That said, it can be very unsafe and dangerous to leave your dog home alone for extended periods of time. As such, it's better to find them another place to stay so they can receive adequate care.
When you do leave your young puppy alone it's best to keep them safe in a crate or puppy-proof room where they can't break anything or get into too much trouble. 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.
DON'T stay away too long.
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.
Adult dogs (One year and older): up to eight hours, but ideally no more than six. Senior dogs (Eight years and older): depending on size and health, anywhere from two to six hours.
As a general rule, your dog should never be left alone for more than four hours at a time. However, this will greatly depend on your dog, their age, breed and how they cope with being on their own in the house.
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.
Dog separation anxiety, more aptly termed as separation distress or panic is real. It can happen not only when you go on vacation but also when you need to leave them in general. It is a relatively common behavioural disorder, and it is a lot more than just “getting bored”.
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.
No matter how frequently we leave the house, our dogs still find it challenging to get used to being left alone. They pick up signs that tell them we're about to leave, such as seeing the luggage, putting our shoes on, and even when we get the keys. That is not surprising because dogs are really smart!
Yes, dogs can suffer from depression, and yes, it can be debilitating for them. Typically, your dog will go through a grieving period that can last anywhere from a couple of days to several weeks, depending on how long you are away.
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.
Give your pup a designated space
Designate a space in your home where your dog can feel safe with their bed, a few toys, food, and water. If your pup has a tendency to chew on your favorite slippers, using a pet fence can keep them in their designated space.
That said, it can be very unsafe and dangerous to leave your dog home alone for extended periods of time. As such, it's better to find them another place to stay so they can receive adequate care.
You don't want to be leaving a dog alone for 24 hours or more because they will need to go potty and go out for some exercise. If you need to be away for longer, hire a sitter or get a friend to care for your dog.
Yes, Dogs Get Lonely
Dogs are social animals and should have the opportunity to interact with people at least several times a day, and with other dogs on occasion, if this is something they enjoy. It's even more important to not leave puppies home alone all day.
Dogs know based on their experiences.
They're very good at picking up on subtle cues like reading body language, changes in the environment, and listening to sounds. And not just your own signals, but maybe the sound of a neighbor's car that starts up a few minutes before you arrive home.
The Rhen/Keeling Study
What did they find? That dog's can tell when we've been gone for a while! The study noted marked differences in the way dogs behaved (i.e. increased tail wagging, more face licking) when an owner had been gone for two hours relative to when they'd only been gone for 30 minutes.
Overall, dogs are complex creatures that think about a wide range of things, including social relationships, their physical environment, daily routine, physical needs, and health and well-being.
You may experience guilt because you love and care for your pet and do not like the thought of them being home by their self without you. You may think that your pet is sad, depressed, or dejected when you leave, and this causes you guilt.
Dogs might also cry when you leave because they want to follow you but they can't. They don't deal well with uncertainty and when you leave the house, there is a lot of it. Your canine companion doesn't know when or if you're ever coming back, he doesn't know what to do without you and that can be scary.
But that doesn't mean you shouldn't FaceTime or Skype with your pets while you're out of town! It won't harm them, and they may even recognize and be comforted by the sound of your voice. Plus, you get the benefit of seeing their adorable face while you're away. It's a win-win for you and your dog.
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.
The length of time they could stand isolation would also depend on the dog's personality or breed, but generally, dogs should be allowed to relieve themselves every four hours. Most experts also agree that 8-10 hours should be about the longest period you can leave a dog alone, provided he has access to food and water.
Your dog spends most of their time sleeping while you are not there, in fact they are often dreaming about new adventures and reminiscing about their routine, even flexing their legs in a running motion or making noises.