Quick Answer
Boxers are an energetic breed that require a moderate amount of daily exercise and interaction. While some individuals may do alright for 8-10 hours alone, most boxers are highly social dogs that can develop separation anxiety and destructive behaviors if left alone for long periods regularly. Providing plentiful exercise, mental stimulation, and socialization is key to keeping a boxer happy and well-behaved when left alone during the day.
How Long Can You Leave a Boxer Alone?
Most experts recommend that an adult boxer should not be left alone for more than 4-6 hours per day. Boxers are people-oriented companions that thrive on being with their family. When left alone for long periods of time regularly, boxers may resort to destructive behaviors like chewing, digging, barking, or having accidents out of boredom, anxiety, or frustration.
While some individual boxers may tolerate longer periods of alone time if properly exercised beforehand, it’s best to limit alone time to less than 6 hours whenever possible. Puppies should also be left alone much less – no more than 2-3 hours at a time until they are at least 6 months old. Ensuring your boxer gets adequate daily exercise and mental stimulation will also help them better tolerate time spent alone.
Signs of Separation Anxiety
Boxers that are left alone for overly long periods may start to display signs of separation anxiety or distress at being left alone, including:
- Excessive barking or howling
- Destructive behaviors like chewing, digging, urinating or defecating
- Depression or lethargy
- Agitation when you prepare to leave
- Following you excessively
If your boxer starts to display multiple signs of separation anxiety or distress when left alone, you may need to adjust your schedule to spend more time with them, provide them with more exercise and stimulation before leaving, or consider doggie daycare a few days a week.
Tips for Leaving Your Boxer Alone
While boxers should not be left completely alone for a full workday on a regular basis, there are some tips that can help them better tolerate time spent alone:
Give Plenty of Exercise First
Make sure your boxer gets at least 60-90 minutes of active exercise like walking, running, playing fetch, or swimming before any long stints alone. A tired boxer is much less likely to get bored or anxious.
Provide Interactive Toys
Give your boxer puzzle toys, chews, or food-dispensing toys to keep them occupied in your absence. Items that make them think and work for treats will Stimulate them mentally and physically. Rotate different interactive toys to prevent boredom.
Crate Train Your Boxer
Crate training provides a safe, cozy space for your boxer while you are gone. Make the crate comfortable with a bed and toys. Start by having them nap in the crate while you are home to get them used to it.
Consider Doggy Daycare
For weekdays when your boxer has to be alone for 8+ hours, look into doggy daycare even just once or twice a week. This will provide them with playtime, socialization, and supervision on those long days alone.
Provide Background Noise
Leave a radio or TV on calmly to provide soothing background noise that can help a boxer feel less isolated. Play calming music to help relax them as well.
Set Up a Camera
Consider setting up a treat-dispensing camera you can check in on your phone to both monitor and interact with your boxer during long days alone. Being able to talk to them can provide comfort.
Ask a Friend to Visit
If your schedule permits, having a friend or neighbor stop by to take your boxer for a short walk or play session can provide a much needed break during the day.
Practice Gradually
If your boxer is staying alone for the first time, gradually build up alone time in increments starting with just an hour or two to get them used to it.
Exercising Your Boxer Before & After Work
Ensuring your boxer gets adequate exercise is one of the best ways to prevent problem behaviors from boredom when home alone. Try to follow this routine:
Morning
Plan to wake up 30-60 minutes early to take your boxer on a brisk 30 minute walk or play a vigorous game of fetch in your yard. Getting their energy out first thing can make a big difference.
Evening
As soon as you get home, take your boxer for at least 30 more minutes of quality activity outside. Make this a habit so they can relieve pent up energy.
Weekends
Make time on weekends for at least 60-90 minutes of exercise split into multiple sessions. Take long walks, play games in the yard, or take them swimming if possible.
Following this consistent exercise routine before and after work, even when very busy, will help your boxer stay calm, content, and tired when left alone during weekdays. Consistency is key!
