How Long Can You Leave a Doberman Home Alone?

Dobermans are known to be loyal, loving, and protective dogs towards their owners. They are also known for their high energy levels and need for exercise. This means they are not the best breed of dog to leave home alone for long periods. So, for how long can you actually leave a Doberman home alone? The answer to this question depends on several factors, including the age and health of your Doberman, their temperament, and whether or not they have access to a yard or dog park.

As a general rule of thumb, Dobermans should not be left home alone for more than four to eight hours at a time. This is because they are more likely to become bored and destructive if left alone for too long. Dobermans are also prone to separation anxiety, which can cause them to become anxious and stressed when left alone.

If you need to leave your Doberman home alone for more than four hours, you can do a few things to make the experience more comfortable for them.

Let’s discuss this in detail:

Leaving Your Adult Dobie at Home Alone

Dobermans are known to be highly intelligent dogs and are quick learners. They are also bred as working dogs, so they have a lot of energy. Dobermans need physical and mental stimulation, or they can become bored, anxious, and destructive. However, as your dog learns all the rules of your house and your work schedule, you can start trusting your dog for them to be on their own without worrying about them. Before leaving them off for eight hours, you first need to know how your dog can handle or function in your house.

It would help if you first got them used to being in their own company by crating them for short periods while you are at home. Eventually, they can start staying alone for up to 8 hours, a max of 10 hours. This will help your Doberman understand that your leaving doesn’t mean they’re being abandoned.

Here are some tips for you to help your Dobie:

Always keep an extra water bowl: Dobermans can sometimes accidentally tip over their water bowl while doing something, and that would leave them out of water for an entire day. That’s not great for your dog, so it’s best to ensure that you keep an extra water bowl for your Dobie just in case.
Tire out your dog (s): This is a good exercise option for you and your dog. You can take your Dobie for a morning jog or walk and get them to do plenty of exercises so that when they’re tired, they are calm and would spend the day relaxing in their happy places. Dobie puppies would rather sleep all day after a good workout, so they wouldn’t notice your absence or ponder much on it.
Ensure there are many chew toys: It is very important to provide plenty of chew toys to your dog at home before leaving the house. Chew toys help your dog calm down when you have left for work, thus preventing or coping with Separation Anxiety. Dobermans are known to be destructive when left home alone, and they can sometimes hurt themselves. So, it would help if you left them with many chew toys to keep their minds occupied and content.
Try to arrange for a mid-day visit: If you can’t find anyone to drop by, you can try asking your neighbors or a friend if they could check on your Doberman while you’re away. This way, they can get some human interaction and not feel so alone. They’ll also have time to stretch their legs or breathe fresh air.
Tall Fencing: It’s really important to make sure you have tall fences before you even buy a dog because they are quite curious and will have a lot of reasons to jump over a fence leading to events that are not good. Dobermans are known for their determination, power, and athleticism, so a 6-foot fence is necessary.

Raising a Dobie Puppy with a Full-Time Job

Each Doberman is different, and as a Dobbie parent, you need to understand your dog’s requirements and train them accordingly. Dobie puppies need more attention, love, and care than an adult Doberman. Hence, it is recommended not to leave your Dobie puppy for an extended period. However, with proper training and socialization, you can leave your puppy alone for up to 4 hours. If you have a full-time job and don’t have the time to give them the required care, you can either drop them at a doggy daycare or have someone come and look after them for a few hours until you get back.

Here’s how you do it:

Tire your puppy out: Have a morning workout routine planned out for your puppy. Ensure that your Doberman puppy gets enough exercise daily so that they tire out and rest the entire day while you’re away.
Teach them about house rules and basic commands: Teach your Dobie puppy about the basic commands such as ‘sit’, ‘stay’ & ‘stop’ and house rules.
Potty Train your puppy: Before leaving them alone for long, you need to potty train your Dobie puppy.
Crate train your puppy: Get your Dobie puppy used to the crate by putting their favorite toys and feeding them meals in their crate. This will make the crate a happy place for your puppy, and they will not associate it with being alone.
Leave them for short periods: Once your Dobie puppy is crate trained, start leaving them for short periods so they get used to being alone. This can be done by leaving them for 30 minutes to an hour and gradually increasing the time. Please ensure you are home before they reach their breaking point, so they do not associate being left alone with a negative experience.
Arriving home: After arriving home from work, ensure that your first interaction with your Dobie puppy is positive. This means that you should not scold them or make them feel guilty for being in their crate. Instead, please give them a treat and praise them for being good dogs.

Note: Praising and treating your Dobie puppies for good behavior motivates them to become well-trained dogs.

