Leaving your Chihuahua home alone can be a challenge for both you and your pup. But, just how long can a Chihuahua be left at home or hold it? Learn how to make this process easy for your four-legged sweetheart in just a few steps!
How long can a Chihuahua be left at home?
For the well-being of your Chihuahua, you should not leave him alone for too long. Here are some general recommendations:
Puppies
- 2 hours a day is the limit.
- They are not used to being home alone. They need to pee more and they can develop separation anxiety.
Adult Chihuahuas
- It can be left alone for four to six hours a day.
- These Chihuahuas are used to being home alone. They have learned to sleep when they are not home.
Elderly Chihuahua
- It can be left alone for two to six hours.
- Does your elderly Chihuahua experience health issues? They may need to pee more etc.
Leaving your Chihuahua home alone
Pups that are left home alone may develop bad behaviors such as:
- Scratching
- Biting
- Chewing on furniture and clothes
- Binge eating
- Getting lost
- Howling and barking at random things
Furniture and clothes are replaceable, but if your Chihuahua gets lost there is much more at stake! A good way to feel safer when your pooch is alone is to get your Chihuahua a Tractive GPS and be alerted in real-time if he attempts to escape.
Training your Chihuahua when home alone
Proper training is essential in teaching your Chihuahua to be home alone. Therefore, from the moment you get a Chi, start practicing the “Leave & Return” scenario.
Teach your pup that being home alone is absolutely OK and that you will eventually return.
Training can be conducted as follows:
Step 1:
Put your shoes on and go to the exit. If you notice your Chihuahua panicking, try to ignore it, so he gets used to it. Repeat this action at least 3 times every day.
Step 2:
As soon as you normally arrive home, avoid giving your Chi a warm welcome immediately at the door. Doing this will communicate to your puppy that coming home is a normal happening, not a special event, that he needs to strongly celebrate.
Step 3:
After arriving home, command your pup to his bed. After he listens to your command and settles down, welcome him calmly and let him feel your affection.
When leaving home, if I say goodbye to my dogs, they want to come with me. So I just leave without saying anything and they are ok with it.
Marina S. – Dog Trainer
What to do before leaving your Chihuahua home alone
When you leave the house for work or leisure without your pooch, you should:
1. Avoid giving your Chihuahua free rein: Especially, in the beginning, try to leave your Chihuahua in an area where he is comfortable. Once your Chi gets more accustomed to being left alone at home, he can then be on his own without any restriction.
2. Tire out your Chihuahua: The best thing you can do before you leave your Chihuahua home alone is give him some morning exercise. Start with learning how to walk your Chihuahua to benefit both you and your Chi. When you take your Chihuahua for a morning walk or exercise, it’s likely that your Chihuahua will pass out asleep right afterward! This gives you the chance to leave the house without trouble.
Top tricks if your Chihuahua is not used to being left alone
Make sure your Chihuahua has fun ways to occupy his time.
A good way to keep your pup busy when he’s alone can be:
- to use food-dispensing toys instead of the classic food bowl. Some of these toys offer variable difficulty levels so you can make it a long-lasting project and keep your Chihuahua active and engaged during the time you’re away.
- in general, by leaving your dog small tasks and fun toys to play with when you’re not around, you can avoid unwanted boredom behavior (like biting and peeing in inappropriate places). However, never leave your Chihuahua alone with a toy that could be chewed apart and swallowed.
How you should act once you’re back
Dedicate some time to your pup and don’t be stingy with love and attention. How? Here’re just a few suggestions…
- Take your pup out for a walk
- Play fetch in the garden
- Plan a visit to a dog spa
And remember: Letting your dog stretch his legs after a day spent indoors is a great way to help him burn off some energy. On the other hand, don’t get him accustomed to receiving treats as you walk in. Your Chi should know that “Leave & Return” means that there are moments during the day when he could be left alone.
Source: tractive.com