Keeping Your Boxer Busy While You’re Away
In addition to exercise, providing your boxer with ways to occupy themselves while home alone will prevent boredom and anxiety. Here are some great options:
Interactive Food Toys
There are many puzzles and toys that can be stuffed with your boxer’s kibble or treats to provide mental stimulation. Examples include rubber Kongs, treat balls, snuffle mats, puzzle toys, and more.
Recreational Bones
Long-lasting recreational bones made from nylon or antlers can keep your boxer happily gnawing for hours. These are safer than rawhide. Monitor use to prevent choking.
Stuff a Kong
Fill a Kong rubber toy with peanut butter, pumpkin, yogurt, or wet dog food. Freeze it for a long-lasting challenge as your dog works to access the contents.
Provide Appropriate Chew Toys
Offer rawhide alternatives like benebones, nylon bones, or compressed wood chews. These can satisfy chewing urges in your absence. Avoid toys that could be swallowed.
Rotate Toys
Rotate different interactive toys to keep things interesting. Toys stuffed with food will require daily cleaning. Only provide access to 2-3 toys at a time and put toys away between uses to keep them novel.
Leave the TV or Radio On
Providing some ambient noise can prevent your boxer from feeling too isolated. Calm music channels or even audiobooks can also be soothing.
Keeping your boxer occupied with enjoyable activities tailored to their individual preferences will result in a happier dog while you are away. Try different options to see what works best.
Crate Training Your Boxer
Crate training can be an excellent way to help your boxer learn to settle when left alone during the day. Follow these tips:
Select the Right Crate
Your boxer’s crate should allow them to stand and turn around but not have excessive extra room. Avoid wire crates if your boxer is an anxious chewer.
Make It Cozy
Place a crate bed or blanket inside for comfort along with a worn t-shirt with your scent. Some dogs like a toy inside for security.
Use Treats & Praise
Toss treats into the crate and provide praise as your boxer enters to create a positive association. Feed all meals inside the crate.
Gradually Build Up Time
Start with brief sessions of 10-30 minutes crated during the day as you stay home. Slowly work up to leaving for short errands, and then longer periods.
Avoid Punishing the Crate
Never use the crate for punishment or force your boxer inside. This will undermine the positive association you want them to build.
Provide Potty & Exercise Breaks
Your boxer should be pottied and exercised before crating for long periods. Limit crating to 6 hours maximum per day for adult boxers.
Consider Dividers
Use crate dividers to reduce excess space if your boxer seems stressed. This can help them feel more secure.
With time and positive reinforcement, your boxer can learn to relax in their crate when alone rather than becoming stressed or destructive. Proper crate training is extremely beneficial for enhancing their comfort.
How to Ease Your Boxer’s Separation Anxiety
If your boxer exhibits signs of separation anxiety like barking, pacing, destruction, or accidents when left alone, here are some tips:
Ignore Attention-Seeking
Don’t greet anxious behaviors like barking with attention when you get home, as this can reinforce the behavior. Wait until your boxer is calm before giving affection.
Provide Exercise Beforehand
Make sure your boxer gets adequate exercise before being left alone to lower pent-up energy contributing to anxiety.
Use Calming Aids
Natural supplements, calming sprays, or pheromone diffusers can help take the edge off. Try vet-approved options.
Practice Graduated Departures
Start by leaving for very short periods and slowly increase your time away. This helps desensitize dogs to being alone.
Crate Train
Crate training can provide security for dogs prone to separation anxiety. Make sure the crate is a positive place with treats and toys.
Consult Your Veterinarian
If your boxer’s anxiety seems extreme and these tips don’t help within a few weeks, speak to your vet about anti-anxiety medication or behavioral modification plans. Don’t let it get worse untreated.
With time and consistency using these methods, separation anxiety can improve dramatically. The earlier it is addressed, the faster your boxer will learn to become comfortable spending time alone.
