Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Hello:

My husband and I would like to get a dog, and the Cavaliers that we've met have captured our hearts. My only concern is that I have read in several places that Cavaliers do not tolerate being left alone well. Of course, we would spend as much time with the dog as possible, but we both work full-time (from 8 to 5 weekdays). Will evenings and weekends be enough to keep a Cavalier happy?

I can't imagine that happy Cavaliers are only owned by people who do not work. But if this is true, I wouldn't want to get a dog who would be unhappy because of my work schedule.

Any advice would be appreciated.

Thanks,

L

Hi! I don't own a Cav but hopefully someone who does will happen by to answer your question. I have pretty much read the same thing about the Cavs not being left home by themselves all day... but like you I can't really believe that this doesn't occur.
-----

If there are no dogs in Heaven, then when I die I want to go where they went.

>>Hello:
>>
>>My husband and I would like to get a dog, and the Cavaliers that we've met have captured our hearts. My only concern is that I have read in several places that Cavaliers do not tolerate being left alone well. Of course, we would spend as much time with the dog as possible, but we both work full-time (from 8 to 5 weekdays). Will evenings and weekends be enough to keep a Cavalier happy?
>>
>>I can't imagine that happy Cavaliers are only owned by people who do not work. But if this is true, I wouldn't want to get a dog who would be unhappy because of my work schedule.
>>
>>Any advice would be appreciated.
>>
>>Thanks,
>>
>>L

>>>>>>>>>>>

He would need someone to come give him a potty break during that day. That is too long a stretch. He would also need to be included in your activities other than work, and sleep in your room at night.
-----
Kathy Diamond Davis, author, "Therapy Dogs: Training Your Dog to Reach Others," 2nd edition, and the free Canine Behavior Series articles at http://www.veterinarypartner.com/Content.plx?P=SRC&S=1&SourceID=47

I don't know much about Cav, except they are adorable and I can see how they captured your heart.

If you crate the dog for 10 hours a day, not a good thing. If you let the dog have free run of your home probably get destructive from boredom. I have never hear of a dog that didn't need to go potty sooner than 10 hours. Just some of the bad happens that dogs can get being left along that long are, not sociable, not potty trained properly, chewing up everything, and sometime barking or crying all day long. Neighbors don't like barking and crying dogs.

Do you have time to groom, take to obedience school, vet when necessary, take for walks and playtime with the dog, clean up house and yard? If the dog is perfect and sleeps all day will the dog stay up all night wanting more attention?

I know exactly how you feel, puppy love is great, but is it the best way to go for the dog.

Have you consider getting maybe two kitties. They are loving and very affectionate and can go longer without being unhappy with out humans. Dogs seem to need more human contact to bond.

Just my opinion. I am saying all this not with a mean spirit, Look before you leap and end up overwhelmed and having to put an unhappy dog in rescue.

"Hello:

My husband and I would like to get a dog, and the Cavaliers that we've met have captured our hearts. My only concern is that I have read in several places that Cavaliers do not tolerate being left alone well. Of course, we would spend as much time with the dog as possible, but we both work full-time (from 8 to 5 weekdays). Will evenings and weekends be enough to keep a Cavalier happy?

I can't imagine that happy Cavaliers are only owned by people who do not work. But if this is true, I wouldn't want to get a dog who would be unhappy because of my work schedule.

Any advice would be appreciated.

Thanks,

L"

It is very much true that Cavs don't do well alone, Mine freaks out if he is left alone even for a minute. This doesn't mean that they have to be with you 24/7, it just means they need a friend to keep them company. Thankfully I had another dog already when I got my Cav, and they gave eachother enough company to stay content while I was at school. I do crate train my dogs and they are not allowed to be unattended in the house, So I just put their crates right next to eachother and that was fine. When I go On vacation my Cav's crate has to be next to one of my other dogs crates or he starts to freak out. You can PM me if you have anymore questions about the breed or if I didn't answer one of your questions.
~AC