How long can a dog be left alone? Leaving your newly adopted dog home alone for the first time can be stressful, whether you’re a puppy or an adult. Whether you’re out for work, socializing, or running errands, it’s inevitable that you’ll need to leave your dog at home sometimes. And while dogs enjoy being with their owners, that doesn’t mean it’s a bad or dangerous thing to do.
The amount of time you can leave your dog alone depends on a number of factors. We spoke to Alexandra Bassett, CPDT-KA Certified Professional Dog Trainer, Head Dog Trainer, Behavior Consultant, and owner of Dog Savvy, to learn more. With her insights, we discovered some helpful tips on how long you can leave your dog alone, and the best ways to do so the first few times.
How long can a dog be left alone?
“The amount of time you can leave a dog alone depends on their age, temperament, energy level and making sure all of their needs are met before leaving them alone,” Bassett says. A good rule of thumb is to avoid leaving a puppy home alone for more than the number of hours their age in months is up.
For example, you shouldn’t leave a five-month-old puppy home alone for more than five hours.
Puppies under five months old often require more bathroom breaks and attention, so Bassett recommends not leaving them alone for more than three to four hours.
Adult dogs that are familiar with a routine and have their needs met (they’ve eaten, exercised, and gone to the bathroom) can usually be left alone for six to eight hours. However, some dogs may need more frequent bathroom breaks as they get older. So you’ll need to schedule these times based on your dog’s specific needs.
More active breeds, such as Australian Shepherds and Jack Russell Terriers. May have trouble spending long periods of time alone compared to dogs with medium to low energy levels, such as Bulldogs and Great Danes.
If you need to leave your dog alone for long periods of time, don’t despair; Bassett suggests getting someone to help. “It’s a good เล่นเกมคาสิโน UFABET ทันสมัย ฝากถอนง่าย idea to hire a dog walker to break up the monotony of the day, or a pet sitter to come by and care for your pup if you need to be left alone for extended periods of time while someone is at work,” she says.
How long can you leave your dog in a cage?
What about crate use? How long can an adult dog or puppy stay in a crate alone? The answer is generally the same: You shouldn’t leave a puppy alone for more than a number of hours equal to its age in months. This number may be lower for puppies under five months old, Bassett warns. As they tend to require more care and attention, depending on the puppy.
“I generally recommend using a crate in combination with a playpen. So that if someone has to leave a puppy alone for more than three to four hours. They should be left in a playpen with a designated potty area (using a pee pad) rather than leaving them in a crate and risking them going potty on themselves or developing crate anxiety,” Bassett says.
Using a crate is also helpful for older or senior dogs who may need more frequent bathroom breaks or have crate anxiety.
Preparing Your Dog for Crate Use
Before leaving your dog alone in a crate for long periods of time. It’s important to crate train him. “Pet parents should have regular crate or playtime breaks that mimic their daily routine. Such as when they’re expected to leave the house during work hours. To help get your dog used to spending time alone before they’re truly left alone,” Bassett says.
One way to do this is to place the crate in an area of the house. Where you spend the most time. So that your puppy can see the rest of the household and learn to relax while in the crate.
You’ll want to make sure that the crate is large enough for your dog to turn around and relax in. Remove the harness and collar. Before putting your dog in the crate to prevent them from getting stuck when no one is around.
Can I leave my dog alone overnight?
Leaving a dog alone overnight depends on a few factors. “It’s much easier to leave a dog alone in a multi-dog household. Where they have each other to keep them company. Than it is to leave one dog alone overnight,” Bassett says. “Dogs are very social animals and prefer to be with others rather than left alone. So it’s not a good idea to do this regularly.”
Your dog’s age and needs also play a role. It might be okay if your dog is used to being alone for long periods of time (assuming you work outside a lot), but if your dog is a puppy, has separation anxiety, or needs more frequent bathroom trips. Try not to leave them alone for more than six to eight hours.
But life can get in the way, and we know that sometimes pet parents find themselves in a situation. Where they need to be away from their puppies overnight. In such cases, it’s best to hire a pet sitter or have a friend come over before bed and again in the early morning for older dogs. If your dog tends to have problems being alone. Consider partitioning off areas of your home to keep them in a more confined area.
How to Prepare Your Dog to Be Alone
One way to prepare your dog for home alone time is to schedule time throughout the day for him to get exercise. This exercise can be a walk or a game of fetch. Individual exercise needs will vary depending on your dog’s age, breed, and health level.
For example, herding and sporting breeds tend to require more intense and longer periods of activity. Lower-energy breeds and senior dogs, on the other hand, can get significantly less exercise. But all dogs need to stretch a few times a day. So if you’re going to be outside for a while. Be sure to exercise them first.
Dogs also need mental stimulation, whether it’s training, feeding puzzles, safe bones to chew on, or indoor games. Enrichment activities help keep your dog healthy and balance out the time they spend alone. If you know your dog can count on toys when he’s alone. You can leave the toys out while you’re gone to provide a source of activity.
For dogs with mild separation anxiety. Leaving a heartbeat toy or a shirt or blanket with your scent on them can be a source of comfort while you’re gone. Dog parents may also consider leaving their dogs with a trusted pet sitter. If they plan on being away for an extended period of time.