Increasing Your Boxer’s Independence
While boxers crave time and attention from their people, you can gradually teach them greater independence to prepare them spending sections of the day alone:
Encourage Solo Play
Provide puzzle toys and chews for your boxer to occupy themselves with while you are home. Reward them for playing or resting on their own.
Practice Low Stimulation
Work on down-stay training and teach your boxer to settle calmly on a bed in boring environments to increase their tolerance for inactivity.
Reward Calm Behavior
Give your boxer attention when they are resting or occupying themselves calmly. Don’t overly fuss over them when they demand attention.
Start Short Separations
Briefly step outside frequently, shutting the door behind you. Return before they become anxious and reward calmness.
Ignore Attention Seeking
If your boxer whines or scratches at the door when you step outside, wait for them to settle before coming back to discourage demanding behavior.
Increase Time Away
Gradually lengthen your departure time from 5 minutes up to an hour as your boxer learns to independent. This eases future separation anxiety.
Leave Them Alone Sometimes
Make sure your boxer learns to amuse themselves while you shower, do chores, or relax in another room. Prevent velcro dog behavior.
With training, most boxers can adapt to spending reasonable periods of time alone without stress. The key is preventing separation anxiety through very gradual training.
Considerations for Leaving Your Boxer Puppy Alone
Boxer puppies require additional considerations when left alone during the day:
Shorter Time Limits
Boxer puppies less than 6 months old should only be left for 2-3 hours maximum to prevent potty accidents and damage from chewing.
Puppy-Proof Your Home
Remove or secure anything your puppy could chew on or destroy. Use baby gates to restrict access if needed. Provide safe chew toys.
Allow Plenty of Potty Breaks
Puppies need to eliminate more frequently. Arrange for someone to take them out or use pee pads if they will be alone for longer than 2-3 hours.
Leave Them Tired
Make sure your puppy gets plenty of playtime and exercise before any time left alone to mitigate misbehavior.
Consider Day Care Options
For weekdays with long work hours, look into doggy day care, pet sitters, or dog walkers to give your puppy potty and play breaks.
While all dogs require training to prevent separation anxiety, boxer puppies in particular should not stay alone for extended periods. Adjust your schedule to fit their greater needs.
Finding Alternatives to Leaving Your Boxer Alone
If leaving your boxer home alone for your full work day isn’t possible or advisable, consider these alternatives to provide them with care and companionship:
Doggy Daycare
Doggy daycares provide playtime, walks, snacks, and naps for dogs during the day. Choose a reputable facility. Many offer webcams so owners can check in! This is an excellent option for high-energy boxers.
In-Home Pet Sitters
Hire an individual pet sitter or service to visit your home during the day when you can’t be there. They can walk, feed, and play with your boxer.
Dog Walkers
Dog walking services can pick your boxer up and take them out for exercise and socialization mid-day on weekdays. This provides a break from confinement.
Have a Neighbor or Friend Visit
Ask a retired neighbor, family member, or trusted friend to periodically check in and walk your boxer on weekdays when you’re gone for long hours. Offer to return the favor.
Take Your Dog to Work
Some workplaces allow employees to bring well-behaved dogs in during the day. See if this is a possibility even for part of the week.
While leaving any dog home alone for 8+ hours daily isn’t ideal, there are many options for providing your boxer with exercise, potty breaks, and companionship on those long weekday workdays when needed. These alternatives are well worth considering.
Conclusion
Boxers are highly social dogs that can develop anxiety or problem behaviors if left home alone for overly long periods on a regular basis. While the occasional long day alone won’t harm an adult boxer if their needs are otherwise met, ideally time alone should be limited to 4-6 hours at most per day.
Ensuring your boxer gets adequate exercise, mental stimulation, and socialization is key to their well-being and prevents misbehavior when they do need to spend part of the day alone. For those with demanding work schedules, alternatives like day care or pet sitters should be utilized to provide companionship and activity on weekdays. With proper care, training, and precautions, most boxers can learn to be left alone safely for reasonable periods of time. Just be sure to meet their needs for exercise, attention, and potty breaks before and after any stints home alone.