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Your dog is part of the family. But while you may want to spend as much time as possible with your pet, that isn鈥檛 always possible. With responsibilities like work, family, and school, you鈥檒l have to leave your dog at home sometimes 鈥� and that鈥檚 okay. But how do you prepare your puppy to be alone? How long is too long for a puppy to be alone?
We spoke with Mary Janek, Director of Public Training and Instructor of Competition Obedience at the Muncie Obedience Training Club for answers.
Acclimate Your New Puppy to Your Routine
Getting a new puppy is exciting, but it also comes with new responsibilities and changes to your routine. To raise a healthy and happy dog, your puppy will need attention, exercise, and social interaction. In addition, a well-adjusted and thriving dog will need to learn how to be alone.
鈥淲hen acquiring a new puppy, plan on some vacation time from work so your puppy can get acclimated to the new environment,鈥� Janek says.
Use the time off to get your dog used to the house and their . Once they鈥檙e more comfortable at your house, you can leave them at home in their crate for an hour or more at a time. Janek recommends making arrangements for someone to let the puppy out at least once or twice a day after you return to work.
How Long Can Puppies Be Alone?
Puppies of different ages have varied time limits in which they can and should be left alone. As dogs get older, they can be alone for longer. How old your dog is generally correlates with the amount of time (in hours) that they can be alone.
- Under 10 weeks: 1 hour
- 10-12 weeks: 2 hours
- 3 months: 3 hours
- 4 months: 4 hours
- 5 months: 5 hours
- 6 months: 6 hours
- Over 6 months: Maximum 6-8 hours
Remember, dogs and especially puppies need to urinate often. As a guideline, new puppies up to 10 weeks old typically can鈥檛 hold their bladder for more than an hour. Dogs between 10 to 12 weeks old can usually hold it for around two hours.
Once your dog reaches 3 months old, they can usually hold it for an hour for each month they鈥檝e been alive. After 6 months, dogs can usually hold it for up to six hours. However, even adult dogs shouldn鈥檛 be home alone for much longer than six to eight hours without a chance for a bathroom break.
Teaching Your Puppy How to be Alone
When you first bring home your puppy, it鈥檚 likely they鈥檝e never been alone before. To teach your dog how to be alone, start by teaching them how while you鈥檙e still home.
Put them in a crate or to start out and leave the room. Janek explains that the key is to make this a safe and relaxing place for them, instead of a punishment. To make their crate a safe space, feed them meals inside it and give them special they only get in their crate. You might also try a or other anxiety-easing products to provide a more calming effect.
When you鈥檙e crate training, Janek recommends setting up a schedule of bathroom breaks and exercise. 鈥淐ome home for lunch or hire someone to do it for you,鈥� she said. 鈥淟eave special safe toys to occupy the puppy while you鈥檙e away.鈥�
If you鈥檙e nervous to leave your dog alone or are curious about how they react when you鈥檙e gone, consider investing in a dog camera so you can check in your dog when you aren鈥檛 home.
How Long Can Older Dogs Be Alone?
While puppies require constant care, they鈥檒l gradually learn how to be comfortable alone for an eight-hour workday.
鈥淥lder dogs seem to do well at home alone while owners are away at work and other functions,鈥� she said. 鈥淪enior dogs may need to be out more frequently, so going home for lunch or having someone to come by to let the dog out may be required.鈥�
However, each dog is different. Once you observe and get to know your dog, you鈥檒l be able to better understand their needs and adjust accordingly.
Considerations Before Getting a Dog
A new puppy brings a lot of joy and excitement, but you should consider your current schedule and availability before getting a dog. 鈥淗ow long the puppy is going to be home alone should be considered before bringing home a new puppy,鈥� Janek said.
Dogs are social animals and shouldn鈥檛 be cooped up in a kennel or tied up outside all day. Dogs are the happiest when they鈥檙e with the people they love. Janek reiterated that puppies need exercise, time to bond, and time to get used to their new environment.
鈥淚f you don鈥檛 intend to spend lots of time with the dog each day, morning, afternoon, and evening, maybe a different pet would be a better fit,鈥� she said.
When you鈥檙e considering adding a dog to your family, decide who is responsible for feeding, grooming, exercising, and training the dog. A new dog in the family is a great addition if everyone agrees to do their part in their care.