to be without their owners...

However, i do agree that very young puppies need to be let out to toilet far more frequently than adults, so this should be factored into care for the first 6-ish months i.e. more visits from dog walker through the day.

[Barry H]

Hi Sarah, welcome to COL!

This is a thorny one.  I hate being a pessimist, but ultimately, I'd say have a rethink.  Yes, there are lots of folks with dogs that work full time, but everyone's circumstances/support networks/dogs are different, so it's really hard to generalise.  There are single people with a full time job and no support network that leave their dog for 8-9 hours a day and apparently both (usually adult) dog and owner manage perfectly well.  But so much depends on the dog.  Personally, I just couldn't regularly leave a dog more than 2-3 hours and feel good about it.  In any case, I certainly wouldn't even contemplate leaving a puppy on its own for any length of time.

Here's a factsheet from the Dogs Trust 'Do you have time for a dog?' which should give you more food for thought

https://www.dogstrust.org.uk/help-advice/factsheets-downloads/factsheettimeforadog05.pdf

[ips]

I agree with Barry, I know folk who leave there spaniels for long periods but they are in a run outside and generally with other dogs for company. I personally would not and do not leave mine for more than 4hrs max in the house in fact it's generally about 2hrs per day on a weekday. Mine seems to crave human contact and although perfectly ok for these 4hr occasions it's more of an acceptance on her part. The truth is I am probably more concerned over it than she is. Good luck with whatever you decide but be advised that cockers are a demanding breed and your life will never be the same again 🤣

[Mari]

I feel like this is impossible to answer. Ideally no dog should be alone every day for a full work day. But most of us (that are lucky enough to be healthy enough to work) will need to have full time jobs. I think most adult dogs that have been trained properly are fine home alone for a work day. They know the routine and allthough they may be bored, they are not anxious about being alone.

Of course this puts more pressure on dog owners. You will need to dedicate the rest of the day to cover the dogs needs. So that means getting up early to walk them before work, sacrificing plans on weekdays because after work the dog needs to be the priority. It also means months of gradually getting the young dog used to being home alone. Making sure you have babysitters and/or people who can help during the day so the puppy is not home alone for longer than it can handle. Keeping in mind that it takes many months before they can go all day without weeing because of their tiny bladder.

There's never a guarantee. And I do think cockers are prone to separation anxiety because of their nature as velcro dogs. My own dog has struggled with separation anxiety, and it was very difficult. I had to use babysitters and dog walkers and spend a lot of time retraining her to be home alone without stressing. But we have also had several years where she is fine, I've filmed her and she snoozes all day until I get home. I think that is what most adult dogs do when their owners are away, sleep.

I'm single and currently working from home. But when I was away every day I never made any plans on weekdays. And never more than a few hours on the weekends. When I came home from work/college I spent the rest of the day walking, training, cuddling, grooming and playing with the dog. It really is a lifestyle, and definitely worth it for some of us, but it does put limitations on social life and other hobbies. I guess you get a little more freedom if you are two though.

So I agree that it depends on the dog and the owner and the support network you have. If you are prepared for the months it takes to get the puppy used to being home alone, then it will probably work out fine?    I guess my "helpful" answer is that I don't know. For an adult dog I think a good compromise is if you can make it home to let them out for a toilet break during lunch, or have a dog walker take them out for a walk during the day. I did that when I had 12h shifts, payed a dog walker to take her out for a couple of hours mid shift. For normal 7,5h days I just hurried home with a guilty concience

[ejp]

This is just my personal opinion, but in your position, I wouldn't.  OH and I both work full time, however, I work 'normal' hours and he works shifts, so there is only a few hours in the day when Daisy is left alone.  Now that she is a 'middle aged'  girlie, she is more than happy to see him out the door.  Time for a good old snooze before mum comes home.  we change our work pattern to suit, as I start as early as I can and OH as late s possible, otherwise we would not have taken Daisy on.  You may be able to fine a way round your current situation, and as I said, just my personal view.  It is great that you have raised the question in the first place, I wish more potential dog owners would do the same.  Good luck in whatever you decide.

[Mina]

I work full time and my husband works part time with flexible hours. Our cocker Mina is usually left at home alone on weekdays for a maximum of four hours a day. Even though we know that she would prefer not to stay alone, at least she is not anxious about it and as others have said, she mostly just sleeps the whole time. On days when hubby is going to work longer than 4 hours, usually once or twice a week, Mina goes to doggy daycare where she has been a regular since she was a little puppy. This also gives her the chance to socialise with other dogs which she does not really have the chance to do around where we live, and she loves going there, so for us this has been an added bonus. Good luck!

[IonaD]

Max I would leave Bella is 4/5 hours alone. My partner works and i am working/studying from home. Even if she’s had a 2 hour hike and is shattered I would never leave her more than 4/5 hours.

I have a friend with miniature dog who is quite content at home for 7/8 hours after a 30 minute walk but from what I see from a cocker...they are very different!!

I would find a support system of dog walkers/sitters if you can. It’s along day otherwise

[Pearly]

I took all my annual leave as half days when my first pup came home, a neighbour popped in mid morning and I was home by lunch time.  Pups need a routine, our latest is on a 2 hour rotation: eat, sleep for 1.5 hours, play for 30 minutes - sleep for an hour, play for an hour, eat.... she sleeps for 8 hours overnight. 

As they get older, they can be left for longer though out guys are never left more than 4 hours.  When I was single, my neighbours popped in at lunchtime and again after the school run = 2 walks and breaks from being alone.  My husband is retired so all 5 have company most of the time.

Hope that helps with decision making,

Jayne

[its.sme]

First off, thank you for asking the question before you got a Puppy, clearly you are putting a lot of thought into it unfortunately many don't.

I don't think any of us on here could be classed as responsible dog owners if we do not give honest opinions, which I hope is what you are asking for.

I would not leave any dog longer than 4 hrs, this for Bea is a rarity but she is ok with it from time to time.

Spaniels are known under many descriptions, the top two that spring to mind are,

Velcro dogs- many NEED to be with their humans.
Cockerdiles- their teeth are like needles and their need for chewing is emence, hate to think of what the home would look like after a few hours !

They can be sensitive,  I met a dog over the weekend that had been left in a crate most of they day when he was young and the new owners have worked really hard to help him get over his issues but he is still unpredictable around other dogs etc,.

It is very easy to ruin a dog, time and patience is needed so that they can develop into your best friend.

Sharon.

[ips]

4hrs seems to be the consensus of opinion