Is this normal behaviour ?

[Colalola]

Hi guys

We have a 6month old cockapoo and I'd just like to ask if it's normal that when we go out she just sits down either on the sofa or by the door doing nothing. We leave stuff for her to do like snuffle mats, chew treats etc and she absolutely loves them when we're home but completely ignores when we leave her. She doesn't sleep either. Never destroyed anything it seems she just sits and listens for when we return.

It makes me feel bad for her! She doesn't howl or bark anymore, or whine so she seems ok. Always walk her before leaving and she's clearly tired.

Is she just a really good 6month old? 😂

(We have puppy camera)

Dogs won't eat if they're stressed so I'd be concerned that she's not actually that relaxed by herself, to be honest, especially if she doesn't sleep either.

It's normal in that it sounds like she is very stressed on her own. What have you done to prepare her for being on her own? How have you shown her that following is boring? Have you built time up slowly? We have bred dogs to want to be with us so they don't come pre programmed. We need to show them that we go but we come back, again and again, slowly building time and keeping them under threshold. Waiting is fine and it's what dogs mostly do but you want relaxed waiting rather than alert waiting.

Both those breeds can struggle with being alone so do often need extra help. Yes some dogs are ok from day one but more are not and often you only see the real problems when they gain the confidence to let you know they are not ok.

Oh no 😢 I thought the signs would be more obvious if she was stressed she seems to have improved a lot over the last few weeks. Do you think she may get more comfortable as time goes on?

Dogs need to learn to be left. You can’t just start going out for two hours. Cockers are very prone to separation anxiety.
Id go back to basics only leaving her for a few minutes at a time and working on building a secure attachement so she’s not stressed about you not coming back.
How long is she left for

She'll only get better if you teach her that being alone is okay. It's not something they learn on their own.

She's very young - how long are you leaving her alone for and have you built up to it slowly over a few weeks or months?

You have a mix of two anxious breeds - both poodles and cockers are prone to separation anxiety and love being around people. In a way it's good that she's not destructive or loud but the fact that she's left sitting in one spot and not eating or sleeping makes me feel sad for her.

I would dial the alone time right back and start again from scratch.

My cocker spaniel doesn't do much when we are out. I got a puppy cam but I don't bother with it now he just snoozes.

I only give him his kong (similar to lick mat) when I leave him it is his treat and he expects me to leave when I give it to him. I freeze it with peanut butter or primula. It keeps him occupied for a while when I go out then after that I assume he has been stimulated so he has a snooze.

I wouldn't give him such a high concentration toy when we are home - he has out company already. Something to consider op if your dog already likes this kind of thing.

Leave her for little amount at a time. Puppy loves her crate and that’s her safe space. Make sure your pup has one .

Can be very normal.

my dog absolutely will not eat or play with food based toys when the people aren’t around. She either sits, lies or sleeps. Some dogs don’t sleep much in the day. Others can sleep for England.

I think if she was distressed she would whine, bark, pee, poo, or be destructive.