Can Cavalier King Charles Spaniels Be Left Alone?

Separation anxiety can happen to any dog but some breeds are more susceptible than others. Are Cavaliers prone to separation anxiety and can these dogs be left home alone for a few hours?

Most Cavalier King Charles Spaniels do not tolerate being home alone for longer than a few hours due to separation anxiety. Cavaliers are deeply attached to their owners. They are also quite intelligent and get bored without interaction. Avoid leaving your Cavalier alone for longer than 8 hours.

There are behaviors to watch for and strategies to implement in order to reduce separation anxiety in dogs.

THE CAVALIER’S RISK FACTORS FOR SEPARATION ANXIETY

Cavaliers as a Breed Were Developed for Companionship

Cavalier King Charles Spaniels were initially bred to be lapdogs. Dogs of this breed are known for their people-oriented personalities, friendly disposition, and strong emotional bond with the owner. Those qualities make these dogs wonderful family pets and therapy animals.

Many Cavaliers are clingy and need constant interaction with the family. Children love these pets because they are so eager to play.

If you are in a household where at least someone is home most of the time, a Cavalier will do great in your home. If your dog needs to be left alone for several hours most days, there is a high chance that your furry friend will struggle with separation anxiety.

High Average Intelligence

Cavaliers are quite intelligent. According to renowned canine psychologist Stanley Coren, Cavaliers hold a solid high average spot among 131 other breeds when it comes to their working intelligence and obedience potential.

A Cavalier will quickly pick up and recognize the cues indicating that you are about to leave the house. Putting on the coat, taking the keys, and even certain phrases, such as “go for a walk”, and “go outside”, could put your dog on the alert. Your pet expects to join you and could become frustrated if you leave it home alone.

Another issue with bright dogs is that they need to be occupied a lot to prevent boredom. This problem does come with a solution of its own, thankfully, because many things could provide your dog with intellectual stimulation.

Average to High Activity Needs

Cavalier King Charles Spaniels as a breed are at least moderately active. Many dogs of this breed are bubbly and enthusiastic pets. Naturally, they dislike staying inactive for too long.

Keep your Cavalier busy before you leave to help the dog stay happy and tired in the hours of your absence.

How to Tell if Your Pet Has Separation Anxiety

Dogs who have separation anxiety often engage in the following behaviors:

Your dog becomes visibly uncomfortable with any cues that you are getting ready to leave. Your pup may pace, vocalize, pant, shake, and follow you around more than normally
Your pet greets you extremely emotionally when you come home
You notice signs of destructive behaviors in your absence, often scratches on the door or house soiling

Your dog follows you around everywhere you go when you are home

The door is often the target of the destructive behavior of anxious dogs because that is where you disappear when you leave and your pup probably wants to follow you.

HOW TO MANAGE YOUR CAVALIER’S SEPARATION ANXIETY

There are several methods you could try to prepare your dog for some periods of separation and to make it easier on your pet.

Prepare Your Dog Ahead Of Time

Desensitize

To prepare your Cavalier in advance – teach the dog that you sometimes leave without him or her and that there are some positives about you leaving the house:

Your Cavalier is probably quick to pick up that when you take the keys or put on your rain jacket, it means you are about to step out. You may see your pet become tense, pant, or start pacing. To counteract its anxiety, give your pet a treat or pet it. This way your pup will have a positive association with the cues leading up to your departure.

You could condition your dog to understand that sometimes you take the keys or put on a coat without leaving. That might decrease your pet’s physiological response to those cues, for example, the heart rate may not increase as much and the animal may gradually stop trembling when he or she sees some of those cues.

Encourage Independence

Cavaliers as a breed are known for clinging to the owner more than most other breeds. Teach your Cavalier to stop following you around all the time. Teach him or her the “stay” command. Practice when you are home. Patiently keep asking your furry friend to stay when you are going to another room. You could offer a toy to keep the dog occupied and either pet or treat the dog when you return to reward the animal for waiting for you.

When you are home, take breaks from your dog. That way your pet knows that you leave but you also come back. Go for a walk without your pup on occasion to help your pet develop some independence.

When Your Dog Stays Home Alone

A good way to minimize your dog’s separation anxiety is to give him or her ample time to exercise shortly before you leave. Exhausted and happy, the dog is more likely to sleep and does not have much energy to let out through pacing and other anxious behaviors.

You might be able to address specific behaviors. For example, if you know that your dog is anxious and vocal when she sees any activity outside, you could close the blinds.
Leave your dog something to do. Toys, puzzles – try a variety of options and rotate the items to prevent habituation.
Many dogs respond very well to wearing an anxiety vest, which can be helpful at home or when going outside

Consider leaving some background noise on when you are gone. It could give your dog a sense of normalcy and distract her a little bit from the noises outside.
Some dogs respond very well to being in a crate for a couple of hours. It would not work if you have to leave your dog all day but a shorter period might be just fine. Some dogs feel secure when they are in their crates.
Having a pet community is a fantastic option to reduce anxiety in a dog if it is an option for you. If you can and if you feel that your Cavalier may tolerate that, consider getting a second pet.

Finally, if it is a possibility, dog walkers or doggy daycare are great options but they come with added expenses, of course.