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Can a Dachshund Be Left Alone? Hours, Signs and Tips

Thinking about adopting a dachshund but you work full time? Alone time is a key question for your future companion's well-being. Find out how long a dachshund can be left alone and how to get your dog used to your absences gradually.

Short answer: Yes, a dachshund can be left alone for short periods (4 to 6 hours maximum), but this is a breed that is very attached to its family and needs regular company and social interaction. Absences that are too long or too frequent can lead to separation anxiety and destructive behavior.

Can a dachshund be left alone? What you need to know

The dachshund has a strong personality, but it is also extremely attached to its people. Unlike some more independent breeds, the dachshund does not cope well with prolonged alone time and much prefers human company to isolation.

Dachshund temperament and need for company

Originally a hunting dog that worked in a pack or alongside its owner, the dachshund has kept a strong social instinct. It is one of the so-called "Velcro dogs" that follow their owner from room to room and constantly seek physical and emotional closeness.

  • Very attached to its family: the dachshund forms intense emotional bonds with its owners
  • A companion dog first and foremost: despite its hunting origins, today it is a house dog that lives for and through its humans
  • Needs regular interaction: play, cuddles, walks, a reassuring presence
  • Sensitive to isolation: can develop separation anxiety if poorly trained to be alone or left alone too long

Can a dachshund adapt to being alone?

The good news is that a dachshund can learn to be left alone if you get it used to it gradually from a young age and the alone periods stay reasonable. Adaptation depends on several factors:

🐕 Factors that affect tolerance for being alone
Factor Impact on tolerance for being alone
Dachshund's age A puppy copes poorly with being alone (2 hours max); a well-trained adult can handle 4-6 hours
Early training A dachshund used to it from puppyhood handles absences much better than an unprepared dog
Individual temperament Some dachshunds are naturally more independent, others very dependent
Physical exercise A dachshund that is well tired out before you leave will sleep peacefully while you're gone
Stimulating environment Enrichment toys, a stuffed Kong and soft music help pass the time

How long can a dachshund be left alone?

How long a dachshund can be left alone varies considerably with its age, its training and its personal temperament.

Puppy (2-6 months)
1-2h

Absolute maximum, potty training not yet reliable

Young adult (6-12 months)
3-4h

Still learning

Trained adult (12+ months)
4-6h

Recommended daily maximum

Recommended maximum by age

To protect your dachshund's well-being, here are the maximum alone times recommended by dog behaviorists:

  • Puppy, 2 to 3 months: 1 hour maximum (needs to go out very often, still learning potty training)
  • Puppy, 3 to 6 months: 2 hours maximum (still learning, boundless energy)
  • Young dachshund, 6 to 12 months: 3 to 4 hours (starting to settle emotionally)
  • Well-trained adult dachshund (1+ year): 4 to 6 hours maximum (ideally not every day)
  • Senior dachshund (8+ years): 4 to 5 hours (may need more frequent outings for medical reasons)
⚠️ Warning: regularly going beyond 6 hours alone per day is not recommended for a dachshund. Beyond that, consider extra solutions: a dog sitter, a professional dog walker, or a friend or neighbor who can keep your dog company midday.

Why a dachshund shouldn't be left alone too long

Alone periods that are too long or too frequent can have negative effects on your dachshund's physical and mental well-being:

  • Separation anxiety: intense stress, destruction, excessive barking, accidents in the house
  • Deep boredom: compulsive behaviors (excessive licking, tail chasing)
  • Canine depression: lethargy, loss of appetite, loss of interest in usual activities
  • Potty problems: can't hold it for 8-10 hours
  • Weight gain: lack of exercise and boredom made up for with food

Signs a dachshund struggles with being alone

Certain signs clearly show that your dachshund can't cope with being left alone and is developing separation anxiety or distress linked to isolation.

Problem behaviors while you're away

🚨 Signs of separation anxiety
Targeted destruction

Your dachshund goes after your personal belongings (clothes, shoes, remotes) that carry your scent. This isn't revenge but an attempt to manage stress by getting closer to your smell.

Nonstop barking and howling

The neighbors complain that your dachshund barks for hours after you leave. This is a distress call, not simple boredom. Your dachshund is trying to make you come back with its vocalizing.

