happy shih tzu with tongue out
Shih-Tzu Care

Can Shih Tzu be left alone?

Jamie 

So you are wondering can a Shih-Tzu be left alone? Perhaps you need to nip out to run some errands, pick the kids up from school or even go to work all day. In this article I will look into whether you can, should or even how long can a Shih-Tzu be left alone?

In short, yes you can leave a Shih-Tzu alone but as with most things it is often more nuanced than that. There are a few things that you should think about before leaving a Shih-Tzu alone for any length of time. Shih-Tzu’s are companion dogs and have a very close bond with their owners or carers and simply do not like to be left alone. This does not mean that you can not leave your Shih-Tzu on their own however. Lets take a deeper look…

shih tzu looking a little sad

How long can Shih-Tzu be left alone?

As a general rule you can leave an adult Shih Tzu alone for no longer than 6 hours. Shih Tzu’s don’t like to be left alone really so pushing it beyond 6 hours really could stress your Shih-Tzu and cause separation anxiety which really is to be avoided. If you work a regular 9-5 or longer then it would perhaps be a good idea to try and find a solution that will allow your Shih-Tzu to have a little companionship during these working hours.

If you have a family member, friend or perhaps a neighbour that would be happy to either take the dog for the day or check in on them that would be great. Me and my partner both work during the day and our Shih-Tzu ‘Teasel’ visits my partners parents each day during the week.

This is perfect for them as they love the companionship, but also it is great for the dog who feels like she is never really left alone. We was not always able to do this when we lived further away and wasn’t always to have somebody there for her. You can clearly see that she is much more happy now! Although, this may have something to do with all the extra treats she gets!

If you are lucky enough to be able to afford a dog walker this could be a great idea also. Doggy day care or professional dog walkers often have a gang of dogs to look after so you dog can have an amazing time playing with the other dogs. You often get updates through photo messages of you dog during the day also which can be a little bonus during a long shift at work.

Leaving you Shih-Tzu for shorter lengths of time like 2-3 hours is usually not a problem and should not cause your Shih-Tzu too much distress. If you have to leave your Shih-Tzu alone for long periods regularly then this may be a reason why not to get a Shih-Tzu.

Shih-Tzu puppies should not be left for more than 2 hours as they are not emotionally mature enough to understand what is happening. Leaving Shih-Tzu puppies alone can often cause serious separation anxiety which can be very difficult to overcome.

Shih-Tzu separation anxiety

Separation anxiety for Shih-Tzu’s can have adverse effects for the health of your Shih-Tzu. As with humans, raised levels of stress can have an effect on your Shih-Tzu’s immune system. It is important to notice Shih-Tzu separation anxiety symptoms and how to combat it.

If when leaving the house your dog looks very sad and subdued, whimpers or cries then they are likely displaying signs of separation anxiety. Shih-Tzu’s are a companion dog. They need human contact and hate to be alone for any length of time. They may start to show behavioural issues if they are regular left alone without being eased. These issues can display themselves as barking, damaging furniture or being destructive or general unhappiness.

If your Shih-Tzu does develop separation anxiety and you cant seem to fix it then it is worth speaking to a medical professional or animal behavioural expert to help you fix the issue.

small shih tzu licking lips

What if I need to leave my Shih-Tzu alone?

If you need to leave your Shih-Tzu alone and cannot avoid it then there are a few things that you can do to sooth your Shih-Tzu. The simple things can keep your Shih-Tzu happy whilst they wait for your return.

Make sure your Shih-Zhu has been walked

Before leaving for any length of time it is a good idea to go for a walk and allow your Shih-Tzu to go to the toilet first. This is likely to reduce the chance of any accidents or mucky protests (yes that can happen). Please see how often do Shih Tzus pee.

It will also potentially tire your Shih-Tzu out and they will be much more likely to just sleep rather than staring at the door for your return.

Create a comfortable place for your Shih-Tzu

If your Shih-Tzu has a comfortable bed and plenty of room to wander around they are much more likely to be relaxed and calm. A warm room, comfortable bed, toys and access to fresh water is all that is needed.

Leave the TV or radio on

It can be a good idea to leave the TV or radio on for your Shih-Tzu as when alone they can often be over sensitive to any outside noises. Remember that your Shih-Tzu has natural animal instincts to be cautious of any danger that may be around. Noises outside can often alarm your Shih-Tzu as they do not know what it is. This may seem silly to us but your Shih-Tzu does not know any better. A constant background noise from the TV or radio will put your Shih-Tzu at ease.

Getting another dog

Getting another dog for your Shih-Tzu can provide companionship whilst your are not there. Having another loving pet that gets along with your Shih-Tzu is a perfect way to keep them company when your cannot be there.

Play with your Shih-Tzu when you get home

When you do get back after being out for a while it is a good idea to spend some time to play with your Shih-Tzu. They will have likely really missed you and will be over the moon to see you. Spending the time and effort to play, treat and show affection to your Shih-Tzu is a great way to reduce the chances that your Shih-Tzu gets worried next time you have to leave them.

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Jamie 

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