If you leave your puppy alone for too long, no matter how many toys they have, they can get separation anxiety. A puppy definitely needs companionship, playtime, and pee and poop breaks during the workday, so be sure to plan for that.
Young puppies under six months shouldn't really be left alone for more than two hours. And it's a good idea to build up the time they spend alone gradually to prevent separation anxiety from setting in. When you do leave your puppy alone, it's a good idea to crate train them, or leave them in a puppy-proofed room.
A safe confinement area, like an exercise pen or crate, is perfect for this purpose. If you use a crate or exercise pen appropriately, they will see their confinement area as a place to relax rather than as punishment. Alternatively, you can limit your puppy to a small and safe area with baby gates.
In general, the minimum amount of interaction time for a puppy to be happy and healthy is two to three hours per day. This will give you enough time for training, play, cuddling, and feeding.
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.
Putting your puppy in their playpen is a great idea if you work from home, as it gives them a safe area to relax or play while you get some work done. This is especially important for preventing separation anxiety if you work primarily from home.
Separation anxiety is a serious condition that creates high levels of stress for your puppy and often results in abnormal behaviour when left alone. Puppies may cry a little when you leave the house, but separation anxiety is usually explained by more extreme behaviours, such as: Destructive or disruptive behaviour.
Your dog should understand that their place is on the floor where they are not equal to you. For the same reason you are discouraged from getting on the floor with your dog to play in “their territory,” you should not bring your dog into your territory.
Modified 5-Minute Rule
One of the most popular answers to how long a puppy should exercise per day is 5 minutes for every month of age, twice a day. This means an two-month-old puppy should get 10 minutes of exercise twice a day. This is a good starting point, but not all dogs are the same.
When you bring your puppy home, expose him or her to the world. So go ahead and take your pup out with you everywhere you go, and expose it to the sights and sounds of real life: kids playing, cars honking, people talking.
Yes, sometimes problems can arise from spending too much time with your dog. This is because they can become dependent on your company and become increasingly demanding. To keep your relationship healthy, and for a well-behaved dog that you will love even more; you can make sure interactions are on your terms.
But in all honesty, there's no 'right time' for a puppy to go to sleep, as long as it's the same every night. While this may be the case, do note that your puppy will need, on average, around 8-10 hours of sleep per night.
Signs of a Strong Bond
There's no mistaking a dog who feels a real emotional connection with you. There's a real light in their eyes; they smile, wag, rub into you, and makes great eye contact. When you come home, they brighten up, becomes animated, and may even vocalize their joy.
You should have a pee pad inside the playpen, which if you're lucky the first couple nights, the pup will pee on it instead of on the floor. Don't lock them in the crate until you've given them time to love it by following the advice below. Keep everything super positive.
Always use toys when playing with puppies, never your bare hands. This way you will have something big enough to guide into the puppy's mouth when he wants to bite and tug. Be careful when playing with young pups; don't tug hard enough to hurt them. They may be pretending to be fierce, but they are still babies.
Many people use a puppy-pen but you can use a small room, like your bathroom, as well. If possible, it's best to give him a space that you can gradually expand, an area that will be his for the long term. The space should have a comfortable bed, a few toys and something with your scent on it — old clothing works great.
Given that dogs can read the cues, then yes, they most likely know when we are going on a holiday. Saying goodbye to your pet will always be a little heartbreaking for both parties (especially when they respond to you with a whimper!) but there are things that we can do to make it a little easier for your pooch.
Do not ignore your puppy's whines or cries, and try to know the cause of their distress. It is important to provide puppies with the comfort they need in the first few days you bring them home, and to later give them the proper training to address any specific behavior issues or to add to their communication skills.
Feeling guilty about leaving your pet throughout the day is a sign that you care. 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.
Be sure to not let them run around the entire house for the first few weeks to avoid any unwanted behaviors. Baby gates are a great way to block off a smaller area of your home for your puppy to explore. If you have other pets, have their first interactions be in a controlled environment.
Their young bodies and brains are still developing, and leaving them alone for too long can lead to behavioral issues and conditions like separation anxiety. No dog should be left alone for a full 8-hour workday.
'Puppy blues' is a term used to describe the negative experiences and feelings that some people experience after bringing home a puppy. After the immediate euphoria of the fluffy bundle of fun wears off, many puppy owners (and particularly first-time dog owners) are left feeling overwhelmed and without support.