Other Options for Taking Care of Your Dobie In Your Absence

Other options are available if you cannot have someone come to your house or take your Doberman to doggy daycare. You can look into dog walkers or hire a pet sitter.

A dog walker is an excellent option for Dobermans, as they will get the exercise and human interaction. Dobermans are very active dogs and need at least an hour of exercise daily, so a dog walker is a great way to ensure they are getting enough exercise.
A pet sitter is another option that you can use to take care of your Doberman in your absence. A pet sitter will come to your house and take care of your dog while you are away. This is a great option for Dobermans, as they will get human interaction and attention.

How Do You Deal With Separation Anxiety Disorder In Dobermans?

Separation Anxiety is a known problem in many Dobermans. Dobermans with separation anxiety may bark, howl, dig, scratch at doors or windows, destroy property, soil the house, or become extremely anxious when left alone. Dobermans with separation anxiety need attention and may follow their owner from room to room or even sleep in the same bed.

The first step in dealing with separation anxiety is to find out what is causing the anxiety. Dobermans may become anxious when their owner leaves because they are not used to being left alone, afraid of loud noises, not getting enough exercise, or are bored.
Once you have determined the cause of the anxiety, you can begin to work on solving the problem. If your Doberman is not used to being left alone, start by leaving them alone for short periods and gradually increase the time they are left alone.
If your Doberman is afraid of loud noises, try using a sound machine or CD player to provide white noise for them to help block out the sounds that are causing the anxiety.
If your Doberman is not getting enough exercise, try adding a daily walk or run to their routine. Dobermans need at least 30 minutes of exercise per day.
If your Doberman is bored, try adding some interactive toys to their environment or enrolling them in a dog obedience class.

Separation anxiety is a serious problem and should be dealt with soon as possible. Dobermans that suffer from separation anxiety may become depressed or anxious and may even develop health problems. If you think your Doberman has separation anxiety, talk to your veterinarian or a professional dog trainer for help.

Never Leave Your Doberman Outside ALONE!

Dobermans are social creatures that need companionship. They are not meant to live outside, away from their family. Dobermans thrive around their family, and it is never a good idea to leave them alone for an extended period. Dobermans left alone often become bored, anxious, and stressed, leading to health problems. Also, Doberman skin is quite thin, meaning they could easily get cold or very hot, and that is not good for them. Another thing is if you have bad-behaved or pesky kids living in your neighborhood, there is a possibility that they could come and irritate your dog, leading to the development of aggressive behaviors. Dobermans are also escaped artists, so make sure your yard is secure.

Conclusion

Training a Doberman to stay up to ten hours straight and alone at home can be difficult at first, but not impossible. You’ll slowly have to get them accustomed to the change and teach them to be able to stay alone for a while, because of course, you can’t stay with them all day. It will be challenging for you and the Dobie, but once you get through a few bumps while training your Doberman, it’s a smooth ride after that!

FAQ

How long can Dobermans be left alone?

Dobermans can be left alone for short periods but should never be left alone for more than a few hours. Dobermans need a lot of attention and exercise, so it is best not to leave them alone. For a puppy, no more than 4-5 hours, and for an adult Doberman, no more than 8-10 hours.

What if I have to leave my Doberman alone for a long time?

If you have to leave your Doberman alone for a long time, make sure they have a comfortable place to stay inside, where it is warm or cool, depending on the weather, and where they can’t escape. Or you can hire a dog walker or pet-sitter to look after your Doberman in your absence.

What should I do if my Doberman has separation anxiety?

If your Doberman has separation anxiety, talk to your veterinarian or a professional dog trainer for help. The earlier this problem is dealt with, the better it is for your Dobie and you.

How much exercise does a Doberman need?

Dobermans need at least 30 minutes of exercise per day.

Is it ever ok to leave my Doberman outside alone?

It is never acceptable to leave your Doberman alone outside. Dobermans are social animals that require human interaction and should not be kept outside away from their family. Dobermans left outdoors may become bored, nervous, or distressed, which can cause physical issues. Furthermore, because Doberman skin is thin, they may suffer from exposure to extreme temperatures. If you must leave your Doberman home alone, make sure they have a comfortable indoor space to stay warm or cool, depending on the weather.

What if my Doberman is barking while I’m away?

If your Doberman is barking while you are away, they may be bored, anxious, or stressed. Try adding interactive toys to their environment or enrolling them in a dog obedience class. If the problem persists, consult your veterinarian or a professional dog trainer for help.

How can I tell if my Doberman is happy?

There are a few ways to tell if your Doberman is happy: