How long can I leave a puppy alone? This is one of the most common questions amongst dog owners.
As much as you love to be with your puppy all the time, your daily responsibilities may force you to leave your puppy alone at home during certain periods of the day.
In today’s article, you will find out how long you can leave a puppy alone, as well as useful tips to prepare him for this reality. Check it out below!
Get Your Puppy Used to your Daily Routine
Adopting a new puppy is always a unique experience. However, it brings new responsibilities including changes in your routine.
To grow up happy and healthy, your dog will need affection, attention, physical activity, and social interaction, but it will also need to learn to be alone!
One tip is to coordinate the arrival of your new puppy with vacation days from work. That way, you’ll have free time for your new pup to get used to you, his crate, and his new home. Once he gets used to his new environment, leave him alone in his crate for half an hour at a time, and gradually increase the time. When you go back to work, we recommend hiring a professional Dog Walker to walk your pup 1-3 times per day depending on his age and needs.
Read More: Do I Need a Dog Walker?
How Long Can I Leave a Puppy Alone?
The recommended time to leave a puppy alone increases gradually equivalent to months of age. Over 6 months, a maximum of 8 hours, as shown in the table below:
- Less than 10 weeks: 1 hour
- 10 to 12 weeks: 2 hours
- 3 months: 3 hours
- 4 months: 4 hours
- 5 months: 5 hours
- 6 months: 6 hours
- Over 6 months: maximum 8 hours
Don’t forget that puppies need to urinate frequently, as they still can’t hold their bladders very long. Puppies up to 10 weeks old can hardly hold their bladder for more than 1 hour. Puppies between 10 and 12 weeks can hold their bladder for about 2 hours.
Read More: At What Age Can Puppies Go Outside?
Learning to be Alone
In order for your dog to learn to be alone, start by training him when you are at home. Put him in his crate and leave the room slowly, always remembering to associate your exit with good things. It is recommended to leave food or a treat inside his crate.
In the beginning, it’s important that you have a schedule for exercise, walks, and bathroom breaks. If you work close to home, consider returning during lunch to see if everything is okay. You can also ask someone to do it for you.
We also recommend getting a camera if you’re worried or curious about what your puppy does while you’re not home.
Read more: Teaching your Puppy How to be Alone
Before Adopting a Puppy, Remember That…
Adopting a new puppy is always an exciting experience and it’s normal for you to want to be together most of the time, enjoying every minute of it. However, first of all, consider the time that you will need to leave him alone. Be sure to train him and adapt him to your routine starting the moment you bring him home. Teaching your puppy how to be alone is much easier than trying to treat separation anxiety down the road.
With proper care and training, dogs learn to associate being alone with something positive, and being in the crate with safety and peace.
But remember: Dogs are social animals, they require social interactions with humans and other dogs. If you spend a lot of time away from home, you will need to hire help to care for your pup and make sure that their basic socialization and exercise requirements are met.
Read More: How to Socialize a Puppy Properly?
Dog Walker Astoria
If you require help providing socialization opportunities for your dog and you live in Astoria, you can enroll your pup in daily Socialization Walks with Buster and Whiskers. We offer daily 1-hour Socialization Walks. If your pup is under-socialized, we will work with them to help desensitize them and get them ready for our Group Socialization Walks. You must live within our Astoria coverage area. In addition, your dog must be up-to-date on all required vaccinations. Laying a strong foundation in socialization is the best gift you can give your pup for a long and happy life together!
Buster and Whiskers is The #1 Dog Walking Service in Astoria, NY. If your dog needs more exercise or social interaction, enroll your pup in daily Socialization Walks with us. Contact us for a professional and reliable Dog Walker in Astoria! Follow us on Instagram!
