Are Maltese dogs likely to suffer separation anxiety?

I am looking for a small dog who can be alone for 8 hours a day and not suffer from separation anxiety. I know all dogs need human company and cannot be left alone for that long, but I work full time and I really want a dog. So can anyone suggest a small dog breed that is more independent? Thank you so much!

It depends more on the temperament of the dog than it does the breed. I have two Maltese who are home alone for about 8.5 hours while I am at work and they do just fine. I crate trained them as puppies and made sure they were accustomed to me coming and going.

This entry was posted on Tuesday, January 11th, 2011 at 3:39 pm and is filed under maltese dogs. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.

4 Responses to “Are Maltese dogs likely to suffer separation anxiety?”

Sandra R on January 11th, 2011 at 8:57 pm

Separation anxiety is not based on breed. The worst case I ever saw was in a Bull Mastiff. Good training and working with your dog helps to prevent this. Do a lot of coming and going in the short term and then extend the times longer and longer. Getting a dog that is already trained would be a good choice. If you want a puppy get it while you are on vacation so you have a few weeks to develop a schedule that it can learn.
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animal care worker
SunneeOne w on January 11th, 2011 at 9:13 pm

any or all breeds can suffer from anxietytion anxiety. It is not breed specific.
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marci knows best on January 11th, 2011 at 9:59 pm

Don’t get a puppy!!! Get an adult dog from a shelter or breed rescue. Try Maltese Rescue and explain that you want a dog who is already housebroken with a minimum of separation anxiety. They can watch for such a dog. Any of the breed rescues can screen the dog and find a good match. Any breed can have an insecure dog and any bred can have a self confident dog.

You might also consider getting Patricia McConnell’s booklet "I’ll Be Home Soon" about dealing with separation anxiety.

Add a few weeks for a puppy??? Puppies need to be taken out every few hours for months.
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breed rescue volunteer
Stacey on January 11th, 2011 at 10:41 pm

It depends more on the temperament of the dog than it does the breed. I have two Maltese who are home alone for about 8.5 hours while I am at work and they do just fine. I crate trained them as puppies and made sure they were accustomed to me coming and going.
References :
Maltese owner

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