Can Cockapoos Be Left Alone?

Cockapoos are a hybrid breed of dog that comes from breeding cocker spaniels with poodles. Consequently, their personalities are often similar to those of their parent breeds. Cockapoos are intelligent, easy to train, and full of affection for their owners.

can cockapoos be left alone
Can Cockapoos be left alone?

However, this hybrid breed is known for occasional clinginess, which can be worrisome for owners that are often out of the house. This begs the question: Can cockapoos be left alone? Or will they tear the place up out of anxiety while you’re away? Let’s find out!

Can Cockapoos Be Left Alone?

Cockapoos can be left alone for short periods, especially if they’re well-trained. However, this breed is known for its love of attention. So if your household is typically empty throughout most of the day, your cockapoo pup may get lonely.

alert Cockapoo being left alone
A Cockapoo knows that he will be left alone in the house. (Image: Instagram/@missythecockapoo1)

How Much Attention Do Cockapoos Need?

It’s challenging to determine just how much attention your cockapoo might need. But, generally, these dogs are happiest when they’re given constant affection. And while they may only need about fifteen to thirty minutes of exercise each day, companionship is a different need.

cockapoo puppy
A Cockapoo dog sits proudly

Additionally, every puppy has a unique personality and temperament. Even cockapoo pups from the same litter can have drastically different demeanors. As such, it’s crucial to consider the needs of the individual dog rather than the whole breed. 

Cockapoos are often attention-loving pups, but some may be a little more reserved. Still, overall, this breed is notable for its attachment with owners and household members. As such, it can be challenging to keep your cockapoo dog happy if you and your family are often away from home.

However, it’s not impossible to keep your dog’s spirits high while out of the house. There are several things you can do to help your cockapoo enjoy themselves all day long and keep loneliness at bay.

How to Keep Cockapoos Happy While Out of the House?

If you spend ten or more hours away from home each day, it might be best to adopt a breed of dog that does well with a bit of solitude. That said, if you own a cockapoo that spends most of its time alone, you don’t necessarily need to rehome your precious pup.

There are several ways that pet owners can help their cockapoo dogs avoid loneliness and boredom. First, it’s crucial to spend plenty of time with your pup when you’re home, even if you’re tired after a long day at work. 

But if you work a demanding job or have a long commute to work, both of which can cause you to be out of the house for long hours, you may want to consider a few alternatives to early-morning or late-night play. 

To keep your cockapoos happy while you’re out of the house, you can:

  • Train Them
  • Provide Plenty of Interactive Toys
  • Adopt Another Pet
  • Hire a Dog Walker

Let’s explore these options in greater detail to understand how they can impact your dog’s daily life. After all, it’s crucial to give your four-legged family member the best possible life. If you’re not home to help provide constant care and affection, it’s worth pursuing these options.

Train Them

No matter what breed of dog you own, you can run into behavioral problems at home if you don’t provide consistent training from an early age. For example, cockapoo pups left alone in the house for long periods can chew on furniture, urinate in inappropriate places, or bark all day long.

happy cockapoo puppy running
Photo by Ray Larabie /CC BY

Ensuring that your dog understands what’s expected of them is crucial and can help prevent and eliminate many undesirable behaviors. If you’re new to dog training, you may want to consider joining a local group class or hiring a trainer for one-on-one sessions.

Provide Plenty of Interactive Toys

After providing some top-notch training, you’ll want to invest in interactive toys for your cockapoo. Having plenty of activities around the house for your dog can make a significant difference in their mood and quality of life. However, it’s essential to branch out from traditional chew toys and plushies.

Cockapoo busy with toy
The Cockapoo is busy finding treats in her new puzzle toy. (Image: Instagram/@sweetpup.stella)

Some of the best toys for lonely cockapoos are those that encourage problem-solving skills. For example, puzzles and interactive dog toys can help distract your dog from the fact that you’re not home. They can also help keep them engaged, helping to prevent unwanted behaviors like chewing furniture or barking. 

A frozen Kong treat is another fantastic distraction.

Adopt Another Pet

This solution is somewhat controversial, as you should never adopt another pet solely to please your current pet. However, if you have been considering adopting a second Cockapoo, this could be good news for your lonely cockapoo.

cockapoo puppy next to a cake how old
The oldest Cockapoos sometimes hit 20+ years of age…

When adopting a new pet, it’s vital to choose an animal that gets along well with your current pets. Be sure to allow your cockapoo to socialize and interact with your new cat or dog before signing any adoption papers. Your new pet shouldn’t show any signs of aggression toward your cockapoo, and that type of behavior is something to watch out for.

Additionally, if you’re away from home throughout most of the day, you won’t want to choose a particularly needy pet. Most cats do well on their own and don’t require excessive amounts of attention, so you may want to adopt a kitten or cat. However, there are also several dog breeds that tend to be a little more reserved and relaxed.

Excellent companion breeds for the cockapoo include labradors, pugs, and rottweilers. However, any dog with few attention requirements and a friendly disposition could make an excellent addition to your family.

Hire a Dog Walker

When training, toys, and animal companionship aren’t enough, you can also choose to hire a professional dog walker or dog sitter. You can also ask friends and family members if they might be willing to come to check in on your cockapoo while you’re away from home.

cockapoo puppy dog door
A Cockapoo puppy sits patiently near a front door. Consider a slow feeder or appropriately sized Cockapoo dog bowl to distract a dog left home alone.

If you decide to hire a dog walker to spend a little time with your pup throughout the day, it’s crucial to choose someone you trust. This person will have access to your home and your animals, so you’ll want to ensure that you’re picking a trustworthy individual.

Some things to look for when choosing a dog sitter include previous experience and positive references from previous or current clients. If possible, use a dog sitter service to help you find certified individuals

It might also be worthwhile to invest in a home camera system to keep an eye on your pup and personal belongings while you’re away. Some smart cameras even come with speakers and microphones, allowing you to communicate with your cockapoo via your smartphone!

Final Thoughts

Cockapoos do require a little more companionship, affection, and attention than other breeds. However, they can be left alone at home for several hours at a time. But to ensure your cockapoo pup doesn’t cause a mess or misbehave while you’re away, you’ll want to train them.

It’s also crucial to provide plenty of interactive toys and games for your dog. Of course, if you’re serious about keeping your cockapoo happy and content while you’re out of the house, you could also choose to adopt another pet to keep your puppy company. Naturally, it’s wise to choose an animal that your dog gets along with.