Sudden accidents in the house

A dachshund that has been potty trained for months and starts peeing or pooping indoors only while you're away is most likely suffering from anxiety (not a lack of training).

Drooling and panting

You find traces of excessive drool, or your dachshund is panting and agitated when you get home even though the temperature is normal: signs of intense stress.

Behavior when you leave and when you return

  • Clinginess at departure: follows you everywhere, whines as soon as you put on your coat, blocks the door
  • Over-the-top greetings: jumps everywhere, can't calm down for 15-30 minutes, pees from excitement
  • Anticipatory behavior: visible stress as soon as you get ready to leave (keys, bag, shoes)
  • Refusing to eat when you're gone: bowl untouched even though it eats normally when you're home

How to get a dachshund used to being alone

Learning to be alone should start the moment your puppy arrives and happen very gradually so that your dachshund learns to be left alone calmly.

Gradual method for puppies

Getting used to alone time follows a simple principle: increase the length of your absences very gradually, starting with just a few seconds.

📅 4-week training schedule (puppy)
  • Week 1: 30 seconds to 2 minutes (leave the room, come back calmly)
  • Week 2: 5 to 15 minutes (leave the house, walk around the block)
  • Week 3: 20 to 45 minutes (quick errands, a short walk without your dog)
  • Week 4: 1 to 2 hours (build up gradually to the length you need)

Golden rules for success

  • Never make a big deal of leaving: no long goodbyes, no excessive petting, no lines like "Mommy will be back soon, sweetie"
  • Don't overdo the homecoming: ignore your dachshund for 5-10 minutes after you return, wait for it to calm down, then say hello calmly
  • Create reassuring rituals: always the same routine before you leave (stuffed Kong, soft music, a short neutral phrase)
  • Vary your schedule: don't always leave at the same time, to avoid anxious anticipation
  • Burn off energy before leaving: a good 30-45 minute walk before you go tires your dachshund so it will sleep peacefully

Mistakes to avoid at all costs

❌ Common mistakes:
  • Leaving a puppy alone for 8 hours from day one "so it gets used to it"
  • Punishing your dog when you get back if it got into mischief (it won't make the connection, and it will only increase its stress)
  • Giving in to whining by coming back every time it cries
  • Shutting your dachshund in a room that is too small or too dark (anxiety-inducing)
  • Leaving no toys or activities (boredom amplifies anxiety)

How to keep a dachshund busy while you're away

For a dachshund to be left alone without developing anxiety, it's essential to offer stimulating activities that fill the boredom and channel its energy.

Recommended enrichment toys

🎾 Top 5 activities for a dachshund home alone
Toy / Activity How long it keeps them busy Benefits
Frozen stuffed Kong 30 to 60 minutes Intense mental stimulation, soothes and keeps busy for a long time
Snuffle mat 15 to 30 minutes Stimulates the hunting instinct, tires the mind
Chew bone (natural) 1 to 2 hours Keeps busy for a long time, good for the teeth, soothing
Treat-dispensing toy 20 to 40 minutes Turns mealtime into a stimulating game
Dog-specific music/TV The whole time Masks stressful outside noises, reassuring presence

Setting up the space

The environment where your dachshund stays alone has a big influence on its well-being while you're away.

  • Access to several rooms: don't shut your dog in a single room (it can feel claustrophobic)
  • Comfortable bed: a reassuring resting spot with some of your worn clothes (your comforting scent)
  • Access to fresh water: a full bowl that is always within reach
  • Comfortable temperature: not too hot or too cold (64-72°F / 18-22°C is ideal)
  • Natural light: don't leave your dog in total darkness; keep the blinds partly open
  • Safety: remove anything dangerous (cleaning products, electrical cords, toxic plants)

Alternatives for a dachshund left alone too long

If your schedule forces you to leave your dachshund alone for more than 6 hours a day, there are several ways to protect its well-being.

Professional solutions

Dog sitter / in-home dog walker
€15 to €30

Midday visit (30-45 min): the professional comes to walk your dachshund, play with it, give it fresh water and affection. Ideal for breaking up an 8-9 hour day into two periods of 4-5 hours.

