Eight hours should always be the absolute maximum you leave your puppy home alone – and only once they are over six months old. However, if your pup is outside or has access to the yard for a bathroom break, they may be okay being left alone for eight hours from a younger age.
As your puppy gets older gradually increase the total amount of time you leave them alone. Adult dogs are generally okay on their own for 4-6 hours a day. But, many dogs are good at adapting to being alone for 8-9 hours while you are at work if they are provided with enough space to comfortably move around.
At what age is it alright for you to leave your puppy at home when you'll be out all day? This depends on different factors, such as how old your puppy is and whether or not your puppy has any health issues or concerns. In general, you can leave a healthy puppy home alone when they are over 10 weeks old.
For example, if your puppy is three months old, that means they can hold their bladder for approximately three hours. As such, most experts agree that young puppies should not be left alone for more than two to three hours at a time.
Most experts agree you shouldn't leave your adult dog alone for more than eight to 10 hours, but some dogs (especially ones with small bladders) can't last that long. DO prepare your dog before you go.
Dogs of any breed (including crossbreeds) and either gender may develop separation anxiety. This disorder mostly affects young dogs who are three or less than three years of age (approximately 60%); the occurrence of separation anxiety reduces in their middle age. It is more common again when their age is around 8.
Puppies: one hour per every month of age (so a three month old puppy can wait three hours to pee) Adult dogs age one year and up: up to eight hours, but ideally no more than six. Senior dogs age eight and up: depending on size and health, anywhere from two to six hours.
Once your dog reaches three months old, they can usually hold it for an hour for each month they've been alive. After six months, dogs can usually hold it for up to six hours. However, even adult dogs shouldn't be home alone for much longer than six to eight hours without a chance for a bathroom break.
The solution is to keep your puppy safe within a playpen, but in an area that's large enough to hold their bed, toys, and a corner for puppy pads. Encourage and praise the puppy to use the pads as a toilet.
No puppy, or dog for that matter, should be left alone for long periods of time. Dogs that are left alone for significant periods can develop anxiety and an inability to cope with being separated from their owners.
If possible, dogs older than 6 months should not be left alone for longer than 4 hours at a time. If this is difficult, the absolute maximum time for them to be alone is 8 hours, but this is only recommended if your dog has a way to get outside for a bathroom break.
While your dog will remember you leaving the house, they most likely won't understand how long you were away. When dogs are left alone, sometimes they become stressed (stemming from their separation anxiety), indicating that they have an awareness of the passage of time.
Practice leaving your home and coming back while gradually increasing the time away each time. Start with a few minutes, then move up to 15 minutes, half an hour, and so on. You can even create associations for your dog by giving them a treat when you leave or jingling your keys when you're about to head out the door.
There is some wiggle room, provided that your pooch has access to enough food and water, as well as a place to go potty if they need to. However, even if their basic needs are met, you shouldn't leave your pet alone and unsupervised for more than 8 hours a day.
Some dogs don't need anything to find themselves running around the house and playing with their toys, others will snooze through a jackhammer no sweat. If you're working from home right now you might see your pet sleeps all day even with you right next to them! Dogs, like people, are unique.
It's important to start introducing your dog to 'alone time' right from the outset – especially as a pup. Start with just a few minutes and then gradually extend the length of time if your pet remains calm while you are out of sight. Your dog can be in their crate, special area, or on their own in the house.
Impawtant Note: While it's common for dogs to sleep in crates at night, we don't recommend that you keep your dog in a crate for more than a couple hours during the day. Before you go back to the office, make sure your dog is fully potty trained so they do not have to stay in a crate at all while you're gone.
It's normal to feel guilty about leaving your furry friend alone. But, as long as you're still getting their exercise in (especially before you leave) and don't make a big deal about leaving, then your canine companion should do just fine.
2 months: An hour or less. Yep, puppies really need us at this age, and they also need to go for wees far more often. 3 months: 2 hours tops – otherwise your puppy will likely leave puddles on the floor. 4 months: At this point, how long a puppy can stay alone can start matching their age – so 4 hours.
Dogs are a naturally social species and it's normal for them to stay close to their social group which is why they can become anxious when left alone. When a puppy is first separated from their mother and litter mates, their usual response will be to whine, whimper or bark while trying to get back to them.
Teaching Alone Time
In the beginning, even one or two minutes might feel too long for your puppy, but over three or four days, you should be able to build up to fairly long periods.
Ignoring a dog that has suffered with severe anxiety whilst alone – until he gives up trying to interact - is unkind and counterproductive because it actually adds to their anxiety.
Dogs with separation issues do not “get over it” or grow out of it on their own. In fact, left untreated, this very real behavior disorder usually intensifies over time. So, please dismiss any advice to let your dog “bark it out” or just get used to being alone on their own.