Doggy daycare
€20 to €40/day

A solution for 1-3 days a week: your dachshund spends the day with other dogs, plays, socializes and is never left alone. Perfect for very sociable, energetic dachshunds.

Informal solutions

  • Available neighbor or friend: ask someone you trust to stop by for 30 minutes midday
  • Close family: a retired parent who can take your dachshund in on certain days
  • Alternating remote work: if you live with a partner, take turns working from home
  • Taking your dog to work: if your employer allows dogs (increasingly common)

Should you adopt a second dachshund?

Many owners consider getting a second dog to keep the first one company. It can work, but beware of common misconceptions.

✅ Benefits of having two dachshunds: Mutual company, play between them, less boredom, constant social stimulation. Dachshunds often enjoy having a canine companion and may cope better with absences when there are two of them.
⚠️ Downsides to consider: Double the budget (food, vet), double the training, and a risk that both develop anxiety together or egg each other on into trouble. A second dog doesn't replace human company and won't fix separation anxiety that has already set in.

FAQ – Dachshunds and alone time

How long can a dachshund be left alone?
A well-trained adult dachshund that has been gradually accustomed to it can be left alone 4 to 6 hours maximum per day. A puppy should never be left alone more than 1 to 2 hours, depending on its age. Beyond 6 hours, it is strongly recommended to arrange a midday visit (dog sitter, neighbor, friend) so your dachshund can stretch its legs, drink and get some attention. Leaving a dachshund alone 8 to 10 hours every day is not compatible with its well-being and can cause serious behavioral problems.
What are the downsides of owning a dachshund?
The main downsides of the dachshund include: a stubborn streak that sometimes makes training difficult, a tendency to bark a lot (hunting-dog instinct), a fragile back that calls for constant precautions (no stairs or jumping), possessiveness toward its owners that can turn into jealousy, and intolerance of being alone if it hasn't been properly trained. It can also be aloof or even wary with strangers. However, with consistent training and love, these downsides are very manageable.
Can a dachshund be left alone all day?
No, a dachshund should not be left alone all day (8-10 hours) on a regular basis. If your schedule means absences that long, you must put solutions in place: a midday dog sitter visit, doggy daycare on certain days, a neighbor who comes to walk your dog, or partial remote work. A full day of solitude repeated daily can lead to separation anxiety, depression, destructive behavior and potty problems. The dachshund is not made to live alone for long hours.
Is it okay to have only one dachshund?
Yes, it is perfectly fine and even recommended to have just one dachshund if you can give it time and attention every day. A single dachshund gets all your attention, is easier to train and costs less. What matters is giving it enough stimulation, exercise and social contact (other dogs on walks, dog parks) and not leaving it alone too long. A second dachshund is only necessary if you are often away and your dog truly suffers from loneliness despite all the solutions you've put in place.
How can I tell if my dachshund suffers when left alone?
Signs that a dachshund suffers from being alone include: targeted destruction of your personal belongings, nonstop barking while you're away (neighbor complaints), accidents in the house when it is normally potty trained, a frantic greeting when you return with no ability to calm down, drooling and drool traces, refusing to eat when you're gone, and anticipatory behavior (visible stress as soon as you get ready to leave). If you notice several of these signs, consult a dog behaviorist to set up a desensitization plan.
Is the dachshund a good fit for people who work?
A dachshund can suit people who work, as long as you set up the right arrangements. If you work full time (8-9 hours away), you absolutely need a midday visit, partial remote work or doggy daycare on certain days. If you work part time or your partner has staggered hours, your dachshund will adapt very well. What matters is never exceeding 6 hours alone per day and making up for it with quality time: long walks morning and evening, play, cuddles. A dachshund neglected all day will inevitably develop behavioral problems.

Yes, a dachshund can be left alone, but only for limited periods (4 to 6 hours maximum for an adult) and provided it has been gradually accustomed to it from a young age. This dog, with its strong personality but deep attachment to its owners, is not made for prolonged solitude. If your lifestyle involves long daily absences, make sure you can offer your dachshund alternatives (dog sitter, daycare, a midday visit) and plenty of attention and affection when you're together. A happy dachshund is one that lives at the heart of its family, not isolated in a corner for endless hours.

Tips & Information – Teckel Paris

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